A Fuzzy ANP Approach to Supplier Selection Based on Fuzzy Preference Programming

This paper develops a supplier evaluation approach based on the analytic network process (ANP) and fuzzy synthetic evaluation under a fuzzy environment. Instead of the classical eigenvector prioritization method, employed in the prioritization stage of the ANP, a fuzzy preference programming method is applied, which obtains crisp priorities from inconsistent interval and fuzzy judgments. The resulting fuzzy ANP can enhance the potential of the ANP for dealing with imprecise and uncertain human comparison judgments. Then an integrated FANP and fuzzy synthetic evaluation methodology is proposed for evaluating and selecting the most suitable suppliers. A hypothetical example is presented and the results indicated that the combination of ANP and fuzzy synthetic evaluation provided useful tool to select the optimal supplier.