An integrated fuzzy approach for prioritizing supply chain complexity drivers of an Indian mining equipment manufacturer by Kavilal, E. G., Venkatesan, S. P., Kumar, K. D. H., [Resour. Policy 51 (2017) 204–218]: Suggested modification

Abstract

Kavilal et al. (Resour. Policy 51 (2017) 204–218) pointed out the limitations of the fuzzy preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation (FPROMETHEE) method. To overcome the limitations, Kavilal et al. proposed an effective approach by integrating the FPROMETHEE, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM). To illustrate this approach, Kavilal et al. considered a case example of a mining equipment manufacturer located in India. In future, the other researchers may use this approach for solving other real life problems and /or in their research work. It is pertinent to mention that to apply the approach, proposed by Kavilal et al., there is need to apply FAHP and to apply FAHP, there is need to check that the fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix is consistent or not. To check the same, Kavilal et al. have transformed the fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix into a crisp matrix and claimed that the fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix will be consistent if the transformed crisp matrix will be consistent. However, after a deep study, it is observed that on applying the defuzzification method, used by Kavilal et al. to transform the fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix into a crisp matrix, the obtained transformed crisp matrix will never be consistent therefore, one may conclude that the FAHP cannot be applied. Hence, one may conclude that the approach, proposed by Kavilal et al., cannot be applied. Keeping the same in mind, an appropriate defuzzification method is suggested to transform the fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix into a crisp pairwise comparison matrix.