Order allocation in a multi-supplier environment: review of the literature since 2007

Resumen

Optimal order allocation on the part of the buyer in a multisupplier environment, has become a major concern in supply chains. There are numerous articles that analyze and present models for optimizing order allocation from a given panel of suppliers. The paper reviews twenty one articles published since 2007 in journals indexed by Journal Citation Reports (in ISI Web of Knowledge) on this topic. This paper provides an analysis which considers: (i) aims, (ii) results, (iii) model complexity, and (iv) resolution procedures. The analysis of these four points does not allow for a single, overarching model. Rather, all analyzed solutions reflect and respond to a specific company environment.