This research provides a framework for identifying the core competencies and consequently the competitive advantage of small and medium-sized manufacturing organizations in conditions of fuzzy uncertainty.

This research ranks of the core competencies using the group fuzzy TOPSIS method, which is a mathematical model.

Research findings show that the core competencies of customer services and advertising are considered as a "competitive advantage" in small and medium-sized manufacturing organizations.

Originality/Value:

 To extract the core competencies, the review conducted showed that the previous models ignore the resource-based condition. Moreover, only four main factors including the value creation, uniqueness, irreplaceability, and imitation are considered for screening the core competencies under competitive condition. Taking a different viewpoint, the framework proposed in this study not only encompass the resource based factors but also it covers the market base condition to identify the core competencies. Therefore, in addition to the four above-mentioned factors for screening core competencies, two more factors including the new market creation and scope of application are considered in this research. Also, as a novel application, a group fuzzy TOPSIS method has been developed to identify the core competencies under resource-based and market-based conditions.