Title Negotiation of on-site buffer stocks: a fuzzy non-structural fuzzy decision support system approach

Purpose – This paper examines the potential for applying non-structural fuzzy decision support theory to modelling the negotiation between various participants with conflicting objectives so as to establish the optimum buffer stocks for a construction project. Design/methodology/approach – In view of the divergence in objectives between various decision-makers when determining the amount of materials to be delivered to site, the concept of integrating the Non-Structural Fuzzy Decision Support System (NSFDSS) to multi-attribute decision making is reviewed. With the help of a case example, the process involved in the NSFDSS and the methodology of evaluation is illustrated. Finally, the paper proposes the use of the Nash criterion to measure the utility of various decision-makers so as to identify an equilibrium solution for the quantity of materials to be supplied. Findings – The results indicate that the requisite number of on-site stocks can be determined by referring to the utility of the parties involved in decision making. Research limitations/implications – The NFDSS systematically evaluates each scenario under different affected factors such as cost, schedule, quality, safety, etc. Finally, a scenario utility is computed to establish the preferences of each party. Practical implications – NFDSS can systematically analyse human judgments to generate relative weightings for the decision factors and elements. The NFDSS model can be applied to real-world cases to determine the frequency of delivery and the amount of buffer stocks that would meet the requirements of the various project participants.