A Note on Customer Joining Strategy in a Discrete-time Geo/G/1 Queue with Server Vacations - a Simple Mean Value Analysis

Abstract

This note considers customer choice behaviors in discrete-time queuing models with different information levels. In such models, customers try to maximize their utilities in deciding whether or not to enter the discrete-time Geo/G/1 queues with server’s vacation times under two information cases. Using a simple mean value analysis, we construct the overall profit functions for customers and social welfare. Then, we analyze the customer equilibrium balking strategies and socially optimal balking strategies over different ranges of parameters. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the analytical results and to generate managerial insights for practitioners.