Logistics tool selection with two-phase fuzzy multi criteria decision making: A case study for personal digital assistant selection

Efficient logistics and supply chain management are enabled through the use of efficient information technologies (IT). The mobile logistics tools represent the IT interface in the supply chain. This paper aims to aid decision makers to identify the most appropriate mobile logistics tools and to achieve this aim, several evaluation criteria are identified to evaluate logistics tools, and a fuzzy axiomatic design (FAD) based group decision-making method is adopted to perform the evaluation in two phases. In the first phase of pre-assessment, alternatives that cannot meet basic requirements and the defined threshold are eliminated. In the second phase of selection, the remaining alternatives are more meticulously evaluated. Criteria weights are determined using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and another fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique, namely fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), is applied in the second phase to compare the outcome of FAD. A case study is provided in order to demonstrate the potential of the proposed methodology. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) with integrated barcode scanner that are available in the Turkish market are evaluated.

► This study proposes a Fuzzy Axiomatic Design (FAD) based group decision-making framework in two phases for the mobile logistics tool evaluation problem. ► In the first phase of pre-assessment, alternatives that cannot meet basic requirements and the defined threshold are eliminated. ► In the second phase of selection, the remaining alternatives are more meticulously evaluated. ► The proposed methodology is applied to the PDA Barcode Scanner selection problem and the obtained results are discussed.