Title: Multiobjective optimisation model for the selection of critical suppliers integrating sustainability criteria

Authors: Aineth Torres-Ruiz; A. Ravindran

Addresses: Industrial Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA ' Industrial Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA

Abstract: Most companies are seeking their supplier base around the world. However, sourcing from a global supply base exposes buying companies to a notable set of risks and naturally increases transportation distance with the associated environmental consequences. In this study, we propose a multiobjective order allocation model for selecting primary and backup suppliers in a global supply chain setting. Our model explicitly minimises product costs, transportation costs and the cost of exceeding CO₂ allowances within total procurement cost, while also minimising lead-time, sustainability risks and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We present a case study where our model is applied to a global manufacturer of consumer goods and the current supply scenario is compared against an optimal scenario given by the proposed model. Even though total procurement cost is given the highest priority, the optimal scenario (which assigns orders to primary suppliers locally located) represents important advantages in relation to all the criteria evaluated.

Keywords: supplier selection; supply risk; green procurement; multiobjective optimisation; goal programming; sustainable procurement; global supply chain; GHG emissions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOR.2018.095198

International Journal of Operational Research, 2018 Vol.33 No.2, pp.208 - 238

Received: 13 Aug 2015
Accepted: 25 Oct 2015
Published online: 02 Oct 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article