Interactive group decision-making using a fuzzy linguistic approach for evaluating the flexibility in a supply chain

With global competition rapidly intensifying and shifting to the supply chain level, the supply chain flexibility has become increasingly important. However, the literature addressing supply chain flexibility remains limited. This study thus builds a group decision-making structure model of flexibility in supply chain management development. This study presents a framework for evaluating supply chain flexibility comprising two parts, an evaluation hierarchy with flexibility dimensions and related metrics, and an evaluation scheme that uses a three-stage process to evaluate supply chain flexibility. This study then proposes an algorithm for determining the degree of supply chain flexibility using a fuzzy linguistic approach. Evaluations of the degree of supply chain flexibility can identify the need to improve supply chain flexibility, and identify specific dimensions of supply chain flexibility as the best directions for improvement. The results of this study are more objective and unbiased for two reasons. First, the results are generated by group decision-making with interactive consensus analysis. Second, the fuzzy linguistic approach used in this study has more advantage to preserve no loss of information than other methods. Additionally, this study presents an example using a case study to illustrate the availability of the proposed methods and compare it with other methods.     

A multi-layer demand-responsive logistics control methodology for alleviating the bullwhip effect of supply chains

This paper presents a multi-layer demand-responsive logistics control strategy for alleviating, effectively and efficiently, the bullwhip effect of a supply chain. Utilizing stochastic optimal control methodology, the proposed method estimates the time-varying demand-oriented logistics system states, which originate directly and indirectly downstream to the targeted member of a supply chain, and associate these estimated demands with estimates of different time-varying weights under the goal of systematically optimizing the logistical performance of chain members. In addition, an experimental design is conducted where the proposed method is evaluated with the two specified criteria. Numerical results indicate that the proposed method permits alleviating, to a great extent, the bullwhip effect in comparison with the existing logistics management strategies. Furthermore, the methodology presented in this study is expected to help address issues regarding the uncertainty and complexity of the distortion of demand-related information existing broadly among supply chain members for an efficient supply chain coordination.     

TPL介入的产运销供应链联盟决策及运作效率评价

在生产商批发价格为内生变量且TPL物流服务水平影响零售商市场需求的情形下,研究了整体联盟、分散决策、产运联盟和运销联盟四种模式下产运销供应链系统内各决策主体的决策行为以及系统的运作效率。分别构建了各决策模式下的数学模型,并证明了系统最优解或博弈均衡解的存在性和唯一性。通过对上述四种模式下的运算结果进行两两比较,发现:较之整体联盟,其他三种决策模式下系统利润均出现损失;其他三种模式下的最优订购量、物流服务水平和二者的比值大小均取决于某些特定的条件,这导致TPL介入的供应链内部联盟并非一定能使系统整体运作效率获得提高。进一步通过数值算例对零售价格和可变物流服务成本进行了灵敏度分析,发现在大多数情形下,运销联盟模式下的系统运作效率是上述三种决策模式中最高的。     

Stakeholder preference elicitation and modelling in multi-criteria decision analysis – A case study on urban water supply

Integration of multiple objectives to evaluate the alternative operating rules for urban water supply reservoir systems can be effectively accomplished by multi-criteria decision aid techniques, where preference elicitation and modelling plays an important role. This paper describes a preference elicitation and modelling procedure involving the multi-criteria outranking method PROMETHEE in evaluating these alternative operating rules. The Melbourne water supply system was considered as the case study. Eight performance measures (PMs) were identified under four main objectives to evaluate the system performance under alternative operating rules. Three major hypothetical stakeholder groups namely, resource managers, water users, and environmental interest groups were considered in decision-making. An interviewer-assisted questionnaire survey was used to derive the preference functions and weights of the PMs. The evaluation of alternative operating rules is not covered in this paper, rather an approach to elicit and model stakeholder preferences in decision-making is described.     

A fuzzy rough set approach to emergency material demand prediction over two universes

Emergency decision-making is still an important issue of unconventional emergency events management. Although many studies are developed on this topic, they remain political and qualitative, and it is difficult to make them operational in practice. Therefore, this article considers a fuzzy rough set over two universes model and approach for solving such a difficulty. As is well known, an exact and scientific emergency material demand prediction can make a quick and efficient emergency rescue and realize the optimal effect. Considering the main characteristics of emergency decision-making with insufficient risk identification, incomplete and inaccuracy of available information and uncertainty of decision-making environment, the fuzzy rough set theory over two universes is used to emergency material demand prediction. We propose a model and approach to emergency material demand prediction, i.e., the fuzzy rough set model of emergency material demand prediction over two universes. We present decision rules and computing methods for the proposed model by using the risk decision-making principle of classical operational research. Finally, the validity of the approach and the applied process of the proposed model is tested by a numerical example with the background of earthquake emergency material demand forecasting.     

Facility location and supply chain management – A review

Facility location decisions play a critical role in the strategic design of supply chain networks. In this paper, a literature review of facility location models in the context of supply chain management is given. We identify basic features that such models must capture to support decision-making involved in strategic supply chain planning. In particular, the integration of location decisions with other decisions relevant to the design of a supply chain network is discussed. Furthermore, aspects related to the structure of the supply chain network, including those specific to reverse logistics, are also addressed. Significant contributions to the current state-of-the-art are surveyed taking into account numerous factors. Supply chain performance measures and optimization techniques are also reviewed. Applications of facility location models to supply chain network design ranging across various industries are presented. Finally, a list of issues requiring further research are highlighted.     

On the Parameterized OWA Operators for Fuzzy MCDM Based on Vague Set Theory

The family of Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operators, as introduced by Yager, appears to be very useful in multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). In this paper, we extend a family of parameterized OWA operators to fuzzy MCDM based on vague set theory, where the characteristics of the alternatives are presented by vague sets. These families are specified by a few parameters to aggregate vague values instead of the intersection and union operators proposed by Chen. The proposed method provides a “soft” and expansive way to help the decision maker to make his decisions. Examples are shown to illustrate the procedure of the proposed method at the end of this paper.     

Virtual enterprise partner selection integrating LINMAP and TOPSIS

Virtual enterprise (VE) has become an ever-increasing trend in today’s highly competitive markets. A more scientific decision-making process for selecting partner is very important during the formation phase of VE. Partner selection is formulated as a type of fuzzy hybrid multi-criteria group decision-making problems with fuzzy truth degrees of alternatives’ comparisons represented as trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TrFNs). Integrating Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Linear Programming Technique for Multidimensional Analysis of Preference (LINMAP), we use the relative closeness degrees to define fuzzy consistency and inconsistency indices. The decision makers’ weight vector is derived by using the relative entropy. Criteria weights are estimated through constructing a new fuzzy linear programming model with TrFNs, which is solved by the developed fast and efficient method. Collective ranking matrix of alternatives is generated through constructing multi-objective assignment model. Example analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Evaluating and selecting the supplier in detergent production industry using hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS

Supply chain management has increasingly attracted attention as a systematic approach to integrate the supply chain in order to planning and controlling the materials and information from suppliers to customers. One of the most important issues in supply chain management is selection of the appropriate supplier which has significant effect on purchasing cost decrease and increase in the organization’s competition ability. Selection of the best supplier is naturally complex with no definite structure, and dependent on the type of suppliers’ activity. In the process of decision making about suppliers and many qualitative and quantitative performance indicators such as quality, price, flexibility, and due date should be considered. Then, the supplier selection problem is a multi-criteria decision making problem where numerous methods have been proposed to solve this problem so far. In the current paper, four suppliers of imported raw material “Tripolyphosphate (TPP)” (primary material to produce the detergent powder with a case study in Iran) are evaluated based on 25 effective criteria using the hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS (HFTOPSIS) approach.     

Fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making based on positive and negative extreme solutions

To encompass decision data vagueness, many researchers generalized multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods in certain environment into fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (FMCDM) methods under fuzzy environment. In these FMCDM methods, ranking fuzzy numbers based on fuzzy pair-wise comparison is normally essential, but the comparison is a complexity work. To avoid fuzzy pair-wise comparison, we propose a FMCDM method based on positive and negative extreme solutions of alternatives. In the proposed method, two extreme solutions of alternatives are obtained by MAX and MIN operations of fuzzy TOPSIS. Then weakness and strength matrices between alternatives and extreme solutions are derived by a difference function revised from fuzzy preference relation of Lee, and multiplied with weight matrix to be weighted weakness and strength indices. The two weighted indices are respectively transferred into positive and negative indices, and then the two indices integrated into a total performance index. Finally, alternatives can be sorted according to their related performance indices, and FMCDM problems are easily solved, not by fuzzy pair-wise comparison.     

An integrated FCM and fuzzy soft set for supplier selection problem based on risk evaluation

Supplier selection problem, considered as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem, is one of the most important issues for firms. Lots of literatures about it have been emitted since 1960s. However, research on supplier selection under operational risks is limited. What’s more, the criteria used by most of them are independent, which usually does not correspond with the real world. Although the analytic network process (ANP) has been proposed to deal with the problems above, several problems make the method impractical. This study first integrates the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) and fuzzy soft set model for solving the supplier selection problem. This method not only considers the dependent and feedback effect among criteria, but also considers the uncertainties on decision making process. Finally, a case study of supplier selection considering risk factors is given to demonstrate the proposed method’s effectiveness.     

A multi-objective approach to supply chain visibility and risk

This paper investigates the twin effects of supply chain visibility (SCV) and supply chain risk (SCR) on supply chain performance. Operationally, SCV has been linked to the capability of sharing timely and accurate information on exogenous demand, quantity and location of inventory, transport related cost, and other logistics activities throughout an entire supply chain. Similarly, SCR can be viewed as the likelihood that an adverse event has occurred during a certain epoch within a supply chain and the associated consequences of that event which affects supply chain performance. Given the multi-faceted attributes of the decision making process which involves many stages, objectives, and stakeholders, it beckons research into this aspect of the supply chain to utilize a fuzzy multi-objective decision making approach to model SCV and SCR from an operational perspective. Hence, our model incorporates the objectives of SCV maximization, SCR minimization, and cost minimization under the constraints of budget, customer demand, production capacity, and supply availability. A numerical example is used to demonstrate the applicability of the model. Our results suggest that decision makers tend to mitigate SCR first then enhance SCV.     

逆向物流企业绩效决策与判定——基于主因子TOPSIS和DEA超效率模型的分析

逆向物流企业绩效不但关系到供需双方企业在经济全球化和资源短缺状态下的市场竞争能力,而且也关系到双方企业环境社会责任的管理水平。TOPSIS分析法作为一种离散的多目标决策方法,已经在许多领域取得了成功的应用,本文采用主成分分析和TOPSIS(逼近理想解法)相结合的组合评价法,建立了逆向物流企业绩效评价与决策的主因子TOPSIS模型,在此基础上运用DEA超效率模型,对样本逆向物流企业的经营效率进行分析,并对分析结果进行相对效率判定。研究结果表明,样本逆向物流企业的经营效率总体上较高,但各逆向物流企业存在不同的效率问题,也存在不同的改进方向。     

A method for analysing operational complexity in supply chains

This paper proposes a method for analysing the operational complexity in supply chains by using an entropic measure based on information theory. The proposed approach estimates the operational complexity at each stage of the supply chain and analyses the changes between stages. In this paper a stage is identified by the exchange of data and/or material. Through analysis the method identifies the stages where the operational complexity is both generated and propagated (exported, imported, generated or absorbed). Central to the method is the identification of a reference point within the supply chain. This is where the operational complexity is at a local minimum along the data transfer stages. Such a point can be thought of as a ‘sink’ for turbulence generated in the supply chain. Where it exists, it has the merit of stabilising the supply chain by attenuating uncertainty. However, the location of the reference point is also a matter of choice. If the preferred location is other than the current one, this is a trigger for management action. The analysis can help decide appropriate remedial action. More generally, the approach can assist logistics management by highlighting problem areas. An industrial application is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the method.     

Intuitionistic fuzzy cognitive map approach for the evaluation of supply chain configuration criteria

Because of the growing global competence and effectiveness concepts, supply chain becomes more important for organizations. Therefore, managers object to find best supply chain configuration for their firms. This study proposes a comprehensive configuration for supply chain management process, and it enables to understand relationships among supply chain integration, supply chain strategies, supply chain risk factors, and performance criteria. By reviewing the literature and using experts' knowledge, supply chain configuration criteria are determined. Intuitionistic fuzzy cognitive map methodology is employed to consider the interrelations between criteria. Intuitionistic fuzzy cognitive map methodology is a suitable tool due to the presence of causalities and relationships among criteria and the difficulty of expressing the interrelations with crisp numbers. It also deals with uncertain and vague data and allows representing hesitation. The application is conducted in an automobile factory, which is one of the largest manufacturers in Turkey. The results show that selection of proper supplier is the most significant supply chain configuration criteria. Thus, the importance of supplier selection criteria is also analyzed as the second phase of the study.     

三角模糊数去模糊化对VIKOR妥协解的影响研究

针对准则值和准则权重均为三角模糊数的多准则决策问题,研究了不同三角模糊数去模糊化方法适用的数学运算规则,应用VIKOR方法进行三角模糊数去模糊化的必要环节和前提条件,分析了去模糊化对群体效用值和个体遗憾值以及对妥协解的影响机制,给出了一种拓展的VIKOR方法的决策步骤,最后运用算例说明了方法的实施过程和有效性。     

A fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model based on lower and upper boundaries

Many researches generalized classical multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods under uncertain environment for fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (FMCDM), such that Chen, Liang, Raj and Kumar, and Wang et al. extended TOPSIS into FMCDM methods. However, there are some problems in their methods. For instance, intersection of fuzzy numbers is a null set, calculation is a complex work for approximate triangular fuzzy numbers or trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, or criteria values of ideal/anti-ideal solution may not exist in feasible alternatives. In addition, steps of the methods are too many to realize or apply for decision-makers. To improve above shortcomings, we propose a FMCDM method based on lower and upper boundaries. Practically, the proposed method is not totally generalized TOPSIS under fuzzy environment. Furthermore, the method is aggregated into a FMCDM model to simplify FMCDM computation. Since the FMCDM model can be clearly expressed by a simple formulation, it is easy to utilize the model to solve FMCDM problems.     

模糊需求下的供应链收益共享契约模型

在模糊需求环境下,研究由单一供应商和零售商组成的两级供应链系统的协调机制问题。将市场需求视为模糊变量,建立不确定理论下,基于可信性分布的集成供应链模型和收益共享契约模型,并给出了模型中的最优策略。最后,以三角形模糊变量为例,通过数值算例对模型中的参数进行了求解,并分析批发价格和收益系数对其他参数的影响。研究结果表明,零售商的最优订购量在模糊需求中心点的左、右浮动,并随着零售价格的提高而增加;不同的收益系数对应不同的批发价格策略;通过改变收益系数可以实现供应链成员之间的完美协调。     

激励机制下服务供应链的收益分享契约协调性研究

随着第四方物流、一揽子金融服务专家等综合服务提供商运作模式的兴起,服务供应链的运作优化问题备受关注.本文基于收益分享契约的交易环境,构建了一个纯服务的两级供应链结构,分析了服务供应链的激励机制和协调机制.分析得出,服务供应链为了实现效益最优化,需要综合服务提供商向专业服务供应商实施努力激励;收益分享契约下含有激励机制的服务供应链能够实现协调,而且拥有良好的利润分配柔性.     

Multi-criteria supplier segmentation using a fuzzy preference relations based AHP

One of the strategic activities of a firm is supplier segmentation, whereby a firm creates groups of suppliers to handle them differently. Existing literature provides several typologies of suppliers, each of which uses different dimensions/variables. In this paper, different typologies are combined by distinguishing two overarching dimensions, the capabilities and the willingness of suppliers to cooperate with a particular firm. These dimensions cover almost all the existing supplier segmentation criteria mentioned in existing literature. For each particular situation, these dimensions can be specified using a multi-criteria decision-making method. A methodology is proposed that includes a fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) which uses fuzzy preference relations to incorporate the ambiguities and uncertainties that usually exist in human judgment. The proposed methodology is used to segment the suppliers of a broiler company. The result is a segmentation of suppliers based on two aggregated dimensions. Finally some strategies to handle different segments are discussed and concluding remarks and suggestions for future research are provided.