A methodology for assessing eco-efficiency in logistics networks

Recent literature on sustainable logistics networks points to two important questions: (i) How to spot the preferred solution(s) balancing environmental and business concerns? (ii) How to improve the understanding of the trade-offs between these two dimensions? We posit that a visual exploration of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of operational research Vol. 193; no. 3; pp. 670 - 682
Main Authors: Quariguasi Frota Neto, J., Walther, G., Bloemhof, J., van Nunen, J.A.E.E., Spengler, T.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 16.03.2009
Elsevier
Elsevier Sequoia S.A
Series:European Journal of Operational Research
Subjects:
approximation
Closed-loop supply chains
curves
data envelopment analysis
design
Eco-efficiency
Eco-efficiency Sustainable supply chains Closed-loop supply chains Multi-objective programming Optimization
Environmental impact
Heuristic
Linear programming
Logistics
management
Multi-objective programming
Optimization
Profitability
Studies
Sustainability management
Sustainable supply chains
Germany
Multi-objective programming
Sustainable supply chains
Eco-efficiency
Closed-loop supply chains
Optimization
ISSN:0377-2217, 1872-6860
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Recent literature on sustainable logistics networks points to two important questions: (i) How to spot the preferred solution(s) balancing environmental and business concerns? (ii) How to improve the understanding of the trade-offs between these two dimensions? We posit that a visual exploration of the efficient frontier and trade-offs between profitability and environmental impacts are particularly suitable to answer these two questions. The visual representation of the efficient frontier, however, presents two challenges. The first is to obtain a good approximation for such frontier without enumerating all extreme efficient solutions. The second is to obtain a good visual representation of the efficient frontier. We propose a two-phased heuristic to handle these two problems. The algorithm is designed for the multi-objective linear problem with three objectives: minimize costs, cumulative energy demand and waste in a reverse logistics network. We illustrate our approach by designing a complex recycling logistics network in Germany.
Bibliography:SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0377-2217
1872-6860
DOI:10.1016/j.ejor.2007.06.056