A decision support model for subcontractor selection using a hybrid approach of QFD and AHP-improved grey correlation analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a subcontractor selection model to fully consider the impact of construction enterprise demands on subcontractor selection. The objectives are to understand the translating process of specific enterprise demands to the evaluating criteria and the weight calculation process.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-stage model of subcontractor selection was designed based on quality function deployment (QFD), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and improved grey correlation analysis (IGCA). In the proposed model, specific enterprise demands are translated by the QFD method, and the weights of the criteria are determined by the IGCA. The AHP is used to quantify the exporters' experience and construct the judgment matrix, which is used as inputting of the grey correlation analysis.

Findings

The proposed model provides a feasible process for subcontractor selection by fully considering the actual requirements of the project. By combining the company requirements and project requirement to put forward the requirements of the target subcontractor, the selection process ensures that the selected subcontractor and the project have a higher “fit”

Originality/value

Few researches on construction subcontractor selection have taken into account the “voice” of the company's stakeholders. Therefore, this paper designs a three-stage construction subcontractor selection model by introducing QFD to achieve the transmission of “voice” in the subcontractor selection process, so as to take full consideration of the project objectives and the needs of the company's stakeholders. Meanwhile, in order to decrease the subjective of weight calculation, this paper designs an AHP-IGCA allocation method to determine the weight of relevant indicators. By integrating the proposed weight calculation method and QFD method, the subcontractor selection results become more reasonable and objective.

Citation

Chen, X., Ding, Y., Cory, C.A., Hu, Y., Wu, K.-J. and Feng, X. (2021), "A decision support model for subcontractor selection using a hybrid approach of QFD and AHP-improved grey correlation analysis", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 1780-1806. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-12-2019-0715