Comparison of cooperative and classical evolutionary algorithms for global supply chain optimisation

Abstract

This paper discusses global optimisation from a business perspective in the context of the supply chain operations. A two-silo supply chain was built for experimentation and two approaches were used for global optimisation: a classical evolutionary approach and a cooperative coevolutionary approach. The latter approach produced higher quality solutions due to its use of communication between silos. Additionally, a second problem was presented involving an existing Australian multi-factory sheet steel business.