Interactive meta-goal programming: A decision analysis approach for collaborative manufacturing

Abstract

The benefits of collaborative manufacturing are widely recognized by both the industry and the academic world. However, the engagement of collaborative manufacturing for small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) has proven to be a challenging task. One critical obstacle is that decision makers are constantly haunted by reoccurring complex decision making aiming toward the attainment of strategic objectives for collaborative manufacturing. The focus of this study is thus to develop an interactive meta-goal programming (IMGP) -based decision analysis framework to support the decision-making processes for collaborative manufacturing. The framework will have a critical positive impact on the operation of SMMEs engaging in collaborative manufacturing, as the accuracy and efficiency of their collaborative decision-making processes will be significantly improved. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.