Integrating GSS and AHP: experiences from benchmarking of buyer-supplier relationships

The increasing overall global competition forces requirements for companies to improve their business performance continuously in every sector. The utilization of external resources, including a supplier network, has become one of the most critical development areas of business, needing a lot of attention. The performance of buyer-supplier relationships will be enhanced by using a benchmarking method in aiding the identification and implementation of development actions required for reaching the world-class level. The benchmarking process will be led by two decision support systems: AHP and GSS, to ensure valuable outcomes of the benchmarking with less resources.