Title: Supplier's performance evaluation in supply chains using item response theory

Authors: Kathyana Vanessa Diniz Santos; Fernanda Paes Arantes; Maria Silene Alexandre Leite; Antonio Cezar Bornia

Addresses: Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Brazil ' Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil ' Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Brazil ' Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil

Abstract: This study aims to propose a new methodology for supplier evaluation in supply chains. Using a questionnaire with 33 items that included five dimensions of supplier performance according to the literature (cost, time, quality, flexibility and innovation), it was possible to evaluate 243 supply links of 148 Brazilian companies. These results were evaluated using the IRT graded response model. IRT graded response model allowed a difficulty parameter to be established for each category of the presented items, defining performance levels in an interpretable scale that indicates the aspects served by each evaluated relationship. Depending on what the client company expects and prioritises in the performance of its suppliers, it can associate scale levels (and the presence and/or absence of certain aspects) with decisions about what to do in the relationship with the supplier company (e.g., strengthen relations, request changes in behaviour or terminate relationship).

Keywords: supplier performance; supplier evaluation; supplier management; supply chain management; item response theory; IRT.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2023.132858

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2023 Vol.45 No.4, pp.530 - 551

Received: 11 Feb 2021
Accepted: 04 May 2021
Published online: 13 Aug 2023 *

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