Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of knowledge and Information Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to design and evaluate a knowledge-based framework for extracting, representing, classifying, and prioritizing strategic knowledge related to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the pharmaceutical industry through the integration of text mining, machine learning, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process.
Methodology: An exploratory mixed-methods approach was employed. A systematic content analysis of 62 valid sources identified 1,704 strategic factors, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as 460 combined strategies. These outputs were validated through a three-round fuzzy Delphi process involving 20 experts, resulting in strong consensus. The textual statements were transformed into numerical features using term frequency–inverse document frequency and classified using four algorithms. The Analytic Hierarchy Process was then applied to weight the SWOT dimensions and ten model components, with acceptable consistency ratios below 0.10.
Findings: Opportunities received the highest weight (0.467), followed by strengths, threats, and weaknesses. Among the four algorithms, Random Forest achieved the best performance, with an accuracy of 81.13%. Among the ten prioritized components, digital transformation in the strategy formulation system ranked first (0.233), followed by intelligent environmental analysis (0.177) and decision support systems (0.155).
Conclusion: The proposed framework reduces the gap between raw textual data and decision-making and transforms SWOT analysis from a subjective tool into a repeatable, data-driven, and decision-support process.
Value: The main value lies in integrating expert-validated content analysis, strategy classification, and multi-criteria decision-making to provide a structured pathway from dispersed textual knowledge to prioritized and actionable strategies for pharmaceutical companies.
Keywords
- SWOT
- Strategic decision-making
- Strategic Intelligence
- knowledge-based strategies
- fuzzy Delphi method
Main Subjects
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