An Integrated Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Approach for Partner Selection in Horizontal Cooperation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61089/aot2025.s00ve156Keywords:
horizontal cooperation , joint distribution, partner selection, transportation, logisticsAbstract
Horizontal collaboration in transportation and logistics has arisen as a strategic method to enhance transportation efficiency, decrease logistical expenses, and bolster competitive advantage via pooled resources and knowledge. The methodical identification of suitable partners is a crucial determinant for the success of these collaborations. This paper presents an integrated fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making framework for partner selection, specifically focusing on transportation networks to address this intricate decision-making difficulty. The suggested technique integrates Fuzzy Extent Analysis with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy EW-AHP) to ascertain the relative significance of assessment criteria, and employs the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (Fuzzy TOPSIS) to evaluate prospective partners. The technique adeptly utilizes fuzzy logic to address the ambiguity and subjectivity involved in assessing logistics and transportation performance. Computational tests illustrate the framework's efficacy in discovering appropriate partner combinations that improve joint distribution, minimize transport-related inefficiencies, and foster sustainable logistics practices. The results underscore the framework's practical applicability in facilitating strategic decision-making within transportation-oriented horizontal cooperation. Subsequent study may broaden this methodology to various logistical contexts and investigate further transportation-specific metrics for partner assessment.
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