A hybrid mcdm framework for assessing the strategic role of dry ports in emergency logistics networks: An integrated efficiency–resilience perspective

Abstract

This study proposes a novel dual-role weighting framework for dry port location selection, bridging the gap between commercial logistics efficiency and strategic disaster resilience. Designed to establish a new theoretical evaluation paradigm, the research utilizes the Fuzzy Rough SWARA (FR-SWARA) method and a 12-person expert panel to weigh a comprehensive set of 31 criteria under high-dimensional uncertainty. The findings reveal a decisive hierarchical shift, where spatial and infrastructure-related dimensions significantly outweigh traditional cost considerations. This empirical evidence substantiates the transition from ‘just-in-time’ to ‘Just-in-Case’ logistics architectures. Ultimately, the study reconceptualizes the dry port as a ‘strategic stabilizer’—a critical infrastructure node that absorbs systemic shocks and maintains supply chain continuity during diverse crises, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed weighting framework offers a robust theoretical roadmap for policy and managerial decision-making in volatile geographies.