Evaluation of supplier selection criteria by combination of AHP and fuzzy DEMATEL method

Abstract

The environment becomes more complicated, so effective decisionmaking is more desired. Supplier selection problem is a multi-criteria problem that includes both qualitative and quantitative factors. Supplier selection is a critical issue concerned in the process of managing global supply chains. The purpose of this study is to present an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method that could cope with the supplier selection criteria and interdependencies among criteria. The results generated by AHP can be used to improve performance in a short period of time. In contrast to the short time period, the results suggested by fuzzy DEMATEL method might provide insight to improve performance in a long time period. The model can propose the criterion which is the most important, or affects other criteria the most, so buyers will know which criterion can improve the performance the most and can ask suppliers to modify it. An empirical study is also...