Applying nonlinear MODM model to supply chain management with quantity discount policy under complex fuzzy environment

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to deal with the supply chain management (SCM) with quantity discount policy under the complex fuzzy environment, which is characterized as the bi-fuzzy variables. By taking into account the strategy and the process of decision making, a bi-fuzzy nonlinear multiple objective decision making (MODM) model is presented to solve the proposed problem. Design/methodology/approach: The bi-fuzzy variables in the MODM model are transformed into the trapezoidal fuzzy variables by the DMs's degree of optimism ?1 and ?2, which are de-fuzzified by the expected value index subsequently. For solving the complex nonlinear model, a multi-objective adaptive particle swarm optimization algorithm (MO-APSO) is designed as the solution method. Findings: The proposed model and algorithm are applied to a typical example of SCM problem to illustrate the effectiveness. Based on the sensitivity analysis of the results, the bi-fuzzy nonlinear MODM SCM model is proved to be sensitive to the possibility level ?1. Practical implications: The study focuses on the SCM under complex fuzzy environment in SCM, which has a great practical significance. Therefore, the bi-fuzzy MODM model and MO-APSO can be further applied in SCM problem with quantity discount policy. Originality/value: The bi-fuzzy variable is employed in the nonlinear MODM model of SCM to characterize the hybrid uncertain environment, and this work is original. In addition, the hybrid crisp approach is proposed to transferred to model to an equivalent crisp one by the DMs's degree of optimism and the expected value index. Since the MODM model consider the bi-fuzzy environment and quantity discount policy, so this paper has a great practical significance.Peer Reviewe

Decision Support System for Managing Reverse Supply Chain

Reverse logistics are becoming more and more important in the overall Industry area because of the environment and business factors. Planning and implementing a suitable reverse logistics network could bring more profit, customer satisfaction, and an excellent social picture for companies. But, most of the logistics networks are not equipped to handle the return products in reverse channels. Reverse logistics processes and plans rely heavily on reversing the supply chain so that companies can correctly identify and categorize returned products for disposition, an area that offers many opportunities for additional revenue. The science of reverse logistics includes return policy administration, product recall protocols, repairs processing, product repackaging, parts management, recycling, product disposition management, maximizing liquidation values and much more. The focus of this project is to develop a reverse logistics management system/ tools (RLMS). The proposed tools are demonstrated in the following order. First, we identify the risks involved in the reverse supply chain. Survey tool is used to collect data and information required for analysis. The methodologies that are used to identify key risks are the six sigma tools, namely Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC), SWOT analysis, cause and effect, and Risk Mapping. An improved decision-making method using fuzzy set theory for converting linguistic data into numeric risk ratings has been attempted. In this study, the concept of ‘Left and Right dominance approach’(Chen and Liu, 2001) and Method of ‘In center of centroids’ (Thoran et al., 2012a,b) for generalized trapezoidal fuzzy numbers has been used to quantify the ‘degree of risk’ in terms of crisp ratings. After the analysis, the key risks are identified are categorized, and an action requirement plan suggested for providing guidelines for the managers to manage the risk successfully in the context of reverse logistics. Next, from risk assessment findings, information technology risk presents the highest risk impact on the performance of the reverse logistics, especially lack of use of a decision support system (DSS). We propose a novel multi-attribute decision (MADM) support tool that can categorizes return products and make the best alternative selection of recovery and disposal option using carefully considered criteria using MADM decision making methodologies such as fuzzy MOORA and VIKOR. The project can be applied to all types of industries. Once the returned products are collected and categorized at the retailers/ Points of return (PoR), an optimized network is required to determine the number of reprocessing centres to be opened and the optimized optimum material flow between retailers, reprocessing, recycling and disposal centers at minimum costs. The research develops a mixed integer linear programming model for two scenarios, namely considering direct shipping from retailer/ PoR to the respective reprocessing centers and considering the use of centralized return centers (CRC). The models are solved using LINGO 15 software and excel solver tools respectively. The advantage of the implementation of our solution is that it will help improve performance and reduce time. This benefits the company by having a reduction in their cost due to uncertainties and also contributes to better customer satisfaction. Implementation of these tools at ABZ computer distributing company demonstrates how the reverse logistics management tools can used in order to be beneficial to the organization. The tool is designed to be easily implemented at minimal cost and serves as a valuable tool for personnel faced with significant and costly decisions regarding risk assessment, decision making and network optimization in the reverse supply chain practices

A review of fuzzy AHP methods for decision-making with subjective judgements

Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a broadly applied multi-criteria decision-making method to determine the weights of criteria and priorities of alternatives in a structured manner based on pairwise comparison. As subjective judgments during comparison might be imprecise, fuzzy sets have been combined with AHP. This is referred to as fuzzy AHP or FAHP. An increasing amount of papers are published which describe different ways to derive the weights/priorities from a fuzzy comparison matrix, but seldomly set out the relative benefits of each approach so that the choice of the approach seems arbitrary. A review of various fuzzy AHP techniques is required to guide both academic and industrial experts to choose suitable techniques for a specific practical context. This paper reviews the literature published since 2008 where fuzzy AHP is applied to decision-making problems in industry, particularly the various selection problems. The techniques are categorised by the four aspects of developing a fuzzy AHP model: (i) representation of the relative importance for pairwise comparison, (ii) aggregation of fuzzy sets for group decisions and weights/priorities, (iii) defuzzification of a fuzzy set to a crisp value for final comparison, and (iv) consistency measurement of the judgements. These techniques are discussed in terms of their underlying principles, origins, strengths and weakness. Summary tables and specification charts are provided to guide the selection of suitable techniques. Tips for building a fuzzy AHP model are also included and six open questions are posed for future work

Fuzzy Logic in Decision Support: Methods, Applications and Future Trends

During the last decades, the art and science of fuzzy logic have witnessed significant developments and have found applications in many active areas, such as pattern recognition, classification, control systems, etc. A lot of research has demonstrated the ability of fuzzy logic in dealing with vague and uncertain linguistic information. For the purpose of representing human perception, fuzzy logic has been employed as an effective tool in intelligent decision making. Due to the emergence of various studies on fuzzy logic-based decision-making methods, it is necessary to make a comprehensive overview of published papers in this field and their applications. This paper covers a wide range of both theoretical and practical applications of fuzzy logic in decision making. It has been grouped into five parts: to explain the role of fuzzy logic in decision making, we first present some basic ideas underlying different types of fuzzy logic and the structure of the fuzzy logic system. Then, we make a review of evaluation methods, prediction methods, decision support algorithms, group decision-making methods based on fuzzy logic. Applications of these methods are further reviewed. Finally, some challenges and future trends are given from different perspectives. This paper illustrates that the combination of fuzzy logic and decision making method has an extensive research prospect. It can help researchers to identify the frontiers of fuzzy logic in the field of decision making

Mathematical Fuzzy Logic in the Emerging Fields of Engineering, Finance, and Computer Sciences

Mathematical fuzzy logic (MFL) specifically targets many-valued logic and has significantly contributed to the logical foundations of fuzzy set theory (FST). It explores the computational and philosophical rationale behind the uncertainty due to imprecision in the backdrop of traditional mathematical logic. Since uncertainty is present in almost every real-world application, it is essential to develop novel approaches and tools for efficient processing. This book is the collection of the publications in the Special Issue “Mathematical Fuzzy Logic in the Emerging Fields of Engineering, Finance, and Computer Sciences”, which aims to cover theoretical and practical aspects of MFL and FST. Specifically, this book addresses several problems, such as:- Industrial optimization problems- Multi-criteria decision-making- Financial forecasting problems- Image processing- Educational data mining- Explainable artificial intelligence, etc