Supplier selection for aerospace & defense industry through MCDM methods

This paper utilized the leverage of three Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, namely AHP, TOPSIS, and SECA, in the supplier selection process in the context of an Aerospace & Defense (A&D) company to simplify, supplement, and standardize their ongoing practice. First, we identified and recommended additional criteria, the companies might include in their present supplier selection process with justification. Second, we employ the SECA and Fuzzy-TOPSIS methods; and compare the raking with and without additional criteria to explore the critical difference and its afterword effect on the company's performance. Third, for easy implementation and process standardization, we utilize the functionalities of Text Shell software ESTA so that the decision makers can understand the impact of the inclusion of criteria such as sustainability and technology within the operation and identify the possibility for significant improvements or expected loss. Finally, a case study is considered by benchmarking the current practice. The results reflect that adding other criteria, such as sustainability or delivery time, can utterly change the ongoing practice. We found that the company that needs to work in close proximity to the government and deal with the next generation of technologies can face significant barriers when they include additional criteria in the selection process. Moreover, it is not easy to comply without a drastic change in their whole process to ensure quality, sustainability, and financial stability simultaneously. Most importantly, how standardizing the entire process is a critical challenge in the aerospace and defense industry.