Synchronizing Strategy and Execution: A Unified Optimization Framework for Resilient Cross-Docking Operations in Asia-Pacific Supply Chains

Synchronizing Strategy and Execution: A Unified Optimization Framework for Resilient Cross-Docking Operations in Asia-Pacific Supply Chains | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Synchronizing Strategy and Execution: A Unified Optimization Framework for Resilient Cross-Docking Operations in Asia-Pacific Supply Chains Maragathamuthu Arunagiri, Dr.THILLAI RAJAN This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9213793/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Research Purpose: The synchronization of strategic capacity planning and tactical production scheduling continues to be a crucial concern in the Asia-Pacific region's quickly changing logistics landscape. These responsibilities are frequently separated into organizational silos by traditional management techniques, creating "execution gaps" when strategic resource allocations fall short of meeting operational demands in real time. In order to improve cost effectiveness and operational resilience in cross-docking-based supply chains, this study suggests a Unified Optimization Framework (UOF) to unify various decision-making layers. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study creates a bi-level mathematical model that directly integrates labour availability and dock door throughput, two finite resource constraints, into a scheduling objective function. A hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm was created to deal with this integration's NP-hard difficulty. Thirty benchmark instances, spanning from small-scale operations to large-scale industrial scenarios characteristic of high-density manufacturing hubs in Asia (up to 50 suppliers and 100 + items), were used to validate the framework. Findings: According to the findings, the UOF achieves a total supply chain cost reduction of up to 17.6%, greatly outperforming conventional sequential planning methods. Crucially, the integrated method cut typical product dwell durations by 22% and removed the 15% feasibility failure rate common in detached models. These results show that in contexts with limited resources, mathematical synchronization can successfully replace physical infrastructure expansion. Theoretical and Managerial Implications: This work bridges the gap between macro-level resource management and micro-level operational execution from a theoretical standpoint. The study shows that process synchronization offers a higher ROI than capital-intensive facility expansion, especially in volatile markets where labour and supply fluctuations are common. It offers managers in the Asia-Pacific region a strategic blueprint for achieving "digital capacity." Originality/Value: By offering a mathematically unified goal function, this research adds to the body of knowledge on supply chain resilience in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a fresh viewpoint on how manufacturing and logistics companies operating in fast-paced, developing markets can gain a competitive edge through integrated optimization. Management Cross-docking Capacity Planning Production Scheduling Unified Optimization Asia-Pacific Logistics Supply Chain Resilience Meta-heuristics Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9213793","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":611478884,"identity":"ef5d0932-ed74-4e16-95b5-05e7dbd71170","order_by":0,"name":"Maragathamuthu Arunagiri","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Madurai Kamaraj University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Maragathamuthu","middleName":"","lastName":"Arunagiri","suffix":""},{"id":611479059,"identity":"abf3bde5-90ea-49d6-978e-34cbc6b94295","order_by":1,"name":"Dr.THILLAI RAJAN","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Thiagarajar College","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"Dr.","firstName":"THILLAI","middleName":"","lastName":"RAJAN","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-24 15:13:21","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":false,"vertebrateSubjects":false,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false,"humanSubjectConsent":false,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9213793/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9213793/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105455618,"identity":"88bf63bb-f5cb-476e-a59a-45ab7cb72f7f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-26 09:08:20","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":373028,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"SynchronizingStrategyandExecution.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9213793/v1_covered_39829e88-f4a9-4704-bf87-a0acecc6ce25.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSynchronizing Strategy and Execution: A Unified Optimization Framework for Resilient Cross-Docking Operations in Asia-Pacific Supply Chains\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Cross-docking, Capacity Planning, Production Scheduling, Unified Optimization, Asia-Pacific Logistics, Supply Chain Resilience, Meta-heuristics","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9213793/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9213793/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eResearch Purpose:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe synchronization of strategic capacity planning and tactical production scheduling continues to be a crucial concern in the Asia-Pacific region's quickly changing logistics landscape. These responsibilities are frequently separated into organizational silos by traditional management techniques, creating \"execution gaps\" when strategic resource allocations fall short of meeting operational demands in real time. In order to improve cost effectiveness and operational resilience in cross-docking-based supply chains, this study suggests a Unified Optimization Framework (UOF) to unify various decision-making layers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDesign/Methodology/Approach:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study creates a bi-level mathematical model that directly integrates labour availability and dock door throughput, two finite resource constraints, into a scheduling objective function. A hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm was created to deal with this integration's NP-hard difficulty. Thirty benchmark instances, spanning from small-scale operations to large-scale industrial scenarios characteristic of high-density manufacturing hubs in Asia (up to 50 suppliers and 100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;items), were used to validate the framework.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFindings:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the findings, the UOF achieves a total supply chain cost reduction of up to 17.6%, greatly outperforming conventional sequential planning methods. Crucially, the integrated method cut typical product dwell durations by 22% and removed the 15% feasibility failure rate common in detached models. These results show that in contexts with limited resources, mathematical synchronization can successfully replace physical infrastructure expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTheoretical and Managerial Implications:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis work bridges the gap between macro-level resource management and micro-level operational execution from a theoretical standpoint. The study shows that process synchronization offers a higher ROI than capital-intensive facility expansion, especially in volatile markets where labour and supply fluctuations are common. It offers managers in the Asia-Pacific region a strategic blueprint for achieving \"digital capacity.\"\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOriginality/Value:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBy offering a mathematically unified goal function, this research adds to the body of knowledge on supply chain resilience in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a fresh viewpoint on how manufacturing and logistics companies operating in fast-paced, developing markets can gain a competitive edge through integrated optimization.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Synchronizing Strategy and Execution: A Unified Optimization Framework for Resilient Cross-Docking Operations in Asia-Pacific Supply Chains","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-26 09:08:04","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9213793/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"b6b3ec76-da8b-4104-8d84-24d247aba554","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 26th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":65063165,"name":"Management"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-26T09:08:04+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-26 09:08:04","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9213793","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9213793","identity":"rs-9213793","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}