Operations Management Service Learning Case Study: Using Optimization to Increase the Effectiveness of the SIFE Student Care Package Program

Authors

  • Andrew Tiger Union University
  • Matthew Parker Union University

Abstract

The Student Care Package program is a fundraising project conducted by a local chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) at a private university in the southern United States. The most arduous aspect of the program is determining which products to purchase to meet demand requirements, while minimizing purchasing costs. To reduce the amount of time and effort, and to develop a sustainable process, SIFE students utilized computer optimization software. Incorporation of the Microsoft Excel add-in What’sBest! by LINDO Systems enabled students to reduce the time spent calculating materials and develop more efficient purchasing plans. Optimization is initially presented to students in a sophomore quantitative methods business course. Through optimization software, SIFE members are able to achieve higher levels of efficiency, sustainability, and profitability for the Student Care Package program.

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Published

2011-12-31

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2011)

Section

ABR Journal Articles

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