A hybrid approach to supplier selection for the maintenance of a competitive supply chain

This article outlines a hybrid method, incorporating multiple techniques into an evaluation process, in order to select competitive suppliers in a supply chain. It enables a purchaser to do single sourcing and multiple sourcing by calculating a combined supplier score (CSS), which accounts for both qualitative and quantitative factors that impact on supply chain performance. By performing a cluster analysis, it draws a supplier map (SM) so as to position suppliers within the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of performance efficiency, and to select a portfolio of suppliers from supplier segments, which are different in performance with regard to key factors.