This thesis studies a two-echelon supply chain with one supplier and multiple retailers where the retailers are scheduled to sequentially place their orders in a balanced manner within the supplier's replenishment cycle. Since the retailers' orders are heterogeneous, the retailer sequence within the supplier's replenishment cycle matters to all parties within the supply chain. In particular, we focus on the supplier's performance, in terms of optimal cycle cost, optimal stocking level, and implied service level, under different retailer sequences. We illustrate the characteristics of the optimal sequences. As an extension, information sharing and advanced ordering are incorporated into balanced ordering systems. We demonstrate the value of more advanced information mechanisms and thei...[ Read more ]

This thesis studies a two-echelon supply chain with one supplier and multiple retailers where the retailers are scheduled to sequentially place their orders in a balanced manner within the supplier's replenishment cycle. Since the retailers' orders are heterogeneous, the retailer sequence within the supplier's replenishment cycle matters to all parties within the supply chain. In particular, we focus on the supplier's performance, in terms of optimal cycle cost, optimal stocking level, and implied service level, under different retailer sequences. We illustrate the characteristics of the optimal sequences. As an extension, information sharing and advanced ordering are incorporated into balanced ordering systems. We demonstrate the value of more advanced information mechanisms and their impact on the supplier's optimal sequences. To thoroughly understand the influence of the supplier's sequencing decision on the supply chain, we derive the exact cost functions of the retailers. Based on these cost functions, we study the issue of unfairness among the retailers due to the order period assignment and quantify the impact of the supplier's sequencing decision on the costs of the retailers and the whole chain under different information scenarios. Our numerical study reveals that information sharing brings a win-win relationship between the supplier and the retailers, while advanced ordering benefits the supplier with a larger loss at the retailers.