This comprehensive Research Handbook provides an overview of state-of-the-art research on quantitative models for inventory management. Despite over half a century’s progress, inventory management remains a challenge, as evidenced by the recent Covid-19 pandemic. With an expanse of world-renowned inventory scholars from major international research universities, this Handbook explores key areas including mathematical modelling, the interplay of inventory decisions and other business decisions and the unique challenges posed to multiple industries.

Organized into three distinct sections, chapters summarize the key developments in quantitative inventory research over the past two decades. Mapping out the fundamental theories and methodologies of inventory management, the Research Handbook examines interfaces and explores interdisciplinary topics in response to technological advancement and globalization. It concludes with an analysis of context-specific models, discussing tailored modelling and analytical solutions of inventory systems in the fast-changing industries of healthcare, spare parts logistics, retailing, and online retailing.

An important reference tool, this Research Handbook will be essential to scholars and researchers invested in the fields of business and operations and supply chain management. Its insightful coverage of the practicalities of current research will be indispensable for practitioners and regulators within these fields.