Multi-criteria simulation/optimization approach for Supply Chain Management.

MELE, FERNANDO D.; ESPUÑA, ANTONIO; PUIGJANER, LUIS

Barcelona, España

Congreso; 10º Congreso Mediterráneo de Ingeniería Química; 2005

Sociedad Española de Química Industrial e Ingeniería Química

In this work, an eclectic integrated approach which entails mainly two aspects: agent-based simulation and stochastic optimization, is aimed to support the decision-making process at a tactical level, determining the policies to implement along the simulation time horizon. Additionally, the methodology presented is able to explicitly include not only the traditional economic criteria, but also other concerns such as environment, quality, customer service, demand satisfaction, etc. Particular emphasis has been placed on environmental considerations on the basis of Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) principles, which consider environmental issues as an integral part of the SCM problem. Under these circumstances, the simultaneous consideration of multiple criteria provides a way to further explore the necessary trade-offs (Pareto front) upon which decision-making should be based. The underlying multi-objective problem is solved by means of a metaheuristic algorithm, which is the aptest choice due to the particular features of such problems. Validation of the proposed approach methodology has been done through a case study and results obtained are discussed.