Sensitivity Analysis of a Multi-Objective, Multi-Item Transportation Problem: A Company That Manufactures and Distributes Multiple Products in Iraq

    Transportation problems is a wide-ranging class of optimization models in operations research that address the problem of optimal allocation of a large number of items from multiple origins to multiple destinations on several conflicting objective functions. It studies the sensitivity of multi-objective, multi–item transportation problems and analyses how optimal solutions are affected by different parametric changes. Here we propose an integrated optimization model for resource consumption over time and cost. WinQSP software was used to demonstrate an application of a three-supplier, four-demand center, two product type system. Transport costs are the most sensitive parameter (coefficient of variation, 0.85-1.35) followed by supply constraints (0.90-1.25) and demand fluctuations (0.95-1.20), the results show Simulation results indicate that, until a certain parameter limit (±10%) there is no significant change to the optimal solution. Beyond these limits parameters will begin to significantly affect their respective solutions. The sensitivity analysis emphasizes the importance of monitoring certain parameters closely in practice. The current research adds to the literature by providing a quantitative measure of robustness and stability in optimal solutions for multi-objective transportation systems that are instrumental for decision-makers.