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Supplier evaluation and classification in a Colombian motorcycle assembly company using data envelopment analysis

Rodrigo Restrepo (WA Solutions, Medellín, Colombia)
Juan G. Villegas (Department of Industrial Engineering, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia)

Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración

ISSN: 1012-8255

Publication date: 3 June 2019

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study in which data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to evaluate and classify the suppliers of a Colombian motorcycle assembly company. This tool allows the integration of several attributes into single performance measures (cross-efficiency and diversity efficiency) and subsequent classification based on the values obtained for these two metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

The classification uses a methodology based on two main tools. The first is an input-oriented cross-efficiency DEA model with ordinal variables to evaluate the suppliers’ performance, and the second is a classification of these into categories that identifies those with good performance for features that make them outstanding.

Findings

The assembly company segments its suppliers according to supply frequency. The results show that suppliers working under a just-in-time system achieve superior performance with respect to other suppliers.

Practical implications

The application of this methodology in a real-world case illustrates how DEA can be a useful tool to support the evaluation and classification of suppliers (a process of increasing complexity given the current trend to include multiple strategic measures together with classical operational measures). Moreover, the methodology illustrated in the study can be adapted to other similar settings.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this paper are twofold. First, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to illustrate the use of DEA in a real case related to supplier evaluation. Second, the presence of ordinal variables (e.g. quality or environmental ratings) gives rise to DEA variants seldom used in this context.

Propósito

Este artículo presenta un caso de estudio en el que se utiliza análisis envolvente de datos (DEA) para evaluar y clasificar los proveedores de una ensambladora colombiana de motocicletas. Dicha herramienta permite integrar múltiples atributos en dos medidas de desempeño (eficiencia cruzada y de diversidad) y la posterior clasificación de éstos con base en los valores obtenidos para ambas medidas.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

La clasificación usa una metodología basada en dos herramientas. La primera es un modelo DEA de eficiencia cruzada orientado a las entradas con variables ordinales que se usa para evaluar el desempeño de los proveedores. La segunda es una clasificación de los proveedores en categorías para identificar aquellos con buen desempeño en algunas características que los hacen sobresalientes.

Resultados

La compañía segmenta sus proveedores de acuerdo con la frecuencia de abastecimiento. Los resultados muestran que los proveedores que operan bajo justo a tiempo (Just-in-time, JIT) tienen un desempeño superior con respecto a los demás proveedores.

Implicaciones prácticas

La aplicación de esta metodología en un caso real ilustra como DEA es una herramienta útil para apoyar la evaluación y clasificación de proveedores (un proceso de complejidad creciente gracias a la tendencia actual de incluir medidas estratégicas junto a las medidas operacionales comúnmente utilizadas). Además, la metodología utilizada puede adaptarse fácilmente a otras situaciones similares.

Originalidad/valor

Las contribuciones de este artículo son dos. Primero, hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer estudio que ilustra el uso de DEA en un caso real de evaluación de proveedores. Segundo, la presencia de variables ordinales (por ejemplo, evaluaciones de calidad y medioambiente) resultan en modelos DEA que son poco utilizados en este contexto.

Keywords

  • Data envelopment analysis
  • Cross-efficiency
  • Diversity analysis
  • Supplier evaluation and classification
  • Diversity efficiency
  • Análisis envolvente de datos
  • DEA
  • Evaluación y clasificación de proveedores
  • Eficiencia cruzada
  • Eficiencia de diversidad
  • Análisis de diversidad

Acknowledgements

This paper forms part of a special section “Production systems and supply chain management in Latin-America in association with the international conference on production research – Americas 2016”.

Citation

Restrepo, R. and Villegas, J.G. (2019), "Supplier evaluation and classification in a Colombian motorcycle assembly company using data envelopment analysis", Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 159-180. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARLA-04-2017-0107

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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