Robust Multi-Objective Sustainable Reverse Supply Chain Planning: An Application in the Steel Industry

In the design of the supply chain, the use of the returned products and their recycling in the production and consumption network is called reverse logistics. The proposed model aims to optimize the flow of materials in the supply chain network (SCN), and determine the amount and location of facilities and the planning of transportation in conditions of demand uncertainty. Thus, maximizing the total profit of operation, minimizing adverse environmental effects, and maximizing customer and supplier service levels have been considered as the main objectives. Accordingly, finding symmetry (balance) among the profit of operation, the environmental effects and customer and supplier service levels is considered in this research. To deal with the uncertainty of the model, scenario-based robust planning is employed alongside a meta-heuristic algorithm (NSGA-II) to solve the model with actual data from a case study of the steel industry in Iran. The results obtained from the model, solving and validating, compared with actual data indicated that the model could optimize the objectives seamlessly and determine the amount and location of the necessary facilities for the steel industry more appropriately.This article belongs to the Special Issue Uncertain Multi-Criteria Optimization Problem

Integration of fuzzy Shannon’s entropy with fuzzy TOPSIS for industrial robotic system section

Purpose: The aim of this study is applying a new method for Industrial robotic system selection. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, the weights of each criterion are calculated using fuzzy Shannon’s Entropy. After that, fuzzy TOPSIS is utilized to rank the alternatives. Then we select the best Industrial Robotic System based on these results. Findings and Originality/value: The outcome of this research is ranking and selecting industrial robotic systems with the help of Fuzzy Shannon’s Entropy and Fuzzy TOPSIS techniques. Originality/value: This paper offers a new integrated method for industrial robotic system selection.Peer Reviewe

Theoretical foundations of organizational problem solving methodologies in Operational Research

Paradigms are some principles and assumptions, which define frameworks and research priorities in each discipline. Many believe that operational research (OR) is not a science and like many other sciences does not have any paradigm. However, since OR is committed to scientific methods, therefore it contains a methodological paradigm. The purpose of this paper is to consider theoretical methodologies in the field of OR. This paper performs a review on the existing literature based on interpretive hermeneutic approach. Based on literature review, the study determines four principles and assumptions for each OR paradigms and a classification of the methods are presented. The results show that OR has four main paradigms and there are many methods in OR fields to tackle a particular problem where each problem belongs to a particular paradigm. In addition, instead of using a particular method in problem situations, we can implement a combination of methodologies

The Role of Management and Human Resource in implementing e-Factory by AHP method (Case study of Guilan province Industries)

ABSTRACT: This article is based on a research project to investigate the Barriers to implementation of an electronic factory with AHP method has been developed.The purpose of this research is identifying and ranking all factors to implementing e-factory in the Islamic Republic of IRAN industries, that has been done by collecting data through library studies and distribution of specialized and limited questionnaire, accompanied by interview with experts of Guilan industries (as case study). Methodology of this research can be divided into three major sections. At the first step factors facing the industry were identified for establishing e-factory based on the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used for determining indicators validity. At the second step identified factors were prioritized by using questionnaire "B" and constitution of the model of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) by EC (expert choice) software. At the third step regarding prioritizing barriers, appropriate procedures of situation of the country's internal and external environment was presented. The method of statistical analysis of data is based on nonparametric inferential statistic methods by SPSS software .Therefore, identified factors in order of priorities are: management, organizational culture, Human Resource, production strategy, quality management, on-time production and technology. In this paper two key factors, "management" and "Human Resource" was emphasized

A Systematic Literature Review on Supply Chain Strategy

Today, researchers and practitioners both believe that paying attention to supply chain management can create a sustainable competitive advantage. Since 1990s onward, several various studies have been conducted on the supply chain management strategy, its formation and formulation processes. Thus, following systematic review merits, this paper aims to investigate and summarize the previous studies on supply chain strategy, to identify the research gaps and provide some suggestions for applying this concept in practice and future research. Findings showed that, there are several definitions, dimensions, typologies and taxonomies of supply chain strategy as well as several frameworks on supply chain strategy development. Practitioners and researchers alike, can benefit from the results of this paper to become familiar with the literature and summary of SCS studies, SCS content, problems, and existent conflicts in the field, and then to employ this competitive instrument in practice more effectively

Supply Chain Flexibility Mathematical Modeling using Goal Programming

Due to the changes in production and market conditions, companies are facing many pressures. One of the ways of confronting with these pressures is the concept of supply chain and increasing its flexibility to satisfy different needs of customers. Despite the importance of supply chain flexibility, lack of appropriate analytical models to explain the relationship between the flexibility in a system and the performance of overall system is still recognized. Therefore, in this study a mathematical model of supply chain flexibility has been presented. This research is applied and of the descriptive research types. This study is done in two phases; dimensions detection and modeling. Identified dimensions in the first phase are labor flexibility, machine flexibility, routing and process flexibility. They are important dimensions for assess each three levels; provide, produce and assemble the entire supply chain. The result of the second phase was the design of a mathematical model for each three levels, separately, but dependent on other levels by objective function. Their limitations are defined by identified dimensions in the first phase

Evaluating of leanness by using a Combined Fuzzy ANP and DEMATEL Approach

By studying the literature of lean production concepts and according to the attempts made by the organization to measure and implement the principles of lean production, it is decided to take the two measure streams, regarding to lean production into deep consideration. The outcome of these studies can be condensed into two major achievements: 1) to draw the readers’ attentions to comprehensive definition of leanness 2) To present a framework that can first measure then provide approaches to solve the difficulties in an appropriate implementing in a suitable accordance with the comprehensive definition of leanness. Having achieved a right understanding of leanness concepts, the existing models were studied to measure organizational leanness. Having considered the strengths and weaknesses, a model was represented which is a combination of fuzzy ANP and fuzzy DEMATEL approaches. Finally, by conducting an experimental study the application of this model has been demonstrated