Title: A mathematical model for selecting third-party reverse logistics providers

Authors: Reza Farzipoor Saen

Addresses: Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Islamic Azad University-Karaj Branch, P.O. Box 31485–313, Karaj, Iran

Abstract: Generally, many optimisation models of Third-Party Reverse Logistics (3PL) provider selection assume that cardinal data, with less emphasis on ordinal data, exist. However, to select the best 3PL providers, this assumption is not realistic because ordinal data are vital. To deal with this difficulty and select the most efficient 3PL provider with the condition that both ordinal and cardinal data are present, a methodology which is based on Imprecise Data Envelopment Analysis (IDEA) is introduced. A numerical example demonstrates the application of the proposed method.

Keywords: third-party logistics; 3PL; reverse logistics providers; data envelopment analysis; imprecise DEA; cardinal data; ordinal data; mathematical modelling; logistics provider selection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2009.023406

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2009 Vol.2 No.2, pp.180 - 190

Published online: 20 Feb 2009 *

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