Shapley-Based Analysis of the Leadership Formation in Social Networks

The dynamic nature of networks formation requires the development of multidisciplinary methods for the effective social network analysis. The research presented in this chapter is motivated by the necessity to overcome the limitation of using analytical methods from the originally disconnected research domains. Hence, the authors present an approach based on techniques from different areas, such as graph theory, theory of algorithms, and game theory. Specifically, this chapter is based on the analysis of how an agent can move towards leadership in real-life socioeconomic networks. For the agent's importance measure, the authors employed a Shapley value concept from the area of cooperative games. Shapley value is interpreted as the node centrality that corresponds to the significance of the agent within a socioeconomic network. Employing game theoretic concept, the authors introduced an algorithmic approach that detects the potential connectivity modifications required to increase an agent's leadership position.

An (s, S) Inventory Optimization Problem

Inventory management is one essential lever to use the resources efficiently. However, managing inventories in hospitals is a challenging task because of the several issues: a high service level of medical supplies is required under the unpredictable demand, medical products constitute a significant portion of the overall costs, and the management of these supplies requires considerable effort to check the levels to track usage and to distribute them. Therefore, it is pertinence to apply operations research tools to cope with the managerial issues of the hospital inventory system. In this chapter, the authors implement an (s, S) inventory model by using simulation in a case study of a hospital in Izmir, Turkey. They aim to analyze the unpredictable nature of demand of medical supplies in this hospital and its implications on the developed inventory policy.

Geographic Disparity in the United States Heart Allocation System

Organ allocation for transplantation across the United States is administered by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). UNOS recently approved a major policy change of the system used to allocate hearts for adult transplant candidates. The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the new policy on geographic disparity measured by four performance indicators (waiting time before a transplant, transplant rate, pre-transplant mortality rate, and average distance traveled by donated hearts). The current policy and the new policy were evaluated using the thoracic simulation allocation model. The results show that the new policy improves the median waiting time, transplant rate, and pre-transplant mortality rate. The overall predicted improvement in geographic equity is modest except in terms of waiting time. The findings highlight the need for a targeted approach for donor heart allocation to achieve equal access to heart transplantation in the US.

Analytics, Operations Research, and Strategic Decision Making in the Military

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the operations research techniques employed across the Department of Defense, focusing on how the operations research officers and government civilians contribute to senior leader decisions. There are four general areas that the Department of Defense conducts operations research: assessing strategic goals through a gap determination process; assessing the effectiveness of operations and exercises, wargaming, modeling, and simulation of combat for strategic analysis and acquisition; and personnel analysis across the Joint Force. The authors will describe the management processes and components of military only so far as needed to provide the context and background required to adequately describe the operations research techniques. This chapter will contribute to the overall mission of this book by generalizing the techniques used by the military to demonstrate how analysts can better evaluate proposed and existing programs throughout the government and the public sector.

Decision Support for Optimal Use of Joint Training Funds in the Canadian Armed Forces

Joint exercises are vital to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) meeting its readiness targets. However, CAF resources are often insufficient to participate in all candidate joint exercises. Many organizations face resource challenges. In the context of preparing the CAF for its mandated missions and operational tasks, this chapter addresses the following research question: How can the CAF get the most value out of its joint training resources? Using strategic analysis and operations research, the authors designed a value model to gauge a joint exercise's value and an optimization model to support decision makers when selecting a joint exercise portfolio. This chapter describes these models, presents an example of their application, and discusses future improvements.

Statistical Analysis of Medical Data for Inventory Management in a Healthcare System

Statistical analysis is a powerful technique in the field of healthcare that enables drawing meaningful insights from a study in which medical data are collected through real-time observations, survey, and from medical records. In the field of healthcare, there are several research problems ranging from clinical to operational, such as decisions on organ transplant, operating room planning, appointment scheduling, resource allocation, layout design, demand forecasting, and many more. One such operational problem dealt with in this chapter is the inventory management in healthcare systems. Inventory management in healthcare is an upcoming area of research as efficiently managing inventory acts as a prerequisite for planning and decision making in a healthcare system. This requires statistical analysis of the medical data. The medical data is segmented and summarized using numerical and graphical descriptive statistical methods to draw conclusions in order to significantly help the healthcare personnel in managing the healthcare systems.

Defense Supply Chain Operations

This chapter explains the origination, evolution, emerging results, and potential long-term impacts of one particularly daunting enterprise transformation effort within the US Department of Defense. It offers a unique case study for a multi-disciplinary endeavor referred to as the project to Transform US Army Supply Chains (TASC Project). The TASC project pursued comprehensive and creative applications using a variety of Operations Research methods, advanced analytics, and management innovation to improve tactical, operational, and strategic decision making for the military's global sustainment enterprise. This chapter may be of interest to those confronting supply chain and other complex enterprise transformation challenges: national security officials; aerospace, defense, and industrial professionals; university graduate students and professors of engineering systems, operations research, and management. The strategy described herein offers potential solutions broadly applicable to other public institutions and government bureaucracies as well.

Design of Public Services Using Operational Data Analysis

Various types and massive amounts of data are collected in public sectors, such as transportation, healthcare, and security. Such proliferation of big data facilitates and improves the strategic decision making in the context of public service design. However, the application of big data to public service design, understanding on this topic still remains limited. This chapter presents a case study on designing a service concept for enhancing the driving safety of bus drivers by using their behavior data. Based on this case study, the application of big data for designing public services was empirically identified and various managerial issues facing data-driven service design were recognized. This study extends the research on public service design by revealing how big data can be utilized for public service design.

Volunteered Geographic Service

A lack of transportation services for the increasing number of senior citizens in Calgary presents a challenge for planners and decision makers alike. Transportation services offered by Access Calgary, Calgary Transit, and volunteers are unable to meet the current needs of this growing segment of society. Difficulties accessing transportation services mean that many seniors find it challenging to meet such basic needs as grocery shopping, or to visit libraries, parks, fitness, and recreation centers, or to attend medical appointments. This research focused on providing a unique alternative transportation service that would be acceptable and accessible for seniors in Calgary by integrating GIS and OR methods as a planning tool for a senior shuttle service provided by the Calgary Motor Dealers Association (CMDA).

An Overview of Analytics for the Design and Operation of Criminal Justice Systems

This chapter will provide, first, some basic information about criminal justice systems in the United States, including definitions, costs, and the need to view such systems from a systems perspective. Following this introduction, a review of the research involving the intersection of (1) analytical methodologies including simulation and (2) the design and operation of criminal justice systems will be given. The review will cover the areas of (1) prediction of crime, criminal detection, and arrest; (2) adjudication; (3) incarceration and rehabilitation; and (4) multi-aspects of criminal justice systems. The chapter will close out with sections on suggestions for future research and conclusions.