A de-centralized bi-level multi-objective model for integrated production and transportation problems in closed-loop supply chain networks

The increase in the development of proper channels for recycling and disposal of the manufactured products have motivated the study of closed loop supply chains. The closed loop supply chain networks can be considered as a strong tool for attaining the goals of sustainable development. The customers are not the terminating destination for the products in closed loop supply chain networks. However, after some recycling or refurbishing processes the product once again enters the supply chain networks. The involvement of forward and reverse flow of the products makes the closed loop supply chain networks very complex. As, there may be several conflicting objectives related to the closed loop supply chains, in this paper, we have proposed a bi-level multi-objective programming model for these networks. Bi-level programming problems deal with the situations where decisions are to be taken at two different hierarchical levels. We have considered three objective functions which are distributed among these two levels in such a manner that the decision makers solves for a single objective at each level. A solution procedure is also discussed for solving the proposed model.