31 research outputs found

    Theoretical foundations of organizational problem solving methodologies in Operational Research

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    Paradigms are some principles and assumptions, which define frameworks and research priorities in each discipline. Many believe that operational research (OR) is not a science and like many other sciences does not have any paradigm. However, since OR is committed to scientific methods, therefore it contains a methodological paradigm. The purpose of this paper is to consider theoretical methodologies in the field of OR. This paper performs a review on the existing literature based on interpretive hermeneutic approach. Based on literature review, the study determines four principles and assumptions for each OR paradigms and a classification of the methods are presented. The results show that OR has four main paradigms and there are many methods in OR fields to tackle a particular problem where each problem belongs to a particular paradigm. In addition, instead of using a particular method in problem situations, we can implement a combination of methodologies

    A Framework for Improving the Effectiveness of the E-Learning System in Hyper Famili Chain Stores

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    Before the coronavirus pandemic, higher education centers and companies paid little attention to e-learning. The outbreak of the pandemic and the development of digital technologies have caused companies to pay much attention to e-learning. Therefore, companies are looking for the effective use of e-learning tools. The current research seeks to provide a framework to improve the effectiveness of the e-learning system in Hyper Famili chain stores. The current research is applied in terms of orientation and has a quantitative nature in terms of methodology. This study used two Fuzzy Delphi and Marcos methods for data analysis. The theoretical population of the research was managers, experts, and consultants in the field of education in Hyper Famili. Sampling was done as a judgment based on the expertise of experts in eLearning. The sample size was equal to 10 people. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data. The questionnaires used in this research were expert and priority questionnaires. In the first stage, 32 factors were obtained through literature review and interviews with eLearning experts. As a next step, these factors were screened by the distribution of expert questionnaires and the fuzzy Delphi method. Ten factors were selected for final prioritization with Marcos. The screened factors were prioritized by distributing priority questionnaires and Marcos. According to the scores, the most important factors have been found. Practical research proposals were developed based on the most prioritized factors. Some practical suggestions of the research were holding a training workshop on the benefits and applications of e-learning for senior managers, considering the appropriate budget for purchasing and preparing the necessary infrastructure in the field of e-learning, preparing strategic and operational documents based on future developments of new technologies in Iran and the world and the use of instructors with electronic teaching skills

    A Methodology for Business Model Change Inspired of Mobile Technology Entrance to Organization

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    This research has been designed in order to provide an appropriate methodology for Business Model Change and update based on applying new Information and Communication Technologies such as Mobile technology in an organization. In this way, after investigation of all related references in the field of Business Model, ICT change, business model change and applying mobile technology in organizations, the research framework has been derivate. In other phases of research, this framework has been evaluated based on expert judgment and System Dynamic approach. The result of this research includes a well defined methodology suitable for Business Model Change covering five phases and thirty seven detailed steps by relevant deliverable for each step

    ANP-based decision support system for selecting ERP systems in oil industry by using balanced scorecard

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    Using IT in Today's World gurantees the existence and survival of the activities of an organization and without using them, Not only the use of modern methods in the organization becomes impossible but the possibility of competence with other organizations will be eradicated. The ERP is one of the important usages of IT in the organizations that have got a special place. In the beginning, using the BSC, the Key performance indicators are determined. Using this indicators and standards of choosing, it was determined the best ERP system that is described in research literature in order to shopping the ERP software pack. In this research regarding to this fact that these indicators can have effects on each other and these mutual impacts can have an effect on the importance degree of indicators and best alternative selection; the ANP method has been used.The result of this research is to choose the best ERP software pack available among many in a way that it is suitable with the organizational strategies & goals

    A Conceptual Framework for Knowledge Architecture in Large-Scale Organizations

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    The main concern for most organizations in this age, which has been called the age of knowledge-based economy, is their success and superiority in competitive markets. Reviewing the parameters that might have been effective on the success of operationalizing a knowledge management project leads us to a potential factor as knowledge architecture. With regard to the significant effect of knowledge management in the efficiency of organizations and the inclination of current organizations toward large-scale, we try to come up with a suitable architectural framework in such organizations. The initial structure of the framework was established based on the information architectural framework of Zachman. Then, we arrived at the ideal knowledge architecture framework by adding service abstraction and architecture level dimension besides changing the field of all the cells within Zachman’s framework from information into knowledge. This research is descriptive in method and its validity is confirmed by executing a case study and soliciting the opinions of some knowledge architecture experts. The results indicate feasibility of applying framework to other knowledge-intensive large-scale firms and the findings of paper may be beneficial for architects in the knowledge area

    Agility Evaluation by Using Verbal Variables in Fuzzy Logic and Ranking Fuzzy Numbers by Using Central Gravity Point Technique and Topsis (Case study: Yazd Alloy Steel Company)

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    In this article we try to collect all opinions of previous researchers in agility evaluation field and to provide a new method for evaluating agility by using Fuzzy logic. First, the structure’s agility level is evaluated by using FAI method. Due to the ranking Fuzzy numbers’ role and importance in making decisions, then the Fuzzy numbers are ranked by using central gravity point technique and Topsis. In fact, this leads to identifying those factors which caused the structure agility reduction. This method would help managers in making decisions

    Identification and Ranking of Critical Success Factors of Knowledge Management Using Fuzzy Quality Function Deployment Approach: A Case Study

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    The main objective of this research is to rank the critical success factors of knowledge management using fuzzy quality function deployment (QFD) approach in MECO Company. The research has utilized a three-step qualitative-quantitative-qualitative strategy. At the first step (1st qualitative phase), the critical success factors of knowledge management and knowledge management outcomes were characterized in MECO. Then, the critical success factors of knowledge management which were identified by the first step were ranked using fuzzy quality function deployment in the second step (quantitative phase). Afterwards, some solutions were provided to realize and improve the critical success factors of knowledge management in the selected company within the third step of research (2nd qualitative phase). 11 critical success factors of knowledge management were introduced in addition to 4 knowledge management outcomes by the first qualitative phase. The result from the quantitative phase were indicative of the fact that “human resource management”, “support and leadership of management”, “organizational infrastructure”, “organizational culture” and “activities and processes” are known as five critical success factors of knowledge management in the chosen company. Furthermore, 23 solutions provided by this research in order to realize and improve the critical success factors of knowledge management in this company are achieved as a result of implementing the second qualitative phase. Based on the information accessible for the researchers, this is one of the first works which evaluates the key factors of successful knowledge management through fuzzy quality function deployment approach. It is expected that the proposed method would represent appropriate tools for enterprises which have decided to implement knowledge management because it prioritizes the critical success factors based on the knowledge management outcomes

    Developing TOPSIS method using statistical normalization for selecting knowledge management strategies

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    Purpose: Numerous companies are expecting their knowledge management (KM) to be performed effectively in order to leverage and transform the knowledge into competitive advantages. However, here raises a critical issue of how companies can better evaluate and select a favorable KM strategy prior to a successful KM implementation. Design/methodology/approach: An extension of TOPSIS, a multi-attribute decision making (MADM) technique, to a group decision environment is investigated. TOPSIS is a practical and useful technique for ranking and selection of a number of externally determined alternatives through distance measures. The entropy method is often used for assessing weights in the TOPSIS method. Entropy in information theory is a criterion uses for measuring the amount of disorder represented by a discrete probability distribution. According to decrease resistance degree of employees opposite of implementing a new strategy, it seems necessary to spot all managers’ opinion. The normal distribution considered the most prominent probability distribution in statistics is used to normalize gathered data. Findings: The results of this study show that by considering 6 criteria for alternatives Evaluation, the most appropriate KM strategy to implement in our company was ‘‘Personalization’’. Research limitations/implications: In this research, there are some assumptions that might affect the accuracy of the approach such as normal distribution of sample and community. These assumptions can be changed in future work. Originality/value: This paper proposes an effective solution based on combined entropy and TOPSIS approach to help companies that need to evaluate and select KM strategies. In represented solution, opinions of all managers is gathered and normalized by using standard normal distribution and central limit theorem.Peer Reviewe

    Simulating the effects of Knowledge co-creation policies in supply chain on NPD performance using system dynamics

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    Partner’s decision and policy making about allocating resource to innovation activities in a supply chain is not a static situation and to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, the previous decisions must be reviewed continuously. However, this dynamic decision making process cannot be provided by the current static view. So, the current study presents a dynamic model to investigate endogenous and exogenous changes through designing feedback mechanisms and using system dynamics approach. Also, it provides a tool to analyze the behavior of system using different scenarios and policies. In addition to presenting the Cause and Effect diagram and Flow diagram, the study findings show that the most appropriate investment policy on innovation activities is the policy that allocates the resources based on the gap performance
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