The Application of Case Based Reasoning to the Interpretation of Financial Data for Acquisition Analysis

This paper illustrates how knowledge based systems technology, and in particular case based reasoning technology, can assist in the interpretation of financial data for acquisition analysis. The authors discuss a prototype model designed to help a company formulate an effective acquisition decision. The model includes both rule based and case based reasoning technology. There is a particular focus on the issues involved in the application of case based reasoning techniques to the automation of the acquisition decision-making process. The development of this hybrid system has shown that it is possible to use knowledge based systems methods to build a hybrid decision support system in the area of financial strategic decision making, especially if the domain is well defined, has a large number of factors to be considered and the relevant knowledge is available. This system has illustrated the immense impact that knowledge based systems technology and case based reasoning can have upon business processes.