Title: An application methodology for logistics and transportation scenarios analysis and comparison within the retail supply chain

Authors: Agostino Bruzzone; Francesco Longo

Addresses: MISS-DIPTEM, University of Genoa, via Opera Pia 15 – 16145 Genova, Italy ' MSC-LES, Mechanical Department, University of Calabria, Ponte P. Bucci, Cubo 44 C, III Floor, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy

Abstract: The article proposes the development of an application methodology, named MARLIN, for logistics and transportation (L&T) scenarios analysis and comparison within the fresh food supply chain (FFSC). The MARLIN application methodology consists of the development of a dedicated simulation-based software tool for scenarios analysis and comparison and its inclusion in a methodology framework. The software tool is based on three different cooperating simulators while the methodology framework consists of three different steps: 1) supply chain rings and constraints definition; 2) L&T scenarios and factors definition; 3) L&T scenarios analysis and comparison. After the description of the cooperating simulators and methodology framework, a case study on a real FFSC is presented to showcase the MARLIN application methodology; the case study provides analytical and numerical results for five L&T scenarios and selects the optimal L&T scenario. [Received 21 May 2011; Revised 25 June 2012; Accepted 6 July 2012]

Keywords: logistics scenarios; transport scenarios; retail supply chains; RSC; industrial engineering; simulation; fresh food supply chains; FFSC; supply chain management; SCM; scenario analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2014.059352

European Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2014 Vol.8 No.1, pp.112 - 142

Published online: 28 Jun 2014 *

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