http://repub.eur.nl/res/concept/jel-L52/ Recent publications classified by JEL Code L52 en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/18041/ 2010-01-23T00:00:00Z A stochastic inventory routing problem (SIRP) is typically the combination of stochastic inventory control problems and NP-hard vehicle routing problems, for a depot to determine delivery volumes to its customers in each period, and vehicle routes to distribute the delivery volumes. This paper aims to solve a large scale multi-period SIRP with split delivery (SIRPSD) where a customer’s delivery in each period can be split and satisfied by multiple vehicles if necessary. The objective of the problem is to minimize the total inventory and transportation cost while some constraints are given to satisfy other criteria, such as the service level to limit the stockout probability at each customer and the service level to limit the overfilling probability of the warehouse of each customer. In order to tackle the SIRPSD with notorious computational complexity, we propose for it an approximate model, which significantly reduces the number of decision variables compared to its corresponding exact model. We develop a hybrid approach that combines the linearization of nonlinear constraints, the decomposition of the model into sub-models with Lagrangian relaxation, and a partial linearization approach for a sub model. A near optimal solution of the model can be found by the approach, and then be used to construct a near optimal solution of the SIRPSD. Numerical examples show that, for an instance of the problem with 200 customers and 5 periods that contains about 400 thousands decision variables where half of them are integer, our approach can obtain high quality near optimal solutions with a reasonable computational time on an ordinary PC. Yu, Y. Chu, C. Chen, H.X. Chu, F. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/1785/ 2004-10-29T00:00:00Z The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of China’s science and technology, their related institutions and use in the business world since the reforms started in 1978. Special attention will be given to the re-integration of high-technology into the private sector and the accompanying new type of organization: the New Technology Enterprises (NTEs) – or technological entrepreneurs – in the Development Zones. In an historical analysis we identify several phases of institutional reforms and international technology transfer. The present state of Science & Technology is analysed in terms of information infrastructure, educational system and innovative capability. The analysis shows the still underdeveloped parts of a science and technology supporting environment. The analysis discusses the basic features of the high-technology industry and identifies the information and communication technology (ICT) sector as the most important sector of the industry. This sector is growing fast none the least due to the attention the reform policy has paid to its development since 1978. Specifically the role of NTEs – who are pre-dominantly ICT oriented – in Development Zones is interesting and important. We argue that the NTEs play a large role in the development of private high-technology. We propose a system for technological entrepreneurship and identify computer hardware and software as key sectors for NTEs and high-technology development. Greeven, M.J. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/38/ 2000-07-07T00:00:00Z This paper searches for the origins of the relatively successful performance of Hoogovens, the only sizeable steel firm in the Netherlands. It is suggested that Hoogovens has at critical moments benefited substantially from both strategic and financial support, but was basically left to decide its own policies. Luckily, it mostly opted for 'right' policies so that the industry's decline hit less hard in the Netherlands than elsewhere thus making it less necessary to develop emergency programmes. More specifically, Hoogovens chose to diversify into the aluminium market at a relatively early stage, and it broke up its merger with Germany's Hoesch. However, Hoogovens also benefited from the Polder Model's emphasis on wage restraint as much of the firm's output is exported. Moreover, corporatist welfare arrangements allowed Hoogovens to shed labour without causing extraordinary unrest. It is concluded that the success of 'laissez-faire intervention' heavily depends on the qualities of the supported firm's management. Polder-type governance in terms of wages and labour has beneficial effects in the short run, may but retard innovation. Schenk, E.J.J.