Logistic network profitability analysis: a new computing method

Este artigo apresenta um método de cálculo de rentabilidade econômica de unidades operacionais (UOs) de empresas de transporte de carga fracionada que operam através de uma rede logística com múltiplas UOs. O cálculo da rentabilidade econômica de cada uma destas UOs é um problema complexo. Devido ao intercâmbio de cargas entre UOs, as receitas de uma UO estão interligadas com as receitas de outras UOs. Os métodos tradicionais de contabilização enfrentam dificuldades quando empregados para determinar a rentabilidade econômica de UOs de uma rede logística de UOs interdependentes. O método descrito neste artigo elimina estas dificuldades por meio do conceito de margem de contribuição.This paper offers a method for evaluating the profitability of operation sites (OS) of less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers conveying shipments through a network with multiple OS. The evaluation of the profitability of each one of these OS is a complex problem. Due to exchanges of shipments between OS, the revenues of one OS are intertwined with the revenues of other OS. Traditional accounting methods show themselves cumbersome when employed to evaluate the profitability of OS of a logistical network of interdependent OS. The method described in this paper overcomes these difficulties by means of the concept of contribution margin

Supplier selection by multi-attribute combinatorial bidding

Supplier selection is a challenging decision that has strategic importance for organizations. Cost is no longer the sole factor in the selection of suppliers, and the complexity of this issue arises from the interplay of several situation-specific criteria (such as total cost, CO2e emissions, development time, lead time) as well as the combinatorial nature of this problem. This paper proposes an approach based on combinatorial optimization (integer linear programming) combined with multi-criteria value analysis to establish priorities and trade-offs among the defined criteria for combinatorial bidding. The approach was employed in a real-world decision, the selection of a supplier for a cosmetics packaging set for a new product line. The obtained solution is compared against standard multi-criteria optimization (without a combinatorial auction formulation) and also against single criterion optimization. The paper also reports on the challenges and advantages of applying the framework in the case study