A hybrid approach to the study of CPFR implementation enablers

Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) is one of the most important but also one of the most difficult collaborative strategies in supply chain management. CPFR has been well documented in past research as providing significant benefit to those that implement it well. It has also been noted that CPFR uptake has been significantly lower than initially expected. The main reason for this slow uptake is the general recognition that successful implementation of CPFR is not a trivial task and the fact that it inflicts dramatic changes to the ‘usual’ way of doing business. Based on the premise that CPFR has significant positive potential for supply chain collaboration, the motivation of this paper is to review CPFR enablers and to develop a model which addresses the most significant ones. To complete this task, a hybrid modelling approach integrating fuzzy extended analytical hierarchy process and interpretive structural modelling is proposed. The model developed is based on an identified gap by the automotive sector and embeds expert opinion, from two separate industrial groups in the automotive sector through the use of workshops. Although potential success factors for CPFR implementation can vary across somewhat between differing supply chains, the results maintain wider general applicability due to the many common issues across sectors. The paper highlights the need for decision-makers to be aware of the most influential enablers prior to a CPFR implementation project and to understand the relationships between these enablers.