TOPSIS in an environment of inaccurate linguistic terms for the selection of suppliers

Abstract

The selection of suppliers is a critical problem in the field of the supply chain. Likewise, the selection of suppliers is considered as a multi-criteria decision-making problem (MCDM). Likewise, the literature reviewed indicates that various MCDM methods have been developed, including hybridizations with these methods in order to propose a robust solution. However, there is a latent problem to manipulate the uncertainty related to the preferences of the decision makers. . In this sense, to address the problem of uncertainty commonly involved in the problems of MCDM, the use of fuzzy sets is raised, particularly this uncertainty is related to the evaluations of the criteria and alternatives. Thus, in order to deal with the uncertainty mentioned above, the present work documents the use of the order technique of preference for similarity with the ideal solution TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution, for its acronym in English ) in an environment of inaccurate linguistic terms for the selection of suppliers. In addition, an experimental case is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method where four providers are evaluated, six key criteria for evaluation are considered and the rating assigned by five experts is considered to select the option farthest from the ideal negative solution.

Keywords: Multi-criteria, Suppliers, Fuzzy, Manufacturing 4.0.