The First PhD Dissertation in Industrial Engineering at the University of Science and Culture Explores an Innovative Model for Designing a Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chain
The first PhD dissertation in Industrial Engineering at the University of Science and Culture was successfully defended last week. The dissertation introduced an innovative model for supply chain network design, addressing one of the most significant challenges facing businesses today in the era of e-commerce and widespread supply chain disruptions.
According to the Public Relations Office of the University of Science and Culture, the research focuses on the design of a resilient dual-channel closed-loop supply chain network while incorporating multiple dimensions of sustainability. The study aims to provide a comprehensive solution for improving the efficiency, profitability, and recovery capability of supply chains under conditions of uncertainty and disruption.
Supply chain network design is considered one of the most strategic decisions within organizations, as it determines the overall structure and configuration of the network. Any modification to the network requires substantial investment in both financial and organizational resources. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of e-commerce and the evolving purchasing behavior of customers have highlighted the growing importance of developing online sales channels. At the same time, global crises, logistical disruptions, economic fluctuations, and supply shortages have further emphasized the critical role of resilience in supply chain management.
In this dissertation, a mathematical model is proposed for designing a dual-channel closed-loop supply chain network that integrates both online and offline sales channels while simultaneously considering economic, environmental, and social sustainability objectives.
According to the researcher, the findings indicate that this study is among the first to simultaneously integrate the concepts of closed-loop supply chains, dual-channel retailing, sustainable development, and supply chain resilience within a comprehensive mathematical optimization framework.
To formulate the problem, the research employs a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model combined with a Robust Stochastic-Fuzzy Optimization approach. The resulting multi-objective optimization model is solved using the Augmented Epsilon-Constraint Method. The data used for computational experiments were derived from previous studies on supply chain network design in the tire manufacturing industry.
The results demonstrate that implementing resilience strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of disruptions can play a significant role in restoring supply chain performance. The findings reveal that in half of the designed problem instances, the economic performance of the supply chain improved, while environmental performance indicators showed considerable improvement across all tested scenarios.
The study further indicates that increasing delivery lead time flexibility and expanding the number of proposed pricing levels can enhance the overall profitability of the supply chain without significantly affecting the other optimization objectives. Moreover, increasing the proportion of customers utilizing online purchasing channels contributes positively to the network’s profitability.
Overall, the results suggest that simultaneously operating online and offline sales channels provides significant economic advantages for businesses. Furthermore, implementing flexibility and resilience strategies not only mitigates the negative impacts of disruptions but also enhances environmental performance and improves the overall sustainability of the supply chain.
The successful defense of this dissertation marks a significant milestone in the educational and research activities of the University of Science and Culture. As the first doctoral dissertation in Industrial Engineering at the university, it demonstrates the academic and research capabilities of the program in addressing contemporary and practical challenges faced by industry and business. Key themes explored in the research—including sustainable development, e-commerce, risk management, and supply chain resilience—are among the most important strategic topics currently attracting considerable attention from both academic researchers and industrial practitioners worldwide.
This research achievement represents an important step toward advancing knowledge in Industrial Engineering and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry. It is expected to pave the way for further applied research on the design and management of intelligent, sustainable, and resilient supply chains.