A NEW LOGARITHM METHODOLOGY OF ADDITIVE WEIGHTS (LMAW) FOR MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING: APPLICATION IN LOGISTICS

Logistics management has been playing a significant role in ensuring competitive growth of industries and nations. This study proposes a new Multi-Criteria Decision-making (MCDM) framework for evaluating operational efficiency of logistics service provider (LSP). We present a case study of comparative analysis of six leading LSPs in India using our proposed framework. We consider three operational metrics such as annual overhead expense (OE), annual fuel consumption (FC) and cost of delay (CoD, two qualitative indicators such as innovativeness (IN) which basically indicates process innovation and average customer rating (CR)and one outcome variable such as turnover (TO) as the criteria for comparative analysis. The result shows that the final ranking is a combined effect of all criteria. However, it is evident that IN largely influences the ranking. We carry out a comparative analysis of the results obtained from our proposed method with that derived by using existing established frameworks. We find that our method provides consistent results; it is more stable and does not suffer from rank reversal problem

Analysis of Decision Support Systems of Industrial Relevance: Application Potential of Fuzzy and Grey Set Theories

The present work articulates few case empirical studies on decision making in industrial context. Development of variety of Decision Support System (DSS) under uncertainty and vague information is attempted herein. The study emphases on five important decision making domains where effective decision making may surely enhance overall performance of the organization. The focused territories of this work are i) robot selection, ii) g-resilient supplier selection, iii) third party logistics (3PL) service provider selection, iv) assessment of supply chain’s g-resilient index and v) risk assessment in e-commerce exercises. Firstly, decision support systems in relation to robot selection are conceptualized through adaptation to fuzzy set theory in integration with TODIM and PROMETHEE approach, Grey set theory is also found useful in this regard; and is combined with TODIM approach to identify the best robot alternative. In this work, an attempt is also made to tackle subjective (qualitative) and objective (quantitative) evaluation information simultaneously, towards effective decision making. Supplier selection is a key strategic concern for the large-scale organizations. In view of this, a novel decision support framework is proposed to address g-resilient (green and resilient) supplier selection issues. Green capability of suppliers’ ensures the pollution free operation; while, resiliency deals with unexpected system disruptions. A comparative analysis of the results is also carried out by applying well-known decision making approaches like Fuzzy- TOPSIS and Fuzzy-VIKOR. In relation to 3PL service provider selection, this dissertation proposes a novel ‘Dominance- Based’ model in combination with grey set theory to deal with 3PL provider selection, considering linguistic preferences of the Decision-Makers (DMs). An empirical case study is articulated to demonstrate application potential of the proposed model. The results, obtained thereof, have been compared to that of grey-TOPSIS approach. Another part of this dissertation is to provide an integrated framework in order to assess gresilient (ecosilient) performance of the supply chain of a case automotive company. The overall g-resilient supply chain performance is determined by computing a unique ecosilient (g-resilient) index. The concepts of Fuzzy Performance Importance Index (FPII) along with Degree of Similarity (DOS) (obtained from fuzzy set theory) are applied to rank different gresilient criteria in accordance to their current status of performance. The study is further extended to analyze, and thereby, to mitigate various risk factors (risk sources) involved in e-commerce exercises. A total forty eight major e-commerce risks are recognized and evaluated in a decision making perspective by utilizing the knowledge acquired from the fuzzy set theory. Risk is evaluated as a product of two risk quantifying parameters viz. (i) Likelihood of occurrence and, (ii) Impact. Aforesaid two risk quantifying parameters are assessed in a subjective manner (linguistic human judgment), rather than exploring probabilistic approach of risk analysis. The ‘crisp risk extent’ corresponding to various risk factors are figured out through the proposed fuzzy risk analysis approach. The risk factor possessing high ‘crisp risk extent’ score is said be more critical for the current problem context (toward e-commerce success). Risks are now categorized into different levels of severity (adverse consequences) (i.e. negligible, minor, marginal, critical and catastrophic). Amongst forty eight risk sources, top five risk sources which are supposed to adversely affect the company’s e-commerce performance are recognized through such categorization. The overall risk extent is determined by aggregating individual risks (under ‘critical’ level of severity) using Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) is then used to obtain structural relationship amongst aforementioned five risk sources. An appropriate action requirement plan is also suggested, to control and minimize risks associated with e-commerce exercises

A conceptual hybrid approach from a multicriteria perspective for sustainable third-party reverse logistics provider identification

Reverse logistics (RL) is considered the reverse manner of gathering and redeploying goods at the end of their lifetime span from consumers to manufacturers in order to reutilize, dispose, or remanufacture. Whereas RL has many economic benefits, it presents compromises to businesses that wish to remain competitive but be responsible global citizens in terms of social, environmental, risk, and safety aspects of sustainable development. Managing RL systems therefore is considered a multifaceted mission that necessities a significant level of technology, infrastructure, experience, and competence. Consequently, various commerce institutions are looking to outsourcing their RL actions to third-party reverse logistics providers (3PRLPs). In this work, a novel hybrid multiplecriteria decision-making (MCDM) framework is proposed to classify and choose 3PRLPs, which comprises the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique, and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) technique under neutrosophic environment. Accordingly, AHP is availed for defining weights of key dimensions and their subindices. In addition, TOPSIS was adopted for ranking the specified 3PRLPs. The efficiency of the proposed approach is clarified through application on a considered car parts manufacturing industry case in Egypt, which shows the features of the combined MCDM methods. A comparative and sensitivity analyses were performed to highlight the benefits of the incorporated MCDM methods and for clarifying the effect of changing weights in selecting the sustainable 3PRLP alternative, respectively. The suggested framework is also shown to present more functional execution when dealing with uncertainties and qualitative inputs, demonstrating applicability to a broad range of applications. Ultimately, the best sustainable 3PRLPs were selected and results show that social, environmental, and risk and safety sustainability factors have the greatest influence when determining 3PRLPs alternatives.</p

Third-Party Logistics

Third-party logistics was propelled first in US; later on, European nations put it on to successfully deal with an organization’s coordination exercises, re-appropriating the capacity and purchasing the administrations. 3PL suppliers without their very own advantages are called lead coordination suppliers that have preferred the standpoint that they have particular industry ability combined with low overhead expenses, yet they bring down arranging power. Lead coordination suppliers may likewise be less bureaucratic with shorter basic leadership cycles because of the littler size of the organization, and the most critical contrast between a second gathering coordination supplier and an outsider coordination supplier is the way that a 3PL supplier is constantly incorporated in the client’s framework. The 2PL is not coordinated as compared to the 3PL as it is just a redistributed coordination supplier with no framework mix. A 2PL regularly just gives institutionalized administrations, while 3PLs frequently give benefits that are redone and particular to the necessities of their client. Coordination is evaluated as a significant use for organizations. Thus, in the present aggressive condition, there is a squeezing need to control coordination expenses, and execution estimation has turned out to be an effective apparatus in accomplishing business targets

Multiple-Criteria Decision Making

Decision-making on real-world problems, including individual process decisions, requires an appropriate and reliable decision support system. Fuzzy set theory, rough set theory, and neutrosophic set theory, which are MCDM techniques, are useful for modeling complex decision-making problems with imprecise, ambiguous, or vague data.This Special Issue, “Multiple Criteria Decision Making”, aims to incorporate recent developments in the area of the multi-criteria decision-making field. Topics include, but are not limited to:- MCDM optimization in engineering;- Environmental sustainability in engineering processes;- Multi-criteria production and logistics process planning;- New trends in multi-criteria evaluation of sustainable processes;- Multi-criteria decision making in strategic management based on sustainable criteria

SELECTION OF FORKLIFT UNIT FOR TRANSPORT HANDLING USING INTEGRATED MCDM UNDER NEUTROSOPHIC ENVIRONMENT

In material handling, warehousing, manufacturing and construction applications, forklifts are vital equipment, which are used to engage, lift and move palletized items. So, selection of the most appropriate forklift is an essential task for transportation of materials in warehouses for optimal use of the equipment. The present treatise introduces a well-known multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) technique, namely fully consistent method (FUCOM) under neutrosophic environment (NE) to model and solve the problem of selecting the best forklift for warehouse. In this regard, the linguistic assessments of the criteria have been represented in terms of single valued triangular neutrosophic numbers (SVTNNs). A novel triangular neutrosphic score function and ranking function are also proposed. To calculate criteria weights, a novel SVTN linear programming problem (SVTNLPP) has been developed. The alternatives have been ranked through multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio analysis (MOORA). The robustness, consistency and reliability of the proposed integrated method have been checked through comparative and sensitivity analyses. This study makes a significant contribution by developing an original integrated model which provides warehousing system managers a quantifiable analysis, based on which they may make future decisions in order to improve the overall efficiency of the organization in transport handling

A bibliometric analysis of selection of third-party logistics providers

19 páginasPurpose – To carry out a bibliometric review of third-party logistics service (3PLS) provider selection and identify the current stream of the field. Design/methodology/approach – Begins by setting the keywords for the search query to properly set the limit and scope of the research. The input selected for the study are papers, conference papers. Key indicators like publication productivity, citation, conceptual mapping, and research front are presented and discussed. The tools used for gathering the output were Rstudio and VosViewer. Findings: 3PLS provider selection is a topic studied mainly by surveys, case studies, and mathematical models' application. The selection decision is a multicriteria decisionmaking process and is mainly guided by quantitative models. Future research: 3PLS provider selection should include additional financial performance analysis. Last-mile distribution or collaborative distribution (covid19 as the main driver) and selection models applied to ecommerce could be developed. Practical implications: Managers could adapt the available publications and their models to their industry. Scholars can apply the model to different industries to set more robustness to the current conceptual and theoretical framework.Maestría en Gerencia InternacionalMagíster en Gerencia Internaciona

The importance of warehouses in logistics outsourcing: benchmarking the perspectives of 3PL providers and shippers

Purpose: An ever-increasing number of companies outsource logistics activities to third-party logistics (3PL) providers to beat the competition. From the buyer's (shippers') perspective, selecting the right 3PL provider is crucial, and from the 3PL provider's perspective, it is imperative to be attractive and to retain clients. To this aim, a potential lever can be physical assets, such as warehouses, which the literature has traditionally neglected. The objective is to benchmark the importance of warehouses for 3PL providers to attract/retain clients and for shippers to select the right 3PL provider. Design/methodology/approach: The authors performed an empirical investigation through interviews on dyads (3PL providers/shippers) and utilized the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to rank the criteria used in the 3PL buying process and allow the warehouse's role to emerge. Findings: Results show that the 3PL buying process consists of four phases and three evaluation steps. The&nbsp;selection criteria are classified into three groups: order qualifiers, order winners and retention factors. The warehouse has different levels of importance throughout the process. It appears that it can indirectly enhance the attractiveness and retention capability of 3PL providers through other selection criteria. Originality/value: By combining the resource-based view and the customer value theory, this research extends the theory on logistics outsourcing by studying the phases of the 3PL buying process and scrutinizing the criteria used in different evaluation steps. The research adds a double perspective of analysis (3PL providers and shippers), which is missing in the literature, and focuses on the importance of warehouses

COMPARISON OF THREE FUZZY MCDM METHODS FOR SOLVING THE SUPPLIER SELECTION PROBLEM

The evaluation and selection of an optimal, efficient and reliable supplier is becoming more and more important for companies in today’s logistics and supply chain management. Decision-making in the supplier selection domain, as an essential component of the supply chain management, is a complex process since a wide range of diverse criteria, stakeholders and possible solutions are embedded into this process. This paper shows a fuzzy approach in multi – criteria decision-making (MCDM) process. Criteria weights have been determined by fuzzy SWARA (Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) method. Chosen methods, fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for the Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), fuzzy WASPAS (Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment) and fuzzy ARAS (Additive Ratio Assessment) have been used for evaluation and selection of suppliers in the case of procurement of THK Linear motion guide components by the group of specialists in the “Lagerton” company in Serbia. Finally, results obtained using different MCDM approaches were compared in order to help managers to identify appropriate method for supplier selection problem solving