In this paper, a novel methodology is proposed to solve a cooperative multi-depot vehicle routing problem. We establish a mathematical model for multi-owner VRP in which each owner (i.e. player) manages single or multiple depots. The basic idea consists of offering an option that owners cooperatively manage the VRP to save their costs. We present cooperative game theory techniques for cost savi...

Large-scale projects often have several activities which are performed by subcontractors with limited multi-resources. Project scheduling with limited resources is one of the most famous problems in the research operations and optimization cases. The resource-constraint project scheduling problem (RCPSP) is a NP-hard problem in which the activities of a project must be scheduled to reduce the p...

In this paper, we use game theory to describe the emergence of self-organization and consequent pattern formation through communicative cooperation in Bacillus subtilis colonies. The emergence of cooperative regime is modelled as an n-player Assurance game, with the bacterial colonies as individual players. The game is played iteratively through cooperative communication, and mediated by exchan...

Abstract   Vertical cooperative (co-op) advertising is typically a cost sharing mechanism and coordinated effort by the channel’s members in order to increase demand and overall profits. In this marketing strategy, the manufacturer shares a fraction of the retailer’s advertising investment. This paper studies the advertising and pricing decisions in a retailer-manufacturer supply chain in which...

regarding the recent development in lng production and transportation, lng exports would exhibit a pivotal role in the future of global gas trade. by analyzing the geographical pattern of the world lng trade and the structure of its transportation costs, the lng cost matrix for forum's exporters to main lng importers is presented. using this matrix, the cooperation amongst the forum's...