To read this content please select one of the options below:

An agent-based supplier selection framework: Fuzzy case-based reasoning perspective

Alireza Jahani (Department of Information Technology, Mehralborz University, Tehran, Iran)
Masrah Azrifah Azmi Murad (Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia)
Md. Nasir bin Sulaiman (Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia)
Mohd. Hasan Selamat (Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia)

Strategic Outsourcing: An International Journal

ISSN: 1753-8297

Article publication date: 15 June 2015

402

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach that integrates three complementary perspectives, multi-agent systems, fuzzy logic and case-based reasoning. Unsatisfied customers, information overload and high uncertainty are the main challenges that are faced by today’s supply chains. In addition, a few existing agent-based approaches are tied to real-world supply chain functions like supplier selection. These approaches are static and do not adequately take the qualitative and quantitative factors into consideration. Therefore, an agent-based framework is needed to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach integrates three complementary perspectives, multi-agent systems, fuzzy logic and case-based reasoning, as a common framework. These perspectives were rarely used together as a common framework in previous studies. Furthermore, an exploratory case study in an office furniture company is undertaken to illustrate the value of the framework.

Findings

The proposed agent-based framework evaluates supply offers based on customers’ preferences, recommends alternative products in the case of stock-out and provides a collaborative environment among agents who represent different supply chain entities. The proposed fuzzy case-based reasoning (F-CBR) approach reduces the information overload by organizing them into the relevant cases that causes less overall search between cases. In addition, its fuzzy aspect addresses the high uncertainty of supply chains, especially when there are different customers’ orders with different preferences.

Research limitations/implications

The present study does not include the functions of inventory management and negotiation between agents. Furthermore, only the case description and case retrieval phases of the case-based reasoning approach are investigated, and the remaining phases like case retaining, case reusing and case revising are not included in the scope of this paper.

Originality/value

This framework balances the interests of different supply chain structural elements where each of them is represented by a specific agent for better collaboration, decision-making and problem-solving in a multi-agent environment. In addition, the supplier selection and order gathering mechanisms are developed based on customers’ orders.

Keywords

Citation

Jahani, A., Azmi Murad, M.A., bin Sulaiman, M.N. and Selamat, M.H. (2015), "An agent-based supplier selection framework: Fuzzy case-based reasoning perspective", Strategic Outsourcing: An International Journal, Vol. 8 No. 2/3, pp. 180-205. https://doi.org/10.1108/SO-01-2015-0003

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles