Antonio Rizzi

A fuzzy TOPSIS methodology to support outsourcing of logistics services

Purpose – To present a multi‐attribute approach for the selection and ranking of the most suitable 3PL service provider.Design/methodology/approach – The approach is based on the TOPSIS technique (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) and the fuzzy set theory.Findings – A quantitative methodology based on a structured framework, for the selection of the most appropriate 3PL service provider.Research limitations/implications – Future research may attempt to compare the results of the methodology proposed with those of other Multi Attribute Group Decision Making methods. In particular, the selection tree could be developed in a multi‐tier hierarchy, trying to punctually address the relationships between the upper tier criteria and the lower level ones. With multi‐tier hierarchies, the performance of AHP could be compared with the one obtained with TOPSIS, not only with respect to “technical suitability” but also in terms of easiness to implement, shortcomings and general managerial...

A fuzzy multi-attribute framework for supplier selection in an e-procurement environment

Many studies have addressed which criteria have to be considered in order to weight potential suppliers when traditional vendor–buyer purchasing transactions take place. However, due to the peculiarities of the e-procurement process, new paradigms and criteria have to be added to traditional ones for the selection of viable suppliers when these kinds of internet-based transactions are set up. In this paper, the relevant criteria to be considered for the selection of the most viable suppliers in an e-procurement environment are first defined. The outcomes are based, on the one hand, on the work of a focus group especially set up for this purpose, and, on the other hand, on the literature review. Then, the proposed selection criteria are structured into an original framework. The scaffold is of general purpose, since it can be adopted for the assessment of both raw materials/components and MRO (maintenance, repair and operating supplies) suppliers. The framework has been conceived for the direct in-field application by practitioners by means of common multi-attribute decision-making methods, such as the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, which has been proved to solve well the traditional supplier selection problem. Owing to its structure, the framework can thus be integrated to traditional supplier selection hierarchies, extending the general selection processes to an e-procurement environment. In order to test its practical implications, the framework has been applied in a major Italian company operating in the food industry, which has recently set up a programme for the e-procurement of MRO materials.

The impact of RFID technology on logistics processes of the fashion industry supply chain

This paper aims at quantitatively assessing the impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and electronic product code (EPC) system on the main processes of the fashion industry supply chain. A fashion supply chain, composed of a distribution centre (DC) and a retail store (RS), is examined. A questionnaire survey and several site visits were performed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data related to current (AS IS) supply chain processes of each player investigated. Starting from data collected, re-engineered (TO BE) procedures were designed, hypothesising the implementation of RFID technology. Grounding on the gap between AS IS and TO BE scenarios, a detailed investment evaluation was performed in order to assess the profitability of RFID and EPC implementation in the fashion supply chain, both for each player and for different supply chain configurations. Results show that RFID and EPC implementation is profitable under several scenarios examined, and that the profitability ...

A fuzzy logic based methodology to rank shop floor dispatching rules

Abstract When scheduling jobs in a flow shop no single dispatching rule works best for all performance criteria. Hence, it becomes paramount to assess which rule is more balanced in terms of different conflicting achievements. An alternative to the simulation based comparison of different dispatching rules can be represented by a linguistic based decision making method. In this paper, we present a fuzzy logic based tool intended to rank flow shop dispatching rules under multiple performance criteria. This tool is detailed with reference to a significant industrial case of a major company operating in the boilermaker industry. The results show that the approach is robust and effective in providing a practical guidance to scheduling practitioners in choosing priorities dispatching rules when there are multiple objectives. Finally, the benefits and the shortcomings of the approach are discussed.

Experimental evaluation of business impacts of RFID in apparel and retail supply chain

The purpose of this paper is to present and quantify the business benefits that can be achieved through the deployment of Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in the apparel and fash- ion supply chain. The goal is to provide quantitative results regarding logistics and store processes, as well as different areas and processes that could be affected by RFID, including both operational aspects (e.g. shipping and receiving, inventory counts, etc.) and strategic issues related to garments try-ons, store replenishment, inventory management, customer satisfaction and sales volume. Results presented stem from an experimental campaign carried out in Italy in 2010. We applied RFID UHF gen2 tags to approximately 20,000 garments of the spring/summer and fall/winter 2010 collections, shipped from a distribution centre to a retail store of a major Italian fashion brand. We monitored the flow of goods through the logistics pipeline by means of mobile and fixed RFID readers, and collected the related data. Through proper elaboration of those data, we provided an estimate of the RFID benefits, both at operational and strategic levels. The main findings of our research have to be found in a punctual assessment of savings and increase in sales volume that can be achieved in the apparel supply chain through RFID deployment, with a special focus at the store level. Specifically, RFID is proven to provide benefits at operational levels through increased visibility of materials flows, labour reduction and higher accuracy of the store operations; moreover, it is demonstrated that the greatest contribution of RFID lies in its ability to provide new data, which allows consistently increasing sales and improving customer satisfaction.

Antecedents of MRP adoption in small and medium‐sized firms

This research seeks to provide an understanding of the MRP adoption process using classic adoption models for prediction. To this end, four classical adoption models were used to provide the foundation for the constructs tested in this study. The framework of research strives to investigate the relationships between benefit analysis, feasibility studies, organizational willingness and the mediating construct, MRP positive evaluation. A statistical analysis on a sample of 109 small and medium‐sized firms was carried out which revealed that these constructs play an important role in the decision making process leading, ultimately, to MRP adoption. The analysis has, thus, lent support to the adoption models considered and might provide useful indications to managers seeking to maximize the investment in MRP packages.

The impact of RFID technology and EPC system on stock-out of promotional items

This paper examines the impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) and EPC Network on out‐of‐stocks of promotional items during a sales promotion in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) context. A mathematical model is developed to estimate savings achievable by reducing the main causes of unavailability of promotional items. In particular, the model compares the current performance of sales promotion of FMCG retail stores, in terms of stock‐out occurrence and related duration, with a re-engineered situation where RFID and EPC are exploited in the store to reduce stock‐out causes. The model has been applied to a retail store of a major Italian distributor of FMCG. Results of the application suggest that RFID and EPC have the potential to substantially reduce economical losses due to unavailability of promotional items, thus proving the economical profitability of their implementation in the FMCG field.

Requirements of an ERP enterprise modeller for optimally managing the fashion industry supply chain

This paper presents the results of a panel of experts, made up of academics in the field of operations and supply chain management, enterprise requirement planning software developers, and end‐users, whose work has aimed at defining the main features that characterize an enterprise modeller for the fashion industry. The characteristics required by the enterprise requirement planning enterprise modeller have been identified, with specific attention to the production planning and control module. Because of the peculiarities of this line of business, it is widely recognized that both vendors and buyers would benefit from such a tool. For the formers, the availability of a pre‐customized reference model would represent a competitive advantage in the marketplace, for the latter, on the other hand, it would enhance the effectiveness, the efficiency and the likelihood of success of the enterprise requirement planning implementation project.

Improving logistics efficiency of industrial districts: a framework and case study in the food sector

Focused on food industrial districts, this paper proposes an integrated approach to increase sustainability and efficiency of logistics activities. The approach is conceived to design an integrated food district, starting from a set of independent companies, and to quantify the economic savings that could be gained from the pooled management of logistics and transportation activities. Moreover, some environmental aspects are considered in the framework, as complementary features that could justify the sustainability of the new scenario. The approach was verified through a real-case application targeting companies operating in the Italian district of tomato. Results of the application show that the pooled management of packaging procurement, warehousing and transportation activities could generate significant improvements in the district sustainability, in terms of both efficiency and resources used. Due to the lack of quantitative models for the optimisation of industrial districts, the approach developed can represent a useful addition to the literature.

The Benefits of RFID and EPC in the Supply Chain: Lessons from an Italian Pilot Study

The adoption of RFID has undoubted economical advantages in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain, where it allows reducing labor costs, out-of-stock expenses, warehouse management costs, and inventory levels. Such improvements, however, are only a part of the overall RFID benefits, which also include new business opportunities and strategies. The purpose of this chapter is to quantify the potential benefits of RFID technology and EPC Network on the overall FMCG supply chain. The analysis performed and the data presented are based on the results of a recent pilot project developed at the RFID Lab of the University of Parma (Italy), and named “RFID Logistics Pilot.” The project involved 13 major players in the FMCG industry, either manufacturers, 3PLs, or retailers. The deployment was carried out by Parmacotto, an Italian manufacturer of ham, salami, and other processed meats and Auchan, one of the top 5 retailers in the Italian market. RFID tags were used to identify and track 12,000 cases and 800 pallets of sliced ham, sandwiches, and other fresh foods as they moved from production to the retail store shelves, between May and September 2008. The results of the project show that the largest part of the benefits of RFID can be achieved through collaboration between multiple supply chain players. Examples of such benefits include: (i) automation of supply chain processes, with benefits for all players; (ii) better inventory management and decrease in safety stocks, thanks to plain supply chain visibility; (iii) streamlining of other processes (e.g., administrative activities, such as billing); and (iv) increase in turnover due to better management of promotions, reduced stock-out, and increased service level delivered to customers. This latter, in particular, results from the possibility of improving the quality of product delivered to the final customer, in term of increased residual shelf life.