International Journal of Business and Economics Volume 11, No. 2 December, 2012

Fuzzy Rule-Based Analysis of Industrial Service Flexibility in Collaborative Networks

Wen-Hsiang Lai

Graduate Institute of Management of Technology, Feng Chia University, Taiwan

Abstract

The focus of this study is to analyze the factors influencing industrial service flexibility (SF) in Taiwan’s manufacturing industry (TMI). This study develops a rule-based decision-support mechanism using fuzzy set theory and an analytic hierarchy process to evaluate SF in TMI. This study finds that the external collaborative network makes a greater contribution to SF than the internal collaborative network. Also, government support does not significantly improve SF because companies in TMI need core competencies and collaborative networks to integrate vertical and horizontal collaborations and maximize the effectiveness of SF.

Keywords：fuzzy rule-based analysis, service flexibility, collaborative networks.

JEL Classifications：L16, L80, L64.

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