Supplier Selection Criteria for Dried Striped Mullet Roe Processors

Abstract

This study used the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to identify significant criteria for selection of raw material suppliers by Taiwanese processors of the dried roe of striped mullet Mugil cephalus. While price and quality were given priority, the ability to meet delivery due dates and time to market, which are critical factors in most supplier selection research, were found to be insignificant. This study also identified two notable characteristics of mullet roe processing in Taiwan. First, there is no technical collaboration between processors and suppliers; second, although some processors locate near the raw material, processors consider location unimportant in supplier selection. The results of this study demonstrate the difference between highly standardized industrial products and processed fishery products in terms of supplier selection. Managers wishing to optimize their operations may find value in this systematic method and in their industry's collective knowledge of the appropriate weights for the different criteria.