How warehouse location decisions changed in medical sector after pandemic? a fuzzy comparative study

In the decision theory, there are many useful tools for operations in logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM). One of the vital trivets of logistics operations is warehouse management which is also one of the parts of a supply chain. Deciding on the location of a warehouse has a critical issue especially during an outbreak. In this study, we aimed that to figure out differences between the perceived importance of the considered criteria in the decision process regarding warehouse location in the medical sector in terms of the changing dynamics after the Covid-19 pandemic. Pursuing this goal, the results of a preliminary study which was resulted from the gathered data of a decision-making group including industry professionals before the pandemic outbreak were accepted as an anchor to obtain a comparison with the current state. To construct a proper representation of the post-Covid state, a similar methodology was used, and similar decision-makers data were collected with the preliminary study in the identification of the importance figures and causal relationships between criteria. According to comparative results of pre-and post-Covid studies, it is found that there are significant changes in the perceived role of adjacency to target markets and customs criteria in medical warehouse location decisions. It is obvious that the results will shed light on medical sector professionals’ decision process while adapting to the current pandemic conditions.