e-Process selection using decision making methods : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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2010
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Massey University
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Abstract
The key objective of this research is to develop a selection methodology that can be
used to support and aid the selection of development processes for e-Commerce
Information Systems (eCIS) effectively using various decision methods. The selection
methodology supports developers in their choice of an e-Commerce Information
System Development Process (e-Process) by providing them with a few different
decision making methods for choosing between defined e-Processes using a set of
quality aspects to compare and evaluate the different options. The methodology also
provides historical data of previous selections that can be used to further support their
specific choice.
The research was initiated by the fast growing Information Technology environment,
where e-Commerce Information Systems is a relatively new development area and
developers of these systems may be using new development methods and have
difficulty deciding on the best suited process to use when developing new eCIS. These
developers also need documentary support for their choices and this research helps
them with these decision-making processes.
The e-Process Selection Methodology allows for the comparison of existing
development processes as well as the comparison of processes as defined by the
developers. Four different decision making methods, the Value-Benefit Method
(Weighted Scoring), the Analytical Hierarchy Process, Case-Based Reasoning and a
Social Choice method are used to solve the problem of selecting among e-Commerce
Development Methodologies.
The Value-Benefit Method, when applied to the selection of an e-Process from a set of
e-Processes, uses multiple quality aspects. Values are assigned to each aspect for each
of the e-Processes by experts. The importance of each of the aspects, to the eCIS, is
defined in terms of weights. The selected e-Process is the one with the highest score
when the values and weights are multiplied and then summed.
The Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to quantify a selection of quality aspects and
then these are used to evaluate alternative e-Processes and thus determining the best
matching solution to the problem. This process provides for the ranking and
determining of the relative worth of each of the quality aspects.
Case-Based Reasoning requires the capturing of the resulting knowledge of previous
cases, in a knowledge base, in order to make a decision. The case database is built in
such a way that the concrete factual knowledge of previous individual cases that were
solved previously is stored and can be used in the decision process. Case-based
reasoning is used to determine the best choices. This allows the user to either use the
selection methodology or the case base database to resolve their problems or both.
Social Choice Methods are based on voting processes. Individuals vote for their
preferences from a set of e-Processes. The results are aggregated to obtain a final
result that indicates which e-Process is the preferred one.
The e-Process Selection Methodology is demonstrated and validated by the
development of a prototype tool. This tool can be used to select the most suitable
solution for a case at hand.
The thesis includes the factors that motivated the research and the process that was
followed. The e-Process Selection Methodology is summarised as well as the strengths
and weaknesses discussed. The contribution to knowledge is explained and future
developments are proposed. To conclude, the lessons learnt and reinforced are
considered.
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Keywords
e-commerce information system, Development processes, Case-based selection