Article ID: | iaor201525628 |
Volume: | 19 |
Issue: | 2 |
Start Page Number: | 212 |
End Page Number: | 244 |
Publication Date: | Sep 2014 |
Journal: | International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management |
Authors: | Carmignani Gionata, Zammori Francesco, Bigliardi Barbara |
Keywords: | supply & supply chains |
This work presents a structured framework for the selection of the best inbound logistic policy, in a supplier‐buyer relationship. Defining long lasting collaborations is a strategic issue, involving considerations of several parameters in terms of benefits, opportunities, costs and risks (BOCR). To support decision makers, the paper proposes a multi‐criteria BOCR, which integrates a high level analytical hierarchy process (AHP) with a low level analytic network process (ANP). The latter one concerns operational issues, while the first one aggregates results from a strategically oriented point of view. The novelty of the approach relies in the way in which decision criteria have been structured in the form of decision networks: this makes it possible not only to streamline the analysis, but it also assures a high degree of flexibility. An industrial application is finally presented as experimental validation; obtained results demonstrate the quality and the robustness of the approach.