EOQ formula when inventory cost is fuzzy

Various types of uncertainties and imprecision are inherent in real inventory problems. They are classically modeled using the approaches from the probability theory. However, there are uncertainties that cannot be appropriately treated by usual probabilistic models. The questions how to define inventory optimization tasks in such environment and how to interpret optimal solutions arise. This paper considers the modification of EOQ formula in the presence of imprecisely estimated parameters. For example, holding and ordering costs are often not precisely known and are usually expressed by linguistic terms such as: ‘Holding cost is approximately of value , or: ‘Order cost is about value co or more’. These imprecise parameters are presented by fuzzy numbers, defined on a bounded interval on the axis of real numbers. Alternative approaches to determining the optimal order quantity in a fuzzy environment are developed, illustrated by a selection of examples, and discussed.