An Integrated Delphi-DEMATEL-ELECTRE Method on Gray Numbers to Rank Technology Providers

Misunderstanding of technology transfer and lack of a scientific viewpoint in this area are among the fundamental problems of some industries. A novel Delphi-decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL)-elimination and choice expressing reality (ELECTRE) decision-making method, which benefited from both qualitative and quantitative methods, is introduced on gray numbers to solve the selection problem of technology providers systematically. The technology provider evaluation criteria are developed according to a literature review and experts' opinions. Next, the Delphi method is used to evaluate the criteria. Gray DEMATEL is used to investigate the cause and effect relationship between the selected criteria, based on which the criteria were ranked. Finally, using the gray ELECTRE method, the priority of companies is determined. Based on the results of the illustrative case study, the two most robust causal criteria are management/executive capability and cost. Moreover, cost and support through organization policies played a leading role in the system. Also, out of nine technology providers, company 4 is superior to other companies, whereas most companies were of greater advantage to company 5. According to the comparison of weights by Spearman's correlation coefficients, the proposed method is as efficient as the available methods. This novel method can be used in uncertain conditions to select the most reliable company.

Automated summary

Misunderstanding and lack of a scientific viewpoint in technology transfer are problems in some industries. This paper introduces a novel decision-making method using gray numbers to systematically select technology providers, based on causal relationships and priority rankings of evaluation criteria. The method is efficient and applicable in uncertain conditions.