Comparing the Clustering Enterprises Using K-means and Expectation Maximization

Abstract

Development of ICT supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to collaborate temporarily based on core competencies, sharing resources and cost to exploit fast-changing opportunities. By adopting highly flexible collaborative network as known virtual enterprise (VE), the companies have been able to receive benefits of agility, competitiveness and optimization. Many researches have been done on VE and agility, but much less attention has been paid to investigate relation between VE and agility in SC complex situation. This paper aims to investigate relationship between the achievements for agility through joining in VE affiliation. Three distinct clusters were identified based on attributes belong to main dimension of reference structure. Popular used clustering algorithms of K-means and expectation maximization (EM) algorithm have adopted. Clusters have been named emerging players, major players and agile players based on their enabling level and capability level.