A decision-support system for business acquisitions

In this paper, a hybrid Decision-support System for Business Acquisition Process (DSBAP) is presented. This application uses a hybrid knowledge-based system to place a bidding on the target company, formulating a strategy, and modification of the initial strategy (if necessary) for the acquisition processes. The whole system relies on two reasoning methods, rule-based reasoning (RBR) and case-based reasoning (CBR) to assist in decision-making process for business professionals. It also describes an argument structure to generate plausible explanations for conclusion reached by RBR, and a means of integration with CBR. The RBR module dominates, but activates CBR explicitly at specific points in the reasoning process. The knowledge in rule form and previously decided case form are represented by using an object-oriented scheme. An overview of the functionality of the DSBAP system and a description of the represented knowledge are presented through the example of a set of business acquisition cases. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.