Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Authors

U. Narayan Bhat

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

4-1-1968

Abstract

This paper examines the state of queueing theory research, inspired by Saaty’s 1966 critique of the field’s lack of practical application despite substantial theoretical advancements. Acknowledging the limited progression in applied queueing solutions since Morse’s foundational work in 1958, the discussion attributes this gap to insufficient communication between theoretical researchers and applied scientists. The study organizes its review into three critical problem areas: behavioral, statistical, and optimization aspects of queueing systems. Each area is explored with historical context, highlighting trends, contributions, and deficiencies in the literature. Exceptions where optimization and simulation approaches have advanced practical applications are noted. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research to enhance the alignment of queueing theory with real-world problems. This work serves as a descriptive analysis, offering insights into the discipline's evolution and suggesting pathways for bridging theoretical developments with applied needs.

Keywords

Operations research, Queuing theory, Mathematical optimization, Simulation methods, Applied mathematics

Publication Title

Technical Memorandums from the Department of Operations, School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Issue

Technical memorandum no. 103

Rights

This work is in the public domain and may be freely downloaded for personal or academic use

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