An Integrated Three‐Phase Green Quality Function Deployment Framework for Evaluating Lean–Green Criteria Under Uncertainty

ABSTRACT

Manufacturers need decision models that translate environmental and customer requirements into operational priorities while integrating lean and green practices within a unified programme. This study develops and applies an integrated decision framework to identify, structure and prioritise lean–green manufacturing criteria and to examine how their relative importance changes as strategic requirements are translated into technical, environmental and operational priorities. An initial literature‐derived set of 15 criteria and 55 subcriteria was refined through expert screening to eight criteria and 42 subcriteria. Fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) was first used to capture interdependencies among the retained criteria and derive their network‐based priorities. These priorities were subsequently carried through three linked green quality function deployment (GQFD) matrices, sequentially relating lean–green criteria to gearbox technical characteristics, environmental requirements and lean enablers. The resulting lean‐enabler weights were then incorporated into interval VIKOR to obtain the final compromise priorities under uncertainty. FANP ranked workforce, environmental performance and process highest, whereas the final analysis placed supply chain, performance outcomes and environmental performance in the leading positions. This cross‐stage reordering shows that structural importance within an interdependent decision network does not necessarily translate directly into implementation priority and demonstrates the value of tracing how lean–green priorities are reconfigured across successive deployment stages.