Recent approaches to supplier selection: a review of literature within 2006-2016

The complexity of current supply chains has pushed for the integration of the different methods in addressing supplier selection problems. This paper reviews different methods of supplier selection from 2006 to 2016 to streamline the recent approaches and techniques used, identify emerging themes in domain literature, and compare the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. Supplier selection approaches were classified into: 1) individual approaches; 2) integrated approaches; 3) 'emerging approaches'. Individual approaches were categorised into multi-criteria decision-making, mathematical programming, artificial intelligence, fuzzy decision-making, and statistical models. Integrated approaches to these individual methods have also been investigated in detail. The third category, which is the 'emerging approaches', pertains to novel methodologies addressing specific supplier selection themes that have not yet been well-studied. Findings show that the emerging themes in supplier selection problems include uncertain environment, risks, and sustainability. Popular approaches include a multi-criteria decision-making, fuzzy decision-making, and mathematical programming.