A novel algorithm for evaluating the configurations of omni-channel distribution network considering transparency and consensus formation

Abstract

In this paper, an algorithm has been developed to evaluate the performance of omni channel distribution network configurations based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) models and consensus formation. At first, bi-objective input- and output-oriented simultaneous DEA models are developed to evaluate the configurations with respect to two common criteria, i.e., the service and cost, and the transparency criterion which is defined based on the blockchain technology. Then, a consensus is formed on the evaluation results, based on a risk-based optimisation model. The proposed models are solved by fuzzy goal programming. In addition, the application of the proposed models is demonstrated through a case study in the context of the Indian retail industry. The computational results extracted from the optimisation models developed in our paper showed that the transparency criterion is very effective in the configurations evaluations and scores.