Selecting International Freight Forwarders: An Expert Systems Application

The recent changes in the international forwarding environment have witnessed the emergence of “new forms” of forwarders incorporating a broad spectrum of services under one roof. Such total logistics companies are becoming a critical third party in obtaining a competitive advantage in foreign markets. Hence, the evaluation and selection of an international freight forwarder is no longer a simple operational decision but a strategic one. Presents and explains an expert systems tool to assist decision makers in selecting the freight forwarder which fits their needs best. The system, called FREIGHT, brings together international marketing, logistics and artificial intelligence knowledge.