Selecting an outsourcing provider based on the combined MABAC-ELECTRE method using single-valued neutrosophic linguistic sets

Abstract Outsourcing has become a common and important link for enterprises. When selecting an outsourcing provider, single-valued neutrosophic linguistic sets can successfully express qualitative and fuzzy information. Furthermore, the selection of an outsourcing provider is a multi-criteria decision-making problem that can be tackled by the multi-attribute border approximation area comparison (MABAC) method. In MABAC, criteria are assumed to be compensatory. However, criteria may be non-compensatory in outsourcing provider selection. Thus, this paper introduces the main idea of the elimination and choice translating reality (ELECTRE) method. An MABAC–ELECTRE method is established under single-valued neutrosophic linguistic environments. This method uses the mean-squared deviation weight method to obtain the weights of criteria. Moreover, an illustrative example is conducted to explain the procedure of the MABAC–ELECTRE method. A comparative analysis verifies its feasibility in solving problems with non-compensatory criteria.