IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/inm/oropre/v57y2009i2p342-357.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Goal-Driven Optimization

Author

Listed:
  • Wenqing Chen

    (NUS Business School, National University of Singapore, Singapore)

  • Melvyn Sim

    (NUS Business School, NUS Risk Management Institute, National University of Singapore and Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA), Singapore)

Abstract

We develop a goal-driven stochastic optimization model that considers a random objective function in achieving an aspiration level, target, or goal. Our model maximizes the shortfall-aware aspiration-level criterion, which encompasses the probability of success in achieving the aspiration level and an expected level of underperformance or shortfall. The key advantage of the proposed model is its tractability. We can obtain its solution by solving a small collection of stochastic linear optimization problems with objectives evaluated under the popular conditional-value-at-risk (CVaR) measure. Using techniques in robust optimization, we propose a decision-rule-based deterministic approximation of the goal-driven optimization problem by solving subproblems whose number is a polynomial with respect to the accuracy, with each subproblem being a second-order cone optimization problem (SOCP). We compare the numerical performance of the deterministic approximation with sampling-based approximation and report the computational insights on a multiproduct newsvendor problem.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenqing Chen & Melvyn Sim, 2009. "Goal-Driven Optimization," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 57(2), pages 342-357, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:oropre:v:57:y:2009:i:2:p:342-357
    DOI: 10.1287/opre.1080.0570
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/opre.1080.0570
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1287/opre.1080.0570?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
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lau, Hon-Shiang & Hing-Ling Lau, Amy, 1996. "The newsstand problem: A capacitated multiple-product single-period inventory problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 94(1), pages 29-42, October.
    2. Mao, James C T, 1970. "Survey of Capital Budgeting: Theory and Practice," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 25(2), pages 349-360, May.
    3. Andrzej Ruszczyński & Alexander Shapiro, 2006. "Optimization of Convex Risk Functions," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 31(3), pages 433-452, August.
    4. Xin Chen & Melvyn Sim & Peng Sun & Jiawei Zhang, 2008. "A Linear Decision-Based Approximation Approach to Stochastic Programming," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 56(2), pages 344-357, April.
    5. Erio Castagnoli & Marco LiCalzi, 2005. "Expected utility without utility," Game Theory and Information 0508004, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Robert Bordley & Marco LiCalzi, 2000. "Decision analysis using targets instead of utility functions," Decisions in Economics and Finance, Springer;Associazione per la Matematica, vol. 23(1), pages 53-74.
    7. A. Ben-Tal & A. Nemirovski, 1998. "Robust Convex Optimization," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 23(4), pages 769-805, November.
    8. John W. Payne & Dan J. Laughhunn & Roy Crum, 1980. "Translation of Gambles and Aspiration Level Effects in Risky Choice Behavior," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(10), pages 1039-1060, October.
    9. Dimitris Bertsimas & Melvyn Sim, 2004. "The Price of Robustness," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 52(1), pages 35-53, February.
    10. Karthik Natarajan & Dessislava Pachamanova & Melvyn Sim, 2008. "Incorporating Asymmetric Distributional Information in Robust Value-at-Risk Optimization," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 54(3), pages 573-585, March.
    11. A. Charnes & W. W. Cooper & G. H. Symonds, 1958. "Cost Horizons and Certainty Equivalents: An Approach to Stochastic Programming of Heating Oil," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 4(3), pages 235-263, April.
    12. Xin Chen & Melvyn Sim & Peng Sun, 2007. "A Robust Optimization Perspective on Stochastic Programming," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 55(6), pages 1058-1071, December.
    13. Mihai Dragomirescu, 1972. "An Algorithm for the Minimum-Risk Problem of Stochastic Programming," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 20(1), pages 154-164, February.
    14. A. Charnes & W. W. Cooper, 1963. "Deterministic Equivalents for Optimizing and Satisficing under Chance Constraints," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 11(1), pages 18-39, February.
    15. Enrico Diecidue & Jeroen van de Ven, 2008. "Aspiration Level, Probability Of Success And Failure, And Expected Utility," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 49(2), pages 683-700, May.
    16. Philippe Artzner & Freddy Delbaen & Jean‐Marc Eber & David Heath, 1999. "Coherent Measures of Risk," Mathematical Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(3), pages 203-228, July.
    17. E. Sankarasubramanian & S. Kumaraswamy, 1983. "Note---Note on "Optimal Ordering Quantity to Realize a Pre-Determined Level of Profit"," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(4), pages 512-514, April.
    18. John W. Payne & Dan J. Laughhunn & Roy Crum, 1981. "Note---Further Tests of Aspiration Level Effects in Risky Choice Behavior," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 27(8), pages 953-958, August.
    19. Rockafellar, R. Tyrrell & Uryasev, Stanislav, 2002. "Conditional value-at-risk for general loss distributions," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 26(7), pages 1443-1471, 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. Zhi Chen & Melvyn Sim & Huan Xu, 2019. "Distributionally Robust Optimization with Infinitely Constrained Ambiguity Sets," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 67(5), pages 1328-1344, September.
    2. Zhang, Yu & Tang, Jiafu, 2018. "A robust optimization approach for itinerary planning with deadline," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 56-74.
    3. Yun Fong Lim & Chen Wang, 2017. "Inventory Management Based on Target-Oriented Robust Optimization," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 63(12), pages 4409-4427, December.
    4. Xin, Linwei & Goldberg, David A., 2021. "Time (in)consistency of multistage distributionally robust inventory models with moment constraints," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 289(3), pages 1127-1141.
    5. Dimitris Bertsimas & Melvyn Sim & Meilin Zhang, 2019. "Adaptive Distributionally Robust Optimization," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 65(2), pages 604-618, February.
    6. Shao-Wei Lam & Tsan Sheng Ng & Melvyn Sim & Jin-Hwa Song, 2013. "Multiple Objectives Satisficing Under Uncertainty," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 61(1), pages 214-227, February.
    7. Sun, Yimeng & Qiu, Ruozhen & Sun, Minghe, 2024. "A robust optimization approach for inventory management with limited-time discounts and service-level requirement under demand uncertainty," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    8. Baron, Opher & Berman, Oded & Fazel-Zarandi, Mohammad M. & Roshanaei, Vahid, 2019. "Almost Robust Discrete Optimization," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 276(2), pages 451-465.
    9. Shin, Youngchul & Lee, Sangyoon & Moon, Ilkyeong, 2021. "Robust multiperiod inventory model with a new type of buy one get one promotion: “My Own Refrigerator”," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    10. Rahimian, Hamed & Bayraksan, Güzin & Homem-de-Mello, Tito, 2019. "Controlling risk and demand ambiguity in newsvendor models," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 279(3), pages 854-868.
    11. Jin Qi, 2017. "Mitigating Delays and Unfairness in Appointment Systems," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 63(2), pages 566-583, February.
    12. Pavel Bazovkin & Karl Mosler, 2015. "A general solution for robust linear programs with distortion risk constraints," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 229(1), pages 103-120, June.
    13. Maximilian Zellner & Ali E. Abbas, 2023. "Experimental Assessment of Utility Functions Induced by Fixed and Uncertain Targets," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 20(3), pages 187-201, September.
    14. Zhang, Yu & Tang, Jiafu, 2018. "Itinerary planning with time budget for risk-averse travelers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(1), pages 288-303.
    15. Huan Xu & Constantine Caramanis & Shie Mannor, 2012. "Optimization Under Probabilistic Envelope Constraints," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 60(3), pages 682-699, June.
    16. Shin, Youngchul & Lee, Sangyoon & Moon, Ilkyeong, 2020. "Robust multiperiod inventory model considering trade-in program and refurbishment service: Implications to emerging markets," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    17. Wolfram Wiesemann & Daniel Kuhn & Melvyn Sim, 2014. "Distributionally Robust Convex Optimization," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 62(6), pages 1358-1376, December.
    18. Nicholas G. Hall & Daniel Zhuoyu Long & Jin Qi & Melvyn Sim, 2015. "Managing Underperformance Risk in Project Portfolio Selection," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 63(3), pages 660-675, June.
    19. Liu, Kanglin & Li, Qiaofeng & Zhang, Zhi-Hai, 2019. "Distributionally robust optimization of an emergency medical service station location and sizing problem with joint chance constraints," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 79-101.
    20. Yuan Yuan & Zukui Li & Biao Huang, 2017. "Robust optimization approximation for joint chance constrained optimization problem," Journal of Global Optimization, Springer, vol. 67(4), pages 805-827, April.

    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. Shao-Wei Lam & Tsan Sheng Ng & Melvyn Sim & Jin-Hwa Song, 2013. "Multiple Objectives Satisficing Under Uncertainty," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 61(1), pages 214-227, February.
    2. Huan Xu & Constantine Caramanis & Shie Mannor, 2012. "Optimization Under Probabilistic Envelope Constraints," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 60(3), pages 682-699, June.
    3. David B. Brown & Melvyn Sim, 2009. "Satisficing Measures for Analysis of Risky Positions," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 55(1), pages 71-84, January.
    4. Nicholas G. Hall & Daniel Zhuoyu Long & Jin Qi & Melvyn Sim, 2015. "Managing Underperformance Risk in Project Portfolio Selection," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 63(3), pages 660-675, June.
    5. Fu, Qi, 2015. "The impact of alternative performance measures on portfolio procurement with contingent option contracts," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 128-138.
    6. Goh, Joel Weiqiang & Lim, Kian Guan & Sim, Melvyn & Zhang, Weina, 2012. "Portfolio value-at-risk optimization for asymmetrically distributed asset returns," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 221(2), pages 397-406.
    7. David B. Brown & Enrico De Giorgi & Melvyn Sim, 2012. "Aspirational Preferences and Their Representation by Risk Measures," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 58(11), pages 2095-2113, November.
    8. Jang Ho Kim & Woo Chang Kim & Frank J. Fabozzi, 2014. "Recent Developments in Robust Portfolios with a Worst-Case Approach," Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 103-121, April.
    9. Joel Goh & Melvyn Sim, 2010. "Distributionally Robust Optimization and Its Tractable Approximations," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 58(4-part-1), pages 902-917, August.
    10. Enrico G. De Giorgi & David B. Brown & Melvyn Sim, 2010. "Dual representation of choice and aspirational preferences," University of St. Gallen Department of Economics working paper series 2010 2010-07, Department of Economics, University of St. Gallen.
    11. Joel Goh & Melvyn Sim, 2011. "Robust Optimization Made Easy with ROME," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 59(4), pages 973-985, August.
    12. Zhi Chen & Melvyn Sim & Huan Xu, 2019. "Distributionally Robust Optimization with Infinitely Constrained Ambiguity Sets," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 67(5), pages 1328-1344, September.
    13. Aharon Ben-Tal & Dimitris Bertsimas & David B. Brown, 2010. "A Soft Robust Model for Optimization Under Ambiguity," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 58(4-part-2), pages 1220-1234, August.
    14. Lucy Gongtao Chen & Daniel Zhuoyu Long & Melvyn Sim, 2015. "On Dynamic Decision Making to Meet Consumption Targets," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 63(5), pages 1117-1130, October.
    15. Marla, Lavanya & Rikun, Alexander & Stauffer, Gautier & Pratsini, Eleni, 2020. "Robust modeling and planning: Insights from three industrial applications," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 7(C).
    16. Alireza Ghahtarani & Ahmed Saif & Alireza Ghasemi, 2022. "Robust portfolio selection problems: a comprehensive review," Operational Research, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 3203-3264, September.
    17. Ling, Aifan & Sun, Jie & Wang, Meihua, 2020. "Robust multi-period portfolio selection based on downside risk with asymmetrically distributed uncertainty set," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 285(1), pages 81-95.
    18. Karthik Natarajan & Dessislava Pachamanova & Melvyn Sim, 2009. "Constructing Risk Measures from Uncertainty Sets," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 57(5), pages 1129-1141, October.
    19. Alireza Ghahtarani & Ahmed Saif & Alireza Ghasemi, 2021. "Robust Portfolio Selection Problems: A Comprehensive Review," Papers 2103.13806, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2022.
    20. Chuen-Teck See & Melvyn Sim, 2010. "Robust Approximation to Multiperiod Inventory Management," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 58(3), pages 583-594, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    programming; stochastic;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:inm:oropre:v:57:y:2009:i:2:p:342-357. 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: Chris Asher (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/inforea.html .

    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.