Assessing green supply chain practices in Bangladesh using fuzzy importance and performance approach

Abstract

The contribution of this study is to apply a hybrid method to identify critical green supply chain practices (GSCP) based on importance and performance level under linguistic preferences. The leather industry in Bangladesh is facing acute pressure to minimize environmental pollution. Proper assessment of GSCP ensure effective implementation and thereby helping the industry face environmental challenges. However, there is lack of methods available for the assessment of GSCP concerning their importance and performance attributes under linguistic preferences. This study uses fuzzy set theory to handle fuzziness of human perceptions since the GSCP attributes usually expressed in linguistic preferences. Then, fuzzy importance and performance analysis (FIPA) approach was applied to identify GSCP importance and performance levels. Moreover, FIPA matrix was plotted to determine the critical GSCP as enablers of environmental performance enhancement. Additionally, a comprehensive measurement structure is also absent that requires the inclusion of supply chain partners as aspects. The objective is to assess GSCP based on importance and performance level. The study reveals that supplier and manufacturer viewpoints are the most critical aspects. Furthermore, designing for recycling water and minimizing waste during manufacturing, participation in an ISO 14001 environmental certification system, selection of suitable suppliers based on environmental criteria are the critical GSCP attributes. The managerial implications also are presented. The study presents certain limitations and thus proposes future studies.