Robust master planning of a socially responsible supply chain under fuzzy-stochastic uncertainty (A case study of clothing industry)

Abstract This paper addresses an integrated physical supply channel, aggregate production, and transportation planning problem through the lens of social sustainability under uncertainty. The three-echelon supply chain network includes multiple suppliers, a manufacturer and multiple distribution centres. Social-related criteria such as workers’ job-security and health (i.e. working conditions) and social investment are contemplated in the supply chain under consideration. In doing so, a chance constraint mixed integer non-linear programming model is built to determine the centralized planning of procurement-production-transportation under fuzzy-stochastic uncertainty over the tactical planning horizon. Moreover, an efficient hybrid solution procedure is developed utilizing convexification and defuzzification strategies. Finally, a real-case study in clothing industry is presented to show the model applicability and the solution procedure efficiency.