Applying fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making to evaluating the control and coordination mechanisms of MNCs

Under the trend of global competition, how to build organizational competences to exploit both the efficiency of global integration and effectiveness of local responsiveness is a great challenge for multinational corporations (MNCs). It is argued that an appropriate design of control and coordination mechanisms could enhance these required competences. This study would like to explore the application of fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making in facilitating the design of control and coordination mechanisms. By combining the network organization perspective, which emphasizes the improvement of organizational benefits, with the information processing perspective, which emphasizes the cost efficiency of control mechanisms, this study attempts to propose a quantitative decision-making model which consists of three dimensions: benefit, cost and feasibility, and consequently these multi-criteria are set to evaluate twelve control and coordination mechanisms. Using company N as an example, this study presents an approach to using fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making to choose appropriate control and coordination mechanisms.