Research Article

Application of Fuzzy DEMATEL in Risks Evaluation of Knowledge-Based Networks

Table 1

Main types of risks threatening KNs.

Risk typeInstances

Policy riskGovernmental policies, changes in the law, bureaucracy, lack of decision support, new regulations, economic shifts, lack of formal procedures, lack of quality control system, recession, inflation, increasing labor costs, actions and sanctions, shifts in legislation, change in exchange rates, lack of capital, labor disputes, inaccurate forecasts, infrastructure breakdown, and so forth.

Market riskChanges in customer expectations, price changes, intensified competition, variations in customer demand, supplier bankruptcy, uncertainty about competitors' moves, supply disruption, and so forth.

Culture riskCultural differences between companies and people, lack of trust, language barriers, less willingness to share knowledge, misunderstandings, and so forth.

Knowledge riskCultural differences between companies and people, lack of trust, language barriers, less willingness to share knowledge, misunderstandings, and so forth.

Cooperative riskOrganizational barriers, inefficient processes, lack of coordination, bureaucracy, natural disasters, and so forth.

Contractual riskRenegotiation of contracts, leave of business partners, supplier bankruptcy, poor quality materials, opportunism, lack of formal procedures, and so forth.

Knowledge asset riskLack of technology, changes in technology, patent right infringement, theft, forging, and so forth.

Talent risksFluctuation of skillful employees, lack of human resources, and so forth.