GIANN - a methodology for optimizing competitiveness performance assessment models for small and medium-sized enterprises

The adoption of models based on key performance indicators to diagnose and evaluate the competitiveness of companies has been presented as a trend in the operations' management. These models are structured with different variables in complex interrelationships, making diagnosis and monitoring difficult due to the number of variables involved, which is one of the main management challenges of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. In this sense, this article proposes the Gain Information Artificial Neural Network (GIANN) method. GIANN is a method to optimize the number of variables of assessment models for the competitiveness and operational performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. GIANN is a hybrid methodology combining Multi-attribute Utility Theory with Entropy and Information Gain concepts and computational modeling through Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Network. The model used in this article integrates variables such as fundamental points of view, critical success factors, and key performance indicators. GIANN was validated through a survey of managers of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Southern Brazil. The initial model was adjusted, reducing the number of key performance indicators by 39% while maintaining the accuracy of the results of the competitiveness measurement. With GIANN, the number of variables to be monitored decreases considerably, facilitating the management of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.