scholarly journals A Neutrosophic Fuzzy Optimisation Model for Optimal Sustainable Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 519
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Szmelter-Jarosz ◽  
Javid Ghahremani-Nahr ◽  
Hamed Nozari
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Uncertain Demand ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Supply Chain Network ◽  
Closed Loop Supply Chain ◽  
Fuzzy Method

In this paper, a sustainable closed-loop supply chain problem is modelled in conditions of uncertainty. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the designed supply chain network seeks to deliver medical equipment to hospitals on time within a defined time window to prevent overcrowding and virus transmission. In order to achieve a suitable model for designing a sustainable closed-loop supply chain network, important decisions such as locating potential facilities, optimal flow allocation, and vehicle routing have been made to prevent the congestion of vehicles and transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Since the amount of demand in hospitals for medical equipment is unknown, the fuzzy programming method is used to control uncertain demand, and to achieve an efficient solution to the decision-making problem, the neutrosophic fuzzy method is used. The results show that the designed model and the selected solution method (the neutrosophic fuzzy method) have led to a reduction in vehicle traffic by meeting the uncertain demand of hospitals in different time windows. In this way, both the chain network costs have been reduced and medical equipment has been transferred to hospitals with social distancing.

Robust Hazardous Materials Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design with Emergency Response Teams Location

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812199207
Author(s):  
Nasrin Mohabbati-Kalejahi ◽  
Alexander Vinel
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Network Design ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Hazardous Materials ◽  
Risk Exposure ◽  
Supply Chain Network Design ◽  
Supply Chain Network ◽  
Distribution Centers ◽  
Closed Loop Supply Chain

Hazardous materials (hazmat) storage and transportation pose threats to people’s safety and the environment, which creates a need for governments and local authorities to regulate such shipments. This paper proposes a novel mathematical model for what is termed the hazmat closed-loop supply chain network design problem. The model, which can be viewed as a way to combine several directions previously considered in the literature, includes two echelons in the forward direction (production and distribution centers), three echelons in the backward direction (collection, recovery, and disposal centers), and emergency response team positioning. The two objectives of minimizing the strategic, tactical, and operational costs as well as the risk exposure on road networks are considered in this model. Since the forward flow of hazmat is directly related to the reverse flow, and since hazmat accidents can occur at all stages of the lifecycle (storage, shipment, loading, and unloading, etc.), it is argued that such a unified framework is essential. A robust framework is also presented to hedge the optimization model in case of demand and return uncertainty. The performance of both models is evaluated based on a standard dataset from Albany, NY. Considering the trade-offs between cost and risk, the results demonstrate the design of efficient hazmat closed-loop supply chain networks where the risk exposure can be reduced significantly by employing the proposed models.

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