Abstract:

Purpose: Purposes of this study are to examine the use of components of agility concept which is defined as the ability to respond quickly against changes in the external environment under uncertainties as criteria for supplier selection and develop a model using TOPSIS method. Methodology: Application of the research is conducted in air-conditioning industry in which selection of domestic sheet metal forming and plastic injection parts suppliers are taken into consideration. Suppliers are evaluated by the specialists based on agility components and criteria asserted by Sharifi and Zhang (2001). Agility performance of sheet metal forming and plastic injection parts suppliers are calculated seperately using TOPSIS method and alternatives are listed. Findings: As a result, the model which is uses the agility criteria and TOPSIS method can be used for supplier selection. Another result of the study is specifying the improvement areas of the suppliers which are evaluated by their agility capabilities. Originality: The originalities of this study when it is compared with other studies in the literature are that it measures the agility scores of suppliers which are serving in metal forming and plastic injection industries, measures the agility scores of suppliers from two different industries in one study and applies agility-based supplier selection in the air conditioning industry. In addition, this study distinguishes itself from other studies in the literature in terms of revealing the connection of agility with productivity.

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