A trapezoidal type-2 fuzzy multi-criteria decision making method based on TOPSIS for supplier selection: An application in textile sector

Supplier evaluation and selection includes both qualitative and quantitative criteria and it is considered as a complex Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem. Uncertainty and impreciseness of data is an integral part of decision making process for a real life application. The fuzzy set theory allows making decisions under uncertain environment. In this paper, a trapezoidal type 2 fuzzy multi-criteria decision making methods based on TOPSIS is proposed to select convenient supplier under vague information. The proposed method is applied to the supplier selection process of a textile firm in Turkey. In addition, the same problem is solved with type 1 fuzzy TOPSIS to confirm the findings of type 2 fuzzy TOPSIS. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to observe how the decision changes under different scenarios. Results show that the presented type 2 fuzzy TOPSIS method is more appropriate and effective to handle the supplier selection in uncertain environment.