ABSTRACT
  The main objective of this PhD thesis is to propose an innovative methodology for the creation of a 
measurement system for the competitiveness among companies of a same sector, considering the most 
influential internal factors of different nature. To that end, we use as a basic principle a multi-criteria 
decision making method to facilitate the indicators selection process.
  The research focuses on the integration of a competitiveness paradigm, a measurement system of 
business performance and a multi-criteria decision making technique.
  The methodology proposed offers to the sector’s corporate management the possibility of knowing 
their relative position among other companies, from a competitiveness point of view and, in that sense, 
determining the orientation on relevant areas in which each company must address their resources in 
order to improve their competitive position. Additionally, by using the methodology as an instrument, a 
contribution to knowledge is offered, allowing to know the nature of the measurement system for 
competitiveness in any business sector.
  In order to achieve the main objective, this research was developed in the following stages:
  1) Analysis of the available knowledge on basic areas for the selection of competitiveness indicators, 
such as: competitiveness models, performance measurement systems, multi-criteria decision making 
models and applications of business competitiveness evaluation.
  2) Design of the methodological proposal adapted to a competitiveness measurement system, aimed to 
a business sector, considering different indicators, which represent the internal factors of its value chain.
  3) Validation of the proposed methodology. This task is fulfilled through the application of the 
methodology into a Venezuelan business sector with the assistance of three experts —representatives of 
the sector—; therefore, the definition of competitiveness indicators and company ranking is thus 
fulfilled. As a consequence, the methodology is validated both in the results and in the process itself for 
the representatives of the business sector.
  4) Knowledge of the nature of the competitiveness measurement system in different business sectors. 
In view of the results of the case study in six sectors, we assert that the competitiveness indicators are 
different and have a specific relative importance weight for each sector.