Stochastic Inventory Models with Limited Production Capacity and Periodically Varying Parameters

Abstract

We consider a single-item, periodic-review inventory model with uncertain demands in which each period's production volume is limited by a capacity level. The demand distributions, capacity levels, and cost parameters vary according to a periodic pattern. We prove that modified base-stock policies are optimal for the finite-horizon planning model and for both the infinite-horizon discounted and undiscounted cost criterion. We further show that the optimal base-stock levels can be calculated via a simple but efficient value-iteration method. Finally, we have conducted a comprehensive numerical study to ascertain the efficiency of this solution method as well as various qualitative properties of the performance of capacitated production/inventory systems under periodically varying demand and cost patterns.