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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Today, industrial revolutions demands advanced technologies, means, mediums, tactics and so forth for optimizing their operating behavior and opportunities. It is probed that the effectual results can be seized into system by not only developing advance means and technologies, but also capably adapting these developed technologies, their user interface and their utilization at optimum levels. Today, industrial resources need perfect synchronization and optimization for getting elevated results. Accordingly, present study is furnished with the purpose to expose quality-driven insights to march toward excellence by optimizing existing resources by the industrial organizations. The present study evaluates quality attributes of mechanical machineries for seizing performance opportunities and maintaining competitiveness via synchronizing and reconfiguring firm's resources under quality management system. Design/methodology/approach: In the present study, Kano's integrated approach is implemented for supporting decision rational concerning industrial assets. The integrative Kano–analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach is used to reflect the relative importance of quality attributes. Kano and AHP tactics are integrated to define global relative weight and their computational medium is adapted along with ratio analysis, reference point theory and TOPSIS technique for understanding robust decision. The study described an interesting idea for underpinning quality attributes for benchmarking system substitutes. A machine tool selection case is discussed to disclose the significant aspect of decision-making and its virtual qualities. Findings: The decision executives can realize massive benefits by streaming quality data, advanced information, technological advancements, optimum analysis and by identifying quality measures and disruptions for gaining performance deeds. The study determined quality measures for benchmarking machine tool substitute for industrial applications. Momentous machine alternatives are evaluated by means of technical structure, dominance theory and comparative analysis for supporting decision-making of industrial assets based on optimization and synchronization. Research limitations/implications: The study linked financial, managerial and production resources under sole platform to present a technical structure that may assist in improving the performance of the manufacturing firms. The study provides a decision support mechanism to assist in reviewing the momentous resources to imitate a higher level of productive strength toward the manufacturing firms. The study endeavors its importance toward optimizing resources, which is an evident requirement in industries as the same not only saves money, escalates production, improves profit margins and so forth, but also gratifies the consumption of scarce natural resources. Originality/value: The study stressed that advance information can be sought from system characteristics in the form of quality measures and attributes, which can be molded for gaining elevated outcomes from existing system characteristics. The same demands decision supports tools and frameworks to utilize data-driven information for benchmarking operations and supply chain activities. The study portrayed an approach for ease of utilizing data-driven information by the decision-makers for demonstrating superior outcomes. The study originally conceptualized multi-attributes appraisement framework associated with subjective cum objective quality measures to evaluate the most significant machine tool choice amongst preferred alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the presented research work, the authors fabricated the multiple MS plate (Grade: IS 2062) specimens and applied a novel integrated computational TRIFMRG approach with grey relational analysis (GRA) toward solving weld bead optimization problem in MIG welding procedure. The objective of research is to determine the optimum setting between MIG welding input process parameters, e.g. welding current, open circuit voltage and thickness of plate in attaining high tensile strength with weld bead geometry quality characteristics, e.g. bead width, reinforcement, penetration and dilution in investigating define MS specimens. Design/methodology/approach: The Taguchi's L9 orthogonal array (OA) design is respected to conduct the experiments on MS plate specimens to attain output objectives. Later, the evaluated multiple output objectives are transformed into single response by applying a novel integrated computational TRIFMRG approach with GRA. Thereafter, the outset of signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) accompanied by ANOVA (Analysis of variance) is explored to optimize objective function. Findings: The computed results are confirmed by conducting the experiments on same identical specimens. The outcome of the confirmation tests yielded an improvement of 0.24454, 0.372486, 0.686635 and 0.4106846 in grey relational grade (GRG), overall ratio index, reference grade and full multiplicative index, respectively, after validating the results. Originality/value: In the presented work, the authors constructed a novel integrated computational TRIFMRG approach via clustering GRA, overall ratio index (ORI), full multiplicative index (FMI) with GRA-reference grade (RG) and tested as well as applied with Taguchi concept to attain objective of the research work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In the rapidly changing business environment, companies must align with suppliers to streamline operations, as well as working together to achieve a level of agility beyond individual companies (Lin et al., 2006). Today’s more dynamic business environment increases the need for greater agility in supply chains, which increases both the importance and frequency of supplier/partner evaluation and benchmarking decision making. The purpose of this paper is to develop a multiple criterion appraisement index (model/module) for supplier/partner alternative firm benchmarking perspective under similar agile supply chain architecture. Design/methodology/approach – In this reporting, evaluation information against subjectivity (uncertain environment) indices has been transformed mathematical dimensionless numbers by fuzzy-based computation module. A new interval-valued fuzzy number set conjunction with modified “technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution” methodology has been explored from benchmarking (ranking order of firm under similar criterion) point of view of supplier firms. Findings – In this context, a novel “fuzzy mathematical equation” has been developed in perceptive to compute the priority weights and appropriateness ratings of first-level measures which reduced the acquisition of supplementary priority weights and appropriateness ratings assessment in linguistic terms from group decision makers (DMs) for first-level indices. An empirical case study has been carried to ranking order the candidate partner/supplier alternative via collective index (CI) value. Lower value of “CI” reflected higher degree of performance extent. The authors found out the effectiveness and validity of proposed methodology for constructed appraisement module. Originality/value – This research work shall be valuable for that organization which volunteer to obtain the ranking order of partner/supplier alternative (benchmark) under similar agile supply chain architecture in accordance to group DMs’ comprehensive information for select best one supplier for own firm. In this reporting, a novel fuzzy mathematical equation has been developed in order to compute the important weights as well as priority rating of first-level indices/measure which reduced the supplementary important weights and priority rating assessment from group DMs in linguistic terms in order to obtain the measures rating and weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- In today's' highly competitive market, outsourcing logistic activities have become a global trend as it offers wide range of services including transportation, distribution, packaging, labeling, warehousing, freight forwarding and order fulfillment. The demand of third-party logistics (3PL) provider becomes an increasingly important issue for corporate seeking improved customer service, operational efficiency, logistics costs as well as capital expenditure reduction. However, choosing a proper 3PL provider is a kind of multi-criteria decision making problem under consideration of complicated criteria hierarchy. Therefore, it seems necessary to develop an efficient appraisement module towards performance evaluation as well as selecting the best 3PL provider. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach -- The present paper proposes a fuzzy based appraisement platform for evaluation and selection of 3PL providers. The theory behind interval-valued fuzzy numbers (IVFNs) has been utilized to aid the said decision-modeling. Based on two appraisement modules for 3PL evaluation; empirical data have been analyzed to validate case application. Findings -- The proposed method has been found efficient for solving the group decision-making problem under uncertain environment due to vagueness, ambiguity associated with decision-makers' subjective judgment. The proposed appraisement platform has been explored by an Indian automobile part manufacturing company at eastern part of India. 3PL providers have been evaluated individually to check their performance level with respect to various evaluation attributes. Apart from estimating overall performance metric, the model presented here can identify ill-performing areas which necessitate future attention. Originality/value -- The major contributions of this work have been summarized as follows: First, development and implementation of an efficient decision-making procedural hierarchy to support 3PL evaluation and selection. Second, an overall performance metric has been introduced. Third, concept of IVFNs has been efficiently explored to facilitate such a appraisement cum selection decision making. Final, the appraisement index system has been extended with the capability to search ill-performing areas which require future progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In recent years, stimulated environmental awareness (green consciousness) has favored the emergence of the green supply chain paradigm. Therefore, apart from traditional supplier selection criterions, green criteria are necessarily to be incorporated in the supplier selection problem. In this context, the present study aims to highlight an efficient supplier appraisement platform by considering green performance criteria, in fuzzy environment. Design/methodology/approach – The present work exhibits an efficient fuzzy-based supplier performance assessment system using generalized trapezoidal fuzzy numbers set. A fuzzy overall evaluation index has been estimated towards assessing suppliers' green performance extent, thus facilitating supplier appraisement cum selection decision-making. Findings – The proposed method has been found efficient for solving the group decision-making problem under uncertain environment due to vagueness, ambiguity associated with decision-makers' subjective judgment. The proposed appraisement platform has been explored by an Indian automobile part manufacturing company at eastern part of India. Suppliers have been evaluated individually to check their performance level with respect to green attributes. Apart from estimating overall performance metric, the model presented here can identify ill-performing areas that necessitate future attention. Originality/value – The major contributions of this work have been summarized as follows: Development and implementation of an efficient decision-making procedural hierarchy to support suppliers' green performance extent evaluation. An overall performance metric has been introduced. Concept of generalized trapezoidal fuzzy numbers has been efficiently explored to facilitate such an appraisement cum selection decision-making. The appraisement index system has been extended with the capability to search ill-performing areas that require future progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The primitive purpose of this manuscript is to develop an effective and efficient computer numerical control (CNC) machine tool evaluation index from the perspective of appraisal and benchmarking of preferred candidate machine tool in subjective information scenario. In this reporting, manager has been facilitated from the decision making tool and methodology in order to evaluate the best one and benchmarking the preferred candidate alternative machine tool under the subjective criterion circumstances. Design/methodology/approach – A MULTI-MOORA (multi-objective optimization by ratio analysis) methodology conjunction with grey number has fruitfully applied in evaluated subjective information against criterion module plate form from the prospectus of handling the vagueness, inconsistency, impreciseness and in order to appraisal and benchmarking of the candidate CNC machine tool alternatives. Findings – In today scenario, the subjective evaluation criterion has even ran over the CNC machine tool evaluation module (index) except other valuable area on account of an abatement of consistent data. The authors found out the subjective information is even necessary/mandatory to handling and tackle such an inconsistent, vagueness, impreciseness which associated uncertain criterion. So, the authors found out that the application of grey number conjunction with MULTI-MOORA decision methodology from the prospectus of appraisal and benchmarking of preferred candidate alternatives machine tool. Originality/value – The major contribution of this manuscript to exploration of grey number set conjunction with MULTI-MOORA methodology toward appraisal and benchmarking of preferred CNC candidate machine tool alternative, handled and tackled the evaluated subjective information from expert panel against subjective criterion environment, facilitates the multi-criterion decision making (MCDM) module from the prospectus of best one and ranking order the candidate machine tool alternative under the similar subjective criterion circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to develop an efficient measurement index evaluation system towards assessing suppliers' green performance practices. Apart from estimating overall performance index, the paper also aims to highlight application of decision-support tools for selection of appropriate candidate supplier in green supply chain management context. Design/methodology/approach – In order to tackle incompleteness and imprecision arising from assigning appropriateness rating as well as priority weights against subjective performance criteria-attributes, use of grey numbers was proposed. An efficient grey-based supplier appraisement platform was established. Application of Grey-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and COPRAS-G method were reported to solve the supplier selection decision-making problem. The theory of grey numbers was utilized here to facilitate such decision modeling. Findings – Over the last two decades, growing concerns about ecosystem quality have stimulated to a renewed interest in environmentalism. Purchasing professionals should also be concerned and need to rethink purchasing strategies which have traditionally neglected environmental impacts. The "green" purchasing-packaging in reducing and eliminating waste is a major concern in recent days. In order to help foster environmentally concerned purchasing strategies, this paper presents the findings of supplier evaluation strategy in an enterprise with enhanced degree of awareness and frequent applications of "green" purchasing. Environmental factors are identified that may reshape supplier evaluation decisions. The concept of grey numbers set has been adopted in this work. A case study reflects effectiveness of exploring grey relation theory in the context of green supplier evaluation. Originality/value – The major contributions of this work have been summarized as follows: development and implementation of an efficient decision-making tool to support green supplier evaluation; an overall green performance index evaluation platform has been introduced; concept of grey numbers has been efficiently explored to facilitate this decision-making; the appraisement index system has been extended with the capability to search ill-performing areas which require future progress; and the proposed appraisement system is capable of reducing the number of green attributes towards computing grey appropriateness index thereby transforming into lesser number of green capabilities, thus, facilitating applying decision-making tools like grey-TOPSIS and COPRAS-grey method for appropriate supplier selection from a set of candidate suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]