System Dynamics and Sustainable Solution: The Case in a Large-Scale Pallet Manufacturing Company

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I read the manuscript. I think it needs some modifications:

1- As you explained in the text, you have used "Ithink" and "Vensim". It is not usual. I suggest to use a software to present your model.

2- Please refer to Sterman (2000). He proposed a five step modeling approach to present a SD study. Specially I did not find your dynamic hypothesis. Please add it.

3- The literature review is weak. I expected more extensive literature review. Specially I did not find the literature gap. You can use a summary table to show the gap.

4- Please insert all formulas and also the values of parameters and their units used in the model.

5- Please refer to Sterman (2000). He proposed 12 test to validate a model. Specially structural and behavioural tests are required.

6- You did not mention nothing related the MCDM methods used in the manuscript in the title, abstract or keywords. I think it is not necessary in this research. Instead, you can use sensitivity analysis or optimization. However, you did not mention the criteria, and the way you weighted these criteria. I suggest to omit this section and add more sensitivity analysis and managerial insights to your research.

7- Please review text carefully. There are some grammatical errors. For example: criterium // criteria ....... MCDA // MCDM ....

Please review text carefully. There are some grammatical errors. For example: criterium // criteria ....... MCDA // MCDM ....

Author Response

Please see attachment file

All responses are in red color for reviewer 1 

Thank you

Ernesto A. Lagarda-Leyva

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper is about system dynamics and large-scale manufacturing companies. I have the following comments as follows:

1.       The way of abstract writing is not perfect, and the abstract should contain the details of the study and the findings very constructively.

2.       The research gap of “system dynamics” should be adequately explained. In the introduction, please rearrange/rewrite so that each authors’/most of the authors' contributions should be linked. Please try to maintain the literature sequentially. The direction of this research should be elaborated in the following directions as follows: Distributed manufacturing system ( See the paper and compare with this study: Application of improved meta-heuristic algorithms for green preservation technology management to optimize dynamical investments and replenishment strategies)

3.       The direction of this research should be elaborated in the following directions “Sustainable Solution”: “Controllable energy consumption in a sustainable smart manufacturing model considering superior service, flexible demand, and partial outsourcing; A solution to the transportation hazard problem in a supply chain with an unreliable manufacturer; Sustainable green production model considering variable demand, partial outsourcing, and rework” and compare with these papers theoretically is needed in the last part of the introduction to show the novelty of this study.

4.       The introduction should be based on the exact research gap, and the literature review should be based on the specific keywords-based review, and finally, make an author's contribution table to show the novelty and effectiveness of the study. Show all referenced papers in the table to show the contribution of this study.

5.       Write proper managerial insights to show the industry managers' benefit from this research and compare this study with “Mathematical estimation for maximum flow of goods within a cross-dock to reduce inventory" theoretically and methodologically the applicability of the proposed research.

6.       Please write the significant findings in conclusions. Do not mention all assumptions which have been indicated within the model.

 

7.       What is the data source of the numerical experiment? Please mention that the data is from industry or literature, i.e., accurate data or artificial data.

Good

Author Response

Please see attachment file

All responses are in blue color for reviewer 2 

Thank you

Ernesto A. Lagarda-Leyva

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Please insert a separate section for the MCDM approach used in the manuscript. And also indicate your criteria and alternatives exactly, the way that you defined the criteria, decision tree, details of the computations and also validity of the methods.

I think some minor modifications are required.

Author Response

Savannah Zhang Assistant Editor   Dear Savannah   I sent you an e-mail including the manuscript with the comment addressed to reviewer 1, and also the responses to reviewer 1, and the new cover letter, from last 5th of July, this attached file contains just the responses of Reviewer 1.   We will be very attentive to the following steps to advance in the process.   Thank you very much for your support   Best Regards   Ernesto A. Lagarda Leyva

Author Response File: Author Response.docx