times, and responsiveness. Chakraborty et al. (2013) proposed a hybrid methodology
to determine the optimal location of distribution centers in a supply chain. The
process of selection was carried out in two steps in that research. In this regard, first,
the weight of criteria such as access to infrastructure, reliability in operations,
closeness to market, expert personnel availability, and earthquake possibility was
calculated by AHP.
Bouhana (2013) employed fuzzy theory and fuzzy preference relation as methodologies to select the optimal location of urban distribution centers. In that research,
places were analyzed by ten criteria such as accessibility, security, connectivity to
multimodal transport, cost, environmental impact, proximity to customers, possibility of expansion, and quality of service. Bagum and Rashed (2014) determined the
optimal location of drug distribution centers in Bangladesh by using AHP. For this
purpose, a framework of 17 criteria categorized into 5 dimensions including economic, warehouse cost, market-related factors, transportation, and facility related
factors was suggested in that research. Based on the results of this research,
availability of transportation, suitability of land, market proximity, market size,
and land cost were weighted as the main criteria. Khan et al. (2015) determined
the best location of food distribution centers in Pakistan. They used a hybrid
methodology including rough set theory approach TOPSIS for determining the
feasibility of candidate locations and ranking places, respectively. In that research
42 factors were considered such as access to main roads, acceptance from district
authorities, cost, and hazard risks.
Neumüller et al. (2015) suggested ANP and process analysis method as methodologies to select the optimal location of distribution centers for a manufacturer
company of confectionary in Germany. Places in that research were evaluated by
criteria categorized into risk, cost, opportunities, and benefits dimensions. According
to the results of that research, costs and risk were the main dimensions to select
alternatives. Dey et al. (2016) in a study determined the optimal location of a
distribution warehouse of a company located in India. To this end, they proposed
a framework of 16 criteria categorized into cost, infrastructure, market, work force,
and environment dimensions. Agrebi et al. (2017) proposed elimination and choice
expressing reality (ELECTRE) as a methodology to solve the selection problem of
logistics distribution centers. The candidate places in that research were evaluated by
six criteria including security, connectivity to multimodal transport, costs, proximity
to customers, proximity to supplier, and conformance to sustainable freight regulations. Onstein et al. (2020) using BWM provided insight into the weight of criteria
involved in choosing the optimal spatial distribution structure. For this aim, they
calculated the weights of 33 sub-criteria categorized into 7 dimensions. The results
of that research indicate that logistics cost is the main factor.
As a result of the literature review, a comprehensive framework of sustainability
criteria is presented in Table 5.1. By using the proposed framework, the utility of
candidate places can be calculated in different location problems.
As presented in Table 5.1, in total there are 33 criteria which are categorized into
economic, social, and environmental dimensions. From among the identified criteria,
transportation availability, land cost, market potential, and lead time categorized
5 Location Selection of Bioethanol Distribution Centers
77
to determine the optimal location of distribution centers in a supply chain. The
process of selection was carried out in two steps in that research. In this regard, first,
the weight of criteria such as access to infrastructure, reliability in operations,
closeness to market, expert personnel availability, and earthquake possibility was
calculated by AHP.
Bouhana (2013) employed fuzzy theory and fuzzy preference relation as methodologies to select the optimal location of urban distribution centers. In that research,
places were analyzed by ten criteria such as accessibility, security, connectivity to
multimodal transport, cost, environmental impact, proximity to customers, possibility of expansion, and quality of service. Bagum and Rashed (2014) determined the
optimal location of drug distribution centers in Bangladesh by using AHP. For this
purpose, a framework of 17 criteria categorized into 5 dimensions including economic, warehouse cost, market-related factors, transportation, and facility related
factors was suggested in that research. Based on the results of this research,
availability of transportation, suitability of land, market proximity, market size,
and land cost were weighted as the main criteria. Khan et al. (2015) determined
the best location of food distribution centers in Pakistan. They used a hybrid
methodology including rough set theory approach TOPSIS for determining the
feasibility of candidate locations and ranking places, respectively. In that research
42 factors were considered such as access to main roads, acceptance from district
authorities, cost, and hazard risks.
Neumüller et al. (2015) suggested ANP and process analysis method as methodologies to select the optimal location of distribution centers for a manufacturer
company of confectionary in Germany. Places in that research were evaluated by
criteria categorized into risk, cost, opportunities, and benefits dimensions. According
to the results of that research, costs and risk were the main dimensions to select
alternatives. Dey et al. (2016) in a study determined the optimal location of a
distribution warehouse of a company located in India. To this end, they proposed
a framework of 16 criteria categorized into cost, infrastructure, market, work force,
and environment dimensions. Agrebi et al. (2017) proposed elimination and choice
expressing reality (ELECTRE) as a methodology to solve the selection problem of
logistics distribution centers. The candidate places in that research were evaluated by
six criteria including security, connectivity to multimodal transport, costs, proximity
to customers, proximity to supplier, and conformance to sustainable freight regulations. Onstein et al. (2020) using BWM provided insight into the weight of criteria
involved in choosing the optimal spatial distribution structure. For this aim, they
calculated the weights of 33 sub-criteria categorized into 7 dimensions. The results
of that research indicate that logistics cost is the main factor.
As a result of the literature review, a comprehensive framework of sustainability
criteria is presented in Table 5.1. By using the proposed framework, the utility of
candidate places can be calculated in different location problems.
As presented in Table 5.1, in total there are 33 criteria which are categorized into
economic, social, and environmental dimensions. From among the identified criteria,
transportation availability, land cost, market potential, and lead time categorized
5 Location Selection of Bioethanol Distribution Centers
77