Sponsor:

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Research Team:

Terry R. Collins, Manuel D. Rossetti

Universities Involved:

University of Arkansas

Start Date:

08/20/01

End Date:

12/31/02

Summary:

This project determine the frequency of value-added tasks performed by associates and department managers so that a simulation model can validate current staffing levels and provide insight to a more efficient staffing level.
The service sector is the fastest growing sector of the economy and currently constitutes between 70-80% of GDP and employment. An integral component of the service sector is the retail industry. Recent advances in supply chain management have optimized many of the key components of the logistics value-chain; however, prior research has indicated that significant productivity improvements are still available within retail store operations. The purpose of this project is to analyze retail store operations from an industrial engineering perspective concentrating on determining the workload requirements of store associates. In addition, this study will develop simulation models that will facilitate the analysis of new staffing and scheduling scenarios involving self-directed work teams and the sharing of resources across the entire retail environment.