Title: Remote access to group expertise: an essential e-operation for SMEs

Authors: Nikolaos Bougioukos, Fotios Petropoulos, Pavlos Kapsianis, Konstantinos Nikolopoulos, Elli Pagourtzi, Vassilios Assimakopoulos

Addresses: Forecasting Systems Unit, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytexneiou Street, Zografou 15780, Greece. ' Forecasting Systems Unit, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytexneiou Street, Zografou 15780, Greece. ' Forecasting Systems Unit, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytexneiou Street, Zografou 15780, Greece. ' Decision Sciences and Operations Management Group, Division of Business Systems, Manchester Business School, UK; Forecasting Systems Unit, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytexneiou Street, Zografou 15780, Greece. ' Observatory for the Information Society, Ministry of Economy and Finance, 5-7 Nikis Street, Athens 10180, Greece; Forecasting Systems Unit, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytexneiou Street, Zografou 15780, Greece. ' Special Secretary for Digital Planning, Ministry of Economy and Finance, 5-7 Nikis Street, Athens 10180, Greece; Forecasting Systems Unit, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytexneiou Street, Zografou 15780, Greece

Abstract: Remote access for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to group expertise is a key service for efficient decision support. E-tools that could provide such services would enhance the decision-making process and at the same time provide a value-for-money solution; also they are very easy to assemble. E-tools reserve very limited time of their daily workload, thus facilitating participation in such decision support tasks; not to mention that virtual attendance reduces the impact of group bias. This study presents a web-based application of a semi-Delphi approach, using modern three-tier architecture, providing real-time group decision making features.

Keywords: SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; remote access; group decision making; Delphi method; experts; e-tools; group expertise; decision support; internet; online tools; web-based applications.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2008.021186

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2008 Vol.5 No.6, pp.619 - 633

Published online: 09 Nov 2008 *

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