A Sustainable Multicriteria Decision Framework for Obsolescence Resolution Strategy Selection

Imen Zaabar, Raul Arango-Miranda, Yvan Beauregard and Marc Paquet
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Imen Zaabar: Mechanical Engineering Department, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
Raul Arango-Miranda: Construction Department, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
Yvan Beauregard: Mechanical Engineering Department, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
Marc Paquet: Systems Engineering Department, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: Parts obsolescence has an important impact on the product life cycle, the manufacturing system and the environment leading to operational, logistical, reliability and cost implications. While current resolution models are cost-oriented, multiple studies have revealed that technological obsolescence is strongly involved in the electronic waste problem. In this study, based on academic literature and expert opinions, a sustainable decision framework for obsolescence resolution strategy (ORS) selection is proposed. It consists of economic, environmental, social and technological dimensions, integrating a total of fifteen criteria. Multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are suggested to select the most sustainable solution. A case study was performed where the criteria weights and the alternatives performance were judged by five experts from the fields of environment, economy, human resources and obsolescence and operations management. Results from different MCDM methods were compared to the actual decision to evaluate their effectiveness. Using the suggested framework improved the decision process as integrating sustainability had a drastic impact on the selected strategy and consequently on the company’s performance. In addition to its managerial insights, this paper provides a new research perspective to sustainable and robust obsolescence management to effectively handle the increasing number and severity of obsolete components.

Keywords: obsolescence management; sustainability; multicriteria decision making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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