{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,4]],"date-time":"2026-06-04T23:13:01Z","timestamp":1780614781862,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":50,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2008,7,18]],"date-time":"2008-07-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1216339200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2008,7,18]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>The objective of this paper is to present the employment of the new hierarchical fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach to evaluate the most suitable business process outsourcing (BPO) decision.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper explains the importance of selection criteria for evaluation of BPO. It then describes briefly the fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS methodology. There then follows a discussion of the application of the fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS with some sensitivity analysis to the BPO evaluation problem. Finally, some concluding remarks and perspectives are offered.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>Use of the hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS methodology offers a number of benefits. It is a more systematic method than the other fuzzy multi\u2010criteria decision\u2010making (FMCDM) methods and it is more capable of capturing a human's appraisal of ambiguity when complex multi\u2010criteria decision\u2010making problems are considered. The hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS is superior to the other FMCDM methods, such as fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and classical fuzzy TOPSIS methods, since the hierarchical structure without making pairwise comparisons among criteria, sub\u2010criteria, and alternatives is considered. Hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS is an excellent tool to handle qualitative assessments about BPO evaluation problems, and its calculations are faster than FAHP. Also, hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS makes it possible to take into account the hierarchical structure in the evaluation model. However, there are drawbacks. The classical fuzzy TOPSIS is a highly complex methodology and requires more numerical calculations in assessing the ranking order of the alternatives than the hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS methodology and hence it increases the effort, thus limiting its applicability to real world problems.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>The proposed model will be very useful to managers in the manufacturing sector, as this method makes decision making easier, systematic, efficient and effective.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/09685220810893180","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2008,8,16]],"date-time":"2008-08-16T07:38:34Z","timestamp":1218872314000},"page":"213-234","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":25,"title":["Fuzzy multi\u2010criteria risk\u2010benefit analysis of business process outsourcing (BPO)"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Sel\u00e7uk","family":"Per\u00e7in","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Altinkemer, K., Chaturvedi, A. and Gulati, R. (1994), \u201cInformation systems outsourcing: issues and evidence\u201d, International Journal of Information Management, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 252\u201068.","DOI":"10.1016\/0268-4012(94)90003-5"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bellman, R.E. and Zadeh, L.A. (1970), \u201cDecision\u2010making in a fuzzy environment\u201d, Management Science, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 141\u201064.","DOI":"10.1287\/mnsc.17.4.B141"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bottani, E. and Rizzi, A. (2006), \u201cA fuzzy TOPSIS methodology to support outsourcing of logistics services\u201d, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 294\u2010308.","DOI":"10.1108\/13598540610671743"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Buck\u2010Lew, M. (1992), \u201cTo outsource or not?\u201d, International Journal of Information Management, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 3\u201020.","DOI":"10.1016\/0268-4012(92)90049-V"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chen, C.T. (2000), \u201cExtensions of the TOPSIS for group decision\u2010making under fuzzy environment\u201d, Fuzzy Sets and Systems, Vol. 114 No. 1, pp. 1\u20109.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0165-0114(97)00377-1"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chen, C.T., Lin, C.T. and Huang, S.F. (2006), \u201cA fuzzy approach for supplier evaluation and selection in supply chain management\u201d, International Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 102 No. 2, pp. 289\u2010301.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpe.2005.03.009"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chen, S.J. and Hwang, C.L. (1992), Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision Making Methods and Applications, Springer, Berlin.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-642-46768-4"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Conklin, D.W. (2005), \u201cRisks and rewards in HR business process outsourcing\u201d, Long Range Planning, Vol. 38 No. 6, pp. 579\u201098.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.lrp.2005.09.004"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Currie, W. (1996), \u201cOutsourcing in the private and public sectors: an unpredictable IT strategy\u201d, European Journal of Information Systems, Vol. 4 No. 4, pp. 226\u201036.","DOI":"10.1057\/ejis.1996.4"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"D'Aveni, R. and Ravenscraft, D. (1994), \u201cEconomies of integration versus bureaucracy costs: does vertical integration improve performance?\u201d, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 37 No. 5, pp. 1167\u2010206.","DOI":"10.5465\/256670"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Deng, H., Yeh, C. and Willis, R.J. (2000), \u201cInter\u2010company comparison using modified TOPSIS with objective weights\u201d, Computers & Operations Research, Vol. 27 No. 10, pp. 963\u201073.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0305-0548(99)00069-6"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Duening, T.N. (2005), \u201cIdentifying business process outsourcing opportunities\u201d, Natural Gas & Electricity, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 23\u20107.","DOI":"10.1002\/9781118386279"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Embleton, P.R. and Wright, P.C. (1998), \u201cA practical guide to successful outsourcing\u201d, Empowerment in Organizations, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 94\u2010106.","DOI":"10.1108\/14634449810210832"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Finlay, P.N. and King, R.M. (1999), \u201cIT outsourcing: a research framework\u201d, International Journal of Technology Management, Vol. 17 Nos 1\/2, pp. 109\u201028.","DOI":"10.1504\/IJTM.1999.002703"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fu, G. (2008), \u201cA fuzzy optimization method for multicriteria decision making: an application to reservoir flood control operation\u201d, Expert Systems with Applications, Vol. 34 No. 1, pp. 145\u20109.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eswa.2006.08.021"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gonzalez, R., Gasco, J. and Llopis, J. (2005), \u201cInformation systems outsourcing success factors: a review and some results\u201d, Information Management & Computer Security, Vol. 13 No. 5, pp. 399\u2010418.","DOI":"10.1108\/09685220510627287"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Grover, V., Cheon, M.J. and Teng, J.T.C. (1994), \u201cA descriptive study on the outsourcing of information systems functions\u201d, Information & Management, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 33\u201044.","DOI":"10.1016\/0378-7206(94)90100-7"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hon, C.C., Guh, Y.Y., Wang, K.M. and Lee, E.S. (1996), \u201cFuzzy multiple attributes and multiple hierarchical decision making\u201d, Computers & Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 32 No. 12, pp. 109\u201019.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0898-1221(96)00211-8"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hwang, C.L. and Yoon, K. (1981), Multiple Attribute Decision Making Methods and Applications, Springer, New York, NY.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-642-48318-9"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b20","unstructured":"IDC (2007), Industry Developments and Models: IDC's Worldwide Sales and Marketing Taxonomy: A Blueprint for Cost Control, IDC 205444, Vol. 1, IDC\/International Data Corporation, Framingham, MA, pp. 1\u201038."},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jee, D.H. and Kang, K.J. (2000), \u201cA method for optimal material selection aided with decision making theory\u201d, Materials & Design, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 199\u2010206.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0261-3069(99)00066-7"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kahraman, C., B\u00fcy\u00fck\u00f6zkan, G. and Ate\u015f, N.Y. (2007a), \u201cA two phase multi\u2010attribute decision\u2010making approach for new product introduction\u201d, Information Sciences, Vol. 177 No. 7, pp. 1567\u201082.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ins.2006.09.008"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kahraman, C., Ate\u015f, N.Y., \u00c7evik, S. and G\u00fclbay, M. (2007b), \u201cFuzzy multi\u2010attribute cost\u2010benefit analysis of e\u2010services\u201d, International Journal of Intelligent Systems, Vol. 22 No. 5, pp. 547\u201065.","DOI":"10.1002\/int.20213"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kahraman, C., \u00c7evik, S., Ate\u015f, N.Y. and G\u00fclbay, M. (2007c), \u201cFuzzy multi\u2010criteria evaluation of industrial robotic systems\u201d, Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 52 No. 4, pp. 414\u201033.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2007.01.005"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kahraman, C., Ate\u015f, N.Y., \u00c7evik, S., G\u00fclbay, M. and Erdo\u011fan, S.A. (2007d), \u201cHierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS model for selection among logistics information technologies\u201d, Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 143\u201068.","DOI":"10.1108\/17410390710725742"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kern, T., Willcocks, L. and Heck, E. (2002), \u201cThe winner's curse in IT outsourcing: strategies for avoiding relational trauma\u201d, California Management Review, Vol. 44 No. 2, pp. 7\u201069.","DOI":"10.2307\/41166122"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ketler, K. and Walstrom, J. (1993), \u201cThe outsourcing decision\u201d, International Journal of Information Management, Vol. 13 No. 6, pp. 449\u201059.","DOI":"10.1016\/0268-4012(93)90061-8"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lacity, M., Hirschheim, R. and Willcocks, L. (1994), \u201cRealizing outsourcing expectations: incredible expectations, credible outcomes\u201d, Information Systems Management, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 7\u201018.","DOI":"10.1080\/07399019408964664"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lacity, M.C., Willcocks, L. and Feeny, D. (2004), \u201cCommercializing the back office at Lloyd's of London: outsourcing and strategic partnerships revisited\u201d, European Management Journal, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 127\u201040.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.emj.2004.01.016"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lee, E.S. and Li, R.J. (1988), \u201cComparison of fuzzy numbers based on the probability measure of fuzzy events\u201d, Computers & Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 15 No. 10, pp. 887\u201096.","DOI":"10.1016\/0898-1221(88)90124-1"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liang, G.S. (1999), \u201cFuzzy MCDM based on ideal and anti\u2010ideal concepts\u201d, European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 112 No. 3, pp. 682\u201091.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0377-2217(97)00410-4"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Loh, L. and Venkatraman, N. (1992), \u201cDeterminants of information technology outsourcing: a cross\u2010sectional analysis\u201d, Journal of Management Information Systems, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 7\u201024.","DOI":"10.1080\/07421222.1992.11517945"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b34","unstructured":"McFarlan, F.W. and Nolan, R.L. (1995), \u201cHow to manage an IT outsourcing alliance\u201d, Sloan Management Review, Vol. 36 No. 2, pp. 9\u201023."},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mahnke, V., Overby, M.L. and Vang, J. (2005), \u201cStrategic outsourcing of IT services: theoretical stocktaking and empirical challenges\u201d, Industry and Innovation, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 205\u201053.","DOI":"10.1080\/13662710500087958"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mehta, A., Armenakis, A., Mehta, N. and Irani, F. (2006), \u201cChallenges and opportunities of business process outsourcing in India\u201d, Journal of Labor Research, Vol. XXVII No. 3, pp. 323\u201038.","DOI":"10.1007\/s12122-006-1026-8"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Michell, V. and Fitzgerald, G. (1997), \u201cThe IT outsourcing market\u2010place: vendors and their selection\u201d, Journal of Information Technology, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 223\u201037.","DOI":"10.1177\/026839629701200306"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b37","unstructured":"Mouhalis, J. (2006), \u201cBusiness process outsourcing: is it right for you?\u201d, Mortgage Banking, Vol. 67 No. 1, pp. 190\u20102."},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Parkan, C. and Wu, M. (1999), \u201cDecision\u2010making and performance measurement models with applications to robot selection\u201d, Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 36 No. 3, pp. 503\u201023.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0360-8352(99)00146-1"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b39","unstructured":"Quinn, J.B. and Hilmer, F.B. (1994), \u201cStrategic outsourcing\u201d, Sloan Management Review, Vol. 35 No. 4, pp. 43\u201055."},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sen, F. and Shiel, M. (2006), \u201cFrom business process outsourcing (BPO) to knowledge process outsourcing (KPO): some issues\u201d, Human Systems Management, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 145\u201055.","DOI":"10.3233\/HSM-2006-25207"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shi, Y. (2007), \u201cToday's solution and tomorrow's problem: the business process outsourcing risk management puzzle\u201d, California Management Review, Vol. 49 No. 3, pp. 27\u201044.","DOI":"10.2307\/41166393"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Triantaphyllou, E. (2000), Multi\u2010Criteria Decision\u2010Making Methods: A Comparative Study, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4757-3157-6"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Triantaphyllou, E. and Lin, C.T. (1996), \u201cDevelopment and evaluation of five fuzzy multiattribute decision\u2010making methods\u201d, International Journal of Approximate Reasoning, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 281\u2010310.","DOI":"10.1016\/0888-613X(95)00119-2"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tsaur, S.H., Chang, T.Y. and Yen, C.H. (2002), \u201cThe evaluation of airline service quality by fuzzy MCDM\u201d, Tourism Management, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 107\u201015.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0261-5177(01)00050-4"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Udo, G.G. (2000), \u201cUsing analytic hierarchy process to analyze the information technology outsourcing decision\u201d, Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 100 No. 9, pp. 421\u20109.","DOI":"10.1108\/02635570010358348"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Weerakkody, V., Currie, W.L. and Ekanayake, Y. (2003), \u201cRe\u2010engineering business processes through application service providers: challenges, issues and complexities\u201d, Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 9 No. 6, pp. 776\u201094.","DOI":"10.1108\/14637150310506693"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Willcocks, L., Lacity, M. and Fitzgerald, G. (1995), \u201cInformation technology outsourcing in Europe and the USA: assessment issues\u201d, International Journal of Information Management, Vol. 15 No. 5, pp. 333\u201051.","DOI":"10.1016\/0268-4012(95)00035-6"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang, D.H., Kim, S., Nam, C. and Min, J.W. (2007), \u201cDeveloping a decision model for business process outsourcing\u201d, Computers & Operations Research, Vol. 34 No. 12, pp. 3769\u201078.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cor.2006.01.012"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yoon, K. and Hwang, C.L. (1985), \u201cManufacturing plant location analysis by multiple attribute decision making: Part I \u2013 single plant strategy\u201d, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 345\u201059.","DOI":"10.1080\/00207548508904712"},{"key":"key2022020819435669700_b50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zadeh, L.A. (1965), \u201cFuzzy sets\u201d, Information and Control, Vol. 8, pp. 338\u201053.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0019-9958(65)90241-X"}],"container-title":["Information Management &amp; Computer Security"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emeraldinsight.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1108\/09685220810893180","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/09685220810893180\/full\/xml","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/09685220810893180\/full\/html","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,25]],"date-time":"2025-07-25T00:09:06Z","timestamp":1753402146000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emerald.com\/ics\/article\/16\/3\/213-234\/186621"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2008,7,18]]},"references-count":50,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2008,7,18]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1108\/09685220810893180"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/09685220810893180","relation":{},"ISSN":["0968-5227"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0968-5227","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2008,7,18]]}}}