Title: Waste reduction in lean supply chain of plants industry with spherical fuzzy-AHP method: a case of Iran

Authors: Nassibeh Janatyan; Pooyan Meraji Hamedani

Addresses: Faculty of Administrative Science and Economics, Quality Management Research Group, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746, Iran ' Faculty of Management and Innovation, Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani University, Isfahan, 81799, Iran

Abstract: This study sought to identify different types of wastes during the plants' supply chain and to prioritise them using Spherical Fuzzy-AHP. This method considers the uncertainty of experts' judgements and helps the managers of the plant's industry to improve the performance through waste reduction in this supply chain. The proposed method was applied in the plant supply chain (PSC) of Isfahan province in Iran. The results of this study showed five types of waste in PSC. Finally, with respect to criteria of time, cost and quality, most important waste in PSC was identified. Defects in performing activities in wholesale and retail cold transport achieved the first rank through the Spherical Fuzzy-AHP in this case. The main assumption of this research is the independence of alternatives and criteria for using spherical fuzzy-AHP (SF-AHP).

Keywords: plants' supply chain management; PSCM; lean supply chain management; waste; group decision making; spherical fuzzy-AHP; SF-AHP; spherical fuzzy-AHP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVCM.2026.153334

International Journal of Value Chain Management, 2026 Vol.15 No.3, pp.294 - 317

Received: 28 Jan 2024
Accepted: 03 Nov 2024
Published online: 01 May 2026 *

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