A Bi-Objective Integrated Model for the Uncertain Blood Network Design with Raising Products Quality

Abstract

Blood transfusion is a multi-step process with risks in each process from selecting donors to transfusing the patient. Meanwhile, the quality plays an essential part throughout the blood supply chain. In this regard, this study proposes a bi-objective model for an integrated blood supply chain network design. The first objective function tries to minimise the total network cost, whereas the second objective seeks to maximise the quality factor. Due to the epistemic uncertainty of critical parameters, a fuzzy method, as well as some robust approaches, are tailored. The applicability and performance of these proposed methods and their validation are studied in a real case of Tehran's blood network. The results illustrate the preference of realistic robust approach to the other methods due to reduction in cost as well as preserving the quality. Finally, the paper comes to an end with the sensitivity analysis, conclusion and some suggestions for future directions. [Received: 22 June 2018; Accepted: 9 January 2019]