IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/annopr/v168y2009i1p205-22310.1007-s10479-008-0399-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A rough set approach to knowledge discovery in analyzing competitive advantages of firms

Author

Listed:
  • Yuan Li
  • Xiuwu Liao
  • Wenhong Zhao

Abstract

Competitive advantage analysis (CAA) is still an important issue of strategic management research. Although many studies are developed on this topic, they remain conceptual and descriptive, and it is difficult to make them operational in practice. Therefore, this article proposes an intelligent decision support approach for solving such a difficulty. The proposed approach integrates soft computing, rough set theory, and group decision making technique. In this study, CAA is considered as a multiple criteria sorting problem with multi-granularity linguistic assessment information. An algorithm based on linguistic computing is first presented to construct the decision table of exemplary decisions, and then the extended rough set theory and dominance functions are taken to induce a set of decision rules that satisfy a minimum support threshold. These rules can explicitly describe the relationship between the competitive advantage positions and the key determinant factors of competitive advantage. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the application of the proposed approach. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan Li & Xiuwu Liao & Wenhong Zhao, 2009. "A rough set approach to knowledge discovery in analyzing competitive advantages of firms," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 168(1), pages 205-223, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:annopr:v:168:y:2009:i:1:p:205-223:10.1007/s10479-008-0399-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10479-008-0399-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1007/s10479-008-0399-x
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10479-008-0399-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Herrera, F. & Martinez, L. & Sanchez, P. J., 2005. "Managing non-homogeneous information in group decision making," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 166(1), pages 115-132, October.
    2. Zopounidis, Constantin & Doumpos, Michael, 2002. "Multicriteria classification and sorting methods: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 138(2), pages 229-246, April.
    3. Patrice Perny, 1998. "Multicriteria filtering methods based onconcordance and non-discordance principles," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 80(0), pages 137-165, January.
    4. Flamholtz, Eric & Hua, Wei, 2003. "Searching for Competitive Advantage in the Black Box," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 222-236, April.
    5. Domingos Cardoso & Jorge Sousa, 2005. "A Multi-Attribute Ranking Solutions Confirmation Procedure," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 138(1), pages 127-141, September.
    6. Oral, Muhittin, 1993. "A methodology for competitiveness analysis and strategy formulation in glass industry," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 9-22, July.
    7. Pawlak, Zdzisaw & Sowinski, Roman, 1994. "Rough set approach to multi-attribute decision analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 72(3), pages 443-459, February.
    8. Greco, Salvatore & Matarazzo, Benedetto & Slowinski, Roman, 2001. "Rough sets theory for multicriteria decision analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(1), pages 1-47, February.
    9. David J. Teece & Gary Pisano & Amy Shuen, 1997. "Dynamic capabilities and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(7), pages 509-533, August.
    10. Matthews, Judy & Shulman, Arthur D., 2005. "Competitive advantage in public-sector organizations: explaining the public good/sustainable competitive advantage paradox," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 58(2), pages 232-240, February.
    11. Azibi, R. & Vanderpooten, D., 2002. "Construction of rule-based assignment models," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 138(2), pages 274-293, April.
    12. Li, Yuan & Deng, Shengliang, 1999. "A methodology for competitive advantage analysis and strategy formulation: An example in a transitional economy," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(2), pages 259-270, October.
    13. Clyde Holsapple & Anita Lee & Jim Otto, 1997. "A machine learning method for multi-expert decision support," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 75(0), pages 171-188, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wen-Min Lu & Qian Long Kweh & Chung-Wei Wang, 2021. "Integration and application of rough sets and data envelopment analysis for assessments of the investment trusts industry," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 296(1), pages 163-194, January.
    2. Galo, Nadya Regina & Calache, Lucas Daniel Del Rosso & Carpinetti, Luiz Cesar Ribeiro, 2018. "A group decision approach for supplier categorization based on hesitant fuzzy and ELECTRE TRI," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 182-196.
    3. Du, Wen Sheng & Hu, Bao Qing, 2017. "Dominance-based rough fuzzy set approach and its application to rule induction," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 261(2), pages 690-703.
    4. Fu-Ling Cai & Xiuwu Liao & Kan-Liang Wang, 2012. "An interactive sorting approach based on the assignment examples of multiple decision makers with different priorities," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 197(1), pages 87-108, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Doumpos, M. & Marinakis, Y. & Marinaki, M. & Zopounidis, C., 2009. "An evolutionary approach to construction of outranking models for multicriteria classification: The case of the ELECTRE TRI method," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 199(2), pages 496-505, December.
    2. Zopounidis, Constantin & Doumpos, Michael, 2002. "Multicriteria classification and sorting methods: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 138(2), pages 229-246, April.
    3. Fernandez, Eduardo & Navarro, Jorge & Bernal, Sergio, 2009. "Multicriteria sorting using a valued indifference relation under a preference disaggregation paradigm," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 198(2), pages 602-609, October.
    4. Hatami-Marbini, Adel & Tavana, Madjid, 2011. "An extension of the Electre I method for group decision-making under a fuzzy environment," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 373-386, August.
    5. Wu, Siqi & Wu, Meng & Dong, Yucheng & Liang, Haiming & Zhao, Sihai, 2020. "The 2-rank additive model with axiomatic design in multiple attribute decision making," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(2), pages 536-545.
    6. Bouyssou, Denis & Marchant, Thierry, 2007. "An axiomatic approach to noncompensatory sorting methods in MCDM, I: The case of two categories," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 178(1), pages 217-245, April.
    7. Sarah Ben Amor & Fateh Belaid & Ramzi Benkraiem & Boumediene Ramdani & Khaled Guesmi, 2023. "Multi-criteria classification, sorting, and clustering: a bibliometric review and research agenda," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 325(2), pages 771-793, June.
    8. Fernandez, Eduardo & Navarro, Jorge & Duarte, Alfonso, 2008. "Multicriteria sorting using a valued preference closeness relation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 185(2), pages 673-686, March.
    9. Fu-Ling Cai & Xiuwu Liao & Kan-Liang Wang, 2012. "An interactive sorting approach based on the assignment examples of multiple decision makers with different priorities," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 197(1), pages 87-108, August.
    10. Costa, Ana Sara & Figueira, José Rui & Borbinha, José, 2018. "A multiple criteria nominal classification method based on the concepts of similarity and dissimilarity," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 271(1), pages 193-209.
    11. Eduardo Fernández & José Rui Figueira & Jorge Navarro, 2023. "A theoretical look at ordinal classification methods based on comparing actions with limiting boundaries between adjacent classes," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 325(2), pages 819-843, June.
    12. Bouyssou, Denis & Marchant, Thierry, 2007. "An axiomatic approach to noncompensatory sorting methods in MCDM, II: More than two categories," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 178(1), pages 246-276, April.
    13. Fernandez, Eduardo & Navarro, Jorge & Bernal, Sergio, 2010. "Handling multicriteria preferences in cluster analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 202(3), pages 819-827, May.
    14. Azam, Nouman & Zhang, Yan & Yao, JingTao, 2017. "Evaluation functions and decision conditions of three-way decisions with game-theoretic rough sets," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 261(2), pages 704-714.
    15. Ana Sara Costa & Isabella M. Lami & Salvatore Greco & José Rui Figueira & José Borbinha, 2021. "Assigning a house for refugees: an application of a multiple criteria nominal classification method," Operational Research, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 2651-2687, December.
    16. Hu, Qiwei & Chakhar, Salem & Siraj, Sajid & Labib, Ashraf, 2017. "Spare parts classification in industrial manufacturing using the dominance-based rough set approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 262(3), pages 1136-1163.
    17. Pegdwendé Minoungou & Vincent Mousseau & Wassila Ouerdane & Paolo Scotton, 2023. "A MIP-based approach to learn MR-Sort models with single-peaked preferences," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 325(2), pages 795-817, June.
    18. Salvatore Barbagallo & Simona Consoli & Nello Pappalardo & Salvatore Greco & Santo Zimbone, 2006. "Discovering Reservoir Operating Rules by a Rough Set Approach," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 20(1), pages 19-36, February.
    19. Oppio, Alessandra & Dell’Ovo, Marta & Torrieri, Francesca & Miebs, Grzegorz & Kadziński, Miłosz, 2020. "Understanding the drivers of Urban Development Agreements with the rough set approach and robust decision rules," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    20. Khaled Belahcène & Vincent Mousseau & Wassila Ouerdane & Marc Pirlot & Olivier Sobrie, 2023. "Multiple criteria sorting models and methods—Part I: survey of the literature," 4OR, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-46, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:annopr:v:168:y:2009:i:1:p:205-223:10.1007/s10479-008-0399-x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.