Evaluation and selection of suppliers in a supply chain based on multi-criteria decision-making model using fuzzy TOPSIS

Vafaei, Mehdi; Paymozd, Abolfazl; Mesbah, Soheil

doi:10.22075/ijnaa.2024.36006.5338

Evaluation and selection of suppliers in a supply chain based on multi-criteria decision-making model using fuzzy TOPSIS

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mehdi Vafaei ¹

Abolfazl Paymozd ²

Soheil Mesbah ³

¹ Department of Management and Engineering, Alborz Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Management, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

³ Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

10.22075/ijnaa.2024.36006.5338

Abstract

In supply chain management, selecting suitable suppliers is a necessary strategic decision. Making these decisions is a complex process due to certain uncertain parameters, such as future demand. In this regard, the present study aims to evaluate and select suppliers in a supply chain based on a multi-criteria decision-making model using fuzzy TOPSIS. The research population consisted of experts from the purchasing and material supply unit in the detergent industry, who were selected using a purposive sampling method. According to them, the criteria for selecting suppliers were identified and weighted. The criteria were identified based on library studies and finalized with the experts' approval, and were then transformed into a pairwise comparison questionnaire. Within the framework of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the opinions of the experts regarding the priority of the criteria were assessed using MATLAB software. By forming the decision-making matrix and using the fuzzy TOPSIS method, the final prioritization of the criteria was obtained. Based on the findings of the research, the criteria and sub-criteria for evaluating suppliers were classified into 4 main criteria (quality, protective, security, economic, and technical) and 28 sub-criteria. Quality factors were deemed the most important, followed by protective and security, technical, and economic criteria. Performance evaluation of each supplier group using the fuzzy TOPSIS method indicated that group A2 had the highest priority, followed by groups A4, A3, and A1 in that order. From the obtained results, it can be stated that the use of the fuzzy TOPSIS model is appropriate for the problem of supplier selection, especially in the final stage. Therefore, providing a flexible and cost-effective tool for supplier selection enables procurement managers to make quick decisions.

Keywords

supplier selection

multi-criteria decision making

hierarchical process

fuzzy TOPSIS

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