Mathematical Problems in Engineering
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 497826, 14 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/497826

Research Article

Multiple Objective Fuzzy Sourcing Problem with Multiple Items in Discount Environments

Feyzan Arikan

Department of Industrial Engineering, Gazi University, Maltepe, 06570 Ankara, Turkey

Received 23 July 2014; Revised 4 December 2014; Accepted 4 December 2014

Academic Editor: Tsan-Ming Choi

Copyright © 2015 Feyzan Arikan. 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.

The selection of proper supply sources plays a vital role to maintain companies’ competitiveness. In this study a multiple criteria fuzzy sourcing problem with multiple items in discount environment is considered as a multiple objective mixed integer linear programming problem. Fuzzy parameters are demand level and/or aspiration levels of objectives. Three objective functions are minimization of the total production and ordering costs, the total number of rejected units, and the total number of late delivered units, respectively. The model is developed for the all-units discount scheme. For the incremental discount and volume discount environment, modification requirements of the model are mentioned. The previously proposed interactive fuzzy approach combined with three fuzzy mathematical models is employed to obtain most satisfactory solution which is also a nondominated one. This study provides a realistic mathematical model and promising solution strategy to multiple item-single period sourcing problem in discount environment. Consideration of fuzziness makes the obtained nondominated solution implementable for the real cases.

1. Introduction

In many industries, raw material costs, components, and parts purchased from suppliers constitute a major amount of the overall production costs. The suppliers having the required performance levels in price, delivery, quality, and service strictly improve both cost and operating effectiveness of companies. Hence, the selection of proper suppliers plays a vital role to maintain companies’ competitiveness. Selection decision of suppliers determine “how many and which suppliers are the best, sourcing,” and “how much should be purchased from each selected supplier, the order allocation among the suppliers.” The sourcing and order allocation is a multicriteria decision making problem which includes both qualitative and quantitative factors some of which may conflict. Dickson [1] identified 23 criteria that have been considered by purchasing managers in various supplier selection problems. In addition to multicriteria nature of the problem, informational vagueness because of the tangible and intangible factors of supplier selection problems is another significant fact which must be taken into account to reach effective and implementable solutions.

Another important aspect related with the real world supplier selection problems is to encounter price discounts offered by suppliers in order to encourage the buyers to select them and/or to buy larger quantities [2]. Although there are various kinds of discount contracts in practical applications, they can be investigated under two headings (Table 1) based on the physical and the informational flows in a supply chain [3]. According to the physical flow, the most common discount schemes are business volume discount and quantity discount depending on the volume being purchased and depending on the order size, respectively. Based on the informational flow in a supply chain, Sirias and Mehra [3] mentioned that lead time-dependent discount scheme is a promising strategy.

Table 1: Classification of discount schemes.

Discounts based on physical flows in a supply chain
Reference

Business volume discount
[7, 8]

Quantity discount
(1) Linear quantity discount [5, 6]
(2) Cumulative-all-units quantity discount (AQD)
(3) Noncumulative-incremental quantity discount (IQD)
Detailed literature see in [3]

Bundling
[9–11]

Deferred rebates based on total value of order
Deferred rebates based on the order quantity
Marginal discounts based on the total value of the order
[12]

Discounts based on informational flows in a supply chain

Lead-time dependent discount
Detailed literature see in [3]

Business volume discount is used when more than one item is to be purchased. In this scheme supplier offers discounts on the total price of sales volume, not on the quantity or variety of the products purchased.

In the context of quantity discount, the sales volume of a product does not affect the prices and discounts of the other products [4]. In this scheme, single item or multiple items can be considered. Three common types of quantity discount strategies are linear quantity discount, all-units discount, and incremental-units discounts [5, 6]. The linear quantity discount strategy assumes that each supplier offers a linearly declining per unit price within the capacity range. Related with this strategy Burke et al. [5] mentioned that, for the case where each supplier has adequate capacity to meet the aggregate requirement of the customer, then the single sourcing will be the best decision for the customer when the objective function is to minimize the total costs. Hence in the literature quantity discount strategy has been often considered as if it can be either cumulative (all-units) or noncumulative (incremental). In all-units quantity discount (AQD), once an order size exceeds a predetermined quantity threshold, the suppliers can offer a discount that lowers the wholesale price on every unit purchased. There may be many such intervals, defined by the threshold values which are called price-break quantities. With a number of price breaks, the unit discounted price decreases as the quantity level increases. In incremental quantity discount (IQD), the discount rates are incrementally applied over the volumes for each interval; thus different prices are applied to the units belonging to different price breaks.

According to the physical flow another discount scheme is freight rate discount scheme offered by shippers [13, 14]. While quantity discount considers unit price, freight rate discount considers unit shipment and it can be offered according to all units (called all weights) or incremental strategies [15].

Apart from the business volume discount and quantity discounts, in the lead time-dependent discount scheme, supplier(s) offer a number of time intervals during the planning horizon to fulfill orders where in each interval more lead time corresponds to a price discount. A practical situation of such lead time dependent discount schemes can be found in chemical, semiconductor, and automotive industries where suppliers and customers engage in flexible quantity contracts that envision different pricing and capacity availabilities depending on lead times [16].

In this study the sourcing and order allocation problem is considered as a multiple objective decision making problem with vague parameters in price discount environment. Three objective functions are minimization of the total purchasing and ordering costs, the total number of rejected units, and the total number of late delivered units, respectively. Fuzziness stems from the problem parameters which are demand level and/or aspiration levels of objectives. Fuzzy parameters are described with linear membership functions according to the decision maker (DM)’s preference. All-units discount scheme is considered in the main mathematical model. For the incremental discount and volume discount environment, modification requirements of the model are mentioned. Three fuzzy mathematical models are employed separately to obtain most satisfactory solution which is also a nondominated one. The fuzzy decisions are defined by the add operator [17] in two of the models and in the third fuzzy model it is defined by the augmented max-min operator [18, 19].

The remainder of the paper is organized as follows. In Section 2, literature is reviewed in detail and the contribution of this study is revealed. In Section 3, the considered multiple objective supplier selection model is explained in crisp form. In Section 4, after preliminary definitions of fuzzy mathematical programming, fuzzy additive model [17], augmented max-min model [18, 19], and Chen and Tsai’s [20] fuzzy model for the considered supplier selection problem are defined. In Section 5 the interactive solution methodology which combines these three fuzzy mathematical models is summarized. In Section 6, the solutions of each fuzzy model are presented for an illustrative example problem based on the interactive methodology. Conclusions and future directions appear in the final section.

2. Literature Review

Supplier selection problem has been a focus area of research since 1960. Reviews of supplier selection criteria and methods can be found in review studies which belong to Weber et al. [21], Degraeve et al. [22], De Boer et al. [23], Aissaoui et al. [4], and Ho et al. [24]. A detailed classification and review of qualitative techniques for supply chain planning under uncertainty can be found in Peidro et al.’s [25] review paper. Recently, Chai et al. [26] reviewed the studies on the application of the decision making techniques for supplier selection from 2008 to 2012.

The quantitative techniques for supplier evaluation and selection can be categorized into three classes [27]: (1) multiple attribute decision making, (2) mathematical programming models, and (3) intelligent approaches. Multiple attribute techniques commonly employed to select and/or rank suppliers (e.g., [28]) or to determine of the weights of the objectives (e.g., [29, 30]). In the former case to allocate orders among suppliers, mathematical programming has been utilized additionally.

Among the quantitative techniques, mathematical programming models have been extensively used for the sourcing and order allocation problem. The models can be either single period that do not consider inventory management or multiperiod models which consider the inventory management by lot-sizing and scheduling orders. Single period models come handy in make-to-order manufacturing where custom parts are critical meanwhile common parts are efficiently managed by material requirement planning methods. The custom parts need to be requisitioned with each customer order and hence the custom parts inventory needs not to be considered [31].

Since Weber and Current [32] introduced a multiobjective mixed integer programming model for supplier selection and order allocation among the selected suppliers, several authors [29, 33–37] proposed multiple objective programming models to this problem. Objective functions are constructed based on four basic supplier evaluation criteria as price, quality, customer service, and delivery [38].

In literature a few of the studies have addressed both multiple objectives and fuzziness in the problem. Arikan [38–40] investigated and classified the fuzzy multiple objective sourcing and order allocation studies based on mathematical modelling in the literature, which have employed five solution approaches which are Zimmermann’s [41] max-min approach [27, 42–44]; Tiwari et al.’s [17] additive model [27, 45–50]; fuzzy goal programming with weights [30]; fuzzy programming with modified fuzzy or operator [51]; and sequential quadratic programming [52]. Arikan [38] mentioned the disadvantages of these methods in detail: sequential quadratic programming does not consider objectives simultaneously. Zimmermann’s max-min approach does not guarantee a nondominated solution. Although the rest of the approaches guarantee a nondominated solution, none of them is interested in a balanced solution. Tiwari et al.’s additive model maximizes achievement levels in total and the solution may include zero level achievement(s). Then an unbalanced fuzzy optimal solution is obtained [53]. Fuzzy goal programming with weights and fuzzy programming with modified fuzzy or operator do not prohibit the unbalanced solution case either. To handle all these criticisms, Arikan [38] employed Lai and Hwang’s augmented max-min approach [18, 19] to fuzzy multiple objective supplier selection problem to obtain a solution which is both a nondominated and balanced one. In multiple objective decision making problems, obtaining “a best compromise solution” is an important matter of fact. The best compromise solution is the most preferred solution by the DM in the nondominated solution set [39]. For the real cases, preferences of DM(s) can be various and they may not point out a balanced solution. From this point of view, Arikan [39] proposed a two-phased approach which utilizes Chen and Tsai’s [20] fuzzy model to satisfy the DM’s preferred achievement levels. Utilizing Chen and Tsai’s fuzzy model solely may result in “no feasible solutions” when a DM requires a very high desirable achievement degree for each fuzzy goal. In the two-phased approach, in order to prevent infeasible solution case the additive model solution is represented to the DM during the selection process of the minimum acceptable achievement levels. Afterwards Arikan [40] combined the previous works [38, 39] to accommodate an efficient interactive approach in which augmented max-min model [18, 19], additive or weighted additive model [17], and Chen and Tsai’s [20] fuzzy model are employed interactively to obtain a nondominated solution to reach the DM’s preferences [40]. Although this fuzzy interactive approach was generated based on the fuzzy multiple objective supplier selection problem requirements, it can be employed for any type of multiple objective programming problems by considering four different cases based on the sources of fuzziness.

Among the above-mentioned studies which have addressed both multiple objectives and fuzziness in the problem, Amid et al.’s study [46] is the only one which considers price discounts. However, it is concentrated on a single item sourcing problem and utilized Tiwari et al.’s [17] weighted additive model which may result in an unbalanced solution.

Discounts are fundamental pricing strategies in numerous industries. Hence there is a substantial amount of literature related to the discount problem. One of the early cornerstone papers in the area is Dolan’s [54] in which quantity discounts schemes are classified and analyzed to provide a guideline to managers. Benton and Park [55] classified the literature on determining the lot size under quantity discount. Recently Setak et al. [56] review the literature based on the supplier selection and order allocation models for the period 2000–2010 years. They classified supplier selection models with and without discount environments.

Three steams of literature which are related to this current study are multiple criteria, fuzziness, and discount strategies. Herein, the literature is restricted with the studies concentrated on fuzzy multiple objective sourcing and order allocation problem in the presence of discount schemes as mixed integer programming model. Both single and multiple period models are investigated. In the literature the following seven studies (Table 2) consider fuzzy multiobjective supplier selection problem in the presence of discount schemes as mixed integer programming problem: Nazari-Shirkouhi et al.’s [57], Kang and Lee’s [58], Razmi and Maghool’s [59], Amid et al.’s [46], and Torabi and Hassini’s [16, 60] studies and Arikan’s [2] study.

Table 2: Fuzzy multiobjective supplier selection studies and their properties (updated version of Table in [2]).

Author, year, reference
The current study
Arikan (2014) [2]
Nazari-Shirkouhi et al. (2013) [57]
Kang and Lee (2010) [58]
Razmi and Maghool (2010) [59]
Amid et al. (2009) [46]
Torabi and Hassini (2009) [16]
Torabi and Hassini (2008) [60]

Discount scheme(s)
All units (incremental, volume)
All units
All units
All units
All units, incremental, volume
All units
Lead time-dependent
Lead time-dependent

Period
Single
Single
Single
Multiple
Multiple
Single
Multiple
Multiple

Item
Multiple
Single
Multiple
Single
Multiple
Single
Multiple
Multiple

Sources of fuzziness
Aspiration levels of objectives and demand level
Aspiration levels of objectives and demand level
Aspiration levels of objectives
Aspiration levels of objectives and fuzzy triangular numbers in FAHP
Fuzzy capacity and demand levels
Aspiration levels of objectives and demand level
Aspiration levels of objectives and capacities and demand levels
Aspiration levels of objectives demand, capacity, quality, and service levels

Objectives
To minimize
(1) the total production and ordering costs,
(2) the total number of rejected units,
(3) the total number of late delivered units
To minimize
(1) the total monetary cost, (2) the total number of rejected units,
(3) the total number of late deliveries
To minimize
(1) the total purchasing and ordering costs,
(2) the total number of defective units,
(3) the total number of late delivered units
(1) To minimize the total cost
(2) To maximize the yield rate
(3) To fix the replenishment to a desired rate
(1) To minimize the total purchasing cost
(2) To maximize the total value of purchasing
To minimize
(1) the total purchasing cost,
(2) the number of rejected items,
(3) the number of late delivered units
To minimize
(1) the total cost of logistics,
(2) the total value of purchasing,
(3) the number of defective items,
(4) the late deliveries of purchased items
To minimize
(1) the total cost of logistics,
(2) the total value of purchasing

Solution approach
Interactive approach which utilizes
Tiwari et al.’s [17] additive fuzzy model; Lai and Hwang’s [18, 19] augmented max-min model; Chen and Tsai’s [20] fuzzy model
Two phased additive approach [39] which utilizes
Tiwari et al.’s [17] additive fuzzy model; Chen and Tsai’s [20] fuzzy model
Interactive approach including fuzzy goal programming representation with piecewise linear membership functions, max-min operator, and fuzzy add operator
Two models constructed:
(1) Zimmermann max-min approach [41]
(2) Tiwari et al.’s [17] weighted additive fuzzy model
Fuzzy constraints were converted to crisp constraints and the augmented ε-constraint method is performed in which objectives are considered lexicographically
Tiwari et al.’s [17] weighted additive fuzzy model
Interactive approach including
fuzzy goal programming, the weighted average method for defuzzification, and fuzzy model defined by Werners’ [61] fuzzy or operator
Interactive approach including
the weighted average method for defuzzification, Lai and Hwang’s augmented max-min model [18, 19], and fuzzy model defined by Werners (1988) fuzzy or operator

Software
GAMS
GAMS
GAMS
LINGO
GAMS
LINDO/LINGO
GAMS
GAMS

Razmi and Maghool [59] solved a multiple item-multiple period multiple objective programming model by the lexicographic approach. In other words they considered each objective one at a time. The models utilized in the other four studies considered objectives simultaneously and generated nondominated solutions: Kang and Lee [58] considered a single item-multiple period model. Amid et al. [46] considered a single item-single period model. Both Kang and Lee [58] and Amid et al. [46] performed Tiwari et al.’s [17] weighted additive model which may result in unbalanced solutions. Torabi and Hassini [16, 60] considered multiple item-multiple period models and suggested interactive approaches in which augmented max-min model and Werner’s fuzzy or model are utilized. Although augmented max-min model gives a balanced solution, for some real cases DM may not be interested in a balanced solution, and reaching his/her preferred minimum achievement levels is more important for him/her as long as the solution is a nondominated one. Fuzzy model with Werner’s fuzzy or operator has parameter which represents the compensation level. When , the model becomes equivalent to the additive model; when , then the model becomes equivalent to Zimmermann’s max-min model [41]. Determination of gamma parameter makes the model implementation harder [38]. Arikan [2] considered a single item-single period multiple sourcing problem in the presence of all-units discount scheme and solved it by the two-phased approach proposed in [39]. In that study [2], a mixed integer mathematical model based on Amid et al.’s [46] study is solved to obtain the DM’s preferred achievement levels.

In the literature there is no multiple item-single period fuzzy model except for the Nazari-Shirkouhi et al.’s [57] to our knowledge. In their study, fuzziness stems from the goals attained to objectives whereas demand levels were considered in crisp sense. They represented fuzzy goals mathematically by piecewise linear membership functions. Nazari-Shirkouhi et al. [57] utilized a two-phase fuzzy goal programming approach. The detailed classification and criticism of the existed fuzzy goal programming approaches in the literature can be found in Arikan’s [62]. Nazari-Shirkouhi et al.’s [57] approach is the goal programming version of Lee and Li’s [53] approach. Lee and Li [53] developed a two-phase approach to improve the feasible but dominated solution yielded by min operator. In the first phase of the approach, Zimmerman’s max-min approach is used. In the second phase of the approach a fuzzy model by using arithmetical average aggregating operator for the same problem is constructed with a lower bound restriction which is the solution of the first fuzzy model. The approach requires two phases to obtain a nondominated solution. In the second phase fuzzy additive model utilizes with a lower bound restriction which is the solution of the first fuzzy model. Although that lower bound restriction prevents the occurrence of an unbalanced solution, the approach does not satisfy the DM’s preferred achievement levels, surely if there exist.

In this study, fuzzy sourcing and order allocation problem with multiple items and multiple suppliers in discount environment is considered. The aim of the study is to reach a nondominated solution to satisfy the DM’s preferred achievement levels. The detailed investigation of the literature shows that the studies were disregarded to satisfy the DM’s preferred achievement levels for the mentioned problem. In that case, previously proposed interactive approach [40] comes handy not only to reach the aim of this study but also to consider the different cases for the fuzzy parameter occurrences and the DM’s different bias on the nondominated solution. Another important fact related with the interactive approach is that each fuzzy model utilized in the approach guarantees a nondominated solution separately. Interactive steps of the approach let the DM incorporate (modify) his/her preferences during the solution process. The significantly important traits of the DM such as experience, knowledge, ability, and foresight can be included into the decision process by interactivity even when the analyst and the DM are not the same person. The mathematical model of the considered problem is constructed as a linear 0-1 mixed integer programming model based on [57] with additional constraints and variations for different discount schemes. Fuzziness stems from fuzzy demand levels for each or some product(s). Objectives’ aspirations can be fuzzy or crisp. Fuzziness is defined mathematically by using linear membership functions. Fuzzy demand(s) are assumed to be triangular number(s). Based on the considered interactive solution procedure [40], the DM preferred achievement levels are satisfied with a nondominated solution.

3. Multiobjective Supplier Selection Model with Price Breaks

In this study a linear 0-1 mixed integer model based on [57] is considered for supplier selection problems with multiple products and the all-units discount scheme. The proposed model restricts the number of suppliers employed by the buyer with a maximum number quota for each product as well. The model is as follows:

 subject to

where is index for products, is index for suppliers, and is index for quantity discount levels.

Decision variables:

  is the number of units of product ordered from the th supplier at discount level ;  is 1 if product is ordered from supplier at discount level ; 0, otherwise;  is 1 if product is ordered from supplier ; 0, otherwise;  is 1 if at least one product is provided from supplier ; 0, otherwise.

Parameters:

  is the aggregate demand of the product from all suppliers over a fixed planning period;  is the per unit net purchase cost of product from supplier at discount level ;  is the fixed ordering cost for product from supplier ;  is the percentage of the rejected units of product delivered by the supplier , at discount level ;  is the percentage of the late units of product delivered by the supplier , at discount level ;  is the capacity of th supplier for product ;  is the maximum purchased volume of product from the th supplier at th discount level;  is the maximum number of suppliers that can be selected for product ;  is the lower bound of quota flexibility required by th product;  is the lower bound of service level required by th product;  is the lower bound of rating value required by th product;  is the flexibility of supplier quota allocation of th supplier for th product;  is the service level required by th product;  is the rating value required by th product.

Objective function (1) minimizes total purchasing and fixed ordering costs. Objective function (2) minimizes the total number of rejected units, which serves in maximizing total quality of purchased items. Objective function (3) minimizes the total number of late delivered units, which serves in maximizing the service level of purchased items. Constraint (4) ensures that the overall demand is satisfied. Constraint (5) means that order quantity of each supplier should be equal to or less than its capacity. Constraint (6) ensures that the number of units purchased from supplier is placed in the appropriate discount interval for each item. Constraints (7) and (8) restrict the number of suppliers employed by the buyer with a maximum number quota for each product. Constraint (9) means all the products purchased from the same supplier are placed in one order. It is calculated for the fixed ordering cost in objective (1). Constraint (10) ensures only one discount level is eventually used for the amount if product is purchased from supplier . Constraints (11)–(13) represent that the quota flexibility, service level, and rating values must exceed a given level. Constraint (14) prohibits negative orders. Constraint (15) presents binary integer variables.

The following two modifications on the above model ((1)–(15)) are needed when suppliers offer incremental and volume discount schemes, respectively. In both cases considering suppliers’ offers, the buyer makes decision to minimize the total purchase cost in addition to the other two objectives defined formerly subject to the same constraint set.

When suppliers offer incremental discount scheme, the above formulation can be modified with formulation (16) instead of (1):

where .

If the incremental discount scheme is offered by suppliers, then the company may determine the lower bounds for purchasing quantities with the following additional constraint (17) which enforces the minimum purchasing quantities assigned to each supplier for each product are greater than or equal to the percentage () of demand of the respective product. The percentage reflects the DM’s preferences based on the business relationship with suppliers and the company [36]:

When suppliers offer a volume discount schemes, the above formulation can be modified with formulation (18) instead of (1):

where .

4. Preliminary Definitions

Consider the fuzzy multiple objective programming problem (19) with fuzzy objective functions and fuzzy constraints:

where

(i) is a set of deterministic linear constraints and sign restrictions;(ii); ;(iii)for , is the imprecise aspiration level for the th objective function;(iv) denote the imprecise lower and upper, respectively, bounds for the th fuzzy objective function. denote the imprecise lower and upper, respectively, bounds for the th fuzzy constraints.

According to fuzzy mathematical programming, each fuzzy objective and constraint are defined in terms of fuzzy subsets with the appropriate membership functions denoted by for and for , respectively. Assuming that membership functions are linear, mathematical definitions are given in (20) and (21). Equation (20) represents linear monotone decreasing membership function for minimization type objectives with fuzzy aspiration levels and expression (21) is a triangular membership function for constraints:

4.1. Fuzzy Additive Model

Fuzzy additive model based on Tiwari et al.’s [17] study for the multiple objective programming model (19) is given in (22). Variables denoted by and represent achievement levels of fuzzy objective functions and fuzzy constraints, respectively:

Fuzzy weighted additive model [17] has the same constraints with the following objective function (23):

where and and they denote relative weights for each fuzzy criterion, and for ; .

4.2. Augmented Max-Min Model

Augmented max-min model (24) based on Lai and Hwang’s [18, 19] approach is adapted for model (19) as follows:

Variable represents the minimum satisfaction degree and is defined as in (25):

4.3. Chen and Tsai’s Fuzzy Model

Chen and Tsai’s [20] fuzzy model is adopted for model (19) in (26). Variables denoted by and represent achievement levels of fuzzy objective functions and fuzzy constraints, respectively, defined in model (22). Parameters and represent the minimum acceptable achievement levels for the th objective, th constraint, respectively, determined by the DM. This model allows the DM to assign explicitly a desirable achievement degree for each fuzzy aspiration [20]:

5. Interactive Solution Methodology [40]

To solve the multiple objective sourcing problem with multiple items in discount environment, previously proposed interactive algorithm [40] is performed based on the assumptions of the problem. The flowchart of the interactive approach is modified for the current study and included in the appendix. Case (b) and case (c) mentioned in the flowchart are adequate for the assumptions of the problem in this study. Surely, the other two cases can be considered based on the problem requirements. In the current study it is assumed that fuzzy demand level(s) are fuzzy triangular number(s). The followed steps are summarized below.

(1)Construct the multiple objective model ((1) to (15)).(2)Determine fuzzy parameters as aspiration levels of objectives and/or fuzzy demand level(s).(3)If both aspiration levels of objectives and/or demand level(s) are fuzzy then construct the linear or piecewise linear membership functions for each fuzzy goal (20) and/or each fuzzy demand (21).(4)If the model has only fuzzy demand level(s) for each or some product(s), considering and one at a time, solve the mathematical model defined with (1) to (15) and find the ideal solutions for each objective. Construct two payoff tables. Determine the lower and upper bounds for each objective. Ask the DM whether bounds are acceptable. Update bounds as s(he) wishes. Construct linear/piecewise linear membership function for each objective.(5)If there are equal or numerically close relative weights for fuzzy aspirations go to step (6); otherwise go to step (7).(6)Construct and solve augmented max-min model (24). Present the fuzzy optimal solution(s) to the DM. If the DM is satisfied then stop. Else, go to step (8).(7)If there are unequal relative weights for fuzzy aspirations then construct and solve fuzzy weighted additive model (23). Present the fuzzy optimal solution(s) to the DM. If the DM is satisfied then stop. Else go to step (8).(8)Ask the DM for the minimum acceptable aspiration level for each fuzzy objective and/or fuzzy constraint. During the determination process, the DM will take aspiration levels obtained in step (6)/(7) as references for minimum acceptable aspiration levels. Construct and solve Chen and Tsai’s fuzzy model (26). Present the fuzzy optimal solution(s) to the DM. If the DM is satisfied then stop. Else if the fuzzy model parameters are both fuzzy aspirations of objectives and fuzzy right hand side constants go to step (3).

6. Illustrative Example

The following example problem is from Nazari-Shirkouhi et al.’s study [57] for sourcing and order allocation problem with multiple items and multiple suppliers. The aim of the example problem is to select appropriate suppliers based on three purchasing criteria which are price, quality, and service level for supplying two products. Each supplier offers “all units” price breaks. The prices are in the three price levels for each supplier. The percentage of the rejected items and late deliveries, suppliers’ capacities, and quantity levels with offered prices are provided in Table 3. The original data includes quota flexibility, service level, and rating values of each supplier for each item (Table 4). To solve the model, Nazari-Shirkouhi et al. [57] performed an experimentation in which objectives are unified by using weighted sum of normalized objectives.

Table 3: Data for the illustrative example (modified from [57]).

Product

Fuzzy demand
,
Supplier

(%)
(%)

, , ($)
, ,

1
750, 700, 650
1
800
4
1
1300
18, 17.5, 17
0, 100, 200

2
750
3
2
1100
17, 16.5, 16
0, 120, 220

3
600
4
1
1000
15, 14.5, 14
0, 150, 300

4
650
3
2
900
16, 15.5, 15
0, 90, 180

2
650, 600, 550
1
800
4
2
1400
6.5, 6, 5.5
0, 80, 170

3
600
2
3
1400
4, 3.5, 3
0, 60, 190

4
650
1
2
1400
5, 4.5, 4
0, 90, 210

3
500, 450, 400]
2
750
2
2
1300
10, 9.5, 9
0, 75, 180

3
600
5
1
1200
11, 10.5, 10
0, 60, 130

4
450, 400, 350
1
800
2
3
1000
8, 7.5, 7
0, 100, 180

2
750
1
3
1000
12, 11.5, 11
0, 150, 300

3
600
1
4
1100
10, 9.5, 9
0, 90, 160

4
650
0
2
800
13, 12.5, 12
0, 150, 240

5
430, 380, 330
1
800
2
1
1200
6, 5.5, 5
0, 120, 220

2
750
2
2
1300
5, 4.5, 4
0, 100, 200

Table 4: Quota flexibility, service level, and rating data for the illustrative example [57].

Product i
Supplier j
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)

1
1
2
4
1
3
94
92

2
3
2
2
90
95

3
4
1
2
94
90

4
3
2
5
94
96

2
1
2
4
2
3
91
95

3
2
3
3
95
96

4
1
2
4
96
96

3
2
2
2
2
5
95
91

3
5
1
4
95
92

4
1
3
2
3
4
92
93

2
1
3
4
92
93

3
1
4
1
95
92

4
0
2
1
94
93

5
1
2
2
1
4
91
90

2
2
2
4
96
91

In this current study we modified the data set with fuzzy aspirations and fuzzy demand levels. The approach based on the payoff tables proposed in [40] is utilized for the determination of the lower and upper bound during the construction of the membership functions. The fuzzy model with the obtained bounds maintains the solution occurring in the feasible region of the main problem. Furthermore it gives a Pareto optimal solution.

 Step (1): multiple objective sourcing and order allocation model is constructed ((1) to (15)). Step (2-3): fuzzy triangular number for fuzzy demand of each product is defined with . Step (4): considering lower bounds and upper bounds of demand levels, one at a time, the corresponding mathematical model defined with (1) to (15) in Section 3 is constructed and ideal solutions for each objective are found. Constructed payoff tables are Tables 5 and 6. The lower and upper bounds for each objective according to payoff tables are determined as , , . Bounds are assumed as acceptable for the DM. The related membership functions are constructed by using (20) equations with the mentioned bounds of aspirations. Bounds are assumed as acceptable for the DM. Go to step (5). Step (5-6): it is assumed that there are equal or numerically close relative weights for fuzzy aspirations, and then the solution of the constructed augmented max-min model (24) for the illustrative example is given in Table 5. For this case it is assumed that the DM is not satisfied with aspiration levels mentioned in Table 7 column 2 to go to step (8). Step (7): assume that there are unequal weights for fuzzy aspirations; then the solution of the constructed fuzzy weighted additive model (23) for the illustrative example is given in Table 8. Weight vector is defined for three different cases as , , . Assume that DM is not satisfied; then go to step (8). Step (8): fuzzy additive model solution (22) in Table 7 column 3 can be presented to the DM as references for his/her minimum acceptable aspiration levels which are assumed as (0.5, 0.5, 0.5) for , , and (0.5) for as the first case. Then Chen and Tsai’s fuzzy model (24) is constructed and solved (Table 7 columns four and five). Minimum acceptable aspiration levels attained by the DM are assumed as (0.7, 0.5, 0.5) for , , and (0.5, 0.7, 0.5, 0.5, 0.7) for as the second case. Then Chen and Tsai’s fuzzy model (14) is constructed and solved (Table 7 columns six and seven).

The algorithm is terminated with the assumption that the DM is satisfied with the current fuzzy optimal solution. If it is assumed that DM is not satisfied, then we should go to step (4). It will be carried on steps of the algorithm.

Table 5: Payoff table (demand level chosen as ).

()
()
()

21135†
23915
25100

58.90
41.60‡
57.60

47
45.80
34.60#

Table 6: Payoff table (demand level chosen as ).

()
()
()

25660
28623.5
28810†

62.50
54.1
68.60‡

57.40#
54.41
45.60

Table 7: Solution summaries to the illustrative example with linear membership functions.

Augmented max-min model
Additive model
Chen and Tsai’s fuzzy model

/

/

Min
24778
24850
0.5
24860
0.7
23436

Min
54.41
51.10
0.5
51.20
0.5
55.01

Min
45.43
46.01
0.5
46.00
0.5
46.00

()
0.525
0.510

0.515

0.700

()
0.526
0.648

0.644

0.503

()
0.525
0.496

0.500

0.500

()
1.000
1.000
0.5
1.000
0.5
0.500

()
1.000
1.000
0.5
1.000
0.7
1.000

()
1.000
1.000
0.5
1.000
0.5
0.960

()
1.000
1.000
0.5
1.000
0.5
0.500

()
1.000
1.000
0.5
1.000
0.7
1.000

Table 8: Solution summaries to the illustrative example for fuzzy weighted additive model.

Additive model Case  1
Additive model Case  2
Additive model Case  3

Min
23850
25500
26000

Min
55.01
54.60
47.10

Min
48.30
42.60
49.10

()
0.646
0.431
0.366

()
0.500
0.519
0.796

()
0.399
0.649
0.364

()
1.000
1.000
1.000

()
1.000
1.000
1.000

()
1.000
1.000
1.000

()
1.000
1.000
1.000

()
1.000
1.000
1.000

Case  1 (0.25, 0.10, 0.15, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10).

Case  2 (0.10, 0.10, 0.25, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10).

Case  3 (0.10, 0.25, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10, 0.10).

Models (23), (24), and (26) are utilized for the illustrative example and fuzzy optimal solutions are obtained by GAMS computer programming package. Their summaries which are given in Tables 7 and 8 constitute nondominated solutions. When fuzzy additive model solution is investigated, it is observed that the third objective which minimizes the total number of late delivered units and serves in maximizing the service level of purchased items has the least achievement level as 0.496. This is because the additive model maximizes achievement levels in total. On the other hand augmented max-min model solution maximizes the minimum achievement level as well and it gives more balanced solution. In Table 8 weighted additive model solutions are presented. To determine relative weights is another multiple attribute decision making problem. In this example problem for three different weight sets is considered. In a realistic point of view the DM may not prefer achievement levels less than 0.5. In that case the procedure will carry on with step (8). After presenting additive (/weighted additive) or augmented max-min model solutions to the DM, Chen and Tsai’s fuzzy model provides a preferred solution.

7. Conclusions and Future Direction

In this study a multiple sourcing supplier selection problem is considered as a multiple objective linear programming problem. The literature is reviewed for the studies which handle supplier selection by fuzzy multiple objective mathematical programming and they are investigated according to their solution approaches. The detailed literature reviews in the author’s previous studies [38–40] lead the construction of the current study’s literature. However they are not interested in discount strategies. Herein the literature is also reviewed for the discount strategies. A clear classification is constructed for the discount schemes mentioned in the literature (Table 1) with references. The studies which handle sourcing problem by fuzzy multiple objective mathematical programming in discount environment are also investigated and criticized based on their solution approaches (Table 2).

Detailed review reveals that there is no multiple item-single period fuzzy model for multiple objective sourcing problem in discount environment except for the Nazari-Shirkouhi et al.’s [57] in the literature. The current study proposes an enhanced mathematical model by additional constraints for the quota flexibility, service level, and rating values for each product, by adding modification requirements of the model for the different discount schemes and by considering fuzziness not only of aspiration levels of objectives but also of demand levels. Furthermore the interactive solution approach utilized in the current study gives opportunities which go beyond to all other approaches employed for the problem, because it [40] comes handy not only to reach a nondominated solution which satisfies the DM’s preferred achievement levels but also to consider the different cases for the fuzzy parameter occurrences and the DM’s different bias on the nondominated solution.

This study provides a realistic multiple objective sourcing and order allocation model which considers three objective functions as minimization of costs, maximization of quality, and maximization of on-time delivery with fuzzy aspiration levels, respectively, and/or fuzzy demand. To keep the business relationship with suppliers the model contains restrictions on the number of suppliers employed by the buyer with a maximum number quota for each product. When suppliers offer incremental and volume discount schemes, the required modifications on the model are also investigated. The model is employed to construct fuzzy mathematical models which give nondominated solutions. Each possible fuzzy parameter is represented mathematically by using a linear membership function. For fuzzy demand levels, fuzziness is defined by triangular membership functions which can be isosceles or unbalanced. In the utilized interactive procedure three well known fuzzy mathematical models are employed based on the problem requirements. Both fuzzy additive and augmented max-min models give nondominated solutions. Augmented max-min model solution is balanced additionally. Chen and Tsai’s fuzzy model with the interactive steps of the solution approach gives an opportunity to the DM to obtain her/his own preferred achievement levels for the objectives and for demand levels. Consideration of fuzziness makes the obtained nondominated solution implementable for the real cases.

In the relatively scarce studies which try to deal with the sourcing and order allocation problem with multiple items, multiple criteria, and fuzzy parameters in discount environment simultaneously, this study provides a realistic mathematical model and promising strategies to satisfy the purchasing managers’ (DM’s) preferences which can be a balanced solution or there can be preferred achievements for each of the fuzzy aspirations to be satisfied, as long as the obtained result is a nondominated solution.

For the planned future work, fuzziness in each supplier’s capacity is going to be considered. In that case sourcing and order allocation problem will become a nonlinear programming problem.

Appendix

See Figure 1.

Figure 1: Flowchart of the interactive approach from [40] with modifications for the current study.

Conflict of Interests

The author declares that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgment

The author would like to express their special thanks to Professor Dr. Tsan-Ming Choi for his valuable comments and critics which help them to highlight the originality of this study.

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