Agri-Food Processing and Supply Chain Optimization Simulation: A Review of Simulation Software Applications

Over the past few years, sustainable supply chain initiatives (SSCIs) have grabbed attention in the domestic, as well as global, marketplace of the food sector. Nowadays, the success of the entire food supply chain depends on the prosperity of farms, local communities, trader processors, and agro-based industries. Despite its importance, food processing industries (FPIs) are encountering various hurdles in achieving sustainable business goals due to the sheer number of potential barriers. Due to this reason, stakeholders are continuously pressuring the management of FPIs to embrace sustainable food processing activities. In light of this, the present study aims to apply a hybrid fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (F-AHP) framework, based on fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (F-TOPSIS), for analyzing the barriers and prioritizing the possible pathways in adopting the SSCIs for the development of FPIs. Based on the extensive review of literature and panel consultation with experienced experts, a total of seven main barriers, forty-two sub barriers, and five possible pathways as strategic tools were finalized and ranked. An empirical case investigation of a Pakistani-based food processing company has been taken to check the practical application of the proposed framework along with sensitivity analysis. The findings of this study reveal that the lack of sustainable outsourcing factors were found as the top-ranked barrier in implementing SSCIs, and the possible pathway to overcome this barrier is the appropriate management of the procurement cycle. The major contribution of this study is to establish a barriers prioritization framework and suggest possible pathways to overcome these barriers for the successful implementation of SSCIs. Finally, the theoretical, managerial, and policy implications are provided as a way forward for the concerned stakeholders and policymakers.

Download Full-text

Supply chain optimization of large-scale continuous processes

Computers & Chemical Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.compchemeng.2005.02.025 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 1305-1316 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

E.P. Schulz ◽

M.S. Diaz ◽

J.A. Bandoni

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Large Scale ◽

Supply Chain Optimization ◽

Continuous Processes

Download Full-text

A multi-objective model for closed-loop supply chain optimization and efficient supplier selection in a competitive environment considering quantity discount policy

Journal of Industrial Engineering International ◽

10.1007/s40092-016-0178-2 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 199-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Mustafa Jahangoshai Rezaee ◽

Samuel Yousefi ◽

Jamileh Hayati

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supplier Selection ◽

Closed Loop ◽

Competitive Environment ◽

Supply Chain Optimization ◽

Quantity Discount ◽

Closed Loop Supply Chain ◽

Multi Objective ◽

Objective Model

Download Full-text

Environmental potential of carbon dioxide utilization in the polyurethane supply chain

Faraday Discussions ◽

10.1039/c5fd00067j ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 183 ◽

pp. 291-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Niklas von der Assen ◽

André Sternberg ◽

Arne Kätelhön ◽

André Bardow

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Supply Chain ◽

Environmental Impacts ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Supply Chain Optimization ◽

Environmental Evaluation ◽

Impact Reduction ◽

Carbon Dioxide Utilization ◽

Systematic Exploration ◽

The Impact

Potential environmental benefits have been identified for the utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a feedstock for polyurethanes (PUR). CO2 can be utilized in the PUR supply chain in a wide variety of ways ranging from direct CO2 utilization for polyols as a PUR precursor, to indirect CO2 utilization for basic chemicals in the PUR supply chain. In this paper, we present a systematic exploration and environmental evaluation of all direct and indirect CO2 utilization options for flexible and rigid PUR foams. The analysis is based on an LCA-based PUR supply chain optimization model using linear programming to identify PUR production with minimal environmental impacts. The direct utilization of CO2 for polyols allows for large specific impact reductions of up to 4 kg CO2-eq. and 2 kg oil-eq. per kg CO2 utilized, but the amounts of CO2 that can be utilized are limited to 0.30 kg CO2 per kg PUR. The amount of CO2 utilized can be increased to up to 1.7 kg CO2 per kg PUR by indirect CO2 utilization in the PUR supply chain. Indirect CO2 utilization requires hydrogen (H2). The environmental impacts of H2 production strongly affect the impact of indirect CO2 utilization in PUR. To achieve optimal environmental performance under the current fossil-based H2 generation, PUR production can only utilize much less CO2 than theoretically possible. Thus, utilizing as much CO2 in the PUR supply chain as possible is not always environmentally optimal. Clean H2 production is required to exploit the full CO2 utilization potential for environmental impact reduction in PUR production.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Food Quality Information Services on Food Supply Chain Pricing Decisions and Coordination Mechanisms Based on the O2O E-Commerce Mode

Journal of Food Quality ◽

10.1155/2018/8956820 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xiaoqiu Yu ◽

Xiaoxue Ren

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Food Quality ◽

Food Supply ◽

Food Processing ◽

Stackelberg Game ◽

Information Service ◽

Quality Information ◽

Food Supply Chain ◽

Quantity Discount ◽

Pricing Decisions

This paper considers the price conflict problem between the online channel of a food processing factory and the offline channel of the food retailers in food supply chains by analyzing the pricing decisions and coordination mechanisms between the food processing factory and food retailers under the influence of a food quality information service. First, the Stackelberg game method and the Bertrand game method are used to optimize the pricing decisions with the goal of maximizing the profits of the food processing factory and retailer. The analysis shows that the food quality information service level is positively correlated with the price of the factory’s own channel, and the influence of the food quality information service level on the price of the food processing factory’s or the food retailer’s own channel is stronger than its influence on the price of a competitor’s channel. Second, the food supply chain members’ pricing decisions are analyzed using the case analysis method by considering practical problems in the food supply chain. The results indicate that the food processing factory should use the Stackelberg game to make pricing decisions. However, it is optimal for the food retailer to make pricing decisions under the Bertrand game, and the total profit of the food supply chain is optimized under centralized decision making. Finally, we use both the quantitative discount mechanism and the Stackelberg game method to analyze the profits obtained by the food processing factory and retailer. The results indicate that the food processing factory should implement a quantitative discount mechanism when the quantity discount coefficient is greater than 0.4, and the retailer should implement a quantity discount mechanism when the quantity discount coefficient is in the range of 0.25 to 0.4.

Download Full-text

Optimization of Consignment-Store-Based Supply Chain with Black Hole Algorithm

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2017/6038973 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ágota Bányai ◽

Tamás Bányai ◽

Béla Illés

Keyword(s):

Black Hole ◽

Supply Chain ◽

Optimization Problems ◽

Optimization Method ◽

Chain Model ◽

Supply Chain Optimization ◽

Proposed Model ◽

Supply Chain Model ◽

Supply Model ◽

Black Hole Algorithm

The globalization of economy and market led to increased networking in the field of manufacturing and services. These manufacturing and service processes including supply chain became more and more complex. The supply chain includes in many cases consignment stores. The design and operation of these complex supply chain processes can be described as NP-hard optimization problems. These problems can be solved using sophisticated models and methods based on metaheuristic algorithms. This research proposes an integrated supply model based on consignment stores. After a careful literature review, this paper introduces a mathematical model to formulate the problem of consignment-store-based supply chain optimization. The integrated model includes facility location and assignment problems to be solved. Next, an enhanced black hole algorithm dealing with multiobjective supply chain model is presented. The sensitivity analysis of the heuristic black hole optimization method is also described to check the efficiency of new operators to increase the convergence of the algorithm. Numerical results with different datasets demonstrate how the proposed model supports the efficiency, flexibility, and reliability of the consignment-store-based supply chain.

Download Full-text