Application of Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision-Making for Selecting the Best Sustainable Orientation: A Case Study

Sustainability is an idea encompassed with various aspects still under exploration in addition to its vibrant and comprehensive nature. The Brundtland commission articulated that sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A plunge for supporting the ideology of sustainability orientations with respect to manufacturing and their implementation are still in need, but the quantum of factors increases in the process of sustainability orientation selection during the implementation of sustainable manufacturing. Several undecided factors are intrinsic in the implementation of new sustainable manufacturing. Decision-making methods using probabilities to represent the three orientations such as alternate material change, manufacturing process change and design change of achieving sustainability cannot be used to prioritize them. Therefore, a fuzzy multiple attribute decision-making (FMADM) method was developed with a three-level hierarchical decision-making models based on the economic, environment and social aspects of sustainable development, to evaluate the three orientations involved in sustainable manufacturing. A case study was conducted in an Indian automotive component manufacturing organization with the FMADM model developed and the results effectively reflected the characteristics of the three orientations of sustainable manufacturing.