IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/navres/v57y2010i6p563-582.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Robustness of efficient server assignment policies to service time distributions in finite‐buffered lines

Author

Listed:
  • Eser Kırkızlar
  • Sigrún Andradóttir
  • Hayriye Ayhan

Abstract

We study the assignment of flexible servers to stations in tandem lines with service times that are not necessarily exponentially distributed. Our goal is to achieve optimal or near‐optimal throughput. For systems with infinite buffers, it is already known that the effective assignment of flexible servers is robust to the service time distributions. We provide analytical results for small systems and numerical results for larger systems that support the same conclusion for tandem lines with finite buffers. In the process, we propose server assignment heuristics that perform well for systems with different service time distributions. Our research suggests that policies known to be optimal or near‐optimal for Markovian systems are also likely to be effective when used to assign servers to tasks in non‐Markovian systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010

Suggested Citation

  • Eser Kırkızlar & Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan, 2010. "Robustness of efficient server assignment policies to service time distributions in finite‐buffered lines," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 57(6), pages 563-582, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:navres:v:57:y:2010:i:6:p:563-582
    DOI: 10.1002/nav.20424
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/nav.20424
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/nav.20424?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. Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan & Douglas G. Down, 2007. "Compensating for Failures with Flexible Servers," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 55(4), pages 753-768, August.
    2. Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan & Douglas G. Down, 2003. "Dynamic Server Allocation for Queueing Networks with Flexible Servers," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 51(6), pages 952-968, December.
    3. Wallace J. Hopp & Eylem Tekin & Mark P. Van Oyen, 2004. "Benefits of Skill Chaining in Serial Production Lines with Cross-Trained Workers," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 50(1), pages 83-98, January.
    4. William C. Jordan & Stephen C. Graves, 1995. "Principles on the Benefits of Manufacturing Process Flexibility," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 41(4), pages 577-594, April.
    5. S.M.R. Iravani & J.A. Buzacott & M.J.M. Posner, 2005. "A robust policy for serial agile production systems," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 52(1), pages 58-73, February.
    6. Izak Duenyas & Diwakar Gupta & Tava Lennon Olsen, 1998. "Control of a Single-Server Tandem Queueing System with Setups," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 46(2), pages 218-230, April.
    7. McClain, John O. & Thomas, L. Joseph & Sox, Charles, 1992. ""On-the-fly" line balancing with very little WIP," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 283-289, October.
    8. Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan, 2005. "Throughput Maximization for Tandem Lines with Two Stations and Flexible Servers," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 53(3), pages 516-531, June.
    9. John J. Bartholdi & Donald D. Eisenstein, 1996. "A Production Line that Balances Itself," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 44(1), pages 21-34, February.
    10. Suri Gurumurthi & Saif Benjaafar, 2004. "Modeling and analysis of flexible queueing systems," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 51(5), pages 755-782, August.
    11. Rodney B. Wallace & Ward Whitt, 2005. "A Staffing Algorithm for Call Centers with Skill-Based Routing," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 7(4), pages 276-294, August.
    12. John J. Bartholdi & Donald D. Eisenstein & Robert D. Foley, 2001. "Performance of Bucket Brigades When Work Is Stochastic," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 49(5), pages 710-719, October.
    13. Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan & Douglas G. Down, 2001. "Server Assignment Policies for Maximizing the Steady-State Throughput of Finite Queueing Systems," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 47(10), pages 1421-1439, October.
    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. Eser Kırkızlar & Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan, 2012. "Flexible Servers in Understaffed Tandem Lines," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 21(4), pages 761-777, July.
    2. E. Morozov & B. Steyaert, 2013. "Stability analysis of a two-station cascade queueing network," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 202(1), pages 135-160, January.
    3. Sina Ansari & Seyed M. R. Iravani & Qifeng Shao, 2019. "Optimal control policies in service systems with limited information on the downstream stage," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 66(5), pages 367-392, August.
    4. Yun Fong Lim & Bingnan Lu & Rowan Wang & Wenjia Zhang, 2020. "Flexibly Serving A Finite Number of Heterogeneous Jobs in A Tandem System," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(6), pages 1431-1447, June.
    5. Peng Wang & Kai Pan & Zhenzhen Yan & Yun Fong Lim, 2022. "Managing Stochastic Bucket Brigades on Discrete Work Stations," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(1), pages 358-373, January.
    6. Hong Zhang & Saviour Worlanyo Akuamoah & Wilson Osafo Apeanti & Prince Harvim & David Yaro & Paul Georgescu, 2021. "The Stability Analysis of a Double-X Queuing Network Occurring in the Banking Sector," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(16), pages 1-21, August.

    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. Eser Kırkızlar & Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan, 2012. "Flexible Servers in Understaffed Tandem Lines," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 21(4), pages 761-777, July.
    2. Yun Fong Lim & Bingnan Lu & Rowan Wang & Wenjia Zhang, 2020. "Flexibly Serving A Finite Number of Heterogeneous Jobs in A Tandem System," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(6), pages 1431-1447, June.
    3. Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan & Douglas G. Down, 2007. "Compensating for Failures with Flexible Servers," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 55(4), pages 753-768, August.
    4. Peng Wang & Kai Pan & Zhenzhen Yan & Yun Fong Lim, 2022. "Managing Stochastic Bucket Brigades on Discrete Work Stations," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(1), pages 358-373, January.
    5. Yi‐Chun Tsai & Nilay Tanık Argon, 2008. "Dynamic server assignment policies for assembly‐type queues with flexible servers," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(3), pages 234-251, April.
    6. Sennott, Linn I. & Van Oyen, Mark P. & Iravani, Seyed M.R., 2006. "Optimal dynamic assignment of a flexible worker on an open production line with specialists," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(2), pages 541-566, April.
    7. Seyed M. Iravani & Mark P. Van Oyen & Katharine T. Sims, 2005. "Structural Flexibility: A New Perspective on the Design of Manufacturing and Service Operations," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 51(2), pages 151-166, February.
    8. S.M.R. Iravani & J.A. Buzacott & M.J.M. Posner, 2005. "A robust policy for serial agile production systems," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 52(1), pages 58-73, February.
    9. Down, Douglas G. & Karakostas, George, 2008. "Maximizing throughput in queueing networks with limited flexibility," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 187(1), pages 98-112, May.
    10. Cong Shi & Yehua Wei & Yuan Zhong, 2019. "Process Flexibility for Multiperiod Production Systems," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 67(5), pages 1300-1320, September.
    11. Tuğçe Işık & Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan, 2016. "Optimal control of queueing systems with non-collaborating servers," Queueing Systems: Theory and Applications, Springer, vol. 84(1), pages 79-110, October.
    12. Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan, 2005. "Throughput Maximization for Tandem Lines with Two Stations and Flexible Servers," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 53(3), pages 516-531, June.
    13. Gregory Dobson & Tolga Tezcan & Vera Tilson, 2013. "Optimal Workflow Decisions for Investigators in Systems with Interruptions," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 59(5), pages 1125-1141, May.
    14. Wallace J. Hopp & Seyed M.R. Iravani & Biying Shou & Robert Lien, 2009. "Design and control of agile automated CONWIP production lines," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 56(1), pages 42-56, February.
    15. David Simchi-Levi & Yehua Wei, 2012. "Understanding the Performance of the Long Chain and Sparse Designs in Process Flexibility," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 60(5), pages 1125-1141, October.
    16. Ramesh Arumugam & Maria Mayorga & Kevin Taaffe, 2009. "Inventory based allocation policies for flexible servers in serial systems," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 172(1), pages 1-23, November.
    17. Tuğçe Işık & Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan, 2022. "Dynamic Control of Non‐Collaborative Workers When Reassignment Is Costly," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(3), pages 1332-1352, March.
    18. Nilay Tanık Argon & Sigrún Andradóttir, 2017. "Pooling in tandem queueing networks with non-collaborative servers," Queueing Systems: Theory and Applications, Springer, vol. 87(3), pages 345-377, December.
    19. Sigrún Andradóttir & Hayriye Ayhan & Douglas G. Down, 2022. "Synchronous resource allocation: modeling, capacity, and optimization," OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research e.V., vol. 44(4), pages 1287-1310, December.
    20. Xi Chen & Jiawei Zhang & Yuan Zhou, 2015. "Optimal Sparse Designs for Process Flexibility via Probabilistic Expanders," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 63(5), pages 1159-1176, October.

    More about this item

    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:wly:navres:v:57:y:2010:i:6:p:563-582. 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: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://doi.org/10.1002/(ISSN)1520-6750 .

    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.