Mapping decision-making structures in supply chain contexts : a fuzzy DEMATEL approach

Background: Effective decision-making in supply chain contexts requires understanding how criteria interact to shape rational and transparent decision structures. This study investigates how behavioral aspects influence the structuring of decision-making logic and the interdependencies between key criteria in supply chain contexts. Methods: Using Fuzzy DEMATEL, the research models the interactions between five core criteria -classification, definition, specification, decision, and action feedback-based on inputs from experienced professionals in a global chemical company. The approach enables mapping of causal influences while accounting for subjectivity and uncertainty in expert judgments. Results: The analysis identified specification, definition, and action feedback as causal criteria, with classification and decision being primarily influenced by them. The modeling process supported clearer prioritization and revealed how expert-based interactions can reduce decision biases. Conclusions: This study demonstrates how structuring decision-making logic through causal modeling enhances clarity and reduces subjectivity. The findings contribute to the development of decision support tools applicable across strategic supply chain contexts, offering practical implications for professionals seeking to improve decision transparency and effectiveness.