Title: Using fuzzy AHP for warranty management improvement

Authors: Ahmad Sarfaraz; Kouroush Jenab; Arna Suwanvaraboon

Addresses: Department of Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management, California State University, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330, USA ' Society of Reliability Engineering-Ottawa, 812-761 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ' Department of Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management, California State University, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330, USA

Abstract: Nowadays, in warranty management, the problem of decision making where the operator will obtain the spare part for the warranty assistance with minimal effects on the assembly line becomes a challenge. Based on the decision criteria (extra stock, terms, reliability, cost, and amount) and available alternatives (warehouse, cannibalisation, and purchasing), we will take into consideration the most final score of alternatives with respect to the criteria that must be taken into account. Using Delphi method, this study employs a fuzzy AHP decision making approach to solve the problem. A case study is presented to demonstrate the application of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) approach.

Keywords: warranty management; fuzzy AHP; FAHP; analytical hierarchy process; warehousing; cannibalisation; purchasing; reliability; decision making; spare parts.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2014.060821

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2014 Vol.17 No.1, pp.34 - 53

Published online: 07 Jun 2014 *

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