Sustainable supplier selection in the textile industry using triple bottom line and SWARA-TOPSIS approaches

Abstract

Sustainable supplier selection has become a critical factor for organizations striving to align their supply chains with environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals. The increasing need for sustainable practices in procurement has prompted the development of frameworks that address these dimensions effectively. This study develops a comprehensive framework for evaluating sustainable suppliers in the textile industry, integrating Triple Bottom Line (TBL) principles with SWARA and TOPSIS methods. Initially, 20 sustainability criteria were identified through a rigorous review of the literature and expert consultations. These criteria were then narrowed down to 15 key criteria based on expert evaluations using a 5-point Likert scale. The study found that the most important economic criteria were chemical quality (0.0929), price (0.0830), and delivery reliability (0.0798), while sustainability concerns were highlighted by environmental management systems (0.0798) and employee health and safety (0.0775). These findings reflect the increasing emphasis on both operational efficiency and environmental and social responsibility in supplier selection. Using TOPSIS, the suppliers were ranked based on their performance across these 15 criteria. The results revealed Supplier A (0.7555) as the most sustainable, followed by Supplier B (0.7337), while Supplier E (0.2573) ranked last due to weaker sustainability performance. These rankings highlight the significance of sustainability practices, especially in environmental and social dimensions, which are increasingly critical in the procurement decision-making process. The study provides valuable insights for procurement managers, particularly in emerging economies like Bangladesh, where SMEs dominate the textile supply chain. By using this SWARA-TOPSIS framework, companies can select suppliers that align with sustainability goals, improving both environmental performance and social responsibility. This research contributes to the field of sustainable supply chain management by offering a structured, transparent, and objective method for supplier evaluation.

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