Fuzzy Axiomatic Design approach based green supplier selection: a case study from Singapore

A significant way to implement responsible GSCM is to reconsider, in innovative ways, the purchase and supply cycle, and a preliminary step would be to ensure that the supplier of goods successfully incorporates green criteria. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach called Fuzzy Axiomatic Design (FAD) to select the best green supplier for Singapore-based plastic manufacturing company. At first, the environmental criteria was developed along with the traditional criteria based on the literature review and company requirements. Next, the FAD methodology evaluates the requirements of both the manufacturer (design needs) and the supplier (functional needs), and because multiple criteria must be considered, a multi-objective optimization model of a fuzzy nature must be developed. The application of the proposed approach in the case company has been illustrated and the result of this study helps firm to establish the systematic approach to select the best green supplier within the set of criteria. When the proposed methodology is applied, it allows not only to select the most appropriate green supplier but also helps to analyse most appropriate alternative supplier which shows the great difference when compared to the other approaches. Finally, the managerial implication, conclusions of the study is discussed.