The Review of Applications of Decision-making Techniques in Supply Chain Management

Objective: The objective of the article is to provide a systematic literature review of Multi-criteria Decision-making (MCDM) techniques in supply chain and logistics management. It aims to fill a research gap by offering an objective overview of the latest advancements in decision-making techniques and their impact on supply chain performance. Research Design & Methods: The paper employs a systematic literature review to examine the application MCDM techniques in supply chain management. The review follows a five-step process: 1) formulation of research questions, 2) identification of relevant studies through the Scopus database, focusing on English-language journal articles published between 2006 and 2023, 3) selection and evaluation of studies using structured keyword searches and content screening, resulting in a final sample of 348 peer-reviewed articles, 4) analysis and synthesis of the selected literature in relation to the research questions, and 5) reporting the findings to identify research gaps and suggest future research directions. Findings: The review reveals the diverse applications of MCDM tools and models in addressing complex supply chain challenges, including demand forecasting, inventory management, distribution optimisation, and risk assessment. Furthermore, the study underscores the substantial value added by these techniques, as they lead to improved decision-making processes, enhanced operational efficiency, cost reduction, and overall performance optimisation of supply chains. The findings also provide valuable recommendations for future research, promoting knowledge accumulation and creation in the field of MCDM techniques for supply chain management. Implications / Recommendations: The study’s findings have important implications for supply chain management, demonstrating how MCDM methodologies may improve decision-making, efficiency, and performance. The recommendations emphasise the continuous application and research of these strategies in diverse supply chain contexts. Future research is recommended to better understand and broaden the use of MCDM approaches in supply chain settings. Contribution: This article is unique in that it provides a full examination of MCDM strategies related to supply chain and logistics management. It synthesises a wide variety of previous research to offer a comprehensive overview of the present status and promise of MCDM approaches for improving supply chain operations and results.