Fuzzy multi-objective optimization for network design of logistic and production systems

Global competition has given rise to logistic and production systems (LPSs), that are distributed manufacturing systems integrating international logistics and information technologies with production. This paper builds upon an LPS network design model previously proposed by some of the authors. The recalled technique formulates and solves a multi-criteria optimization problem to select the partners in the different stages of the production chain and the links connecting them. In this paper, in order to rank the equally optimal Pareto solutions of such a problem, we propose to employ fuzzy multi-criteria optimization. Two fuzzification techniques and two different multi-criteria methods are considered. In addition, the methodology is illustrated by way of a case study. Moreover, a discussion on the different advantages and limitations of the proposed techniques is provided