Journal of Advanced Transportation
Volume 2018 (2018), Article ID 4607493, 20 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4607493

Research Article

Design and Profit Allocation in Two-Echelon Heterogeneous Cooperative Logistics Network Optimization

Yong Wang,1,2 Yingying Yuan,¹ Kevin Assogba,³ Ke Gong,¹ Haizhong Wang,³ Maozeng Xu,¹ and Yinhai Wang4,5

¹School of Economics and Management, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, China
²School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu 610054, China
³School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
⁴Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2700, USA
⁵Transportation Data Science Research Center, College of Transportation Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China

Correspondence should be addressed to Yong Wang; yongwx6@gmail.com, Kevin Assogba; kevinassogba@gmail.com, and Ke Gong; gks_cn@163.com

Received 31 December 2017; Revised 21 March 2018; Accepted 8 April 2018; Published 16 May 2018

Academic Editor: Ángel Ibeas

Copyright © 2018 Yong Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

In modern supply chain, logistics companies usually operate individually and optimization researches often concentrate on solving problems related to separate networks. Consequences like the complexity of urban transportation networks and long distance deliveries or pickups and pollution are leading problems to more expenses and more complaints from environment protection organizations. A solution approach to these issues is proposed in this article and consists in the adoption of two-echelon heterogeneous cooperative logistics networks (THCLN). The optimization methodology includes the formation of cooperative coalitions, the reallocation of customers to appropriate logistics facilities, and the determination of the best profit allocation scheme. First, a mixed integer linear programing model is introduced to minimize the total operating cost of nonempty coalitions. Thus, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm are hybridized to propose GA-PSO heuristics. GA-PSO is employed to provide good solutions to customer clustering units’ reallocation problem. In addition, a negotiation process is established based on logistics centers as coordinators. The case study of Chongqing city is conducted to verify the feasibility of THCLN in practice. The grand coalition and two heterogeneous subcoalitions are designed, and the collective profit is distributed based on cooperative game theory. The Minimum Cost Remaining Savings (MCRS) model is used to determine good allocation schemes and strictly monotonic path principles are considered to evaluate and decide the most appropriate coalition sequence. Comparisons proved the combination of GA-PSO and MCRS better as results are found closest to the core center. Therefore, the proposed approach can be implemented in real world environment, increase the reliability of urban logistics network, and allow decision makers to improve service efficiency.

1. Introduction

Cooperative game theory consists in the formation of coalitions and the effective allocation of the collective payoff to each participant. In modern supply chain, coalitions can be made up of facilities from either the same level or different echelons. Therefore, in a network comprising logistics centers (LCs), Distribution Centers (DCs), Pickup Centers (PCs), and customers, coalitions are generally formed vertically with LCs, DCs, and PCs or horizontally among DCs or PCs. A Two-echelon Heterogeneous Cooperative Logistics Network (THCLN) is a collaborative network with vertical synergies among LCs, DCs, and PCs, homogeneous horizontal synergies among DCs or PCs, and heterogeneous synergies among LCs and DCs or PCs. Properly optimizing THCLN can not only enhance the operational efficiency and avoid waste of resources, but also maximize players’ profits. In addition, the implementation of a coordinated transportation system can contribute to achieve more stable coalitions [1]. However, well-developed negotiation mechanisms and a fair allocation of payoffs are necessary to increase players’ willingness to participate [2].

The optimization of THCLN is a complex process since multiple customers, transportation resources, and profit allocations problems are combined to enhance practicability. Previous researches have focused on establishing a mixed integer programming model and designing efficient algorithms for similar optimization purposes. But due to the number of customers, evolutionary algorithms are usually confronted to problems modeling the amount of available data. Thus, a commonly used approach consists in clustering customers into small units before the application of intelligent algorithms [3, 4]. Clustering can also facilitate the management of companies’ activities and allow decision makers to obtain more effective results by assigning customer clustering units to suitable suppliers [5, 6].

Solving customer clustering units’ assignment problem is a basic network optimization problem and first appeared as the Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP) in Dantzig et al. (1959). The standard assignment problem is a traditional binary programming problem usually solved by exact methods. However, as the number of tasks had increased, QAPs became more complicated to solve. Therefore, researchers like Li et al. [7] concentrated on applying heuristic algorithms to assess large-scale location and layout problems. Recently, Sghir et al. [8] proposed an optimization method based on intelligent multiple agents to solve QAPs and provided the algorithm with the capability of learning and dynamically selecting agents. The efficiency of QAP solutions facilitates the optimization of vehicle routing problems or any logistics transportation-related subject. In other words, the reassignment of customers units not only does have significant impacts on the configuration of the network but also influences future decisions.

With the rising need of intelligent approaches for logistics network optimization, heuristic algorithms like the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and the Genetic Algorithm (GA) have been successfully applied in many domains [9, 10]. Shimizu and Miura [11] proposed a multipopulation based discrete PSO algorithm in order to handle binary decision variables and optimize large-scale logistics networks. Cupić and Teodorović [12] proposed an integer programing model to maximize companies’ total profits and service quality and employed the Genetic Algorithm to solve a multiobjective hub location-allocation problem. Haddar et al. [13] proposed a 0-1 mixed interlinear programming model and combined the quantum PSO with an iterative heuristic algorithm to solve the Knapsack sharing problem. Guo et al. [14] used GA and PSO to study forward and reverse flows of fresh food supply chains in Shanghai and verified the validity of the model under low-carbon emission environments. Wang et al. [15, 16] combined an improved ant colony algorithm with GA to optimize networks through the reassignment of customers to proper logistics facilities. Alshamsi and Diabat [17] introduced a GA capable of solving complex problems with thousands continuous and binary variables, constraints, and multiple integer variables. The proposed algorithm was applied and proved many times faster than GAMS. Atashpendar et al. [18] extended the speed-constrained multiobjective PSO algorithm to increase computation speed, convergence, and solution quality.

In logistics network cooperation, game theoretic methods are usually applied to model participants’ behaviors in different scenarios and evaluate their contribution to the coalition as well as the proportion of allocated profits [19, 20]. Hernández and Peeta [21] evaluated the influences of collaboration mechanism on carriers and explored the differences with noncollaborative environments. Findings expressed high degree collaboration as beneficial to increase participants’ profits. Guajardo and Rönnqvist [22] addressed the collaborative logistics network optimization problem and studied coalitions’ layouts under core stability and equilibrium constraints. Applications in the forest transportation domain and for oil operations have been used to verify the relevance of the proposed optimization model. Wang et al. [15, 16] introduced collaboration as means of optimizing a single echelon multiple centers vehicle routing problem and applied an improved version of the Shapley value model to allocate profit.

Extensive articles have solved variants of network optimization problems, but there are still some shortcomings in the literature. (a) Researchers had significant achievements in the optimization of multicenter logistics network. However, few articles studied networks where PCs and DCs can independently collaborate with LCs. (b) The design of cooperative networks with different types of logistics facilities has not been studied particularly from aspects like coalitions’ homogeneity or heterogeneity. (c) Collaboration among facilities of the same coalitions should incorporate sharing of transportation resources in order to yield more cost savings.

To alleviate computational complexity, our paper will first examine similar characteristics of customers and cluster them into groups. Therefore, large logistics areas will be divided into smaller and easily manageable units to be further assigned to distribution or pickup centers. For the allocation of customer clustering units and vehicles, we combine Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm to increase solution efficiency. In order to achieve stability, the consultative process among the participants is coordinated by logistics centers owing to their capability at performing distribution and collection activities. In such a position, LCs could be more influential and better coordinate DCs and PCs. Furthermore, we compute the collective payoff of each coalition and propose a profit-sharing mechanism using the Minimum Cost Remaining Savings (MCRS) model to ensure a fair distribution. Before the formation of a coalition, DCs and PCs used to independently operate at the second echelon of the logistics network and caused the unreasonable exploitation of resources, half loaded vehicles, and the increase of traffic density. By including the sharing transportation fleets in collaboration’s contracts, companies would significantly save cost and rationally use available resources. In addition, an effective customer clustering units’ assignment procedure should reduce the complexity of the logistics network and make the optimization process conducive to obtaining more efficient customer assignment results and fair profit distribution.

In summary, our research mainly contributes to the domain in the following directions: a mixed integer programming model is established to interpret the two-echelon heterogeneous cooperative logistics network (THCLN) and minimize the total cost of nonempty coalitions; variations in facilities transportation needs, routes, and required fleet size are considered as a result of cooperation, and a model is built to calculate payoffs based on members participation in the collective profit; this paper combines the Genetic Algorithm and the Particle Swarm Optimization heuristics to propose a GA-PSO hybrid algorithm and find the most appropriated logistics facility for each customer clustering unit. A practical study is adopted to support the effectiveness of the implemented approach in real world.

2. Problem Statement and Related Definition

2.1. Problem Description

THCLN increases the sustainability of logistics networks through the partitioning of customers, the sharing of transportation resources, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Figure 1 shows the network’s structural changes which occur as logistics facilities agree to cooperate. Owing to their comprehensive functions, this article assigns the coordination of coalitions to LCs. For the synergy purposes, customer units can be redistributed among LCs, DCs, and PCs in accordance with the required type of service and their geographical locations. Therefore, distribution units can only be reassigned to LCs or DCs, whereas pickup units should be allocated to LCs or PCs. Transportation at the first echelon is assured by semitrailer trucks, and small vehicles are used to serve customers.

(a) Pickup and delivery before logistics network optimization

(b) Product flow among facilities before logistics network optimization

(c) After logistics network optimization

Figure 1: Logistics network diagram.

From a global point of view, Figure 1(a) illustrates a logistics networks characterized by the complexity of both distribution and pickup flows. In fact, companies usually invest in marketing events like advertisements and offer discounts in order to attract more customers to buy their products or require their services. Owing to these events, several customers overlook factors like distance or road conditions and make decisions which might prove irrational over a long period of time. Consequently, with the development of city, the increase in population and the number of logistics facilities, the entire network gains in complexity and gives rise to phenomena like traffic congestion and pollution. Despite the existence of cases where customers change suppliers as new facilities are established closer to them, others maintain partnerships due to loyalty entertained for years. As our proposed initial network presents a two-echelon transportation pattern, we also take into account semitrailer truck trips between PCs and DCs in order to highlight the existence of prior partnerships among centers. Those semitrailer truck transportations in Figure 1(b) can be interpreted as follows: PCs usually collect semifinished products from customers and process them before supplying DCs.

2.2. Logistics Network Optimization Architecture

Solving the THCLN consists in encouraging logistics facilities to synergize and share customers, semitrailer trucks, and vehicles. In addition, agreements should be achieved between PCs and DCs to use LCs as upper-level facility and redirect initial product flows through logistics centers. After the optimization, the network would be more organized, as shown in Figure 1(c), and long distance distributions or pickups can be avoided within the same city. Products at the first echelon are still transported by means of semitrailer trucks and distribution or pickup operations carried out with a homogeneous fleet of vehicle.

The logistics network optimization architecture includes a three-phase solution approach shown in Figure 2. First, customer units’ location and related demand data are collected and clustered, and a mixed integer linear mathematical model is proposed to interpret real world operations. Then, considering the available type of vehicle fleet as well as their capacities, GA and PSO are integrated to address the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics network optimization problem. Results obtained after running GA-PSO are used to compute the gap between objective function values before and after collaboration. Further, the Minimum Cost Remaining Savings method and the strictly monotonic path selection principles are consecutively applied. Their objectives are to distribute the cost savings among logistics facilities and evaluate the stability of one or multiple coalitions in the network.

Figure 2: Logistics network optimization architecture.

2.3. Related Definition

In order to interpret the proposed problem into a mathematical model for further computations, some related variables are defined as follows:

  denotes the set of PCs, and is the total number of PCs.  denotes the set of DCs, and is the total number of DCs.  denotes the set of pickup units in the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics network, and is the total number of pickup units.  denotes the set of distribution units in the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics network, and is the total number of distribution units.  expresses that LCs only apply their pickup capacities in the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics network.  expresses that LCs only apply their delivery capacities in the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics network.  expresses the pickup quantity from the pickup unit to LC or PC with in a working period, .  denotes the delivery demand transported from LC or DC to the distribution unit within a working period, .  denotes the distance from the pickup unit to LC or PC, .  denotes the distance from LC or DC to the distribution unit ,  .  expresses the transport quantity from pickup facility to within a working period, , and .  expresses the transport quantity from distribution facility to within a working period, and .  expresses the pickup capacity of the th PC or LC within a working period, where .  expresses the delivery capacity of the th DC or LC within a working period, where .  denotes the total pickup capacity of LC and DCs and can be expressed as , where .  denotes the total delivery capacity of LC or PCs and can be expressed as , where .  expresses the pickup quantity of the pickup unit within one working period.  expresses the delivery demand of the distribution unit within one working period.  expresses the total pickup quantity from all pickup units within one working period and can be expressed as , where .  expresses the total delivery demand of all distribution units within one working period, and can be expressed as , where ;  expresses the pickup relation matrix, where indicates that LC or PC collects goods from pickup unit , and implies that LC or PC does not collect goods from the pickup unit.  expresses the distribution relation matrix, where indicates that LC or DC delivers goods to distribution unit and implies that LC or DC does not delivery goods to the distribution unit .  denotes the loading capacity of a semitrailer truck.  denotes the loading capacity of a vehicle.  denotes the freight rate of a semitrailer truck (dollar/pallet·kilometer).  denotes the freight rate of a vehicle (dollar/pallet·kilometer).  denotes the average annual maintenance cost of a semitrailer truck (dollar/pallet·kilometer).  denotes the average annual maintenance cost of a vehicle (dollar/pallet·kilometer).  expresses the variable cost coefficient of LCs  expresses the variable cost coefficient of DCs.  expresses the variable cost coefficient of PCs.  expresses the number of working periods.  expresses the maximum delivery distance.  expresses the cost savings provided by the coordinator when logistics facilities agree to cooperate.  expresses the government incentive provided to logistics facilities in case of cooperation.  denotes the distance from the LC or PC to , , .  denotes the distance from the LC or DC to , , .  denotes the number of trips of the vehicle within one working period.  denotes the number of trips of the semitrailer truck within one working period.  denotes the cooperation relation between PCs and the coordinator; if PC agrees to cooperate with LC, set ; otherwise set .  denotes the cooperation relation between DCs and the coordinator; if DC agrees to cooperate with LC, set ; otherwise set .  denotes the fixed cost of LCs.  denotes the fixed cost of PC .  denotes the fixed cost of DC .  denotes the sequence set of LC and DCs, where

 with 0 representing LC. Notice that any DC can be the first node in coalitions without LC.  denotes the variable transportation quantity between LCs and DCs, , . For example,

 denotes that the semitrailer truck departs from LC, visits and , and returns to LC; expresses the variable transport quantity from to .

3. Model Formulation

The THCLN optimization problem is interpreted into a mixed integer linear programing model to minimize the total cost. The objective function is the aggregation of logistics facilities fixed and variable operations costs as well as transportation and maintenance costs of semitrailer trucks and vehicles. is the total transportation and maintenance cost among LCs and PCs (if cooperation occurs) within a working period; is the total transportation and maintenance cost among LCs and DCs (if cooperation occurs) within a working period; is the total transportation and maintenance cost of vehicles from LC or PC to each pickup unit and LC or DC to each distribution unit within a working period; and is the result of subtracting cooperation discounts from the sum of fixed and variable costs within a working period. The objective function can be expressed as follows:

with

subject to

The objective function value is calculated using (3). Equations (4) are the subpart of the cost function and represent transportation, maintenance, and fixed and variable costs. Constraints (5)-(6) ensure that a customer unit is only served by a center. Constraint (7) introduces the binary relation variable between DCs, PCs, and their corresponding customers. Constraints (8)-(9) guarantee that delivery and pickup centers, respectively, meet their customers’ needs. Constraint (10) stipulates that pickup activities can either be performed by LCs or PCs, whereas constraint (11) allows only LCs and DCs to deliver products to customer units. Constraints (12)-(13) regulate the maximum travelling distance of pickup and delivery vehicles. Constraint (14) defines nonnegative variables.

4. The Hybrid Algorithm Solving Procedure

The Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm are combined to design a GA-PSO hybrid algorithm used to address the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics network optimization model. GA is an evolutionary computing approach used to mimic the natural selection procedure and study combinatorial optimization problems [17, 23]. PSO is one of the swarm intelligence stochastic evolutionary metaheuristic approaches, proposed by Kennedy and Eberhart [24]. PSO is inspired by observations of the social behavior of bird flocking, fish schooling, and so on, based on swarm theory, and can be used to optimize the local and global locations according to the particle’s position and velocity. Traditionally, these two algorithms have the merits of being population-based heuristics with the ability to evaluate the fitness of each possible solution. Through local and global search capabilities, GA and PSO have been successfully applied to solve problems in management, engineering, and pure science domains. Considering their individual abilities, we propose GA combined with PSO in a hybrid algorithm, which inherits the merits of both approaches and increases the probability of obtaining optimal solutions.

As a hybrid algorithm, GA-PSO is applied to meet the requirements of logistics network optimization for more complex algorithms. Existing traditional heuristics have already been proved efficient, but the increasing complexity of logistics networks limits their capacity at finding near-optimal solutions. In consequence, properly integrating different methods into a hybrid solution approach like GA-PSO can effectively improve the quality of optimization results. Other hybrid heuristics exist but some of them display weaknesses compared to GA-PSO in terms of performance. For example, Chen et al. [25] embedded a local search heuristic in the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm to improve the solution search ability of ACO and address a task assignment problem. The proposed methodology had a satisfying global search capability but the local search presented insufficiencies. Combining GA and PSO on the contrary ensures good performances at both local and optimum search level. This integration can improve the optimization procedure and reduce the number of necessary iterations. The relevant operations and processes of the proposed hybrid algorithm are illustrated in sections below.

4.1. Hybrid Algorithm Encoding Scheme and Evaluation Function Design

Hybrid algorithm encoding and objective function designing are the key issues in the optimization operation processes [26]. In the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics distribution network, the pickup/delivery capacity of each logistics facility and the transportation cost among logistics facilities should be taken into account. Therefore, a two-dimensional chromosome encoding is proposed in this study. The first dimension of the chromosomes is denoted as a sequence of natural numbers: , and is the total number of pickup units, and () is the total number of distribution units. The second dimension is the chromosome (particle) position. The chromosome position can be defined as the sequence number of logistics facilities including LC, DC, and PC that are assigned to serve each corresponding pickup unit and distribution unit. indicates the logistics facility including logistics center or pickup center assigned to the th pickup unit in the th chromosome, while represents the logistics facility including logistics center or distribution center assigned to the th distribution unit in the th chromosome. The two-dimensional chromosome encoding table is shown in Table 1. For example, if we set , , and ,  , denotes that the PC 2 is assigned to the third pickup unit in the second chromosome, if , then indicates that the DC 3 is assigned to the 35th distribution unit in the second chromosome.

Table 1: Two-dimensional chromosome encoding table.

Pickup/distribution unit
1
2

Logistics facility number

The chromosome encoding method shown in Table 1 makes sure that each pickup/distribution unit can be served by a certain logistics facility, in other words, the pickup/distribution service can be correspondingly completed by LC, PC or DC. In addition, using the chromosome encoding method to initialize populations, the computational complexity can effectively be simplified. For example, assume there are four pickup units, five distribution units, one LC, two PCs, and three DCs in the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics distribution network. The first chromosome can be generated randomly as follows: 0 1 2 0 3 5 4 0 5, where pickup units 1, 4 and distribution unit 8 are served by LC, pickup units 2 and 3 are served by PC 1 and PC 2, respectively, and distribution units 5 and 7 are served by DC 3 and DC 5, respectively. The initial fitness function value can be computed based on the objective function. However, some randomly generated chromosomes in the initial population may not satisfy requirements like maximum delivery distance limit, missing the PCs or DCs, and so on. Therefore, new chromosomes need to be generated in order to substitute the previous unqualified chromosomes. To evaluate the effectiveness of our hybrid algorithm, the fitness function needs to be properly defined, and the unqualified chromosomes should be penalized. Set the unqualified chromosome number as , with the initial value of being equal to 0. The objective function of the th chromosome is , and the fitness function can be formulated as follows:

where is the penalty weight for each unqualified chromosome (particle), and it can be defined relatively to the value of the objective function.

4.2. GA Updates and the Corresponding PSO Operations

GA updates mechanism including the corresponding PSO operations is presented in the hybrid algorithm procedure. The fitness function value and a cumulative probability are firstly calculated for the Genetic Algorithm. Afterwards, the selection, crossover, mutation, and PSO operations are conducted sequentially before the offspring is released into the new population. In the selection process, the roulette wheel selection is proposed based on the elevated chromosomes fitness function value. In the crossover process, a random vector including 0 and 1 is presented to choose the genes corresponding to 0 from the primary parent and the ones corresponding to 1 from the second parent; the offspring can be created by combinations [27]. For example, consider a network where there are four pickup units, five distribution units, one LC, two PCs, and three DCs, the parents can be generated as PA1 = , PA2 = , and the random binary vector as EX1 = . We can get as one of the offspring: offspr1 = . Nevertheless, the offspring chromosomes may not satisfy all the constraints. Therefore, the binary vectors need to be regenerated until the new chromosomes are qualified. The process of mutation occurs after the crossover: two particular orders of genes are reversed for pickups and deliveries in a chromosome. The inversed chromosomes including genes only reserved for pickups, those only reserved for deliveries, and the ones reserved for both pickups and deliveries are compared with the original chromosome, and the optimal one is selected using the mutation operation.

The PSO operations update both location and velocity information in our proposed algorithm. The position of each particle (chromosome) is presented as where ( is population size) and is the iteration number. The corresponding velocity of particle is . The position is evaluated in each iteration, and if the fitness function value is better than that of previous iterations, the position is updated as the “pbest”. Meanwhile, the global best position of current iteration is updated as “gbest”. The initial individual best position “pbest” and the global best position “gbest” are determined based on the initial population after GA operations. The related formulas to update both the velocity and position are presented as follows:

where formulas (16) and (17) are used to update both the velocity and position for pickup services and formulas (18) and (19) are used to update both the velocity and position for delivery services. and are two acceleration coefficients. rand(·) represents a random fraction between 0 and 1. denotes the individual best position of particle at the th iteration, and is the global best position of particle at the th iteration. fix(·) assures that the position of each particle is an integer. and represent allowable maximum velocity for pickup and delivery services, respectively. denotes an integer between 0 and , and denotes an integer between 0 and , where and represent the numbers of logistics facility set for pickup service and delivery service, respectively. is the inertia weight and can be formulated as follows:

where indicates the maximum number of iterations, denotes the initial inertia weight, and denotes the inertia weight for the maximum number of iterations.

4.3. Hybrid Algorithm Procedure

Based on the features described above, the hybrid algorithm procedure is described in Figure 3 and the main steps can be detailed as follows.

Figure 3: The flowchart of hybrid algorithm procedure.

Step 1 (algorithm initialization). In the hybrid algorithm procedure, 0 denotes that the logistics center, which can be used for pickup service and delivery service. An integer within or is randomly chosen and assigned to the gene position in each chromosome, and check whether the chromosomes fulfill the requirement or not. In case the condition is not respected, new chromosomes are generated until requirements are fulfilled, and calculate the fitness function value based on formula (15).

Step 2. Execute the roulette wheel selection based on the elevated chromosomes fitness function value, execute crossover and mutation operations based on the crossover probability pc and the mutation probability pm, respectively, and update the optimal solutions and new chromosomes.

Step 3. Select the chromosomes as the initial particles in the population, conduct the PSO operations as part of the hybrid algorithm, and calculate the individual optimal solution and the global optimal solution .

Step 4. Repeat the following steps until the maximum number of iterations is reached or the termination conditions are satisfied.
Step 4.1. Reexecute the selection, crossover, and mutation operations from GA; if the current fitness function value from the new offspring chromosomes is better than with the parents, update the optimal solutions and new chromosomes.
Step 4.2. Determine whether the number of iterations has achieved the periodic acc or not; if yes, replace the total GG of worst-fit chromosomes from GA with the corresponding number of best-fit particles from PSO algorithm; continue PSO with particles, and update and ; otherwise, the exchange procedure will not be conducted; execute the PSO algorithm on particles and update the individual and global optimal solutions.

Step 5. If the number of iterations achieves the maximum number of iterations, the loop procedure will be finished. The current best known particle (chromosome) and fitness function value will be chosen as the optimal solution; otherwise, return to Step 2 to continue.

Step 6. Calculate and select the optimal solution from all feasible chromosomes. The optimal solution will be the final result for the two-echelon heterogeneous logistics network.

In the above hybrid algorithm procedure, the GA operations and PSO operations are reasonably combined by exchanging worst-fit solutions and best-fit solutions between GA and PSO algorithms. Therefore, it enhances the optimization capability of the hybrid algorithm and provides a more robust local and global search capability.

5. Profit Allocation Strategy

5.1. Minimum Cost Remaining Savings Model

The MCRS model is a game theoretic method used to solve cost or profit allocation problems [28]. The selection of MCRS to calculate logistics facilities profits is due to its well-known merits summarized as follows: the model is simple to compute and each to implement; results are generally fairly balanced and presented in a single vector, easy to visualize; MCRS guarantees both individual and collective profit rationality.

The method proceeds to a two-step distribution, where a portion of the collective profit is distributed before the allocation of the remaining part in order to measure members’ contributions. The upper and lower bound vectors and of the allocation scheme are first determined according to highest and lowest possible profit of each participant. denotes the maximum profit of logistics facility and denotes its minimum value. Assume that represents the actual profit of logistics facility , being the collective profit of alliance and the total benefit of the grand coalition. The value of the facility ’s profit is determined by the following:

where

where refers to the hyperplane and is a coefficient used to balance the results. The bound vector’s variables and can be solved by the following linear programming model:

5.2. Strictly Monotonic Path Principles

The determination of good coalitions is subject to the verification of strictly monotonic path (SMP) principles. The multitude of coalition possibilities generally provides a wide range of profit allocation schemes. A sequence can be adopted only if the cost reduction percentage of each participant increases whenever a new facility joins. If is a sequence of the coalition, can represent the position of facility in sequence . represents the cost reduction rate when facility joins the coalition as the th member and can be calculated as follows:

The process of selecting the SMP sequence is as follows.

Step 1. Select all sequence coalitions where the cost reduction percentage conforms to the principles of SMP, that is, monotonically increasing, and find the diagonal values in the matrix.

Step 2. Find the minimum value of the diagonal line and move to the next step or choose the second smallest value if the percentages are equal. Continue until all members are searched.

Step 3. The coalition sequence yielded from Step 2 is a candidate for the best profit distribution scheme. The process should be repeated for every sequence to ensure that all the possibilities have been evaluated.

6. Empirical Analyses

6.1. Data Description

We conduct a practical experimentation of the proposed network optimization methodology in Chongqing city, China, to evaluate the effects of collaboration and the applicability of our approach in real situations. Real locations of one LC, two PCs, three DCs, 50 pickup units, and 70 distribution units have been selected to illustrate irrational customer allocations observed in the urban logistics network. In the cooperative network, LC plays the roles of participant and coordinator. In order to clearly define the operations of the logistics center, we represent its pickup function by and the distribution function by . Figure 4 shows the logistics network before optimization. In order to facilitate the calculation, each distribution and pickup unit’s demand is converted to the standard roll pallet quantity. The characteristics of all the logistics facilities are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2: Characteristics of six logistics facilities.

Number of allocated
customer units
Total demand
(roll pallets)
Symbol

LC

19
9800

26
8260

PC1
14
7800

PC2
17
10380

DC1
15
5800

DC2
15
5180

DC3
14
4500

Figure 4: Pickup and distribution centers and units distribution diagram.

6.2. Improved ASO Parameter Setting and Optimization Results

In this section, we introduce the different parameters initialized for optimization purposes. They are separated in two categories such as objective function calculation parameters and algorithmic parameters and displayed as follows:

(1)Objective function parameters: , , , , , , = 52, , , , , , , , , , . To encourage logistics facilities to cooperate, the local government provides the following as incentive: , , , , , , . The total cost savings provided if all the facilities form the grand alliance is .(2)Algorithm parameters: is the popular size used to increase the diversity of initial chromosomes; = 2 expresses the maximum velocity for pickup service; = 3 expresses the maximum velocity for delivery service; = 0.8 and = 0.02 indicate the crossover and mutation probability, respectively; indicates chromosomes as the initial particles in the population; expresses the number of chromosomes for exchanges between GA and PSO; denotes the number of iterations used for replacement between GA and PSO; and represent the numbers of logistics facility for pickup and delivery, respectively; is the penalty weight for each unqualified chromosome or particle; is the maximum number of iterations; is the initial inertia weight and is the inertia weight of the maximum evolution generation; are coefficients used for PSO speed calculation.

In this study, a working period consists of five working days. GA-PSO algorithm is used to assign customer units to corresponding logistics facilities and to compute the total cost in one working period. Cost savings are redistributed to participants of every coalition by applying the MCRS model. Optimization results are listed in Table 3, the initial customer units’ assignment results are displayed in Table 4, and the best customer allocation in the grand alliance is summarized in the Table 5.

Table 3: Comparison between initial and optimized network over one working period.

Initial
Optimized

Cost
Demand
Cost
Demand

5446
9800
4015
6820
648

4980
10380
3558
8520
1422

PC1
5721
8260
3976
12000
1158

PC2
4613
7800
3338
7040
688

DC1
3320
5800
2081
9900
1239

DC2
2629
5180
1861
4860
769

DC3
2655
4500
1895
4580
760

, PC1
11166
18060
8813
18060
2353

, PC2
10058
17600
7262
17600
2796

, DC1
8300
16180
5250
16180
3050

, DC2
7609
15560
4786
15560
2824

, DC3
7635
14880
4750
14880
2886

, PC1, PC2
15779
25860
9412
25860
4411

, DC1, DC2
10929
16180
7621
16180
3308

, DC1, DC3
10955
15560
6054
15560
4901

, DC2, DC3
10265
14880
4955
14880
5310

, PC1, PC2, , DC1
24079
16180
16434
16180
7644

, PC1, PC2, , DC2
23388
15560
15984
15560
7404

, PC1, PC2, , DC3
23414
14880
15945
14880
7470

, PC1, PC2, , DC1, DC2
26708
21360
18890
21360
7819

, PC1, PC2, , DC1, DC3
26734
20680
17225
20680
9509

, PC1, PC2, , DC2, DC3
26044
20060
16163
20060
9881

, PC1, PC2, , DC1, DC2, DC3
29363
25860
16971
25860
12392

Table 4: Initial customer units’ assignment.

Customer units allocation

LC

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P14 P24 P29 P31 P39 P45 P46 P48 P49

D1 D12 D15 D21 D22 D28 D31 D35 D38 D39 D42 D45 D47 D53 D55 D60 D61
D62 D63 D64 D65 D66 D67 D68 D69 D70

PC1
P11 P32 P33 P34 P35 P36 P37 P38 P40 P42 P43 P44 P47 P50

PC2
P12 P13 P15 P16 P17 P18 P19 P20 P21 P22 P23 P25 P26 P27 P28 P30 P41

DC1
D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D13 D14 D16 D17 D18 D19 D20

DC2
D10 D11 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D29 D30 D32 D33 D34 D36 D37 D40

DC3
D41 D43 D44 D46 D48 D49 D50 D51 D52 D54 D56 D57 D58 D59

Table 5: Customer units’ assignment in the grand coalition.

Customer units allocation

LC

P1 P2 P3 P4 P6 P13 P14 P17 P22 P23 P25 P28 P30 P34

D3 D6 D18 D21 D22 D23 D28 D36 D39 D45 D51 D52 D54 D59 D60 D61 D62
D65 D66 D67 D68 D70

PC1
P18 P19 P24 P26 P29 P31 P32 P35 P36 P37 P38 P39 P40 P42 P43 P44 P45 P46 P47
P48 P49 P50

PC2
P5 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12 P15 P16 P20 P21 P27 P33 P41

DC1
D1 D2 D4 D5 D7 D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15 D16 D19 D20 D25 D26 D38 D40
D56 D57 D58 D63 D64 D47

DC2
D8 D9 D24 D27 D29 D33 D34 D35 D37

DC3
D17 D30 D31 D32 D41 D42 D43 D44 D46 D48 D49 D50 D53 D55 D69

Compared with the initial customer allocation presented in Table 4, the cooperative network illustrated in Table 5 shows that the number of assigned customers varies from a logistics facility to another. While some centers have observed an increase, others have been allocated less units. For example, DC2’s customers units decreased from 15 to 9, whereas PC1’s customer units increased from 14 to 22. As a consequence, the total distance travelled by each facility’s vehicles will decrease and savings will increase. Besides, the sharing of customers units allows LC, DCs, and PCs to reduce the number of unreasonable delivery and pickup trips, as well as the complexity of their corresponding transportation network.

For comparison purposes, we implement and test the proposed GA-PSO hybrid algorithm, CPTS (Cooperative Parallel Tabu Search), HGA (Hybrid Genetic Algorithm), and TLBO (Teaching–Learning-Based Optimization) with same data. CPTS utilizes the information interchange to accomplish the cooperation and boost both intensification and strategic diversification (James et al. 2009). HGA incorporates the elitism genetic operator and some improvement heuristic methods [9]. TLBO considers the solutions proposed by individuals’ search, two-phase optimization process including teacher and learner phases to obtain the global best fitness values (Dokeroglu, 2015). Each algorithm is executed 20 times, and the best solution is selected as the optimal cost for convergence. The optimal total cost and the number of iterations can be used to measure the effectiveness of four algorithms shown in Table 6.

Table 6: Algorithms optimization results comparison.

Sequence
Total cost (dollar)
Number of iterations

GA-PSO
CPTS
HGA
TLBO
GA-PSO
CPTS
HGA
TLBO

1
16971
17632
18639
17451
487
535
495
572

2
17235
17715
18334
17237
451
541
516
593

3
17158
17543
17865
17382
463
559
531
604

4
16971
17687
18026
17237
504
528
519
615

5
16971
17819
17865
17469
476
556
534
577

6
17023
17543
18223
17520
479
545
522
565

7
16971
17726
18409
17334
495
537
503
599

8
16971
17678
17987
17237
510
533
535
611

9
16971
17799
18172
17256
503
529
511
600

10
17196
17841
18464
17321
473
545
496
587

11
16971
17543
18326
17292
492
552
507
591

12
17304
17764
17865
17438
455
527
543
587

13
16971
17815
18079
17513
507
560
529
572

14
17189
17686
17897
17237
481
521
535
607

15
16971
17752
18363
17543
497
519
518
556

16
16971
17543
17865
17364
481
548
550
597

17
17105
17690
18144
17419
473
525
532
592

18
16971
17778
18251
17292
499
536
517
621

19
16971
17639
17962
17237
512
552
523
606

20
17113
17617
17994
17351
477
527
510
575

Average
17049
17691
18137
17357
486
539
521
591

-test

−20.26
−17.79
−8.67

−10.73
−6.34
−21.31

value

As shown in Table 6, the -test and value indicate that the total cost and the number of iterations are significantly different with the three algorithms. In addition, the number of times GA-PSO hybrid algorithm finds out the optimal solution is higher. For example, the best solution appears 12 out of 20 times with the GA-PSO, while it only appears four or five times with CPTS, HGA, and TLBO.

Compared with other three algorithms, the average optimization cost and number of iterations from our proposed algorithm are of better quality. Thus, we can conclude that GA-PSO has the following merits: exchanging best-fit chromosomes and worst-fit particles between the GA and the PSO algorithm enhances the GA-PSO’s capability to obtain better solutions. For example, the GA-PSO algorithm has a higher probability to obtain the best solution. The proposed algorithm combines GA and PSO algorithm’s global and local search capability. As illustration, the average cost from the proposed hybrid algorithm is lower than that of CPTS, HGA, and TLBO algorithms by 3.8%, 6.4%, and 1.8%, respectively. The termination and periodic iteration rules are reasonably designed in the GA-PSO hybrid algorithm procedure, which improves the efficiency of the hybrid algorithm. Therefore, the average number of iterations from GA-PSO is significantly less than that of the CPTS, HGA, and TLBO algorithms by 53, 35, and 105 iterations, respectively. These findings indicate that our hybrid algorithm has better capability to obtain the optimal solution than that of the other three algorithms.

6.3. MCRS Model Application and Coalition Sequence Selection

Previous studies have already shown the efficiency of MCRS at profit distribution in multiple players’ games [28]. Indeed, this method can be used to incorporate the coordinator’s payoff into the design of the collective profit allocation plan and guarantee the stability of coalitions. Based on the fact that our case study’s coordinator (LC) is also part of the network and receives the highest incentive from the government, we assume there is no extra payoff and set the synergy requirement . In this study, we first consider the formation of a grand coalition before splitting the group into two subcoalitions and evaluate the influences of each of these scenarios. The combined form of all nonempty alliances is shown in Table 7.

Table 7: Profit allocation in two-echelon logistics distribution network.

648

1422

PC1
1158

PC2
688

DC1
1239

DC2
769

DC3
760

, PC1
2353

, PC2
2796

, DC1
3050

, DC2
2824

, DC3
2886

, PC1, PC2
4411

, DC1, DC2
3308

, DC1, DC3
4901

, DC2, DC3
5310

, PC1, PC2, , DC1
7644

, PC1, PC2, , DC2
7404

, PC1, PC2, , DC3
7470

, PC1, PC2, , DC1, DC2
7819

, PC1, PC2, , DC1, DC3
9509

, PC1, PC2, , DC2, DC3
9881

, PC1, PC2, , DC1, DC2, DC3
12392

The sum of the revenue of and constitute the total profit of LC. Profit allocation results display differences in facilities’ benefits as they appear in different coalitions. For example, PC1’s initial profit while being alone is 1158, but, after sharing customers and transportation resources with , PC1 could save 1432. However, in certain circumstances, the profit can decrease as another participant enters the coalition. DC2 can be considered as an example to the extent that its initial profit (769) decreases after joining and DC1 and becomes 724. In fact, rational decision making requires every participant to give priority to coalitions where the increase of benefits is guaranteed. Therefore, we can conclude that the stability of any coalition depends on the profit of the members before and after new members adhere. In the process to form the grand coalition, cost reduction percentages have been calculated, presented in Figure 5, and illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 5: Grand alliance formation process.

Figure 6: Cost reduction percentage diagram for the grand coalition.

The logistics center is denoted by and in Figure 5, while the legend in Figure 6 refers to it as LCP and LCD. We can notice at the fourth step in Figure 6 the simultaneous entrance of LCD and DC1 to emphasize that the delivery capacities of LC should not be applicable unless there is a DC in the coalition.

The examination of coalition sequences is critical to the profit distribution strategy and to participants’ willingness to become member. In other words, the order in which members are added to the coalition affects the distribution of profits and the satisfaction of SMP principles. Nevertheless, following the examination of every possible combination, the SMP based coalition sequence is . Table 8 shows the cost reduction matrix representing members’ behaviors as a new facility enters .

Table 8: SMP based grand coalition sequence.

Player

PC1
PC2

DC1
DC3
DC2

11.9%

16.9%
25.0%

26.3%
29.2%
32.0%

26.3%
29.2%
32.0%
28.5%

26.4%
29.4%
32.1%
32.5%
43.2%

26.5%
29.5%
32.2%
42.6%
47.1%
45.8%

26.7%
29.6%
32.4%
51.0%
51.1%
50.1%
77.5%

In the design of the grand coalition, we have considered joining first the coalition followed by PC1 and PC2 in order to assure that pickup activities are completed before deliveries and to conform to the proposed THCLN. The percentages of total operating costs reduced by LC, PC1, and PC2, at the level of unique pickup operations in the coalition, are, respectively, 26.3%, 29.2%, and 32.0%. After the adhesion of distribution centers in the order , the final sequence for the grand coalition yields as cost reduction percentage sequence , respectively. In the formation process, the profits of PCs have increased with the addition of DCs. In brief, we can conclude that LC as coordinator and the upper-level facility of PCs and DCs can better optimize the entire logistics network. In this article, we required LC to be first member to enter the coalition. However in other circumstances, LC may not consider the value of its profit and allow another facility to make the first move for the sake of a more stable coalition.

6.4. Alliance Stability

In this section, we examine the accuracy of the MCRS method at providing the best profit distribution schemes in the investigated case. In this regard, three different methods are used to calculate appropriate profits of each facility [29, 30]: the Shapley value model, the Cost Gap Allocation (CGA) model, and the Game Quadratic Programming (GQP) method. Moreover, the Euclidean distance between each distribution scheme and core center of the grand coalition will be evaluated to verify each method’s performance. In accordance with the snowball theory [31], the best strategy should be the closest to the center. The vector at the core is determined using formula (25) where the collective profit of the grand coalition is , represents a member and is an analytic expression to control the scope of the core. In addition, Table 9 presents the results of the four methods, and Table 10 gives the core center and corresponding distances.

Table 9: Profit allocations according to MCRS, Shapley, CGA, and GQP.

MCRS
Shapley
CGA
GQP

1377
1316
1344
1344

PC1
1616
1554
1312
1312

PC2
1417
1541
1755
1755

LCD
2527
2691
2923
2923

DC1
1662
1572
805
805

DC2
1502
1472
1214
1214

DC3
2058
2013
2807
2807

Table 10: Core center and distance comparison table.

Method
Profit allocation
Core center
Distance

MCRS
(1454.81, 1693.83, 1494.81, 2527.37,
1661.90, 1501.91, 2057.65)
(1188.91, 1695.29, 1529.81, 2328.50,
1581.68, 1455.18, 2130.29)
354.09

Shapley
(1315.98, 1554.43, 1540.91, 2691.34,
1572.2, 1472.27, 2013.04)
446.64

CGA
(1421.65, 1389.64, 1832.17, 2923.34,
804.72, 1214.17, 2806.61)
1308.43

GQP
(1421.65, 1389.64, 1832.17, 2923.34,
804.72, 1214.17, 2806.61)
1308.43

Despite the allocation of lowest profits to PC2, LCD, and DC2, as shown in Table 9, MCRS yields the lowest distance (354) to the core center in Table 10. Therefore, we can notice that MCRS is the closest to the center and confirms our profit distribution scheme the most appropriate. Besides, findings allow us to conclude that, in a cooperative coalition, individual profit should not be the most important criteria. Decision makers and coordinators have to observe the collective impacts of cooperation on the network.

6.5. Analysis of Two Heterogeneous Subcoalitions’ Network

Segmentation is a strategic management approach used to control complex networks and consists in dividing the components into small parts. Some researchers have studied cooperation in logistics network optimization but concentrated on the design of multiple coalitions. Thus, in addition to the grand coalition, this paper has also considered other cases where the network would consist in two heterogeneous coalitions. In other words, PCs can independently cooperate with LC and a DC can form a coalition with LC and other DCs. It is important to notify that possibilities of constituting groups with different types of centers are numerous, but this article only evaluates circumstances where the same type of facility joins with LC in a single coalition. Our purpose is to examine the influence of multiple and single heterogeneous coalition in logistics network. Therefore, based on our solution methodology, the cost reduction percentages of possible sequences under two subcoalitions scenarios are shown in Tables 11 and 12.

Table 11: Pickup coalition sequences based on SMP.

Player

PC1
PC2

11.9%

16.9%
25.0%

26.3%
29.2%
32.0%

Player
PC1

PC2

20.2%

25.0%
16.9%

29.2%
26.3%
32.0%

Table 12: Distribution coalition sequences based on SMP.

Player

DC1
DC3
DC2

28.5%

32.5%
43.2%

42.6%
47.1%
45.8%

51.0%
51.1%
50.1%
77.5%

Player

DC3
DC1
DC2

28.5%

35.6%
41.9%

42.6%
47.1%
45.8%

51.0%
51.1%
50.1%
77.5%

Different from DCs coalitions where the best sequence can be directly selected, PCs coalition sequences should first be subject to the constraint of LC first entering. Indeed as Table 11 depicts, the cost reduction of is higher than the second option. However, according to the assumption that LC makes the first move, we are constrained to select sequence . From Table 12, we can observe that cost reduction trend increases more rapidly under . Therefore, the logistics network with two heterogeneous subcoalitions should be designed such that the first subcoalition follows the order , whereas the second respects the sequence . The cost reduction percentage diagram of two subcoalitions is shown in Figure 7.

(a) First coalition formation

(b) Second coalition formation

Figure 7: Cost reduction percentage diagram for two subcoalitions.

The horizontal axes on the graphical illustrations of Figures 7(a) and 7(b) represent the increase in participants’ number, while the vertical axes mark the percentage of each facility. The amount of reduced cost monotonically increases after new members enter, thereby proving that the solutions bind the SMP rules. In the final appearance of the two subcoalitions, first joins the pickup coalition with 11.9% cost reduction and then PC1 joins the coalition for and PC1 to reduce up to 16.9%, 25% of their expenses in one working period; finally, PC2 joins, and the cost reductions of , PC1, and PC2 become 26.3%, 29.2%, and 32%, respectively. As for the delivery coalition, first joins the coalition with 28.5% cost reduction, then DC1 joins the coalition, and the cost reductions of and DC1 become 32.5% and 43.2% respectively; next, DC3 joins, and , DC1, and DC3 can reduce up to 42.6%, 47.1%, and 45.8% of their expenses in one working period; finally, DC2 enters to yield as cost reductions of , DC1, DC2, and DC3: 51.0%, 51.1%, 50.1%, and 77.5% respectively.

6.6. Discussion

The analysis of the profit allocation plans for the grand coalition and under two heterogeneous subcoalitions is a critical phase in the coordinator’s decision making process. It offers the opportunity to evaluate existing alternatives and guarantees the reliability of the final decision as well as the sustainability of the cooperative logistics network. Each player’s payoff is compared so as to estimate their best choices and conclude the most stable network. Table 13 presents the allocated profits of the five logistics facilities considered in the current case study.

Table 13: Comparison of different network scenarios.

Two subcoalitions
The grand coalition

LCP
1377
1455

PC1
1616
1694

PC2
1417
1495

LCD
2527
2527

DC1
1662
1662

DC2
1502
1502

DC3
2058
2058

Total
12159
12393

As shown in Table 13, comparisons show that the profit received by each pickup centers is higher when they join the grand coalition. For example, each pickup facility can observe an increase of $78 in profit if they opt for the formation of the grand coalition. Subsequently, LCP, PC1, and PC2 will, respectively, reduce their profit by 5.4%, 4.6%, and 5.2% while moving from the grand coalition to form subcoalitions. Meanwhile, delivery centers would not constitute major problems to the final decision because their profits remain the same either in heterogeneous subcoalition or in the grand coalition. Moreover, the collective profit in the logistics network increases when all the facilities join together to share resources. Though delivery centers’ profits are identical, the difference generated by pickup activities in the collective network can enhance the superiority of the grand coalition. Therefore, findings indicate that forming a grand coalition rather than two subcoalitions is the best strategy to select both for participants and the coordinators.

In recent years, cooperation between logistics facilities has been playing an important role in the optimization of companies supply chains. Further incorporating transportation resources sharing can provide more cost savings. In addition, the existence of local governments’ policies to encourage cooperation is also a sign of authorities will to achieve the sustainable development of their administrated areas. As one of the main development factors, transportation activities can be more organized with the reduction of the number of delivery and pickup vehicles. Therefore, encouraging the formation of a grand coalition is a relevant approach which would benefit not only logistics companies, but the whole society. However, forming a grand coalition may impose some managerial challenges. For example, the coalition’s satisfaction of the strictly monotonic path principles may remain stable for a short period. Owing to the dynamics of modern logistics services and the variation of operations costs over time, participants can meet severe challenges resulting in internal financial and operational crisis. Consequently, the profit allocation will be influenced and the stability of the grand coalition threatened. As measure of prevention, different scenarios should be evaluated before coordinators launch negotiations. A possible means of handling such problems consists in splitting the grand coalition into several groups and evaluating potential risks related to individual facilities in the network before any final decision. Based on the proposed methodology, coordinators can also input estimated data for a decision period in order to find out the most appropriate type of coalition.

7. Conclusions

This paper studies the influence of cooperation among facilities on two echelons logistics networks with delivery and pickup operations. The grand and two heterogeneous coalitions have been studied to evaluate the preference of each participant willing to minimize expenses and maximize profit. The proposed THCLN is designed to interpret facilities possibilities of either cooperating with a similar center or participating in a group with different type of facilities. In other words, a pickup center can join another pickup center to form a subcoalition or join the grand coalition with distribution centers. The problem has been interpreted through a mixed integer linear model to optimize the total cost of nonempty coalitions. The solution methodology combines a GA-PSO hybrid algorithm to assign customers to the most suitable logistics facility and the MCRS method to properly allocate profits. Since different cooperative sequences have their corresponding cost reduction percentages, the selection of the best sequence is achieved using the SMP theory.

To test the effectiveness of THCLN as applicable network in real life, empirical analyses on a logistics network in Chongqing city, China, are conducted. As coordinator of the coalition formation process, we have selected the logistics center for its size and ability to collect and deliver goods. Comparisons have been done to prove that GA-PSO and MCRS are, respectively, proficient over other well-known methods. Computations have been carried out with CPTS, HGA, and TLBO algorithms, and GA-PSO has outperformed on the solution quality and the number of iterations. As for MCRS, its profit allocation scheme is closer to the core center than the Shapley value model, CGA, and GQP. Furthermore, we base on the assumption that the synergy requirement is equal to zero; that is, the coordinator should not receive an extra salary and share the collective profit to each member. The analysis of the results from the grand coalition and two heterogeneous subcoalitions concludes that forming a grand coalition is the most suitable.

In the future, this research can be directed to optimize logistics networks of more than two echelons in order to expand the cooperative mechanism to a larger environment. Moreover, as customer assignment is a basic network optimization strategy, searching vehicle routing solutions can be another direction to implement the proposed approach. The impact of information sharing on the stability of the grand coalition can also be modeled and the variations in a coalition’s lifetime can be simulated. Besides, the study of cooperative fresh food and medical supply chains can be done to experiment the relevance of our optimization methodology in other domains.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Projects nos. 71402011, 71301180, 71471024, 41401255, and 71432003), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Projects nos. 2017T100692 and 2016M600735), National Social Science Foundation of Chongqing of China (no. 2017YBGL133), Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing of China (no. cstc2015jcyjA30012), and Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Sichuan Province, China (2017-22), and this research is partly supported by the Key Project of Human Social Science of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (17SKG067 and 16SKGH067). In addition, the research is also partly supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (YWF-17-BJ-Y-04).

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