Title: Reliability-based foreign supplier selection using fuzzy-AHP

Authors: Supawadee Jitrawichawet; Ahmad Sarfaraz; Kouroush Jenab

Addresses: Department of Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management, California State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8332, USA ' Department of Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management, California State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8332, USA ' Society of Reliability Engineering-Ottawa, 812-761 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Abstract: This paper is a guidance to help decision makers select an appropriate supplier with many criterions. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is often used for decision-making problems. It introduces 'fuzzy logic' which helps with the alternative comparisons for uncertainty and complexity problem. After providing the mathematical model to quantify the metrics of convertibility, a fuzzy-AHP model has been introduced to measure and analyse the importance of individual matrices. To solve the problem, the correct framework for calculation is required. Determine qualitative and quantitative factors are the most important step to provide the correct answer. This model will be used to explain to manager and stakeholder for the reason to select any supplier. A case study is presented to demonstrate the application of the model.

Keywords: foreign suppliers; fuzzy AHP; analytical hierarchy process; decision making; outsourcing; reliability; fuzzy logic; supplier selection; mathematical modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2013.054946

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2013 Vol.6 No.3, pp.245 - 262

Published online: 28 Nov 2013 *

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