Pravin Kumar

A fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS methodology to evaluate 3PL in a supply chain

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the use of an integrated approach of fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) and TOPSIS in evaluating the performance of global third party logistics service providers for effective supply chain management.Design/methodology/approach – In this study, the integration of fuzzy AHP with TOPSIS is proposed in determining the relative importance (weight) of criteria and then ranking of 3PLs.Findings – Findings show that the logistics cost and service quality are two most important criteria for performance rating of 3PLs. Deciding the relative importance of various criteria for 3PLs evaluation is a complex task. The superiority of one criterion over the other varies from person to person and firm to firm. Therefore, to capture the variability in decision fuzzy extended AHP is very useful tool. Finally, the preference raking of alternatives are found using TOPSIS.Research limitations/implications – Fuzzy AHP is a complex methodology and req...

An integrated approach of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Linear Programming for supplier selection

Supplier selection is a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making problem in a supply chain involving many qualitative and quantitative factors. In this paper, an integrated approach using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Linear Programming (FLP) is adopted for supplier selection and quota allocation problem. AHP is used to rate the suppliers, while FLP is used to allocate the quota to the suppliers. In FLP, multiple conflicting objectives with some constraints of buyers and suppliers are considered to optimise the order quantities. The ratings of suppliers, which are outputs of AHP, are used as inputs for Total Value of Purchase (TVP) where TVP is one of the objectives of FLP. Finally, sensitivity of the method has been analysed to understand the effect of variation in priority of selection criteria on suppliers rating and then on quota allocation.

Global supplier selection and order allocation using FQFD and MOLP

This paper proposes an integrated model of Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (FQFD) and Multiple Objective Linear Programming (MOLP) for supplier selection and order allocation in global context. Various criteria for global supplier selection are explored through literature review and divided into two categories: buyer attributes and supplier attributes. Some of the criteria for supplier selection incorporated in this paper are very important in global context, which is generally ignored in local supplier selection such as geographical location, money exchange rate and terrorism. The fuzzy-extended Quality Function Deployment (QFD) helps to incorporate the uncertainty in thinking state of decision-makers in establishing the correlation between buyer attributes and supplier attributes and also in supplier rating against various supplier attributes. This paper may help the supply chain managers/purchasing managers in supplier selection in global market and allocate the order among them considering all the constraints under fuzzy environment.

Fuzzy statistical approach for vendor selection in Supply Chain

Supplier selection has been the focus of researchers and practitioners in the past studies on supply-chain management. Numerous multiple criteria decision-making approaches have been used to select the supplier and allocate an appropriate quota to them. This paper tries to illustrate a case of supplier selection and quota allocation under uncertain conditions for the success of Supply Chain (SC). Integration of standard scores (z-value) and linear programming are proposed in integrated form to consider both tangible and intangible factors in choosing the best vendors and placing the optimum order quantities among them using fuzzy mathematical approach. This approach can help the management in deciding the quota for different vendors under multiobjectives and uncertain conditions.

Suppliers’ green performance evaluation using fuzzy extended ELECTRE approach

In the present context of the globalized market, sustainable manufacturing has become a major concern for all organizations. The sustainable manufacturing system includes economic, environmental, and social sustainabilities. Green manufacturing enhances the environmental sustainability but, it also affects the economic and social sustainabilities. The compulsion to follow the environmental rules and regulation in any business activity has increased the awareness for the use of green products, recyclable materials for packaging, reduction of carbon emission, etc. Due to the involvement of extra costs in green manufacturing, some ignorance in the implementation of green practices may be observed. To ensure sustainable systems, selection of suppliers based on green performance measures is very important. This study evaluates the suppliers’ performances based on Green Practices as follows: environmental management and pollution control, cost, quality, and flexibility using the fuzzy-extended Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality approach. This approach helps the managers to incorporate the linguistic decision of the decision makers and convert it into quantitative scale. This method is used to eliminate and outrank the poor performers. As poor performers are outranked, this approach helps to select the most suitable green suppliers as per organization’s requirement.

An analysis of supplier development issues in global context: an approach of fuzzy based modelling

This paper aims to model the supplier development issues in global perspectives under informational vagueness. A Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (FQFD) model has been used to correlate the buyers’ needs with Suppliers’ attributes. This approach supports buyers’ linguistic vague input in correlation matrix. On the basis of fuzzy correlation, importances of different suppliers’ attributes are determined. It is found that the approach is suitable in converting buyers’ unclear or vague requirements into products/services offered by supplier. FQFD is more complex than conventional Quality Function Deployment. However, this approach helps to investigate the global issues with their importance in supplier development programme.

Efficiency measurement of fertilizer-manufacturing organizations using Fuzzy data envelopment analysis

The aim of the paper is to benchmark the performance of the Indian fertilizer-manufacturing organizations based on the ranking of efficiencies using a fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA). FDEA has been used to find the relative efficiency and ranking of the fertilizer-manufacturing organizations. The last few years’ data have been converted into the fuzzy inputs and outputs as minimum, mean, and maximum values, respectively. The performance of the fertilizer manufacturing organizations is based on the output maximization model of DEA. The frontier organizations set the benchmark for the lagging organizations for further improvement in the performance. This method can also be used to incorporate the data of the several years for multiple inputs and outputs instead of consideration of data of only one year. The proposed approach in this study may help organizations to improve its efficiency to fulfill its goal.

A comparative analysis of operational performance of Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Providers in the Delhi working area using an approach of fuzzy ELECTRE

Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to develop a framework to analyze the operational performance of cellular mobile telephone service providers (CMTSP) in the Delhi working area, India. Delhi area has the highest teledensity in India. The present study uses a fuzzy ELECTRE (Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality) approach to compare the performance of cellular mobile telephone service providers. The data for the analysis have been taken from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), April–June 2015. Most of the data vary from one month to another. Therefore, these small ranges of variation in the data are incorporated in this study using the fuzzy number. Total six major telecom service providers are considered in this analysis. The findings of the study suggest that the performances of Airtel and Reliance communications are in the first rank; Vodafone and Idea are in the second rank; Aircel is in the third rank, and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) is outranked by all the other service providers. The performance is analyzed on the basis of three major parameters consisting six criteria, i.e. network availability (Base Transceiver Station accumulated downtime), connection accessibility (call setup success rate, channel congestion, and traffic channel congestion), and connection retainability (call drop rate and connection with good voice quality). It has been observed that MTNL is outranked due to the highest traffic channel congestion and highest call drop rate. Using this framework, a decision maker can develop a strategy to improve the performance by benchmarking operational parameters. The research analysis is limited to only GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) service providers in the Delhi working area, including Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurgaon.

Strategic issues in pharmaceutical supply chains: a review

Purpose n n n n nIn the present context of a health-concious society, management of pharmaceutical supply chains has become more complex because it involves the life-saving interest of human being and requires the participation of different stakeholders such as pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, customers, information service providers and regulatory agencies. Limited research is available in the area of pharmaceutical supply chains. This paper aims to find the gaps in the literature by reviewing research papers on different strategic issues of supply chain management in the pharmaceutical sector. n n n n nDesign/methodology/approach n n n n nIn total, 136 research papers, mainly from refereed international journals, were reviewed to identify the issues of supply chain management (SCM) in the pharmaceutical supply chain. On the basis of a review, gaps are identified and research agenda is proposed. n n n n nFindings n n n n nIt is observed from review that the pharmaceutical sector is not widely researched in developing countries because of many complexities in this supply chain. The share of pharmaceutical firms in the global market is also not very significant. Based on an extensive review of pharmaceutical supply chains, research gaps are identified in different areas such as inventory management, new product development, process development, capacity planning, network design, plant design, pipeline and development management, outsourcing logistics activities, reverse logistics, Lean manufacturing, green SCM and implementation of E-business processes and performance management. These strategic issues have been further classified into three broad categories, i.e. resources, processes and performance. n n n n nOriginality/value n n n n nThis paper explores major strategic areas of pharmaceutical supply chains for research. Findings of the paper will be highly useful for researchers to decide direction of future research.

Structural and Electrical Characterizations of Lanthanum Chromite: Effect of Synthesis Routes

Lanthanum chromite (LaCrO3) was synthesized by two routes employing auto combustion and conventional solid state routes. Phase investigation of the prepared samples was carried out by powder X-ray diffraction techniques, which confirmed the single phase formation. Rietveld analysis of lanthanum chromite exhibited the orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma at room temperature. Well crystalline single phase of lanthanum chromite was obtained by calcination of powder at 1200°C by solid state technique and at 1000°C by auto combustion method. SEM images of lanthanum chromite exhibited the microstructure of crystals and the nature of agglomeration among them for both synthesis processes. Frequency and temperature dependent conductivity of the two samples revealed that conduction behaviour is independent of the synthesis route. The magnitude of DC conductivity for solid state sample was found to increase by little amount. SEM morphology and structural modes of vibrations were studied employing SEM and FTIR techniques, respectively.