A Greenfield Selection Model For SME's Based Within The Rapid Product Development sector

This work has been undertaken to research and determine a robust site selection model for small to medium sized enterprises based in the European Rapid Product Development sector. Site selection is a complex, multi-level decision-making problem that combines issues such as market forces, provision of finance, availability of workforce etc., with the actual site selection requirements. The process of site selection must be undertaken in a near as possible neutral decision making environment. The decision model must be able to deliver an outcome that is compatible to the demands of the "real world problem". Typical decision-making models are either limited and therefore do not provide sufficient clarity, or are over complex and rely on mathematically perfect solutions that may have no real value in actual decision-making processes. Most decision-making models are matrix based and rely on the principle of first past the post, where the highest score provides the "winner" or outcome. Overall the matrix system is robust but typically limited. This work shows that a two-stage decision model should be adopted that incorporates decision cells to enable profiles of the target location to be mapped and analysed against that of the optimum desired outcome. This work also shows that it should be possible to portray the whole site selection project (inward investment process) as a stage gate model where each stage is logically presented and analysed in relation to the corporate needs.