A hybrid robust stochastic programming for a bi-objective blood collection facilities problem (Case study: Iranian blood transfusion network)

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a generalized network optimization model is developed for a complex blood supply chain including a regionalized blood bank system. This system consist of collection sites, testing and processing facilities, storage facilities, distribution centers, as well as points of demand (hospitals). To keep the network in contradiction of the uncertainty, a consolidated approach based on a recently developed stochastic robust approach is extended. An accelerated stochastic Benders decomposition algorithm is proposed to solve the problem modeled in this paper. To speed up the convergence of the solution algorithm, valid inequalities are introduced to get better quality lower bounds. Numerical illustrations are given to verify the mathematical formulation and also to show the benefits of using the stochastic robust approach. At the end, the performance improvements attained by the valid inequalities and the Pareto-optimal cuts are demonstrated in a real-world application.

KEYWORDS:

• Blood supply chain
• stochastic programming
• ε-constraint
• robust optimization
• accelerating benders decomposition

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mahdi Yousefi Nejad Attari

Mahdi Yousefi Nejad Attari is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Bonab branch of Azad University, Iran. He received his Ph.D. degrees in Department of Industrial Engineering from the University of Qazvin branch of Islamic Azad. His research activities include Blood supply chain.

Seyed Hamid Reza Pasandideh

Seyed Hamid Reza Pasandideh is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Kharazmi University, Iran. He received his Ph.D. degrees in Department of Industrial Engineering from the University of Qazvin branch of Sharif. His research activities include supply chain and inventory.

Seyed Taghi Akhavan Niaki

Seyed Taghi Akhavan Niakiis a professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the Sharif University of Iran. His research activities include applications of supply chain, Mathematical models and optimization.