Seasonal recruiting policies for table grape packing operations: A hybrid simulation modelling study

Mohammed Mesabbah, Siham Rahoui, Mohamed A.F. Ragab, Amr Mahfouz, Amr Arisha

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The packing process is a critical post-harvesting activity in table grape industry. Workers in packing stations are hired under seasonal contracts because of product seasonality and operations labor intensity. Seasonal workers, however, are usually characterized by inconsistent performance, high turnover and experience variation which leads to low productivity and high waste. Few mathematical models were used for evaluating fresh products packing operations, but in a deterministic nature which hinders the complexity and dynamics of the business processes. Hence, a hybrid Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) are employed to evaluate a set of seasonal recruiting policies in a large grape packing station. The paper aims to investigate the impact of workers experience on packing operations efficiency. The model outcomes demonstrate the improvement in operations efficiency and total running cost (about 20% savings) that can be achieved when applying optimal recruiting policies that reduce labors variations.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2017 Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2017
EditorsVictor Chan
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1680-1691
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9781538634288
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jun 2017
Event2017 Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2017 - Las Vegas, United States
Duration: 3 Dec 20176 Dec 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings - Winter Simulation Conference
ISSN (Print)0891-7736

Conference

Conference2017 Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas
Period3/12/176/12/17

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