Optimal strategies for hybrid (re)manufacturing systems [PhD Caner Bulmus]

PhD ceremony: Ms. S. Caner Bulmus, 14.30 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Dissertation : Closing the loop: optimal strategies for hybrid manufacturing / remanufacturing systems
Supervisor : prof. R.H. Teunter

As a result of growing population and increasing consumption the world now faces serious environmental and economic problems such as depletion of natural resources, shortage of key minerals and metals, and waste with presence of toxic materials. Due to legislative activities to overcome these problems and increasing consumer awareness, closed-loop supply chain management and product recovery strategies such as remanufacturing and recycling are becoming more important for corporations.

This thesis focuses on remanufacturing and the main objective is to provide analytical tools to the firms for optimal pricing, manufacturing and remanufacturing strategies. To achieve this broad objective with a focused research, the thesis is organized as a combination of research papers. Each paper addresses a specific research question related to different aspects of remanufacturing.

Chapter 2 combines two aspects of remanufacturing activities namely, product acquisition management and marketing (pricing) of the remanufactured products.

Chapter 3 investigates the effect of remanufacturing on capacity and production decisions. Chapter 4 considers competition between a single OEM and a single IO and analyzes the effect of competition on the optimal production and pricing strategies. Chapter 5 analyzes cooperation between OEMs on collecting the used items. In this chapter, the conditions where it is beneficial for OEMs to cooperate by forming a coalition in setting up a returns network are determined. Using cooperative game theory, an efficient allocation of cost savings between the parties is found.