A Decision Framework Based on Integration of DEMATEL, QFD, TOPSIS and VIKOR Approaches for Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Supplier Selection Problem

Continuous and effective communication with suppliers can play a very important role in the strength and balance of the supply chain and create competitive advantages for manufacturers. Choosing the right supplier is crucial while choosing the wrong suppliers can affect the financial and operational activities of an organization negatively. In this study, an attempt is made to tackle a fuzzy multi-criteria supplier selection problem of a detergent factory as a case study. Moreover, the objective of the investigation is to put forth a model within a fully ambiguous setting, as this allows for the model’s practicality in addressing real-world issues and achieving more precise outcomes. This problem is modeled as ranking 5 suppliers according to 15 criteria selected from the literature. For this aim, a stepwise solution methodology consisting of fuzzy DEMATEL, fuzzy QFD, fuzzy TOPSIS, and fuzzy VIKOR approaches is developed for the first time in order to cover all aspects of the problem e.g., the fuzzy DEMATEL is used to select the effective criteria and eliminate the unnecessary ones, the fuzzy QFD is used to determine importance weight of each selected criterion, and the fuzzy TOPSIS and VIKOR approaches are used to rank the suppliers separately. According to the computations made on the data of the case study, the ranking of the suppliers is obtained by both of the methods while some similarities of the obtained rankings are discovered. Consequently, this study introduces a hybrid model that combines highly favorable decision-making methodologies specifically designed for a fully ambiguous environment.