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. 2022 Sep;29(44):66979-67001.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-20214-0. Epub 2022 May 5.

An integrated multi-criteria decision-making approach to optimize the number of leagile-sustainable suppliers in supply chains

Saeid Sadeghi Darvazeh  1 , Farzaneh Mansoori Mooseloo  2 , Hadi Rezaei Vandchali  3 , Hana Tomaskova  4 , Erfan Babaee Tirkolaee  5
Affiliations

An integrated multi-criteria decision-making approach to optimize the number of leagile-sustainable suppliers in supply chains

Saeid Sadeghi Darvazeh et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Sep.

Erratum in

Abstract

Global supply chains are increasingly becoming complex by having numerous suppliers around the world. To manage this complexity, organizations must identify the optimum number of suppliers. There have been many examples in the literature that used different approaches to solve this problem. Despite the importance of this issue, less attention has been paid to it and managers of the companies do not know how, and based on which approach and criteria, they should determine the optimal number of suppliers which leads to lower cost and higher reliability of the production line. Therefore, in this study, a hybrid methodology is proposed to expose the process of this problem which helps managers to learn how they can determine the optimal number of suppliers. We address this gap by developing an integrated approach based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) comprising best-worst method (BWM), simple additive weighting (SAW), and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and simulation to determine the optimal number of suppliers. This study utilizes a comprehensive approach based on leagile and environmentally sustainable criteria to determine the optimal number of suppliers. To examine the efficiency of the proposed approach, an empirical case study is conducted in an Iranian oil company. The final results represent that the scenario with a 1-1-1 arrangement (one supplier for each type of equipment) is the best possible scenario to determine the optimal number of leagile-sustainable suppliers. To examine the reliability and robustness of the obtained results, a sensitivity analysis based on the three most important criteria is conducted. Finally, discussions on the findings as well as theoretical and managerial implications are presented.

Keywords: BWM; Leagile-sustainable suppliers; Optimal number of suppliers; SAW; Supply chain management; TOPSIS.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Framework and steps of research implementation
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Diagram of the problem to optimize the number of suppliers
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Ranking of scenarios based on SAW, TOPSIS, and integrated approach
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Sensitivity analysis based on the ability and willingness to meet the environmental standards (SAW)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Sensitivity analysis based on the ability and willingness to meet the environmental standards (TOPSIS)
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Sensitivity analysis based on the MTTFDs (SAW)
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Sensitivity analysis based on the MTTFDs (TOPSIS)
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Sensitivity analysis based on the TC (SAW)
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Sensitivity analysis based on the TC (TOPSIS)
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