Optimizing a robust bi-objective supply chain network considering environmental aspects: a case study in plastic injection industry

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn recent years, sustainability has been considered as a growing concern in supply chain network design (SCND). Due to legal requirements, economic profitability, environmental sensitivity, and awareness of customers, sustainable supply chain management has been important for government and industry over the years. The aims of this research are to propose a bi-objective mathematical programming model to integrate the flows of the entire chain to improve performance in conditions of uncertainty associated with the plastic injection industry. The proposed model seeks to minimize total costs including transportation costs, operating costs and fixed costs of setting up facilities and on the other hand, is looking to minimize the environmental emission to increase customer satisfaction. The model proposed based on two scenarios has been solved through the robust optimization approach. Also, to solve the proposed model, some of the multi-objective exact methods such as the weighted sum, weighted goal programming, and LP-metric method are used. Furthermore, a weight sensitivity analysis is applied to find the best set of weights for the objectives. Finally, the results are explained and suggestions for future research are presented.