Partner Selection Process Research Articles

"Partner Choice, Matching, Value Creation and Performance in Inter-Firm Partnerships"

The process of partner selection is key to understanding the formation and performance of interorganizational relationships across many markets and industries. Recently, the matching perspective ha...

A Multi-agent System Model for Partner Selection Process in Virtual Enterprise

Virtual Enterprise (VE) is a collaboration model between multiple business partners in a value chain. VE information system deals with highly dynamic information from heterogeneous data sources. In order to manage and store dynamic VE information in the database, an ontology based VE model has been developed. To select winner enterprises in VE, a Multi Agent System (MAS) has been developed. Communication and data transition among agents and system entities are based on defined rules in VE ontology model. One of the most important contributions of agents in VE system is in partner selection step of VE formation phase. In this step several agents with different goals and strategies are collaborating and competing each other to win the negotiation procedure or maximize the profit for their assigned enterprise. Different strategies are developed for the agents depending on their appetite for winning the auction against maximizing the profit. Several simulations were run and the results are stored. These results are fed into a neural network in order to predict which enterprise will win the auction and what will be the profit margin. The motivation is to provide a forecasting agent for the customers about the outcomes of the auctions so that they can plan ahead and take the necessary action. Early results indicate such simulated multi-agent VE formations can be used in real systems.

A novel hybrid model based on DEMATEL, ANP and TOPSIS for supplier selection in agile supply chains

The concept of the agile supply chain has been considered as means of achieving a high competitive edge in rapidly changing business environments. Among the involved decisions, supply partner selection process is a complex multi-criteria problem which has recently been studied by academicians and practitioners. This paper examines both quantitative and qualitative factors to propose a robust multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method which leads to consider the interactions among criteria for agile supply chains. In this regard, a novel hybrid MCDM model including DEMATEL, ANP, and TOPSIS is developed in which DEMATEL is adopted to visualise influenced framework between the elements, and influence degree of the criteria, then these influence degrees are embedded into ANP to compute relevant weights of criteria to obtain their relative importance; next, TOPSIS is dedicated to rank priorities of the alternatives of agile suppliers. Additionally, a case study is presented to validate the developed framework.

Risk, partner selection and contractual control in interfirm relationships

This study examines firms’ use of partner selection and formal contracts as key approaches to manage transaction risk in interfirm relationships. We specifically examine the impact of transaction characteristics that generate transaction risk on (1) the importance placed on different selection criteria in the choice of collaboration partner, and (2) the complexity of contracts used to manage the collaboration. Survey data support that when confronted with greater risk from the transaction context, firms place more emphasis on trust-based and reputation-based selection criteria for partner choice and develop more complex (i.e., more inclusive and specific) contracts to manage the collaboration. Furthermore, our results show that partner selection mediates the effects of transaction characteristics on contract complexity, consistent with the argument that the information acquired during the partner selection process in response to risk facilitates the design of contracts to manage risk.

Selecting franchise partners: Tourism franchisee approaches, processes and criteria

This paper identifies and evaluates the partner selection approaches, processes and criteria use by tourism franchisees to select their franchisor partners. A qualitative study of a sample of Turkish franchisees identifies the partner selection criteria and two distinct approaches used to select franchisor partners. The study contributes to our understanding of franchisee partner selection by demonstrating how the selection criteria, approaches and processes impact on franchisee satisfaction post contract signature. In addition, a framework that depicts the relationship between the criteria, approaches and processes is developed from the study. The study yields a number of implications particularly for prospective franchisees interested in joining a franchise network.

Partner selection, coordination games, and group selection

The process of partner selection reflects ethnographic realities where cooperative rewards obtain that would otherwise be lost to loners. Baumard et al. neglect frequency-dependent processes exemplified by games of coordination. Such games can produce multiple equilibria that may or may not include fair outcomes. Additional, group-selection processes are required to produce the outcomes predicted by the models.

Partner Selection in a Virtual Enterprise: A Group Multiattribute Decision Model with Weighted Possibilistic Mean Values

This paper proposes an extended technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) for partner selection in a virtual enterprise (VE). The imprecise and fuzzy information of the partner candidate and the risk preferences of decision makers are both considered in the group multiattribute decision-making model. The weighted possibilistic mean values are used to handle triangular fuzzy numbers in the fuzzy environment. A ranking procedure for partner candidates is developed to help decision makers with varying risk preferences select the most suitable partners. Numerical examples are presented to reflect the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed TOPSIS. Results show that the varying risk preferences of decision makers play a significant role in the partner selection process in VE under a fuzzy environment.

An Agent-based Framework for Partner Selection with Sustainability Considerations

This paper presents a multi-agent system (MAS) to support partner selection in a sustainable supply chain network. With the growing awareness of environmental and social issues globally, governments and industry have recognized that they have vital roles in supporting and assuring sustainable development. In consideration of these concerns, companies worldwide have begun to adopt sustainability practices in the supply chain. An important issue of sustainability practices is to involve the sustainability considerations into organizational purchasing decision and long term relationships with suppliers. That is, in the selection of suppliers and outsourcing partners, enterprises should not only consider the general criteria, but also should consider the environmental and social impacts of their partners. Evaluation and selection of partners is a typical multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem involving both qualitative and quantitative issues. For the implementation of supply chain sustainability, issues regarding environmental and social responsibility are to be included in partner evaluation, in addition to the conventional criteria such as price, quality, delivery, and service. In this paper, the MAS is established to integrate sustainability concerns into the supply chain partner evaluation and selection process. Autonomous agents are established to represent various parties and functions of the supply chain, for instance, a buyer agent represents the buyer and the potential suppliers are represented by seller agents. The buyer agent has to exchange bids with the seller agents on the multiple criteria repeatedly. The MAS is equipped with suitable negotiation strategies and negotiation protocol to all agents. It supports multilateral negotiation, that is, the buyer agent is able to interact with many seller agents concurrently in the bidding process.

Inventory reduction and management: a partner selection and inventory reduction study

Mitigation of cost pressures is an ever present factor in every commercial organisation's corporate strategy. This is especially true for automotive manufacturers. This paper explores the development of a partner selection and inventory reduction process for use within the automotive industry. The research featured in this paper carried out an assessment of the inventory holding of a large automotive manufacturer. This research identifies suppliers with the capability to provide maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) inventory reduction services under the technical constraints of a large automotive manufacturing facility, and then operates a trial of their inventory reduction process against the sponsor company's inventory. The study establishes a process for managing the identification of commodity groups to investigate, and the transfer of parts data and analytical findings between the parties. Validation is provided through the analysis of results recorded during the implementation in the context of the sponsor company.

Agent-based Partner Selection and Simulation in Collaborative Product Development Process

Collaborative Product Development (CPD) process is characterized by autonomous task control, dynamic task sequence, and frequent team collaboration, which endow the process with high flexibility and uncertainty. In the CPD process, designers are the one of the important elements with prominent characteristics of autonomy, collaboration and initiative, the process is knowledge-based simultaneously. Therefore, partner selection is essential problem. Aimed the problem, a multi-agent negotiation-arbitration framework of partner selection is proposed firstly; secondly, partner selection process and rules based on the framework are given; thirdly, 3 optimal strategies for conflict resolution are approached, including suboptimization strategy, waiting strategy and utility strategy; lastly, various contrastive experiments are carried for some CPD process based on the former simulation platform by add new functions. The simulation results show that the selection rules and conflict resolution strategies can shorten project duration on the basis of quantitative analysis; it indicates that the method of agent-based simulation is a valid way to improve the efficiency of process management.

CHOOSING A TRAVEL AGENCY FRANCHISE BY MEAN OF A GLOBAL COMPOSITE INDICATOR: AN APPLICATION IN SPAIN

This paper highlights the complexity of the franchise partner selection process from a franchisee's perspective. The purpose of this article is, firstly, to propose the definition of a system of indicators which include all the relevant information which the potential franchisee should take into consideration when choosing a chain secondly, to obtain a global composite indicator for the construction of a ranking of franchisors. In order to illustrate the procedure, a sample of travel agency franchisors in Spain and a suitable database to quantify the indicators are considered. The paper concludes constructing a complete order of the franchisors in the travel agency industry. In addition, the results show the most important characteristics of franchisors that potential franchisees must take into account. The value of the paper is significant as it provides a practical frame – work for potential franchisees in the selection of franchisors.

Transnational marriage and the Bangladeshi Muslim diaspora in Britain and the United States

Transnational marriage is a practice by which members of diasporas are united in matrimony with persons in the homeland. In this paper, I explore the history and development of transnational marriage in the Bangladeshi Muslim diaspora, specifically among British Bangladeshis and Bangladeshi Americans. A distinct history of migration and settlement has resulted in the particular prominence of transnational marriage in the British Bangladeshi community. In the British national context as well, unlike in the USA, the issue of transnational marriage has been politicised by concerns about forced marriage and the state regulations that have arisen in response to it. These differences of national context are reflected in the greater levels of general acceptance of the idea of transnational marriage among British Bangladeshis. At the same time, across both national settings, second- and third-generation Bangladeshi Muslims are actively engaged in constructing notions of the ‘new’ transnational marriage in which the partner selection process gives considerable autonomy to those involved.

Is it because of partners or partnerships?

PurposeThe main aim of the current study is to explore and model the major obstacles that UK universities encounter when developing international partnerships with overseas universities.Design/methodology/approachFocusing on the obstacles to developing international partnerships, the study results are developed from 24 interviews with senior and very senior university managers from four leading UK universities.FindingsThe results indicate that the obstacles to international partnerships for each of the four universities in this study can be grouped into two main categories: the obstacles that are relevant to the process of partner selection, and the obstacles that are relevant to the process of partnership arrangements. The study ends up with a model of obstacles of international partnerships in universities. In terms of strategy evaluation, obstacles related to the partner (whether they are focused or diversified), and obstacles related to the partnership arrangements (whether they are also focused or diversified) identify four quadrants of strategy evaluation: Realistic strategy, Partner‐reevaluation, Arrangement‐reevaluation, and Unrealistic strategy.Research limitations/ implicationsThe study brings up the difficulties that come from the drivers of international partnerships and the associated problems. Accordingly, it points out from the data a classification of the obstacles confronting international partnerships and further models this classification. The study however does not tackle some related issues such as the positive side of international partnerships. In this regard, a study exploring the outcomes of international partnerships would be of great importance for researchers and for practitioners in the field.Practical implicationsGiven the necessity of revising the process of establishing international partnerships by university managers, the model resulting from this study would be of vast importance to university international office directors and other university policy makers.Originality/valueThis study provides a new classification for obstacles confronting UK universities' international partnerships and develops an original model of these obstacles. This model is expected to be useful for both policy makers and researchers. The study is sustaining the series of studies of international partnership strategy for a group of four UK universities implemented by Ayoubi and followed by a paper in ICERI.

Best-fit Alliance Partners: The Use of Critical Success Factors in a Comprehensive Partner Selection Process

Firms increasingly form alliances to access needed capabilities, gain knowledge and seek competitive advantage. Strategic alliance partner selection is a critical aspect of successful alliance development; even superior alliance management may not be sufficient to overcome poor initial partner screening and selection efforts. Prior partner selection research has typically focused on generic, conceptual motivations for alliances, addressing only some pieces of the partner selection puzzle; in addition, previous research has been static and has not presented a way to operationalize partner selection analysis. This paper presents a new conceptual comprehensive partner selection framework that includes dynamic partner selection considerations. In addition, a new analytical partner selection tool is presented to illustrate how firms can operationalize their partner selection analysis process. Developed and tested with input from over two hundred alliance managers, the comprehensive partner selection framework includes new perspectives and an analysis of four critical alliance partner selection criteria, or critical success factors (CSFs): task-related CSFs — factors that facilitate or inhibit the successful completion of desired alliance objectives; learning-related CSFs — critical, desired attributes in potential alliance partners that enhance learning outcomes; partnering-related CSFs — relational factors that can enhance or inhibit how the alliance unfolds and therefore affect its outcomes; and risk-related CSFs — factors that arise from the interdependent nature of alliances, which are often neglected in practice. Where aspects of these CSFs have been omitted from analysis during initial partner selection, alliance managers tell us of a litany of issues, challenges and failures that they have been forced to address, many of which might have been avoided altogether with greater diligence up front. We embed these four sets of criteria within a comprehensive partner selection framework and provide guidelines, examples and a specific methodology designed to help managers address the complexities involved in developing their own, unique partner selection criteria and processes.

Process Modeling of Virtual Enterprises Partner Selection Based on Petri Net

Partner selection process is a major issue in the formation of a virtual enterprise. This paper analyzes the partner selection process of a virtual enterprise and provides its model based on Petri net. The model describes the dynamic behaviors such as concurrent, asynchronism among the factors in partner selection process. In addition, paper analyzes the liveness of the process model by means of the reachability tree.

Integrating the concept of sustainability into the partner selection process: a fuzzy-AHP-TOPSIS approach

In recent years, numerous publications of supply chain management have dealt with partner selection methods. So far, research has failed to offer a holistic approach for the selection of recycling partners while focusing on financial, environmental and social factors. In view of this fact, our paper aims at developing an integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Model (MCDM) that supports recycling partners. On the basis of a systematic literature review, we identified limitations of the existing approaches and designed an integrated Fuzzy-AHP-TOPSIS model. The approach is validated by means of an empirical study in the electrics and electronics industry.

Stochastic perspective of industrial distribution network processes

This article investigates contemporary distribution processes in the industrial market. The main trend in distribution during the recent decades manifests itself in a growing number of network-type distribution chains. Based on the evolutionary trends in distribution research, we came up with the idea to investigate distribution networks processes using mathematical tools of probability theory. We consider a distribution network in a stochastic way, where a focal agent optimizes the distribution chain at each decision-making node by switching between possible partners. This allows us to apply time-homogeneous Markov chains theory to explore the partner selection process. We present an approach that allows for the estimating of implicit non-price variables of partner choice in a supply chain. The approach is based on the research context of the transitional Russian economy.

A hybrid trust-enhanced collaborative filtering recommendation approach for personalized government-to-business e-services

The information overload on the World Wide Web results in the underuse of some existing e-government services within the business domain. Small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), in particular, are seeking “one-to-one'' e-services from government in current highly competitive markets, and there is an imperative need to develop Web personalization techniques to provide business users with information and services specific to their needs, rather than an undifferentiated mass of information. This paper focuses on how e-governments can support businesses on the problem of selecting a trustworthy business partner to perform reliable business transactions. In the business partner selection process, trust or reputation information is crucial and has significant influence on a business user's decision regarding whether or not to do business with other business entities. For this purpose, an intelligent trust-enhanced recommendation approach to provide personalized government-to-business (G2B) e-services, and in particular, business partner recommendation e-services for SMBs is proposed. Accordingly, in this paper, we develop (1) an implicit trust filtering recommendation approach and (2) an enhanced user-based collaborative filtering (CF) recommendation approach. To further exploit the advantages of the two proposed approaches, we develop (3) a hybrid trust-enhanced CF recommendation approach (TeCF) that integrates both the proposed implicit trust filtering and the enhanced user-based CF recommendation approaches. Empirical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches, especially the hybrid TeCF recommendation approach in terms of improving accuracy, as well as in dealing with very sparse data sets and cold-start users. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Recombinant knowledge and the evolution of innovation networks

We introduce a new model for the evolution of networks of firms exchanging knowledge in R&D partnerships. Innovation is assumed to result from the recombination of knowledge among firms in an R&D intensive industry. The decision of two firms to establish a new partnerships or to terminate an existing one, is based on their marginal revenues and costs, which in turn depend on the position they occupy in the network. Moreover, the formation of a collaboration has significant external effects on the other firms in the same connected component of the network. We show that this decentralized partner selection process leads to the existence of multiple equilibrium structures. Finally, by means of computer simulations, we study the properties of the emerging equilibrium networks and we show that they reproduce the stylized facts of R&D networks.

Partner selection in a virtual enterprise under uncertain information about candidates

Partner selection is a major issue in the formation of a virtual enterprise. In practice, in the partner selection process, the information about the candidates and their performances are incomplete and uncertain. Vague sets theory is one of the methods used to deal with uncertain information. In this paper, a new method based on vague sets is proposed to deal with the partner selection problem in the formation of a virtual enterprise while the factors of satisfaction degree, due date, cost and the precedence of tasks are taken into account. On the basis of the agreement index of satisfaction degree, the formulated partner selection problems are interpreted so as to maximize the minimum agreement index. To solve the problem, an improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed. Finally, the simulation of a numerical example demonstrates that the method is effective.