Analysis of the logistics intermediaries choice methods in the supply chains

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Transport and Telecommunication 
Vol. 16, no. 4, 2015 
288 
Transport and Telecommunication, 2015, volume16, no. 4, 288–295 
Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Lomonosova 1, Riga, LV-1019, Latvia 
DOI 10.1515/ttj-2015-0026 
 
ANALYSIS OF THE LOGISTICS INTERMEDIARIES CHOICE 
METHODS IN THE SUPPLY CHAINS 
Valery Lukinskiy 
1
, Vladislav Lukinskiy 
2 
1
National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) 
St. Petersburg, Russia 
Ph.: 007(812)644-59-11(+61517), e-mail: [e-mail] 
2
National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) 
St. Petersburg, Russia
Ph.: 007(812)644-59-11(+61517), e-mail: [e-mail] 
The increase of the supply chains efficiency requires optimization of all types of logistic operations and functions. One of 
such functions is the choice of intermediaries (carriers, freight forwarders, suppliers, service enterprises etc.) and, according to some 
specialists, it is a major strategic decision in management supply chains. The methods of choosing the logistic intermediaries are 
considered in many works, however, some questions remain debatable. The article discusses the analytical and expert approaches 
which serve as a basis to choose the intermediaries; along with it, in the article a comparative evaluation of choice expert methods is 
done: point-rating assessment, analytic hierarchy process and the general algorithm for selecting; the conclusions have been drawn 
about the applicability of each method. 
Keywords:
choice of intermediaries, point-rating assessment, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), general algorithm for selecting 
intermediaries 
1. Introduction
The increase of the supply chains efficiency requires optimization of all types of logistic operations 
and functions. One of such functions is the choice of intermediaries (carriers, freight forwarders, suppliers, 
service enterprises etc.) and, according to some specialists, it is a major strategic decision in management 
supply chains. It is important to point out that there are some other tasks related to this, for example, 
infrastructure (warehouse) object choosing, distribution centre location, motion routes, type of 
transportation, etc. 
The logistics development tendencies analysis has shown that in all supply chains sections one can 
see multi-variance and uncertainty which is expressed in a big amount of intermediaries that can carry out 
the required conditions and in the presence of the alternative solutions, as well. The logistics intermediaries’ 
choice problem is quite urgent and its correct solution will contribute to the risks decrease and the hardening 
of the company position at the market. 
The article discusses the analytical and expert approaches which serve as the basis to choose the 
intermediaries; along with it, in the article a comparative evaluation of choice expert methods is done: 
point-rating assessment, analytic hierarchy process and the general algorithm for selecting; the conclusions 
have been drawn about the applicability of each method.