An Integrated AHP–Pugh Matrix Framework for Evaluating Green Supply Chain Development in the Food Industry

Tran Van Khoat; Anh Tuan Nguyen; Vo Van Tuyen

doi:10.31181/jscda41202682

Authors

Tran Van Khoat Faculty of Business Administration, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4903-9397
Anh Tuan Nguyen Faculty of Economics, Quang Ngai Campus, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6118-8903
Vo Van Tuyen Faculty of Economics, Quang Ngai Campus, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4933-6456

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31181/jscda41202682

Keywords:

Green supply chain, Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Pugh matrix, Sustainable supply chain management, Food industry, Prioritize strategic selection

Abstract

This study proposes an integrated decision-making framework combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Pugh matrix to evaluate and support green supply chain development in the food industry. Despite the growing importance of sustainability, selecting appropriate strategies for green supply chain implementation remains a complex multi-criteria problem involving both qualitative and quantitative factors. To address this gap, the proposed approach utilizes AHP to determine the relative importance of evaluation criteria and the Pugh matrix to compare and rank alternative solutions systematically. The applicability of the framework is demonstrated through a case study in the Vietnamese food industry, where multiple criteria related to environmental, economic, and operational performance are considered. The results identify the most suitable strategy for enhancing green supply chain practices and provide a structured basis for decision-making. Furthermore, comprehensive sensitivity analysis and an internal comparative analysis mathematically validate the robustness of this selection, with Spearman’s rank correlation testing revealing an exceptionally high consistency (ƿ= 0.9429) under varying weighting conditions. Additionally, an external comparative analysis utilizing AHP–WPM and AHP–WASPAS methods demonstrates a high convergence in strategic rankings, further confirming the methodological validity and resilience of the final selection. The findings highlight the effectiveness of integrating AHP and the Pugh matrix in handling complex decision environments and offer practical implications for managers and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable supply chain development. This study contributes to the existing literature by introducing a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making framework and validating its usefulness in a real-world context, thereby supporting more informed and transparent decision-making in sustainable supply chain management.

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