Optimizing Textile Supply Chains: Vendor Selection Using the DEMATEL Approach

Abstract: This study investigates the use of the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to evaluate and rank key criteria in supplier selection for the textile industry in the Erode district. A validated questionnaire, reviewed by experts with over 40 years of industry experience, was used to perform pairwise comparisons among four critical criteria: Company Profile (C1), Quality (C2), Cost (C3), and Delivery (C4). The DEMATEL results indicate that Delivery (C4) is the most influential criterion, securing the highest Q+R score (7.7128), followed by Company Profile (C1) with a Q+R value of 5.3678. In terms of net influence, Quality (C3) ranks first with a Q−R score of 2.3857, highlighting its strong impact on other factors. These findings demonstrate that timely delivery and consistent quality are essential for effective supplier performance. By uncovering the interdependencies between criteria, DEMATEL offers a structured, data-driven approach to support decisionmaking and enhance supply chain optimization in uncertain and dynamic environments.