Integrating social sustainability into supplier evaluation using data envelopment analysis

Multiple approaches are available for supplier selection and long term supplier development of any company. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) serves as a tool to measure maximum supplier efficiency based on any set of considered aspects. This study proposes a DEA model by integrating best possible criteria to the coherent framework for social sustainability based supplier selection. To this end, we analyse different Decision Making Units (DMUs) and compare the efficiency of each DMU with only the best one, so as to determine the most efficient one. This will eventually help in identifying the best supplier according to the aspects of social sustainability. A case evaluation of the proposed methodology has been conducted in the fast food supply chains and the best supplier was selected. Managers can use the proposed framework for supplier selection considering social sustainability for enhancing the overall sustainability capabilities of their supply chains. This research also points towards the importance of considering social sustainability and the related issues, right from the upstream of the supply chain. Considerations for the same can improve the capabilities of supply chain and can directly enhance the environmental, social, and governance performances of firms.

Automated summary

This study proposes a DEA model for supplier selection based on social sustainability, and the best supplier is determined by comparing the efficiency of different decision making units. The proposed methodology is validated in the fast food supply chains, and the best supplier is successfully selected. The research highlights the importance of considering social sustainability from the upstream of the supply chain.