Role of System Resilience in Dealing with Threats Using an Entropy-Based TOPSIS Approach: A Case Study in an Oil Products Distribution Company

Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the ability of system resilience against threats using an integrated method based on entropy and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) in an oil company. Methods: The threats were identified through field observation, literature review, and expert opinion in the industry. Afterward, the required data were gathered, and the resilience status was examined using three structured questionnaires for each category of the threats. The weights of resilience criteria computed for each group of the threats using entropy, and were then ranked through the TOPSIS method. Results: Learning (0.34) and anticipating (0.15) had the highest and lowest impacts on the category of regular threats, respectively. In the case of irregular threats, anticipating (0.31) and monitoring (0.21) had the highest and lowest impacts, respectively. As for unexampled threats, learning and anticipating (0.26) had the highest impact, and responding (0.23) had the lowest impact. The results of TOPSIS analysis indicated that regular threats, irregular threats, and unexampled threats were ranked in the first, second, and third positions with scores of 0.52, 0.48, and 0.46, respectively. Conclusions: To ameliorate resilience in complicated systems, managers should strengthen RE-related indicators along with working on the indicators which are in poor condition. The findings of this study can be used by managers and decision-makers to identify system weaknesses and improve comprehensive technical and applied plans.