ANP-MOORA-based approach for the analysis of selected issues of green supply chain management

A historical review and analysis on MOORA and its fuzzy extensions for different applications

Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods have been widely used among researchers to provide a trade-off solution between best and worst, considering conflicting criteria and sets of preferences. An efficient and systematic literature review of these methods is needed to maintain their application in distinctive domains. To this end, this paper presents a comprehensive and systematic literature survey on "multi-objective optimization by ratio analysis" (MOORA) method and its fuzzy extensions developed and discussed in recent years. This review includes articles categorized based on the publication name, publishing year, journal name, type of applications, and type of fuzzy extensions. In addition, this review will enhance the understanding of practitioners and decision-makers on the MOORA method, its development, fuzzy hybridization, different application areas, and future work. The study revealed that the MOORA technique was predominantly used with the TOPSIS approach, followed by the AHP and COPRAS methods. Furthermore, 76.28 % use single and hybridization approaches among all MOORA studies, while 23.72 % use MOORA in a fuzzy environment.

Barriers to circular economy implementation in designing of sustainable medical waste management systems using a new extended decision-making and FMEA models

The idea of the circular economy (CE) has gained prominence in the policies of the European Union (EU), commerce, and academic studies. Basically, CE is capable of achieving the best value and resolving many of the systemic challenges in the society and commerce of a country, thus leading to sustainable development and preventing irreparable damage to the environment. Medical waste management has proved a daunting challenge with the increase in the global population and the demand for medical services. Fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approaches try to cover the different and uncertain views of decision-makers (DMs). The present study suggests a novel strategy based on multi-objective optimization using the ratio analysis (MOORA) in the area of spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs) to counterbalance the disadvantages of the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) method, such as the lack of weight assignment for risk factors and consideration of uncertainty. In the proposed method, first, the barriers are identified using the FMEA method, and the risk factors are given values. Then, the barriers identified using MOORA are prioritized in the spherical fuzzy (SF) area. The computational procedure of the proposed methodology is established through a case study of the barriers to circular economy implementation in designing sustainable medical waste management systems problems under an SF environment. The proposed approach was compared with IF-MOORA and was found that the results are more reliable using the proposed method, also the ranking in the MOORA method was compared with the TOPSIS method in terms of degree of correlation.

Decision-making framework for supplier selection using an integrated MCDM approach in a lean-agile-resilient-green environment: evidence from Indian automotive sector

Purpose

Today, proficient practices are required to stimulate along various boundaries of the supply chain (SC) to exploit manufacturing resources economically, effectually and gracefully for retaining operational excellence. Accordingly, varieties of paramount practices, i.e. Lean, Agile, Resilient and Green practices, are integrated in present study with the objective to develop a Decision Support Framework (DSF) to select robust supplier under the extent of Lean-Agile-Resilient-Green (LARG) practices for a manufacturing firm. The framework is developed and validated in the Indian automotive sector, where the primary data is collected based on perceptions of the respondents working in an automotive company.

Design/methodology/approach

LARG metrics can ponder ecological balance, customer satisfaction, associations, effectiveness and sustainability and thus, the study consolidated LARG practices in one umbrella to develop a DSF. The analytical approach under DSF is developed by the integration AHP, DEMATEL, ANP, Extended MOORA and SAW techniques in present study to evaluate a robust supplier under the aegis of LARG practices in SC. DSF is developed by scrutinizing and categorizing LARG characteristics, where the selected LARG characteristics are handled by fuzzy sets theory to deal with the impreciseness and uncertainty in decision making.

Findings

The study has identified 63 measures (15 for Lean, 15 for Agile, 14 for resilient and 19 for Green) to support the robust supplier selection process for manufacturing firms. The findings of study explicate “Internal communication agility”, “Interchangeability to personnel resources”, “Manufacturing flexibility”, “degree of online solution”, “Quickness to resource up-gradation”, “Manageability to demand and supply change”, “Overstocking inventory practices” as significant metrics in ranking order. Additionally, “Transparency to share information”, “Internal communication agility”, “Manufacturing Flexibility”, “Green product (outgoing)” are found as influential metrics under LARG practices respectively.

Practical implications

A technical DSF to utilize by the managers is developed, which is connected with knowledge-based theory and a case of an automobile manufacturing firm is presented to illustrate its implementation. The companies can utilize presented DSF to impose service excellence, societal performance, agility and green surroundings in SC for achieving sustainable outcomes to be welcomed by the legislations, society and rivals. The framework represents an important decision support tool to enable managers to overcome imprecise SC information sources.

Originality/value

The study presented a proficient platform to review the most significant LARG alternative in the SC. The study suggested a cluster of LARG metrics to support operational improvement in manufacturing firms for shifting gear toward sustainable SC practices. The present study embraces its existence in enrolling a high extent of collaboration amongst clients, project teams and LARG practices to virtually eradicate the likelihood of absolute project failure.

The Effects of Subsidies on MSW Treatment Companies: Financial Performance and Policy Implications

Companies that provide public services usually receive subsidies from municipalities as compensation for replacing the latter in their functions as public service providers. However, the managers of those companies are not always interested in maintaining an economically sustainable company, as this implies turning off the tap on exploration subsidies. This article investigates the effect of subsidies on the financial performance of municipal solid waste collection and treatment companies for 2016–2020 and across NUTS II regions. The accounting data of 680 companies retrieved from the SABI database, make it possible to assess the economic sustainability of the companies through financial ratios and operational data. The results show that the financial structure and management of companies in the Centro, Lisbon, and the Azores allowed to take advantage of exploration subsidies to achieve economic sustainability. In the remaining regions these subsidies proved to be ineffective. These results have implications for managers and policy makers insofar as it sheds a light on the conditions under which subsidies contribute to the economical sustainability of companies in the sector.

Green supply chain management implementation: modeling the green supply chain practices (GSCPs)

Purpose

This study aims to identify and recognize the interrelationship between green supply chain practices (GSCPs) and analyze the effect of GSCPs on green supply chain management (GSCM) implementation on the premise of driving and dependence power of GSCPs.

Design/methodology/approach

This research identifies twenty GSCPs with the consultation of the team of industry practitioners and academicians. Interpretative structural modelling (ISM) is applied to develop the relationship between GSCPs, which gives the direct and indirect effects of each GSCPs. The result obtained from ISM is used as an input for Fuzzy matriced impacts croises multiplication appliquee a un classement (Fuzzy MICMAC) to identify the driving and dependence power of GSCPs.

Findings

An integrated model has been established using ISM and the Fuzzy MICMAC method to categorize the GSCPs. It reveals the direct and indirect effect of each GSCPs on the execution of GSCM. The result shows that driver GSCPs have deliberate importance because of their driving power and dependent GSCPs are more performance-oriented.

Research limitations/implications

ISM model and fuzzy MICMAC analysis depends on the judgment of the professional's team from a single industry. These opinions may be subjective judgments of the experts and any biasing may influence the final result.

Practical implications

This study gives significant guidance to industry practitioners and academicians. Industry practitioners need to concentrate on these most significant GSCPs for the successful implementation of GSCM. They must also plan for the growth of GSCM by concentrating on all GSCPs. On the other side, academicians may be motivated to categorize other issues which are essential for GSCPs.

Originality/value

In this research, an effort has been made to identify the significant GSCPs for GSCM implementation on a single platform. A huge literature is available on GSCPs, but none of the researchers paid attention to model these GSCPs using ISM and fuzzy MICMAC.

Green supply chain management pressures, practices and performance: a critical literature review

Purpose

The concept of green supply chain management (GSCM) is evolving rapidly due to the environmental concerns and gaining popularity in the research community. This study critically analyze the literature of GSCM pressure, practice and performance for manufacturing enterprises based on the results of bibliometric, network and frequency analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

Scopus database is used for literature search. Bibliometric network and frequency analysis are used to critically review the evolution of identified constructs and measures of GSCM pressure, practice and performance.

Findings

This study has identified that the selected topic is in growing stage through the collaborative effort of the worldwide researchers. This study also shows the diffusion of influence in developing countries and there are enormous opportunities of research in these regions. The study finds evaluation of GSCM constructs and measures with time and shift in focus areas by the researchers. The study suggests more focus on the measurement of informative pressures, reverse logistics practices and negative impact on economic performance due to the adoption of GSCM practices. There is a need of simultaneous analysis of GSCM pressures, practices and performance to identify the cascading effect in different regions and industrial sectors and developed a conceptual framework to identify this effect. This study also observes the need of more quantitative measures-based case studies and suggests the use of life cycle assessment for the quantification of environmental performance.

Originality/value

This study for the first time has analyzed a specific topic of GSCM pressure, practice and performance through bibliometric and network analyses. This study critically reviews the constructs and measures of GSCM pressure, practice and performance and identified the future research directions.

Outsourcing and reverse supply chain performance: a triple bottom line approach

Purpose

Outsourcing has become a strategic decision for most of the organizations in the present context of globalization and circular economy. The objective of proposed study is to empirically investigate the relationship between the outsourcing benefits and triple bottom line (TBL)-based performance of reverse supply chain (RSC) comprising of economic, environmental and social factors.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, the partial least square path approach of structural equation modeling has been applied for testing hypotheses. A questionnaire was developed for collecting the information and responses from the experts of electronics industry, India. Measurement models were tested for ensuring the fitness of data for further applying partial least square path approach of SEM.

Findings

The results provide insightful information on outsourcing and RSC performance. It reveals that outsourcing decisions are important and have great influence on the economic, environmental and social performance of RSC.

Research limitations/implications

The study will provide useful guidance to the organizations for outsourcing decisions. One of the limitations of the study is that it has considered data collected from the Indian electronics industry. Therefore, results may not be generalized.

Originality/value

The third-party service providers have core competencies, and they are the experts of providing RSC services. It is also apparent from the exploration of past research and theoretical background that there are limited number of studies focusing on the impact of outsourcing decisions in RSC performance specifically from the TBL perspective. Hence, the proposed study is an effort to explore the impact of outsourcing RSC activities on the performance of RSC from a sustainability perspective.

Environmental performance in manufacturing companies: a benchmarking study

Purpose

This study aims to explore manufacturing companies' environmental performance with the green supply chain management (GSCM) approach, taking into account company size, geographic region, industrial sector, target market and environmental management maturity level.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review, five propositions were put forward. An empirical study, using survey research, was completed. The survey questionnaire was designed with 46 items, using both the literature and industry expert input. Statistical analysis was employed to test the propositions in a sample of 116 Colombian manufacturing companies.

Findings

The test results indicate that significant environmental performance differences exist, given company sizes and target markets. However, no statistical significance was found involving the geographic region or industrial sector. Significant differences were found in maturity levels between the three clusters identified: reactive, preventive and proactive. Although the companies in the proactive group performed better, they still lagged in green practices that implied integration with suppliers and customers.

Practical implications

This study provides empirical evidence regarding the profile of those manufacturing companies that achieve better environmental performance. Moreover, the results yield insights for the generation of continuous improvement processes in companies with lower performance.

Originality/value

Few empirical studies have been carried out in GSCM that integrate specific factors in the environmental performance assessment of manufacturing companies in developing countries. On the other hand, the results permit the identification of the profile of those companies with greater maturity in their environmental practices.

Data-driven fleet management using MOORA: a perspective of risk management

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the best fleet for a new purchase based on multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio (MOORA), reference point and multi-MOORA methods. This study further identifies critical parameters for fleet performance monitoring and exploring optimum range of critical parameters using Monte Carlo simulation. At the end of this study, fleet maintenance management and operations have been discussed in the perspectives of risk management.

Design/methodology/approach

Fleet categories and fleet performance monitoring parameters have been identified using the literature survey and Delphi method. Further, real-time data has been analyzed using MOORA, reference point and multi-MOORA methods. Taguchi and full factorial design of experiment (DOE) are used to investigate critical parameters for fleet performance monitoring.

Findings

Fleet performance monitoring is done based on fuel consumption (FC), CO2 emission (CE), coolant temperature (CT), fleet rating, revenue generation (RG), fleet utilization, total weight and ambient temperature. MOORA, reference point and multi-MOORA methods suggested the common best alternative for a particular category of the fleet (compact, hatchback and sedan). FC and RG are the critical parameters for monitoring the fleet performance.

Research limitations/implications

The geographical aspects have not been considered for this study.

Practical implications

A pilot run of 300 fleets shows saving of Rs. 2,611,013/- (US$36,264.065), which comprises total maintenance cost [Rs. 1,749,033/- (US$24,292.125)] and FC cost [Rs. 861,980/- (US$11,971.94)] annually.

Social implications

Reduction in CE (4.83%) creates a positive impact on human health. The reduction in the breakdown maintenance of fleet improves the reliability of fleet services.

Originality/value

This study investigates the most useful parameters for fleet management are FC, CE, CT. Taguchi DOE and full factorial DOE have identified FC and RG as a most critical parameters for fleet health/performance monitoring.

An integrated framework for the assessment of inbound supply risk and prioritization of the risk drivers

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for identifying various inbound supply-risk factors and analyzing its indicators considering the contextual relationship between them. This study additionally proposes a framework for developing an overall inbound supply-risk score considering a real-life case of the electronics supply chain (ESC) in the Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 32 risk indicators are identified by a systematic literature review approach and are validated by supply chain practitioners/experts and further categorized into six main risk factors. A hybrid multi-criteria decision-making-based DANP (DEMATEL and ANP) framework is employed to develop the overall inbound-supply-risk score (ISRS) and to prioritize the risk indicators. Indian ESC is chosen as a viable case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.

Findings

The outcomes from the study reveal that the overall ISRS in the ESC is 36 percent and additionally forewarns critical inbound-supply-risk factors such as supplier performance, product, and buyer organization. Further, the study also identifies the most significant risk indicators such as price margin, investment, on-time delivery, order fulfillment and design changes for ESC.

Research limitations/implications

Supply chain practitioners can adopt this framework as a useful inbound supply-risk assessment tool. Moreover, the hybrid framework will address subjectivity and interrelations among various factors through experts’ judgments. The results will assist the managers to have better insights on the critical risk factors and their complicated interrelationships and further strategize action plans to nullify the impact of incoming risks. This study mainly focused on risk identification and assessment of electronics inbound-supply-risk indicators in the Indian context. The framework can be used for other manufacturing and service industries, albeit the results derived are in the context of a developing country.

Originality/value

This paper provides an effective risk assessment framework for the supply chain practitioners/managers to develop a decision-support system for inbound-supply-risk quantification and prioritization of risk factors in the context of the ESC.

Developing integrated framework to measure performance of green supply chain management

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore green supply chain management (GSCM) performance measures and to develop a framework for evaluating the impact of GSCM implementation on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research develops a performance measurement framework by integrating GSCM enabler with GSCM performance measures criteria. These criteria are selected from literature review and expert opinion. This study proposes a fuzzy balanced scorecard – fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution-based methodology to evaluate the overall organizational performance. The empirical case study of an Indian automobile organization is conducted. Further, the proposed framework is tested with three Indian Automobile organizations and their results are compared with the case organization.

Findings

The integrated methodology offers an effective way to measure and benchmark the impact of the proposed GSCM performance measurement framework. The empirical results show that the output of the proposed model is consistent. Thus, the study contributes to the advancement of knowledge toward GSCM and its management for sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the automotive sector; hence the outcomes may not be comprehensively applicable across different sectors. The results cannot be applied to other sectors with other product and process specificities.

Practical implications

It helps the practitioners to measure and improve the effectiveness of GSCM implementation.

Originality/value

This study is the generalized performance measurement framework and can be used to measure the performance for any type of organizations to benchmark one organization with the other or the group of organizations.

A Hybrid Decision-Making Approach for the Service and Financial-Based Measurement of Universal Health Coverage for the E7 Economies

The aim of this study is to measure universal health coverage in Emerging 7 (E7) economies. Within this framework, five different dimensions and 14 different criteria are selected by considering the explanations of World Health Organization and United Nations regarding universal health coverage. While weighting the dimensions and criteria, the Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) is considered with the triangular fuzzy numbers. Additionally, Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) approach is used to rank E7 economies regarding Universal Health Coverage (UHC) performance. The novelty of this study is that both service and financial based factors are taken into consideration at the same time. Additionally, fuzzy DEMATEL and MOORA methodologies are firstly used in this study with respect to the evaluation of universal health coverage. The findings show that catastrophic out of pocket health spending, pushed below an international poverty line and annual growth rate of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita are the most significant criteria for universal health coverage performance. Moreover, it is also concluded that Russia is the country that has the highest universal health coverage performance whereas China, India and Brazil are in the last ranks. It can be understood that macroeconomic conditions play a very significant role on the performance of universal health coverage. Hence, economic conditions should be improved in these countries to have better universal health coverage performance. Furthermore, it is necessary to establish programs that provide exemptions or lower out-of-pocket expenditures which will not prevent the use of health services. This situation can protect people against the financial risks related to health expenditures. In addition to them, it is also obvious that high population has also negative influence on the countries such as, China and India. It indicates that it would be appropriate for these countries to make population planning for this purpose.

The distribution strategy selection for an e-tailer using a hybrid DANP VIKOR MCDM model

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to evaluate distribution strategies for an e-tailer. An application of MCDM method, the hybrid DANP–VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) model, is used for e-tailers’ distribution strategy evaluation. The choice of distribution strategies under various dimensions is evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a hybrid MCDM model to solve the decision-making framework, which combines Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), DEMATEL-based analytic network process and VIKOR method. Data were collected from the experts (e-tail manager, logistics manager, operations manager and distribution center (DC) manager) using two questionnaires, first for the influential relationship among the criteria and dimensions and second for a performance rating of each alternative (distribution strategies) against each criterion.

Findings

DANP with VIKOR method prioritizes the distribution strategies in the following order: DC shipment, drop shipment, click and collect, store shipment and click and reserve. Performance gap was calculated based on the VIKOR method to provide distribution strategies to an e-tailer under different situations. The authors infer that in developing country, product characteristics and transportation have a major influence on deciding the distribution strategy.

Practical implications

Decision-making framework will provide e-tail mangers a knowledge-based understanding to select the distribution strategy under the different situations related to the performance, product, e-tailer and external characteristics for smooth order fulfillment process. The insights developed by this research provide a framework for rational decision making in distribution strategy selection in e-business.

Originality/value

This is the first kind of a study which offers a decision framework for e-tail managers on how to choose distribution strategies under different situations which are related to the performance, product, e-tailer and external characteristics.

Importance of innovation and flexibility in configuring supply network sustainability

Purpose

The alignment of procurement strategy with overall business strategy is important for superior firm performance. It is also essential for firms’ purchasing structure to fit the purchasing strategy whether it is cost reduction; value analysis and/or improving delivery and increasing flexibility for achieving superior purchasing performance. The purpose of this paper is to scientifically examine the influence of organization culture (OC), green supplier development (GSD), supplier relationship management, flexibility and innovation on sustainability in supply network (SSN) under the moderation effect of institutional pressures and resources availability.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is grounded by integrating institutional theory (IT) and resource-based view (RBV) theory. The study empirically tests the conceptual model through survey data gathered from 175 respondents in the KwaZulu-Natal province of Southern Africa using structural equation modeling which is a multivariate data analysis technique that permits to simultaneously examine many relationships among manifest and latent variables.

Findings

It was found that OC plays a crucial role in shaping the workforce behavior and responsible for enhancing GSDs and building good relationship with suppliers which ultimately results into increased flexibility and innovativeness. Coercive pressures (CPs) play a moderating role between the causal relationship of innovation and SSN. Therefore, CPs have got the ability to amplify or reverse the effect between innovation and SSNs.

Research limitations/implications

The study suffers from few limitations. First, the study is restricted to one particular province in South Africa. Second, cross-sectional data were used for testing of model in the research study.

Practical implications

The findings are of great importance for both the researchers and supply chain practitioners. Supply chain practitioners may use this knowledge for benchmarking the supply network configuration process and continuously improve the process. The tested model actually shows the mechanism for enhancing SSNs. In today’s dynamic and uncertain business environment, all firms in the supply network aims to minimize risks and maximize profitability. The findings show that CPs play a moderating effect on the relationship between innovation and SSN. Whenever government authorities and institutions pressurize firms for minimizing pollution levels, we see a trend of increased innovations in the form of new product developments, usage of eco-friendly raw material and application of eco-friendly technology which ultimately minimizes the carbon footprint. Through such initiatives steel and engineering firms conform to the government norms and regulations. However, innovations are possible through collaboration with specialist suppliers and sub-suppliers by adopting a common standard across the supply network. Through this overall process of innovation, the focal firm and sub-suppliers linked in the network will benefit and ultimately achieve a competitive edge. Therefore, firms can experience multiple benefits in terms of lower development costs, lower project cycle completion time, improvement in design for re-manufacturability, low downtime, low supply risks, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and, ultimately, sustainable development.

Originality/value

The study is unique from dual perspective – both in terms of scope and contribution to supply chain management literature. First, the study integrates flexibility and innovation to study the impact on SSNs. Second, it integrates both IT and RBV theory of firm to test the moderation effect and the findings further opens up window for future research.