A Product Has a Reorder Point of 110 Units, and Is

question 108

Essay

A product has a reorder point of 110 units, and is ordered four times a year. The following table shows the historical distribution of demand values observed during the reorder period.
$$\begin{array} { | c | c | } \hline \text { Demand } & \text { Probability } \\\hline 100 & .3 \\\hline 110 & .4 \\\hline 120 & .2 \\\hline 130 & .1 \\\hline\end{array}$$
Managers have noted that stockouts occur 30 percent of the time with this policy, and question whether a change in inventory policy, to include some safety stock, might be an improvement. The managers realize that any safety stock would increase the service level, but are worried about the increased costs of carrying the safety stock. Currently, stockouts are valued at $20 per unit per occurrence, while inventory carrying costs are $10 per unit per year. What is your advice?
Do higher levels of safety stock add to total costs, or not?
What level of safety stock is best?

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Definitions:

Behavior

The range of actions and mannerisms made by individuals, organisms, systems, or artificial entities in conjunction with themselves or their environment.

Frequency

The rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material (as in sound waves), or in an electromagnetic field (as in radio waves and light).

B.F. Skinner

An influential American psychologist known for his work in behaviorism, particularly the development of the theory of operant conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reward or punishment.