Title: A Decision Support System for locational analysis in paper industry

Authors: Marcello Braglia; Roberto Gabbrielli

Addresses: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica, Nucleare e della Produzione, Universita di Pisa, via Bonanno Pisano 25/b, Pisa 56126, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Energia e dei Sistemi Università di Pisa, via Diotisalvi, 2, Pisa 56126, Italy

Abstract: In this paper, an effective Decision Support System (DSS) concerning the site selection of a new paper mill is reported. The analysis is executed adopting the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. In particular, a specific wide hierarchy structure has been defined considering 49 criteria outlined via questionnaires and interviews with several logistics and production managers of the paper mills located in the district of Lucca (Italy), one of the most important areas for the production and converting of pulpboard and tissue in Europe. A sensitivity analysis based on a particular case study demonstrates the robustness of the proposed decision structure.

Keywords: site location; strategic planning; paper industry; AHP; analytical hierarchy process; DSS; decision support systems; site selection; paper mills; Italy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2012.044049

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2012 Vol.11 No.1, pp.38 - 55

Published online: 28 Nov 2014 *

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