Robust Optimization Model for a Food Supply Chain Under Uncertainty

Nowadays, the business environment has become an internal playing field in which companies have to work together as a whole to fight for disturbances. Companies have to turn lean and responsive for winning competitive advantage in market. However, lean supply chains would be more vulnerable in the case of disruption. Food supply chains have some special characteristics that make supply chains even more vulnerable, such as shelf life constraints, material seasonality. Food supply chains have to become robust to resist all kinds of disruptions. This paper has developed a stochastic mathematical formulation for achieving a robust optimal food supply chain. The model considers both supply-side uncertainties and demand-side uncertainties. Finally, to illustrate and analyze the model outputs, we apply this model to a numerical experience and test the validity of the model.