Bilevel Optimization (Leader-Follower)

Bilevel optimization is a class of mathematical programming problems in which one optimization problem is nested inside another. The upper-level (leader) problem optimizes its objective subject to constraints that include the solution of a lower-level (follower) problem. Formalized comprehensively by Jonathan Bard in 1998, the framework models hierarchical decision-making where the leader anticipates and accounts for the rational response of the follower.