Evaluation and selection of supplier in a supply chain management using DEA-TOPSIS methods under intuitionistic fuzzy environment

Abstract

Selection of efficient supplier is essential in a Supply Chain Management. It increases product quality, reduces wastage and saves time. In recent past, many methods were used in supplier selection process. Selection of efficient supplier that suits the manufacturer criteria is needed. The proposed method comprises of two stages that integrates Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The efficiency of the given set of suppliers is evaluated using DEA method in the first stage that filters the given list of suppliers. While in the second stage, TOPSIS method is applied to select one of the efficient suppliers shortlisted in first stage. Integration of two methods reduces the selection time. Since the data provided and the criteria considered are vague and imprecise in nature, decision making is done in intuitionistic fuzzy environment. The proposed methodology is demonstrated with a numerical illustration.