With the advent of powerful computers and novel mathematical programming techniques, the multidisciplinary field of optimization has advanced to the stage that quite complicated systems can be addressed. The conference was organized to provide a platform for the exchanging of new ideas and information and for identifying areas for future research. The contributions covered both theoretical techniques and a rich variety of case studies to which optimization can be usefully applied.

This book presents the latest research findings and state-of-the-art solutions on optimization techniques and provides new research direction and developments. Both the theoretical and practical aspects of the book will be much beneficial to experts and students in optimization and operation research community. It selects high quality papers from The International Conference on Optimization: Techniques and Applications (ICOTA2013). The conference is an official conference series of POP (The Pacific Optimization Research Activity Group; there are over 500 active members). These state-of-the-art works in this book authored by recognized experts will make contributions to the development of optimization with its applications.