Towards a Sustainable Collaborative Distribution Network 4.0 with Blockchain Involvement

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of designing a collaborative 4.0 distribution network using blockchain to ensure coordination between partners and the secure transfer of transactions. In this study, we compare the performance of horizontal collaboration and that of non-collaboration in terms of sustainability. The economic level is considered by the reduction of the logistics costs, while the environmental level is evaluated by the reduction of CO2 emissions from vehicles through their use and depreciation as well as those from the hubs' operation and construction. The social level is addressed by maximizing the created job opportunities and by reducing the accident risk and the noise level. Both mono-and multi-objective optimization approaches are proposed to solve the problem of exact and meta-heuristic optimization using the genetic algorithm and the NSGA-II. The obtained results show that horizontal collaboration is more efficient and promising at all levels.

Optimization of the Collaborative Hub Location Problem with Metaheuristics

“…The inventory level in warehouse m was given by (4). The delayed amount of product p at period t was shown in (6). The initial delayed quantity was equal to zero.…”

“…This type of collaboration improves the sustainability aspects through the reduction in logistics costs and CO 2 emissions and the enhancement of the well-being of citizens and inhabitants, etc. [6,7]. Finally, lateral collaboration can be considered as the combination of the two Mathematics 2021, 9, 2759 2 of 31 other types of collaboration.…”