Multi-objective optimization decision-making of quality dependent product recovery for sustainability

摘要

The increasing external pressure to establish sustainable operations has forced firms to embrace approaches such as sustainable manufacturing through product recovery. To improve the performance of product recovery, we studied a decision-making problem involving the selection between end-of-life product remanufacturing and dismantling. A quality-dependent multi-objective optimization model was developed and validated to identify the optimal or near optimal product recovery solution that best balances the economic, environmental and societal performances of product recovery for sustainability. We also investigated how the quality level, recovery cost and retail price impact the product recovery decision under different decision makers' preferences. Experiments on a case of an automobile engine model demonstrated the multi-objective optimization model's effectiveness to achieve satisfactory recovery solution. The results also provide insights for product recovery practices, which can assist firms in adapting their practices to meet the challenges of sustainability.