An Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Support Framework for the Selection of Suppliers in Small and Medium Enterprises based on Green Innovation Ability

Almalki Sultan Musaad O,Yasir Ahmed Solangi,Ghulam Muhammad Shaikh,Zhang Zhuo,Syed Ahsan Ali Shah,Almalki Otaibi Musaad O,Zafar Ali Siyal

doi:10.3390/pr8040418

Abstract

Globally, organizations are under enormous pressure to implement green supply chain processes due to growing environmental concerns. Subsequently, organizations and firms have become more conscious of their suppliers’ green innovation ability. However, the selection of the most optimum supplier concerning green innovation ability remains a challenging task that needs to be analyzed. Thus, this study develops an integrated fuzzy and grey-based methodology to analyze and prioritize suppliers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the context of Saudi Arabia. Initially, the study identifies 4 criteria and 20 sub-criteria through extensive literature review with respect to suppliers’ green innovation ability. Later, the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) computes weights of criteria and sub-criteria. Finally, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)-Grey was employed to rank the suppliers. The process of assigning weights to criteria and sub-criteria involved twelve experts from academics and industry. The results of Fuzzy AHP indicated that the “Green Innovation Initiatives” is the most significant criterion for the supplier selection. The results of TOPSIS-Grey revealed that the “Supplier-3” is the most optimum supplier having the highest potential of adopting green practices among other suppliers. The overall results provide adequate feedback for organizations and firms to maximize their ability to curb environmental impacts from their upstream activities.

Highlights

The world is experiencing natural resource depletion at a rapid rate that is due to increasing rates of industrialization, population, and urbanization [1]
The findings indicate that the management system of carbon and training related to carbon management are the most important criteria for selecting a supplier
The findings of this study show that quality, preventing pollution, and green image are the most necessary criteria for supplier selection to include green development programs

Summary

Introduction

The world is experiencing natural resource depletion at a rapid rate that is due to increasing rates of industrialization, population, and urbanization [1]. Governments and environmental agencies have been seeking efficient ways of resource utilization and shifting towards alternative sources that can be Processes 2020, 8, 418; doi:10.3390/pr8040418 www.mdpi.com/journal/processes. Industries are under a great deal of pressure from environmental activists to implement sustainable supply chain practices during the whole process of production. Organizations all over the world, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), have an essential role to play in economic growth. They generate a significant amount of GHGs to pollute the environment [3]. Governments and various environmental agencies have focused on this issue and introduced strict policies for organizations to minimize activities responsible for environmental degradation

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion