Analyzing the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on supplier performance evaluation factors via fuzzy cognitive map with a hybrid learning system

Purpose - The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that how supply chain management (SCM) can become a crucial process for sustainability of the world's production/service. The global supply chain crisis during pandemic has affected most of the sectors. Home and personal care products manufacturers are among them. In this study (1) the problems at SCM of personal and home care products manufacturers during pandemic are discussed with the help of medium-size manufacturer and (2) the factors affecting suppliers' performance for the relevant sector during COVID-19 are analyzed comprehensively. Design/methodology/approach - The importance of the factors is evaluated using fuzzy cognitive maps that can help to reveal hidden casual relationships with the help of expert knowledge. In order to eliminate subjectivity due to usage of expert knowledge, the maps are trained with a hybrid learning approach that consists of Non-linear Learning and Extended Great Deluge Algorithms to increase robustness of the analysis. Findings - The findings of the study indicate that the factors such as general quality level of products/services, compliance to delivery time, communication skills and total production capacity of suppliers have been crucial factors during pandemic. Originality/value - While the implementation of the hybrid learning approach on supply chain can fill the gap in the relevant literature, the promising results of the study can prove the convenience of the methodology to model the of complex systems like supply chain processes.