STUDY OF A FOUR-DIMENSIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM

Purpose – Solving and analyzing a four-dimensional Transportation Problem is the purpose of this paper.

Methodology/approach – The theoretical study of the paper contains the development of the mathematical model of the studied problem and a proposed methodology for solving and analyzing it. A numerical case study is treated based on the methodology to demonstrate its applicability.

Findings – The mathematical model and the methodology for solving and analyzing a four-dimensional Transportation Problem are proposed. The sensitivity analysis of the solution, the parametric analyze of some coefficients, the solving of the problem in cases of additional imposed constraints are also possible.

Research limitations/implications – The proposed methodology is applicable to a variety of cases of a four-dimensional Transportation Problem.

Practical implications – The paper offers the practical possibility to treat a class of real four-index Transportation Problem, for which the methods of solving the classical two-index Transportation Problem are not applicable. It can also performs sensitivity and parametric analyzes, as well as the solving, by means of software WinQSB.

Originality/value – The proposed method represents a very useful tool for managers to ensure an efficient leading for transporting heterogeneous commodities with the lowest possible cost involved.