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A two-phase possibilistic linear programming methodology for multi-objective supplier evaluation and order allocation problems

In this study, an integration of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and a multi-objective possibilistic linear programming (MOPLP) technique is developed to account for all tangible, intangible, quantitative, and qualitative factors which are used to evaluate and select suppliers and to define the optimum order quantities assigned to each. A multi-objective linear programming technique is first employed to solve the problem. To model the uncertainties encountered in the integrated supplier evaluation and order allocation methodology, fuzzy theory is adopted. Hence, possibilistic linear programming (PLP) is proposed for solving the problem, as it is believed to be the best approach for absorbing the imprecise nature of the real world. In the supplier evaluation phase, environmental criteria are also considered.

An approach for analysing transportation costs and a case study

One of the important parameters in the determination of optimal transportation system is economy. Therefore, a realistic method based on the technical, economical and operational parameters of various transportation modes, namely, road, railway, and sea routes is required in the analysis of costs. This method will take into consideration the probable price escalations during the lifetime of a certain transportation system. The cost of a unit of cargo or passenger per route length should be considered since it is an indicator of economics. In this paper, an approach for transportation cost analysis based on the economic analysis of the alternative modes of cargo or passenger transportation, is presented.

A SCOR based approach for measuring a benchmarkable supply chain performance

Performance measurement can only help to identify the problems existing in the current supply chain, while it is helpless in exploring the root causes of these problems and thus choosing corresponding actions to improve supply chain performance. The conflict between the top-down strategy decomposition and the bottom-up implementation process is serious. Therefore, in order to overcome the above issues, it is very necessary to link strategic objectives to operations, which could help managers, especially those operating at a strategic level, to know more operational mechanism of supply chains. In this study, an integrated approach which employs analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) together is proposed for the linking strategic objectives to operations. Supply chain operations reference model is used to model the linkage of the strategic objectives and operational metrics in a hierarchical way. The AHP is used to analyze this metric hierarchy and determine weights of the metrics, and TOPSIS method is used to make a normalization of metric values having different units, so a comparison will be available. Proposed approach is applied to a problem of decision making process in a manufacturing company. Company managers found the application and results satisfactory and implementable in their decisions.

A methodology for the strategic design of reverse logistics networks and its application in the Turkish white goods industry

In this study, a multi-objective model for the reverse logistics network design (RLND) problem and a novel methodology are proposed. The proposed methodology is comprised of two stages: the centralised return centre (CRC) evaluation stage and the reverse logistics network design (RLND) stage. In the first stage an integrated ANP and fuzzy-TOPSIS methodology is utilised. In the second stage, using the CRC weights obtained in the first stage, the RLND model is solved via genetic algorithms (GAs). The proposed methodology is applied to a case from the Turkish white goods industry. The results are discussed and analysed.

An Approach for Economic Analysis of Intermodal Transportation

A different intermodal transportation model based on cost analysis considering technical, economical, and operational parameters is presented. The model consists of such intermodal modes as sea-road, sea-railway, road-railway, and multimode of sea-road-railway. A case study of cargo transportation has been carried out by using the suggested model. Then, the single road transportation mode has been compared to intermodal modes in terms of transportation costs. This comparison takes into account the external costs of intermodal transportation. The research reveals that, in the short distance transportation, single transportation modes always tend to be advantageous. As the transportation distance gets longer, intermodal transportation advantages begin to be effective on the costs. In addition, the proposed method in this study leads to determining the fleet size and capacity for transportation and the appropriate transportation mode.

A comparative analysis of meta-heuristic approaches for facility layout design problem: a case study for an elevator manufacturer

In this study, a facility layout problem having NP-hard problem characteristic is attempted to be solved by using two different meta-heuristic approaches—Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Simulated Annealing (SA)—and a hybrid approach—Genetic Algorithm/Simulated Annealing (HGASA). The case study is completed for a company which can be seen as a small or a medium size enterprise. First, parameter values of GA and SA are determined by testing for various combinations of them. Then, the algorithms are run for one hundred times. The results of the algorithms are compared based on their fitness values and calculation time requirements using the paired-t test, mean and standard values. The results show that SA performs better than the others in terms of the fitness values and the time requirements. In this study, we also test the performance of our GA, SA and HGASA methodologies using some of the well-known test problems from the literature. We obtain very close results to those in literature.