A Hybrid Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution Supplier Evaluation and Selection in the Food Processing Industry

Selecting suppliers plays an important role in improving efficiency of supply chains. In the field of extraction of vegetable oil, one of the main submaterials is hexane solvent. Choosing a supplier of hexane solvent is a multicriteria decision-making task that decision-makers must have an understanding of the quantitative and qualitative elements for assessing the symmetrical impact of the criteria to reach the most accurate result. In this paper, the authors suggest a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model for N-hexane solvent (C6H14) supplier evaluation and selection for vegetable oil production. All criteria affecting to the hexane solvent supplier evaluation and selection process are defined by experts. Then, a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) multicriteria comparative analysis method has been applied for determining the weight of all criteria. Finally, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was applied to select the optimal hexane solvent supplier. As a result, decision making unit 003 (DMU3) is the optimal supplier. The contribution of this research is to propose an MCDM model for hexane solvent supplier selection in the food industry. The work also proposed a useful guideline for supplier evaluation and selection processes in other industries.