A new approach to decision-making with key constraint and its application in enterprise information systems

Abstract

Technology selection in the enterprise information systems environment involves decisions that are critical to the profitability and growth of an enterprise in an increasingly competitive market. In this paper, a new approach to decision-making with key constraint is introduced. First, four relevant fuzzy decision-making methods are reviewed. Then a novel and practical approach, composed of 10 stages, is proposed. The theoretical basis of the approach is made up of improved analytic hierarchy process, fuzzy set theory, fuzzy relationships between goals, ordered weighted averaging operators, and fuzzy mathematics from qualitative analysis to quantitative analysis. In addition, the concept of key constraint is discussed, which renders the derivation of the decision in the evaluation process faster and easier. Finally, a computer system for the evaluation and selection of technology is developed, and an illustrative example is given to show the application of the approach. The approach has several merits, such as simple and less computation in the process of evaluation and selection. By using this approach, the ambiguities involved in the evaluation can be effectively represented to assure more convincing and effective decision-making.

Keywords:

• enterprise information systems
• enterprise application
• fuzzy evaluation
• decision-making
• technology selection
• key constraint

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and constructive suggestions. This research was supported by the Beijing Municipal Educational Committee's Science and Technology Development Plan Key Project (grant number: KZ200710028014) and partially supported by the Foundation of Beijing Jiaotong University.