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Full Length Research
Paper
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Smart supplier
selection based on voice of customer using an integrated
bidding mechanism in real-time
Javad Soroor1*, Mohammad J. Tarokh1
and Hamidreza Shariffard2
1Industrial
Engineering Faculty, K. N. Toosi University of
Technology, Tehran, Iran.
2Information
Technology Group, Electronic Education Faculty, Shiraz
University, Shiraz, Iran.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
Soroorsoft@yahoo.com.
Accepted 10 November, 2011
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Abstract |
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The most critical issues in
devising an agent-based evaluation engine have been
comprehensively discussed here; at first, an autonomous
real-time supply chain coordination system is introduced. Next,
the configuration of an evaluation agent and its assessment
engine are explained. The main idea is the smart module to be
applied by the evaluation agent to pick the best supplier’s
bid(s). This hybrid model is composed of three useful tools:
fuzzy logic, analytical hierarchical process, and quality
function deployment and works without human intervention. The
approach has been carefully implemented and verified via a
real-world case study in a medium-to-large industry
manufacturing vehicle tires and other rubber products. A
collection of twelve assessment criteria classified in two
categories has been considered. Eight factors are derived from
customer suggestions and the other four are design
specifications required to manufacture the product. The most
important advantages of this work over earlier researches on
supplier selection are: implementation of an autonomous
assessment mechanism using intelligent agents for the first
time, making the best out of three widely applied methodologies
all at once, evaluation process mainly based on features of
customer order, coordination of supply job based on a bidding
system, and portal-mediated operation and control via softbots.
Key words:
Supply chain coordination, bidding mechanism, agent-based
systems, fuzzy logic, business automation, group decision
making, smart algorithm.
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