In　this　paper,　a　new　method　based　on　intuitionistic　fuzzy　sets　is　proposed　to　solve　the　partner　selection　problem　in　a　manufacturing　virtual　enterprise.　Based　on　the　concept　of　average　delivery　time　satisfaction　degree,　the　formulated　partner　selection　problem　is　interpreted　so　as　to　maximise　the　score　of　average　delivery　time　satisfaction　degree.　The　model　takes　into　account　the　factors　of　average　delivery　time　satisfaction　degree,　due　date,　cost　and　the　precedence　of　tasks.　To　solve　the　problem,　an　improved　particle　swarm　optimisation　(PSO)　algorithm　is　proposed.　Finally,　the　simulation　of　a　numerical　example　and　comparisons　with　the　standard　PSO　algorithm　demonstrate　that　the　improved　PSO　algorithm　can　effectively　improve　the　searching　quality,　and　the　method　is　effective.　Copyright　©　2014　Inderscience　Enterprises　Ltd.