Partner selection in virtual enterprises: a multi-criteria decision support approach

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Crispim, JA (Author) Other; Jorge Pinho de Sousa (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Production Research

Vol. 47

Pages: 4791-4812

ISSN: 0020-7543

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 31 Citations

Scopus - 32 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-QPG

DOI: 10.1080/00207540902847348

Abstract (EN): Partner selection in virtual enterprises (VE) can be viewed as a multi-criteria decision making problem that involves assessing trade-offs between conflicting tangible and intangible criteria. In general, this is a very complex problem due to the dynamic topology of the network, the large number of alternatives and the different types of criteria. In this paper we propose an exploratory process to help the decision-maker obtain knowledge about the network in order to identify the criteria and the companies that best suit the needs of each particular project. This process involves a multi-objective tabu search metaheuristic designed to find a good approximation of the Pareto front, and a fuzzy TOPSIS algorithm to rank the alternative VE configurations. In the exploratory phase we apply clustering analysis to confine the search according to the decision-maker beliefs, and case base reasoning, an artificial intelligence approach, to totally or partially construct VEs by reusing past experiences. Preliminary computational results clearly demonstrate the potential of the approach for practical application.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 22