A personal-computer assisted decision support system for private versus common carrier selection

This paper presents a personal-computer assisted decision support system (D SS) which aims at aiding logistics managers in selecting the most appropria te transportation choice between private and common carriers. In contrast w ith a traditional stand-alone system, this DSS is designed for integration with the company's internal data base systems, the analytic hierarchy proce ss model base and user controlled dialogue systems for 'what-if scenarios. The Master Lock case example provided in this paper illustrates how the pro posed DSS can be utilized for carrier selection decisions and related conti ngency planning in dynamic distribution environments. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.