# A multi-stakeholder fuzzy best–worst method analysis of key factors in remanufacturing production processes

## TL;DR

This study identifies key factors in remanufacturing processes from multiple stakeholder perspectives and highlights how these factors vary in importance.

## Contribution

The study introduces a multi-stakeholder analysis using FBWM and FAHP to evaluate remanufacturing factors, supporting policy and academic research.

## Key findings

- “Process Planning” and “Generic Process” are identified as foundational factors with high average weights.
- Engineers and managers prioritize similar factors, while scholars and consumers emphasize different aspects.
- The study proposes three guiding principles for remanufacturing based on stakeholder priorities.

## Abstract

Remanufacturing is a core principle for achieving sustainable manufacturing. However, a comprehensive understanding of remanufacturing production process factors is lacking, as is adequate consideration of stakeholder perspectives and the relative importance of key factors. This study addresses these gaps by examining remanufacturing production processes from a multi-stakeholder viewpoint. It identified the key factors and then evaluated them using the Fuzzy Best-Worst Method (FBWM). The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was used for secondary verification. Evaluation results were compared across five stakeholder groups: a scholar, an engineer, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) manager, an independent remanufacturer (IR) manager, and a consumer. The analysis reveals that “Process Planning” (23.71% average weight) and “Generic Process” (20.24% average weight) are the foundational factors. While specific priorities differ slightly, the engineer and managers (OEM and IR) align on prioritizing these two factors. In contrast, the scholar focuses on innovation within a Specific Process, and the consumer prioritizes factors directly related to the final product. Based on these findings, the study proposes three guiding principles for implementing remanufacturing production processes and explores how stakeholder priorities influence academia, business operations, and the overall remanufacturing market. The main contribution lies in providing critical support for government policy-making and offering reference material for academic research in this area.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-31401-7.