Analytic Network Process as an Approach to Prioritize Wood Raw Material for Wood and Paper Factories

Aim Increasing the wood demands at the global level and reducing supply resources for wood industries is one of the most challenges for industrial managers. Considering the limitations of wood production resources, it is necessary to specify the wooden raw material resources by logical plans. In this study, for the first time, network analysis was used to prioritize wood supply alternatives in the Iranian wood industries. Materials Methods In this study, we used Analytic Network Process (ANP) to Priority of Supplying Wood Material in Wood Factories. In the Mazandaran Wood and Paper factory, the wood materials are supplied through four methods: forest, ligniculture (wood farming), wood importation, and purchase wood from local markets. In order to conduct this research, the questionnaires were prepared and distributed among 23 specialist experts. After completing the questionnaires and organizing the model in the super decision software (version 1.6) (Analytic Network Process), the inputs and prioritization of the alternatives were done. Findings The most important resources for supplying wood raw materials in Mazandaran Wood and Paper Factory includes wood harvested from the forest, ligniculture, wood importation, and wood supplies from local markets. The results indicated that among the four alternatives for wood supplying, ligniculture (1.000), wood importation (0.885), forests (0.695), and supplying wood from local markets (0.419) were prioritized as the best alternatives, respectively. Conclusion Considering the new policies of forest organization, the best approach for wood supplying are ligniculture with fast-growing tree species and wood importation.