The decision in this problem rests on two dimensions: cost and delivery timeline. Whereas the FFs can be immediately compared based on their cost submissions (see case Exhibit 1). This is not the case for the delivery timeline, which is linked to transit days and on-time performance (OTP) statistics. Using the sample data for Brunei, how would you devise an objective way of identifying which FF is best on the delivery timeline dimension?

What are the candidate objective functions to investigate in this optimization problem?

Complete the optimization template to optimize the candidate objective functions while addressing all the issues raised in the case.

What would you recommend as the most pragmatic approach to tackle this problem?

EXHIBIT 1: COST, TRANSIT DAYS, AND HISTORICAL ON-TIME PERFORMANCE Cost (S$) Transit Days OTP (%) Country FF1 FF2 FF3 FF1 FF2 FF3 FF1 FF2 FF3 Brunei 7,511 8,328 7,600 2 1 2 95 89 92 Cambodia 675 4 67 Indonesia 9,174 9,239 8,636 3 4 5 88 96 95 Laos 990 1,115 5 5 77 85 Malaysia 6,577 6,978 6,830 2 2 2 93 95 97 Myanmar 1,490 1,920 1,355 4 4 70 86 74 Philippines 2,349 2,179 2, 108 2 3 3 90 87 82 Singapore 338 356 362 100 100 100 Thailand 5,618 5,999 5,175 3 N 4 95 91 97 Vietnam 3,560 3,975 4,100 5 3 4 98 83 94 Note: OTP = on-time performance; FF = freight forwarder. Source: Created by authors based on company documents