Locating Donation Centers in Blood Supply chain considering Environmental Criteria Using Combined Vikor and Mathematical Programming Approach (Case Study: Alborz Blood Transfusion center)

Nowadays with regards to the special role of blood supply chain facilities, the importance of blood donation centers establishment with environmental standards compliance is considerable. With the increase in population and urban sprawl, Alborz Blood Transfusion center has been looking for a suitable location to establish blood donation centers in order to providing maximum service to donors, in addition to reduce environmental damage. In this study, to find the appropriate location for blood donation centers, environmental criteria have been considered. The purpose of this study was to determine the number and establishment of blood donation centers using combined VIKOR and mathematical programming approach in order to blood donation centers have the highest level of service. From the 12 existing regions, Only 6 candidate regions were selected to determine the appropriate location for the establishment of blood donation centers using the VIKOR method as a multi-criterion decision making approach. Also, by solving the proposed mathematical model, 4 regions were selected to locating a blood donation centers that providing maximum service to donors in the regions.