Thesis
Developing sustainable circular supplier selection model using FUZZY DEMATEL technique
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2025
- Thesis identifier
- T17192
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201770275
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- In the present time, sustainability and the circular economy (CE) have emerged as predominant concepts within the context of contemporary industrialization and the management of supply chains, primarily in response to issues such as global warming, economic ramifications, and increased social awareness. Within this emerging, the adoption of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) and circular supply chain management (CSCM) practices is imperative for the advancement of Sustainable Development. One notable distinction between CSCM and traditional SSCM is that CSCM, with its focus on restoration and regenerative perspectives, embraces a zero-waste approach that enables the recycle of value not only within the initial supply chains but also throughout diverse supply chains through collaborations with companies operating within the same industry sector or across different sectors. The literature elucidates that a crucial approach to operationalise SSCM and CSCM revolves around guaranteeing that suppliers effectively integrate sustainable and circular practices. While a considerable number of academics focus on sustainable supplier selection, there is a scarcity of scholarly attention towards circular supplier selection. Accordingly, this research aims to develop, for the first time, a Sustainable Circular Supplier Selection Model (SCSS Model) considering economic, environmental, social, and circular dimensions. The proposed model assists firms in supplier assessment within sustainability and CE frameworks, enhancing supply chain efficiency towards sustainability and CE. Additionally, a novel criterion within the circular dimension, namely "Reverse Logistics Agreement," was introduced in this research for the first instance in scholarly literature. The SCSS Model proposed in this study was developed through a comprehensive review of existing literature and insights gathered from experts in the industry. Prior to formulating the model, a survey questionnaire was employed to assess the importance and practical applicability of 26 criteria incorporated in the proposed SCSS Model, based on the perspectives of experts across diverse sectors. The questionnaire data was analysed through the application of the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Mann-Whitney U-test, whereas validation of its reliability and accuracy was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha. Based on the findings, four criteria were eliminated, with only 22 criteria considered adequately integrated into the proposed SCSS Model. To establish the interdependence relationships among the criteria of the proposed SCSS Model, the FUZZY-Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (FUZZY-DEMATEL) technique, which is categorized as a Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method, was employed. A panel of 20 experts was used for a pairwise comparison to conduct FUZZY-DEMATEL, which assessed the impact of the effective criteria. The evaluation of criteria interdependence conducted through the application of the FUZZY-DEMATEL technique aimed to develop a cause-and-effect diagram. In the cause-and-effect diagram, the criteria are divided into four quadrants according to their relation and prominence values. The results showed that the criterion “Environmental Mgt. Systems” has the greatest influence among the sustainable circular supplier selection criteria. Additionally, the results indicate that the criteria GHG emissions ENV5, Air pollution resulting from recycling process, Clean technology for recycling, Occupational Health & Safety, Respecting environmental standards and regulations in the process of recycling, Training Related Carbon, and Green Technology are also having great influence on the other sustainable circular criteria. These criteria are positioned in the first quadrant of the cause-and-effect diagram, thereby they are the core criteria in the process of sustainable circular supplier selection. The research conducted action research study with two industrial companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to carry out the proposed SCSS Model and assess its practicality. The action research was centered around a cycle consisting of six primary steps: Data collection, Data feedback, Data analysis, Action Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. The novelty of this research is developing, for the first time, a SCSS Model using FUZZYDEMATEL considering four dimensions: Economic, Environment, Social, and Circular. This research will be of interest to supply chain managers, procurement managers, and industrial companies. Also, researchers who are working in the field of supply chain management and industrial engineering management. The proposed model will aid practitioners in enhancing the performance of their companies' sustainable and circular supply chains, thereby contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Regarding SDG 8, the SCSS Model incorporates sustainable principles that target ethical labor practices and the assurance of safe working conditions by suppliers, thereby fostering decent work. Furthermore, since the CE principles promote repair, reuse, and remanufacturing, they lead to the creation of potential job opportunities. Furthermore, when suppliers prioritise resource efficiency and waste reduction, it can contribute to operational enhancements, leading to reduced costs, increased productivity, and ultimately improved economic competitiveness. Concerning SDG 12, the integration of CE principles within the SCSS Model prompts suppliers to engage in resource efficiency, material recycling and waste reduction, thereby mitigating the environmental consequences and fostering responsible consumption and production. Furthermore, CE principles encourage suppliers to develop their products with a focus on increased longevity, thereby prolonging the product lifecycle and fostering sustainable consumption actions. Furthermore, selecting suppliers based on their environmental practices in accordance with the sustainable criteria of the SCSS Model helps in decreasing pollution, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing water usage. This, in turn, contributes to sustainable production, leading to responsible production and consumption.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Wong, Andy
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
Items
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Visibility | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
PDF of thesis T17192 | 2025-03-04 | Public | Download |