AN INTEGRATED MODEL APPROACH WITH FUZZY MULTI CRITERIA DECISION MAKING METHODS FOR THE SELECTION OF THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS FIRM IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

The purpose of this study was to determine third party logistics company selection and evaluation criteria and to help make the most suitable selection among the alternatives in the food sector. Another purpose was to present a mixed model by integrating fuzzy multi criteria decision making methods in third-party logistics company selection process. The combination of fuzzy DEMATEL, fuzzy ANP and fuzzy TOPSIS methods were used in this study. A decision network was created by evaluating the interactions between the criteria determined depending on the decision goal. This study was conducted in a large scale company producing milk and dairy products in food sector. As a result of the analyses made and the findings obtained, technology, delivery performance and quality were found as the criteria having the highest scores in terms of effectiveness. In addition, it was also determined that the most affected criterion among the criteria was the company image. As a result of the evaluation of alternatives, the best logistics company was suggested to the food company. This study is among the first studies to integrate fuzzy DEMATEL, fuzzy ANP and fuzzy TOPSIS methods in the selection of third party logistics suppliers. In terms of the food industry, three new criteria that have not been encountered in the literature before were determined and a small contribution was made to the relevant literature. These are porter cost, hygiene and vehicle supply ability.