Analyzing supplier development program enablers using fuzzy DEMATEL
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify, quantify and establish relationship (i.e. cause and effect) among various supplier development program enablers (SDPEs) in a specific manufacturing environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed methodology runs into four phases, i.e. defining supplier development program (SDP) environment, identifying relevant SDPEs, collecting experts’ qualitative opinions regarding SDPEs and analyzing the SDPEs using Fuzzy DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory). The fourth phase is programmed using Matlab 7.10.0 (R2010a). The proposed methodology is implemented in an Indian manufacturing company and the results are analyzed to provide directions for the company while implementing SDPs.
Findings
The proposed methodology leads to the ranking of SDPEs, classification of SDPEs into cause and effect groups and establishment of interactions for each SDPE using impact relationship map. Of the 20 SDPEs considered in the analysis, “top management commitment” and “mutual visits by competent personnel from both sides” are the two most important SDPEs for implementing SDP in an Indian manufacturing company taken as a case study. The outcomes are verified by consulting the said company’s experts and their validity is confirmed.
Research limitations/implications
Because the results obtained are specific to a manufacturing environment, they cannot be generalized. However, the proposed approach can be adopted for analyzing SDPEs in any manufacturing environment, provided the set of SDPEs is selected considering its priorities.
Practical implications
The proposed methodology will identify the SDPEs to be managed for successful implementation of SDPs.
Originality/value
The proposed methodology has the capability to rank the SDPEs and their interrelationships. This will definitely help supply chain managers to precisely choose and manipulate the SDPEs for successful implementation of SDP.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are immensely grateful and appreciate the anonymous referees for their invaluable comments. Authors also would like to express deep sense of gratitude and acknowledge the financial support received from the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India [Research Project No. 42-892/2013 (SR)] for carrying out the current research.
Citation
Routroy, S. and Sunil Kumar, C.V. (2014), "Analyzing supplier development program enablers using fuzzy DEMATEL", Measuring Business Excellence, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-08-2013-0046
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited