LAB4SUPPLY DECISION SUPORT SYSTEM TOOL
The DSS tool assesses the sustainability aggregated index of various supply chains using end-user perceptions and knowledge. It is based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a multi-criteria decision method, with social, economic, environmental, and governance indicators adapted from FAO’s Sustainability Assessment for Food and Agriculture Systems (SAFA) guidelines.
For instance, it allows end users (e.g., farmers) to assess the sustainability of their distribution channels and, if necessary, make decisions to change their current distribution practices based on the sustainability index of their supply chain activities. It can also be used by consultants, educators, researchers, and other stakeholders who want to measure the sustainability index of various alternatives.
Conditions of use: the DSS used a fixed number of 20 sustainability indicators (5 Economic indicators, 5 Environmental indicators, 5 Social indicators, and 5 Governance indicators) and a fixed number of 8 alternatives to be evaluated.
The DSS tool based on the Excell sheet developed by CREDA can be downloaded from RESEARCHGATE.
- Kallas, Z.; Menéndez i Molist, A., & Guadarrama Fuentes, O. V. (2024). LAB4SUPPLY SUSTAINABILITY DSS TOOL. 10.13140/RG.2.2.24380.45442.
How does the DSS Excel sheet tool work?
1. User guide to the DSS Tool Excel sheet
Zein Kallas (CREDA) explains how to use the LAB4SUPPLY Decision Suport System tool Excel sheet, allowing end users to generate an aggregated sustainability index for alternative distribution channels based on economic, social, environmental and governance indicators.
2. DSS Tool calculations and limitations
Zein Kallas (CREDA) explains how the calculations are performed and how the aggregate indicator is generated in the Excel file DSS Tool. Furthermore, it explains the Excel sheet’s limitations if the end user has more or less indicators or fewer or more distribution alternatives. It is worth noting that the Excel tool is currently only applicable if the end user has 20 indicators (5 economic, 5 social, 5 environmental, and 5 governance) and 8 distribution channels: ALT1: Wholesaler, ALT2: Direct Sales, ALT3: e commerce, ALT4: Small retailer, ALT5: Supermarkets, ALT6: Industry, ALT7: Restaurants, ALT8: Cooperatives.
3. DSS Tool applications and adaptation
The Third video demonstrates how to adapt the DSS excel sheet to variations in the number of indicators or distribution channels. For this reason, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was explained, as it represents the main theoretical frame on which the calculation is based.
DSS ICT WEB-BASED TOOL
The Italian SRL company HORTA developed a web-based version of the DSS tool. The DSS ICT tool offers a user-friendly interface for selecting optimal marketing options based on the sustainability assessment of different distribution channels.
The tool access requires the user authentication, which can be made inserting personal credentials at Horta’s Reserved area access page: https://www.horta-srl.it/en/area-riservata-2/.
How can I access the DSS web-based tool?
The credentials to access the IT tool (username and password) need to be requested to Horta (info@horta-srl.com).
The following user’s information should be provided:
- Name and surname
- Valid email address
- (Optionally) The role request (user will be the default)
The credential will be sent to the user via e-mail by Horta.
