IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ejores/v223y2012i3p739-751.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unifying temporal and organizational scales in multiscale decision-making

Author

Listed:
  • Wernz, Christian
  • Deshmukh, Abhijit

Abstract

In enterprise systems, making decisions is a complex task for agents at all levels of the organizational hierarchy. To calculate an optimal course of action, an agent has to include uncertainties and the anticipated decisions of other agents, recognizing that they also engage in a stochastic, game-theoretic reasoning process. Furthermore, higher-level agents seek to align the interests of their subordinates by providing incentives. Incentive-giving and receiving agents need to include the effect of the incentive on their payoffs in the optimal strategy calculations. In this paper, we present a multiscale decision-making model that accounts for uncertainties and organizational interdependencies over time. Multiscale decision-making combines stochastic games with hierarchical Markov decision processes to model and solve multi-organizational-scale and multi-time-scale problems. This is the first model that unifies the organizational and temporal scales and can solve a 3-agent, 3-period problem. Solutions can be derived as analytic equations with low computational effort. We apply the model to a service enterprise challenge that illustrates the applicability and relevance of the model. This paper makes an important contribution to the foundation of multiscale decision theory and represents a key step towards solving the general X-agent, T-period problem.

Suggested Citation

  • Wernz, Christian & Deshmukh, Abhijit, 2012. "Unifying temporal and organizational scales in multiscale decision-making," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 223(3), pages 739-751.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:223:y:2012:i:3:p:739-751
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2012.06.038
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377221712004936
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ejor.2012.06.038?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wernz, Christian & Deshmukh, Abhijit, 2010. "Multiscale decision-making: Bridging organizational scales in systems with distributed decision-makers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 202(3), pages 828-840, May.
    2. R.J. Aumann & S. Hart (ed.), 2002. "Handbook of Game Theory with Economic Applications," Handbook of Game Theory with Economic Applications, Elsevier, edition 1, volume 3, number 3.
    3. Gfrerer, Helmut & Zapfel, Gunther, 1995. "Hierarchical model for production planning in the case of uncertain demand," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 142-161, October.
    4. Rodica Brânzei & Vito Fragnelli & Stef Tijs, 2002. "Tree-connected peer group situations and peer group games," Mathematical Methods of Operations Research, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research (GOR);Nederlands Genootschap voor Besliskunde (NGB), vol. 55(1), pages 93-106, March.
    5. Ozdamar, Linet & Bozyel, M. Ali & Birbil, S. Ilker, 1998. "A hierarchical decision support system for production planning (with case study)," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(3), pages 403-422, February.
    6. Vetschera, Rudolf, 2000. "A multi-criteria agency model with incomplete preference information," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 126(1), pages 152-165, October.
    7. Schneewei[beta], Christoph, 1995. "Hierarchical structures in organisations: A conceptual framework," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 4-31, October.
    8. M. A. Pollatschek & B. Avi-Itzhak, 1969. "Algorithms for Stochastic Games with Geometrical Interpretation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(7), pages 399-415, March.
    9. Stadtler, Hartmut, 2005. "Supply chain management and advanced planning--basics, overview and challenges," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 163(3), pages 575-588, June.
    10. Schneeweiss, Christoph & Zimmer, Kirstin, 2004. "Hierarchical coordination mechanisms within the supply chain," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(3), pages 687-703, March.
    11. Nie, Pu-yan & Chen, Li-hua & Fukushima, Masao, 2006. "Dynamic programming approach to discrete time dynamic feedback Stackelberg games with independent and dependent followers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 169(1), pages 310-328, February.
    12. Schneeweiss, Christoph, 2003. "Distributed decision making--a unified approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(2), pages 237-252, October.
    13. Laffont, Jean-Jacques, 1990. "Analysis of Hidden Gaming in a Three-Level Hierarchy," The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, Oxford University Press, vol. 6(2), pages 301-324, Fall.
    14. Geanakoplos, John & Milgrom, Paul, 1991. "A theory of hierarchies based on limited managerial attention," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 5(3), pages 205-225, September.
    15. M. Jacobson & N. Shimkin & A. Shwartz, 2003. "Markov Decision Processes with Slow Scale Periodic Decisions," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 28(4), pages 777-800, November.
    16. Groves, Theodore, 1973. "Incentives in Teams," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 41(4), pages 617-631, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Hui Zhang & Christian Wernz & Danny R. Hughes, 2018. "Modeling and designing health care payment innovations for medical imaging," Health Care Management Science, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 37-51, March.
    2. Peter A. Beling, 2013. "Multi-scale decision making: challenges in engineering and environmental systems," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 33(3), pages 323-325, September.
    3. Aditya U. Kulkarni & Christian Wernz, 2020. "Optimal incentives for teams: a multiscale decision theory approach," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 288(1), pages 307-329, May.
    4. Christian Wernz & Yongjia Song & Danny R. Hughes, 2021. "How hospitals can improve their public quality metrics: a decision-theoretic model," Health Care Management Science, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 702-715, December.
    5. Hui Zhang & Christian Wernz & Anthony D. Slonim, 2016. "Aligning incentives in health care: a multiscale decision theory approach," EURO Journal on Decision Processes, Springer;EURO - The Association of European Operational Research Societies, vol. 4(3), pages 219-244, November.
    6. Andrew Henry & Christian Wernz, 2015. "A multiscale decision theory analysis for revenue sharing in three-stage supply chains," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 226(1), pages 277-300, March.
    7. L. A. Shah & A. Etienne & A. Siadat & F. Vernadat, 2016. "Decision-making in the manufacturing environment using a value-risk graph," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 617-630, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wernz, Christian & Deshmukh, Abhijit, 2010. "Multiscale decision-making: Bridging organizational scales in systems with distributed decision-makers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 202(3), pages 828-840, May.
    2. Andrew Henry & Christian Wernz, 2015. "A multiscale decision theory analysis for revenue sharing in three-stage supply chains," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 226(1), pages 277-300, March.
    3. Xue, Guisen & Felix Offodile, O. & Zhou, Hong & Troutt, Marvin D., 2011. "Integrated production planning with sequence-dependent family setup times," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(2), pages 674-681, June.
    4. Hiroki Saitoh & Shigehiro Serizawa, 2008. "Vickrey allocation rule with income effect," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 35(2), pages 391-401, May.
    5. Weckenborg, Christian & Schumacher, Patrick & Thies, Christian & Spengler, Thomas S., 2024. "Flexibility in manufacturing system design: A review of recent approaches from Operations Research," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 315(2), pages 413-441.
    6. Ronald M. Harstad & Aleksandar Saša Pekeč, 2008. "Relevance to Practice and Auction Theory: A Memorial Essay for Michael Rothkopf," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 38(5), pages 367-380, October.
    7. Kovalenkov, Alexander, 2002. "Simple Strategy-Proof Approximately Walrasian Mechanisms," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 103(2), pages 475-487, April.
    8. Prat, Andrea & Garicano, Luis, 2011. "Organizational Economics with Cognitive Costs," CEPR Discussion Papers 8372, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    9. René Brink & Chris Dietz, 2014. "Games with a local permission structure: separation of authority and value generation," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 76(3), pages 343-361, March.
    10. Gansterer, Margaretha, 2015. "Aggregate planning and forecasting in make-to-order production systems," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(PB), pages 521-528.
    11. Tuomikangas, Nina & Kaipia, Riikka, 2014. "A coordination framework for sales and operations planning (S&OP): Synthesis from the literature," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 243-262.
    12. Lorentziadis, Panos L., 2016. "Optimal bidding in auctions from a game theory perspective," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 248(2), pages 347-371.
    13. Tom Vogel & Bernardo Almada-Lobo & Christian Almeder, 2017. "Integrated versus hierarchical approach to aggregate production planning and master production scheduling," OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research e.V., vol. 39(1), pages 193-229, January.
    14. repec:has:discpr:1321 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Roberto Serrano, 2003. "The Theory of Implementation of Social Choice Rules," Working Papers 2003-19, Brown University, Department of Economics.
    16. Farahani, Poorya & Grunow, Martin & Akkerman, Renzo, 2013. "Design and operations planning of municipal foodservice systems," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(1), pages 383-396.
    17. Richard Carson & Theodore Groves, 2007. "Incentive and informational properties of preference questions," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 37(1), pages 181-210, May.
    18. Aditya U. Kulkarni & Christian Wernz, 2020. "Optimal incentives for teams: a multiscale decision theory approach," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 288(1), pages 307-329, May.
    19. Eric Maskin, 2004. "The Unity of Auction Theory: Paul Milgrom's Masterclass," Economics Working Papers 0044, Institute for Advanced Study, School of Social Science.
    20. Marco Faravelli & Randall Walsh, 2011. "Smooth Politicians And Paternalistic Voters: A Theory Of Large Elections," Levine's Working Paper Archive 786969000000000250, David K. Levine.
    21. Markus C. Arnold & Eva Ponick, 2006. "Kommunikation im Groves-Mechanismus — Ergebnisse eines Laborexperiments," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 89-120, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:223:y:2012:i:3:p:739-751. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/eor .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.