Partner selection in green supply chains using PSO – a practical approach

Abstract

Partner selection is crucial to green supply chain management as the focal firm is responsible for the environmental performance of the whole supply chain. The construction of appropriate selection criteria is an essential, but often neglected prerequisite in the partner selection process. This paper proposes a three-stage model that combines Dempster-Shafer belief acceptability theory and particle swarm optimization technique for the first time in this application. This enables optimization of both effectiveness, in its consideration of the inter-dependence of a broad range of quantitative and qualitative selection criteria, and efficiency in its use of scarce resources during the criteria construction process to be achieved simultaneously. This also enables both operational and strategic attributes can be selected at different levels of hierarchy criteria in different decision-making environments. The practical efficacy of the model is demonstrated by an application in Company ABC, a large Chinese electronic equipment and instrument manufacturer.

A Multi-Objective Optimization Model for Green Supply Chain Considering Environmental Benefits

“…Enterprises are more willing to adopt GSCM practices because of increasing environmental pressures [19]. The most widely cited GSCM operation in the literature refers to operation performance [20,21], operational processes [22,23], the reduction of waste and environmental impact [24,25], and the development or selection of suppliers [26,27]. At present, a number of studies are investigating the influence of environmental concerns in supply chain management, such as those by Beske-Jannsen et al [28] and Sancha et al [29].…”

Introductory Chapter: Introduction of Green Supply Chain Management

“…Undeniably, global logistical and supply chain operations mainly depend on energy as well as fossil fuel, which are the main cause of climate change, global warming and pollution with greater carbon and greenhouse gas emissions [46]. Renewable energy and biofuels are required in supply chain operations so as to obtain sustainable environmental and economic growth [48]. Anable et al [49] highlight that logistics related activities consume greater energy to accomplish their task.…”

Investigating the Green Manufacturing Approaches in Kani-Faravaran Mining Company

“…When choosing the most appropriate partners for developing a GSC, a company has to consider contemporary environmental issues, as well as traditional economic factors in order to keep profitability high (Wu and Barnes, 2016). Wu and Barnes, 2015 describe four clusters that need to be considered when operating a green supply chain (GSC): cost, pollution control, quality and resource consumption.…”

“…Companies with a green supply chain (GSC) need to have very strict partner selection and performance evaluation processes (Wu and Barnes, 2016). When choosing the most appropriate partners for developing a GSC, a company has to consider contemporary environmental issues, as well as traditional economic factors in order to keep profitability high (Wu and Barnes, 2016).…”

“…High product quality and good customer service are essential also for GSCs. With the goal to minimize the negative environmental impact, the consumption of resources also needs to be minimized in a green supply chain (Wu and Barnes, 2016).…”