Title: Supplier selection in blood bags manufacturing industry using TOPSIS model

Authors: V.G. Venkatesh; Rameshwar Dubey; Paul Joy; Milan Thomas; V. Vijeesh; Anshad Moosa

Addresses: Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Constituent of Symbiosis International University, Bangalore, 95/1, 95/2, Electronics City, Phase-1, Hosur Road, Bengaluru-560100, India ' Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Constituent of Symbiosis International University, Plot No. A-23, Shravan Sector, CIDCO, New Nashik-422008, India ' Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Constituent of Symbiosis International University, Plot No. A-23, Shravan Sector, CIDCO, New Nashik-422008, India ' Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Constituent of Symbiosis International University, Plot No. A-23, Shravan Sector, CIDCO, New Nashik-422008, India ' Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Constituent of Symbiosis International University, Plot No. A-23, Shravan Sector, CIDCO, New Nashik-422008, India ' Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Constituent of Symbiosis International University, Plot No. A-23, Shravan Sector, CIDCO, New Nashik-422008, India

Abstract: The purpose of our paper is to select best suppliers for blood bags using TOPSIS tool. In our study, we have recognised the importance of blood bag suppliers who are critical to healthcare industry. We have developed a framework on the basis of criteria identified through literature review and expert opinion. In our study, we have used multi criteria decision making (MCDM) tool to select suppliers which are supported by various scholars, when decision is based on subjective and objective criteria. In our study, we propose a fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS approach to support such an assessment. It enables decision makers in health industry to better understand the complete evaluation process and provide a more accurate, effective and systematic decision support tool.

Keywords: supplier selection; fuzzy TOPSIS; blood bags; blood bag manufacturing; healthcare industry; multicriteria decision making; MCDM; blood bag suppliers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOR.2015.072725

International Journal of Operational Research, 2015 Vol.24 No.4, pp.461 - 488

Received: 05 Sep 2013
Accepted: 05 Dec 2013
Published online: 28 Oct 2015 *

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