Parallel machine scheduling problems considering regular measures of performance and machine cost

• Published in: The Journal of the Operational Research Society Vol. 61; no. 5; pp. 849 - 857
• Main Authors: Ruiz-Torres, A J, López, F J, Wojciechowski, P J, Ho, J C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis 01-05-2010; Palgrave Macmillan; Palgrave Macmillan UK; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Business and Management; Cost allocation; Cost efficiency; Cost functions; Costs; Decision theory. Utility theory; Exact sciences and technology; Fees & charges; Fixed costs; Job shops; Lateness; machine utilization; Machinery; Management; Mathematical functions; Mathematical programming; Minimization of cost; multi-objective criteria; Operational research and scientific management; Operational research. Management science; Operations management; Operations research; Operations Research/Decision Theory; parallel machines; Pareto optimum; Pareto Solutions; Schedules; Scheduling; Scheduling algorithms; Scheduling, sequencing; Studies; Theoretical Paper; Theoretical Papers; Total costs; Variable costs; scheduling; Pareto Solutions; multi-objective criteria; parallel machines; machine utilization; Performance evaluation; Concave programming; Pareto optimum; Multicriteria analysis; Fixed cost; Multiobjective programming; Parallel machines; Variable cost; Scheduling; Concave function; Cost function; Objective function
• ISSN: 0160-5682; 1476-9360
• DOI: 10.1057/jors.2009.38

This research considers a broad range of scheduling problems in the parallel machines environment. Schedules are evaluated according to two independent components of the objective function: (1) machine cost consisting of a fixed cost and a variable cost; and (2) a regular measure of performance. This study is only one of a few that take the selection of machines among those available as a decision variable. For machine cost with concave functions, we derive the general characteristics of optimal solutions with respect to decisions on the number of machines to use and the way to load the machines. Our analysis is not restricted to the machine cost criterion, but may be extended to other measures with concave functions. Furthermore, we provide a Pareto efficient perspective in understanding the tradeoff between machine cost and any regular measure of performance.