Generalization of the linguistic aggregation operator and its application in decision making

A generalization of the linguistic aggregation functions （or operators） is presented by using generalized and quasiarithmetic means. Firstly, the linguistic weighted generalized mean （LWGM） and the linguistic generalized ordered weighted averaging （LGOWA） operator are introduced. These aggregation functions use linguistic information and generalized means in the weighted average （WA） and in the ordered weighted averaging （OWA） function. They are very useful for uncertain situations where the available information cannot be assessed with numerical values but it is possible to use linguistic assessments. These aggregation operators generalize a wide range of aggregation operators that use linguistic information such as the linguistic generalized mean （LGM）, the linguistic OWA （LOWA） operator and the linguistic or- dered weighted quadratic averaging （LOWQA） operator. We also introduce a further generalization by using quasi-arithmetic means instead of generalized means obtaining the quasi-LWA and the quasi-LOWA operator. Finally, we develop an application of the new approach where we analyze a decision making problem regarding the selection of strategies.

The Moderating Effect of Team Orientation Over the Relationship Between TMT Strategic Decision Speed and Firm Performance

Due to the fast changing competitive environment faced by organizations, companies are forced to find ways to quickly adapt to technological innovations, changing demands of customers, and strategic actions taken by competitors. The purpose of the paper is to further the relationship between top management team （TMT） strategic decision speed and firm performance, considering the team processes when making strategic decisions in the face of complex environments. Measures of TMT strategic decision speed, firm performance, team orientation, and environmental complexity were collected from 29 top management teams of Mexican companies, which represented a total of 118 questionnaires. Pearson correlations among the variables and moderated regression analyses were performed, to test the hypotheses included in the study. Results show a positive relation between environmental complexity and TMT strategic decision speed and between team orientation and speed. Furthermore, results show that there is a positive relation between TMT strategic decision speed and firm performance in the presence of team orientation. In other words, team orientation moderates the relationship between TMT strategic speed and firm performance. Among the implications for managers is that they must ensure effective team processes （e.g., building consensus, active participation, and trust among team members） when making strategic decisions in order for the firm to perform better.

A WISE STRATEGIC DECISION——Written in Celebration of Establishment of China-South Africa Diplomatic Ties

South Africa is to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic ofChina by the end of this year while cutting off its official ties with Taiwan.This will be a major event worthy of warm celebrations. It will usher in a newstage in the annals of bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation. The decisionfor the changeover in diplomatic recognition by the new South Africa Governmentis a wise, crucial strategic action taken after all-round deliberations on its long-termstate interests and carried out in accordance with diplomatic norms accepted in theinternational community. No doubt, it will exert positive impact worldwide.

Influence of decision makers＇ characteristics on risk analysis in strategic investment decisions

This study empirically examines the influence of decision makers＇ （DMs） characteristics on risk analysis in strategic investment decisions （SIDs） of companies operating automotive industry in India. This study has developed and tested a structural model that linking select demographics, risk propensity and risk analysis in SIDs. The primary data were collected from Senior Finance Professionals （CFOs, GMs, VPs and so on） representing 36 listed automotive companies operating in India. Based on the responses collected from a single cross-sectional mailed survey, this study finds that risk propensity has a significant positive influence on the extent of usage of risk analysis in SIDs.

Western China Development Drive——Strategic decision for improving right to subsistence and development

The implementation of the Western China Development Strategy is a concrete expression of accelerating the economic development and social progress and sateguarding and protecting the right to subsistence and development of the people in that part of the country,

The Effects of Business Intelligence on Strategic Management of Enterprises

Discipline of informatics must contain one of the significant issues that need to develop for especially processing systems of large-scale enterprises. At this point, a well-designed business intelligence （BI） system, which includes a structure of regular business activities and analyses within whole an enterprise, requires to manage stored data and transform the data into information as an output and forecasting targets and provide sustainable growth for an enterprise or an organization. Information systems （IS） support to constitute these processes by using the information technologies （IT） that cause to capture data which will be transformed into information and integrate whole subsystems that need to develop for all departments of the enterprise. BI tools organize all parts of these business analysis and processes and effect on the top management level of enterprises or organizations. Decision makers at the top-level of management must use these information and knowledge to orient future decisions for the enterprise that includes investments, company policies, precautions for the future negations, etc. This study shows that the BI is not only an IS, but also reinforcement for strategic decisions of the enterprises and/or organizations.