Title
Functional Optimization Through Semilocal Approximate Minimization
Abstract
An approach based on semilocal approximation is introduced for the solution of a general class of operations research problems, such as Markovian decision problems, multistage optimal control, and maximum-likelihood estimation. Because it is extremely hard to derive analytical solutions that minimize the cost in most instances of the problem, we must look for approximate solutions. Here, it is shown that good solutions can be obtained with a moderate computational effort by exploiting properties of semilocal approximation through kernel models and efficient sampling of the state space. The convergence of the proposed method, called semilocal approximate minimization (SLAM), is discussed, and the consistency of the solution is derived. Simulation results show the efficiency of SLAM, also through its application to a classic operations research problem, i.e., inventory forecasting.
Year
DOI
Venue
2010
10.1287/opre.1090.0804
Operations Research
Keywords
DocType
Volume
approximate solution,analytical solution,operations research problem,classic operations research problem,good solution,semilocal approximation,markovian decision problem,semilocal approximate minimization,efficient sampling,functional optimization,general class,kernel methods,inventory forecasting
Journal
58
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
5
0030-364X
6
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.61
7
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Cristiano Cervellera122623.63
Danilo Macciò26410.95
Marco Muselli322024.97