Title: An intelligent decision support system for SMEs' activation in the energy sector

Authors: Alexandra G. Papadopoulou, Haris Doukas, John Psarras

Addresses: Management and Decision Support Systems Laboratory (EPU-NTUA), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou str., 15773, Athens, Greece. ' Management and Decision Support Systems Laboratory (EPU-NTUA), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou str., 15773, Athens, Greece. ' Management and Decision Support Systems Laboratory (EPU-NTUA), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou str., 15773, Athens, Greece

Abstract: SMEs| contribution and role in boosting the countries| national economy is of high importance and widely recognised. However, their activation in the energy sector, in terms of the provision of integrated energy services, is limited and further support is required so as to foster their introduction. To the best of our knowledge, a decision support system specifically designed for addressing SMEs| needs and priorities towards their activation in the energy services sector is not present in the literature. In this respect, the main scope of this paper is to present an intelligent decision support system for enhancing SMEs| role in the provision of energy services to operational units of the wider building, as well as the industrial sector. Moreover, the system|s pilot application is presented and discussed.

Keywords: intelligent DSS; decision support systems; SMEs; energy information systems; building industry; industrial sector; operational units; small and medium-sized enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMDM.2009.023918

International Journal of Management and Decision Making, 2009 Vol.10 No.1/2, pp.125 - 137

Published online: 18 Mar 2009 *

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