Integrated Network Design of Agile Resource-Efficient Supply Chains Under Uncertainty

We present a novel method for supply chain network (SCN) design under uncertainty that jointly solves the candidate selection, the order allocation, and the transportation mode selection problems. In the proposed method, four steps are executed in cascade. First, a cross-efficiency fuzzy data envelopment analysis technique ranks the candidates of each SCN stage in a multiobjective perspective and under uncertain data. Second, a fuzzy linear integer programming model determines the supplies required from each actor by those belonging to the subsequent SCN stage. This step determines the best compromise between candidates' efficiencies, estimated costs, and delivery time, considering stock levels and uncertain capacity of actors, while satisfying customers' uncertain demand. The third step evaluates the efficiency of the transportation alternatives under uncertain data to optimally plan the transport chain. Finally, the fourth step measures the performance of the designed SCN. The method provides as a result an integrated, agile, and resource-efficient design of the SCN under uncertainty. Its application to a case study shows it is effective in selecting the SCN partners, assigning the corresponding order quantities, and delivering them to customers. Validation is obtained by comparison with well-known approaches and statistical analysis.