A fuzzy multi‐objective balanced scorecard approach for selecting an optimal electronic business process management best practice (e‐BPM^BP)

Abstract

Purpose

The rapid intensification of the internet and electronic commerce diffusion has given rise to electronic business process management (e‐BPM) which enhances the overall connectivity of the business processes. However, when confronted by the range of e‐BPM best practices (e‐BPM^BPs), organizations struggle to identify the one most appropriate to their needs. The paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a novel fuzzy group multi‐objective method for e‐BPM^BP evaluation and selection. First, a fuzzy group linear assignment method is used to rank the e‐BPM^BPs drawing on the four perspectives of a balanced scorecard (BSC). Second, a fuzzy group real options approach is used to estimate the financial values of the ranked e‐BPM^BPs. Third, a four‐objective assignment model is used to select the optimal e‐BPM^BP in deferral time with respect to their rankings, financial values, and a series of pertinent constraints.

Findings

The contribution of the proposed method is threefold: it is grounded in the four perspectives of a BSC, it considers imprecise or vague judgments which lead to ambiguity in the decision process, and it uses a meaningful and robust multi‐objective model to aggregate both qualitative judgments and quantitative data. A case study is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework and to exhibit the efficacy of the procedures and algorithms.

Originality/value

The novel fuzzy group multi‐objective framework for e‐BPM^BP evaluation and selection proposed in the paper takes into consideration (1) the qualitative and quantitative criteria and their respective value judgments; (2) the verbal expressions and linguistic variables for qualitative judgments which lead to ambiguity in the decision process; and (3) imprecise or vague judgments.

Citation

Zandi, F. and Tavana, M. (2011), "A fuzzy multi‐objective balanced scorecard approach for selecting an optimal electronic business process management best practice (e‐BPM^BP)", Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 147-178. https://doi.org/10.1108/14637151111105625