Decision support systems in crowdfunding: A fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) approach

Abstract

Crowdfunding as an alternative source of finance to banking is the subject of numerous research works. This research proposes the guidelines of a Decision Support System (DSS) in the area of crowdfunding based on a Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) approach. A framework consisting of three phases (ten steps) has been proposed to design the guidelines of a DSS in crowdfunding. The first phase focusses in the construction of the FCM. FCMbased scenarios have been built in the second phase. Finally, in the third phase the guidelines of the DSS in crowdfunding have been defined. Results show that DSS using FCM-based scenarios could be useful tools to promoters, funders and managers of crowdfunding projects.