Optimizing supplier selection for prefabricated components: a comprehensive evaluation

Purpose Prefabricated building has emerged as a hallmark of modern construction industrialization and a pivotal driver of industrial upgrading. In this new building type, the supply of high-quality prefabricated components plays a crucial role in ensuring project quality, cost-effectiveness and on-time completion. Consequently, selecting the optimum suppliers for these components is vital. This study provides valuable insights for construction enterprises, guiding them in the optimal selection of prefabricated component suppliers and thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The entropy weight method is used to integrate and rank 19 commonly used evaluation indices, forming a supplier evaluation system from the enterprises perspective. Subsequently, the VIKOR multi-attribute decision model, combined with a comprehensive evaluation method based on cloud modeling, is applied to identify the most suitable suppliers through case study. Findings The findings emphasized that product quality, particularly the component compliance rate, is paramount in supplier selection. Additionally, companies should prioritize cost management and fundamental supplier capabilities, such as transportation efficiency and operational flexibility, while fostering strong partnerships with high-quality suppliers. Furthermore, all stakeholders need to enhance the supply chain’s responsiveness and adaptability, ensuring these improvements are achieved without strict cost controls. Originality/value This study minimizes the influence of subjective biases from decision-makers’ by integrating quantitative and qualitative analysis methods, thereby enhancing the comprehensiveness and accuracy of evaluations. By effectively addressing the fuzziness and uncertainty inherent in evaluation data, it establishes a robust system for selecting prefabricated building suppliers. This approach offers reliable and practical decision support, providing theoretical backing for enterprises in choosing prefabricated component suppliers and promoting the sustainable development of the prefabricated construction industry.