A novel stochastic fuzzy decision model for agile and sustainable global manufacturing outsourcing partner selection in footwear industry

Purpose The decision-making to outsource and select the most suitable global manufacturing outsourcing partner (MOP) is complex uncertain due multiple conflicting qualitative quantitative criteria as well alternatives. Vagueness variability exist in ratings of alternatives by group decision-makers (DMs). paper provides a novel Stochastic Fuzzy (SF) method for evaluation selection agile sustainable MOP volatile business environment. Design/methodology/approach Four main were identified such economic, agile, environmental social criteria. Total 16 sub-criteria selected. To consider vagueness DMs, SF using t -distribution or z was adopted. weights determined Fuzzy-CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (SF-CRITIC), while carried out Fuzzy-VIseKriterijumskaOptimizacija I KompromisnoResenje (SF-VIKOR) case study footwear industry. Sensitivity analysis performed test robustness proposed model. A comparative SF-VIKOR VIKOR made. Findings worker’s wages welfare, product price, quality, green process collaboration with partners are important selection. MOP3 found be best company. In sensitivity analysis, significance level have role ranking. Hence, concluded that integrated SF-CRITIC an improved problem. Research limitations/implications decision-making, ambiguity, impreciseness relative ratings. variant Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methods cover but not variability. On other hand, deterministic models do either. stochastic based on probability theory combining fuzzy deal problems imprecise environments. Most notably, model has novelty it captures reveals both perspective fuzziness rating DMs. Practical implications multi-criteria contributes supply chain management will help policymakers selecting MOP. Originality/value authors’ knowledge, been used existing literature. For first time, applied under uncertainty. Unlike studies, this considered along triple bottom line assessment literature put forward managerial implication improving agility sustainability