Run-Catch Optimizer: A New Metaheuristic and Its Application to Address Outsourcing Optimization Problem.

This study designs a new stochastic optimization i.e., metaheuristic technique, namely run-catch optimizer (RCO). RCO provides a distinct mechanism regarding the diversification-intensification strategy. Each member runs two sequential activities in every iteration. The first activity is running and the second one is catching. Each activity generates a seed. In the first activity, a virtual best member moves away from the corresponding member to become the first seed. The second seed is generated along the way between the corresponding member and the first seed in the first activity. If both seeds fail to improve, the member conducts a random search to find a new member. Otherwise, the better seed replaces the corresponding member. Then, RCO is challenged to handle both theoretical and real-world optimization problems. The classic 23 functions represent theoretical problems, while the outsourcing optimization problem represents the practical problem. In these simulations, RCO is confronted with five other algorithms: grey wolf optimizer (GWO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), marine predator algorithm (MPA), Komodo mlipir algorithm (KMA), and pelican optimization algorithm (POA). The result shows that RCO is better than POA, KMA, MPA, GWO and PSO in optimizing 20, 21, 13, 12, and 21 functions consecutively. Meanwhile, RCO is better than PSO, GWO, and KMA, but worse than MPA and POA in optimizing the outsourcing problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]