GRA-based TOPSIS decision-making approach to supplier selection with interval number

During recent years, how to determine suitable suppliers in the supply chain has become a key strategic consideration. However, the nature of supplier selection is a complex multi-criteria problem including both quantitative and qualitative factors which may be in conflict and may also be uncertain. The GRA(grey relational analysis)-based TOPSIS(technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution) decision-making approach, in combination with the advantages of both GRA and TOPSIS, was developed to solve multiple criteria decision making(MCDM) in fuzzy environment where attributes weights and ratings were expressed in interval numbers. A numerical example is proposed to illustrate an application of the proposed model. Finally, the direction for further research was pointed out.