Tez özetleri Astronomi ve Uzay Bilimleri Anabilim Dalı

Selection Of RFID System For Container Terminals By Using Fuzzy AHP

Method And Its Application In Turkey

A major change and development in Information Technologies (IT) experienced in every moment. This change influence many sectors such as the case of container transportation and container terminals. Ports which aim to provide high quality service to their customers and to maintain their competitive advantage, utilize IT for increasing their operating eficiency and security of cargo and port. In recent years one of the most prominent of these technologies is RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

In this context ports which consider technology as an important factor in creating competitive advantage and take into account the fact that RFID technology is going to start to be used globally, will have to make strategic decisions about this technology. Because the adaptation of RFID technology to a container terminal is both costly and complicated process. In this context, choosing the most appropriate RFID application is strategically important for terminals which are planning to invest in RFID technology. Although there are many scholarly works in the different sectors, academic research on the use of RFID technology in container transportation and ports is poor.

In this study, we aim to examine RFID technology in detail, describe its usage in container terminals, create an original model with main and sub-criteria for the selection of RFID system in container terminals and determine the most suitable sytem for Turkey within the framework of this model according to the prevailing conditions. In addition, we aim to apply benefit-cost analysis with measurable parameters for a container terminal where has been applied RFID technology to its all areas and determine the economy of related investment.

For these purposes, the academic literature on the subject were examined and developed an original model with 5 main and 25 sub-criteria the selection of RFID system in container terminals. These criteria were determined using both the literatüre and 24 experts. This model is analysed by Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). For this, we use Chang's extent analysis method which is the most accepted approach of FAHP. The data used in the analysis has been obtained by applying questionnaire to 3 Turkish container terminals which examined RFID technology and have knowledge about it.

Also, for the benefit-cost analysis; we asume a medium-sized container terminal where has been applied RFID technology to its all areas and calculate the economy, benefit-cost ratio and break even point of related investment within the framework of measurable parameters.

In this study;

• 
  a model for the selection of RFID system in container terminals was revealed for the first time,
  
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  most suitable system for Turkish container terminals was determined within the framework of this model,
  
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  as for the use of RFID technology at the container terminal, an original benefit-cost analysis was performed and revealed significant values (economy, benefit-cost ratio and break even point) of related investment,
  
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  a good starting point for future academic studies has been brought out.