Decision Support System for Managing Reverse Supply Chain

Reverse logistics are becoming more and more important in the overall Industry area because of the environment and business factors. Planning and implementing a suitable reverse logistics network could bring more profit, customer satisfaction, and an excellent social picture for companies. But, most of the logistics networks are not equipped to handle the return products in reverse channels. Reverse logistics processes and plans rely heavily on reversing the supply chain so that companies can correctly identify and categorize returned products for disposition, an area that offers many opportunities for additional revenue. The science of reverse logistics includes return policy administration, product recall protocols, repairs processing, product repackaging, parts management, recycling, product disposition management, maximizing liquidation values and much more. The focus of this project is to develop a reverse logistics management system/ tools (RLMS). The proposed tools are demonstrated in the following order. First, we identify the risks involved in the reverse supply chain. Survey tool is used to collect data and information required for analysis. The methodologies that are used to identify key risks are the six sigma tools, namely Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC), SWOT analysis, cause and effect, and Risk Mapping. An improved decision-making method using fuzzy set theory for converting linguistic data into numeric risk ratings has been attempted. In this study, the concept of ‘Left and Right dominance approach’(Chen and Liu, 2001) and Method of ‘In center of centroids’ (Thoran et al., 2012a,b) for generalized trapezoidal fuzzy numbers has been used to quantify the ‘degree of risk’ in terms of crisp ratings. After the analysis, the key risks are identified are categorized, and an action requirement plan suggested for providing guidelines for the managers to manage the risk successfully in the context of reverse logistics. Next, from risk assessment findings, information technology risk presents the highest risk impact on the performance of the reverse logistics, especially lack of use of a decision support system (DSS). We propose a novel multi-attribute decision (MADM) support tool that can categorizes return products and make the best alternative selection of recovery and disposal option using carefully considered criteria using MADM decision making methodologies such as fuzzy MOORA and VIKOR. The project can be applied to all types of industries. Once the returned products are collected and categorized at the retailers/ Points of return (PoR), an optimized network is required to determine the number of reprocessing centres to be opened and the optimized optimum material flow between retailers, reprocessing, recycling and disposal centers at minimum costs. The research develops a mixed integer linear programming model for two scenarios, namely considering direct shipping from retailer/ PoR to the respective reprocessing centers and considering the use of centralized return centers (CRC). The models are solved using LINGO 15 software and excel solver tools respectively. The advantage of the implementation of our solution is that it will help improve performance and reduce time. This benefits the company by having a reduction in their cost due to uncertainties and also contributes to better customer satisfaction. Implementation of these tools at ABZ computer distributing company demonstrates how the reverse logistics management tools can used in order to be beneficial to the organization. The tool is designed to be easily implemented at minimal cost and serves as a valuable tool for personnel faced with significant and costly decisions regarding risk assessment, decision making and network optimization in the reverse supply chain practices

Developing an Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Flow for Sustainable Investment Projects

Under the circumstances of certain weaknesses in the monitoring and evaluation processes of sustainable investment projects, the paper aims to develop a general integrated flow, encompassing both a project monitoring system and also a project evaluation system for the investment projects involving economic objectives, as well as cross-cutting social and environmental targets. The whole approach is being presented as a flowchart, which highlights the intimate relationship between the monitoring and evaluation processes, and provides a formal framework for performing a logical monitoring and evaluation process, taking into account simultaneously the economic, social and environmental perspectives, within an investment project. Last, but not least, the article states both the estimated advantages and the disadvantages of such a managerial tool, opening new perspectives for developing further improved models and systems.evaluation, flow, investment projects, monitoring, sustainability.

Training of Crisis Mappers and Map Production from Multi-sensor Data: Vernazza Case Study (Cinque Terre National Park, Italy)

This aim of paper is to presents the development of a multidisciplinary project carried out by the cooperation between Politecnico di Torino and ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action). The goal of the project was the training in geospatial data acquiring and processing for students attending Architecture and Engineering Courses, in order to start up a team of "volunteer mappers". Indeed, the project is aimed to document the environmental and built heritage subject to disaster; the purpose is to improve the capabilities of the actors involved in the activities connected in geospatial data collection, integration and sharing. The proposed area for testing the training activities is the Cinque Terre National Park, registered in the World Heritage List since 1997. The area was affected by flood on the 25th of October 2011. According to other international experiences, the group is expected to be active after emergencies in order to upgrade maps, using data acquired by typical geomatic methods and techniques such as terrestrial and aerial Lidar, close-range and aerial photogrammetry, topographic and GNSS instruments etc.; or by non conventional systems and instruments such us UAV, mobile mapping etc. The ultimate goal is to implement a WebGIS platform to share all the data collected with local authorities and the Civil Protectio

Information Technology Project Benefit Realization in Military Enterprises of Sri Lanka Using Integrated Fuzzy Dempster - Shafer Algorithm

There are Information Technology (IT) projects in military organizations of Sri Lanka. However, these projects lack a scientific mechanism to measure and realize project benefits while quantifying qualitative project outcomes. This paper outlines a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) for measuring the extent to which benefits could be realized. The objectives of the study are firstly, to formulate a fuzzy logic to measure the extent to which the project benefits are realized and secondly, to analyze its impact on benefit policy. The study mainly utilized the quantitative methodology of Dempster-Shafer algorithm to aggregate the selected experts’ opinions by filtering similarity of experts. Ninety-five IT project managers representing the Army, Navy and Air Force were selected based on their expertise. The study employed field-based tacit experts to find inputs for each level namely, project, program, portfolio, enterprise and hybrid. The findings of the study posited nine fuzzy rules and five benefit realization levels for organizational projects. Also, the approach pronounced an organizational project policy. The study recommended a strategic benefit approach with policy implications that can be used by managers to monitor the expected project outcomes both on short term and futuristically. The application of the study cannot  be generalized to all projects of the technology-domains thereby posing a limitation. Also the study is curtailed in its application to non-IT projects which singularly yield financial benefits. The study can be employed by policy makers to streamline benefit process emphasizing government IT infrastructure projects and private sector IT projects with a futuristic value. Keywords: Benefit Realization, Benefit Measurement, Fuzzy Inference Systems, Dempster-Shafer Algorithm, Benefit Polic

Comparative analysis on decision making in the case of nuclear power plant development in the Republic of Kazakhstan

학위논문 (석사)-- 서울대학교 대학원 : 공과대학 협동과정 기술경영·경제·정책전공, 2019. 2. Heo, Eunnyeong.카자흐스탄은 우라늄 최대생산국이자 수출국이면서 동시에 구 소련연방국가이기에 원자력산업의 개발에 대한 관심이 크다. 풍부한 우라늄 매장량은 특히 카자흐스탄 정부가 원자력발전에 대한 정책을 지속적으로 논의하여온 대표적인 이유이다. 그러나 원자력발전이 실제로 카자흐스탄에서 개시되기 위해는 많은 제약과 한계를 넘어야 한다. 본 논문은 이러한 배경을 바탕으로 하여, 카자흐스탄에서 원자력 발전을 시작하기 위한 전제조건들이 무엇인지 찾고 또한 찾은 조건들의 중요도를 비교 분석하였다. 분석방법론으로는 복잡한 의사결정구조를 평가하는 분석에 활발히 사용되고 있는 Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)를 사용하였다. 본 연구에서는 먼저 관련 문헌을 분석하여 전제조건들을 나열하고, 이들을 전문가설문을 통하여 4개의 중분류 조건과 12개의 세부조건으로 정리하였다. 다음으로, 카자흐스탄 정부 중 실무를 담당하는 에너지부와 재정을 담당하는 투자개발부 소속 공무원들을 대상으로 하여 4개 중분류 조건 및 12개 세부조건들을 대상으로 AHP 분석을 실시하여 이들간의 중요도를 비교 분석하였다. 분석결과, 투자개발부 공무원들은 4개 중분류 중 경제성이 가증 중요도가 높다고 판단한 반면, 에너지부 공무원들은 환경성이 가장 중요하다고 판단하고 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 두 부처 공무원들 모두 사회정치적 조건들은 중요하지 않다고 판단하였다. 세부 기준 중에는 건설비용과 회수기간 등이 투자개발부 공무원들이 가장 중요하게 생각한 조건인 반면 에너지부 공무원들은 소음과 주민수용성을 들었다. 한편 연구개발이나 효율성 등은 중요도가 낮게 나와 카자흐스탄 정부의 원자력에 대한 태도를 확인할 수 있었다. 주요어 : Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), 카자흐스탄, 원자력발전, 정부정책. 학 번 : 2017-29469Despite that almost all former USSR republics refused Soviet nuclear weapons, only Kazakhstan could reap the maximum of reputational benefits from this and make the nuclear-free status a part of its international reputation. Being among largest producers and exporters of uranium in the world, Kazakhstan is directly interested in the development of the nuclear industry. The abundance of uranium resources and the provision of continuous supplies of low-enriched uranium provides an additional incentive for the development of domestic nuclear programs. As a result, the issue of necessity of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is occasionally discussed in the government. In this regard, there are many questions that have to be answered before the construction of the nuclear power plant could begin. This research tries to investigate and rank the assessment criteria and factors that should be taken into account for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. The methodology of this study consists of two steps: First, a detailed literature review is conducted in order to identify the assessment criteria and sub-criteria for government officials in decision making. The second step covers obtaining opinions from the experts in energy-related area. The collected information is analyzed using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). With the help of the AHP, the weight of each criterion and sub-criterion is calculated. The results show that among all four criteria, the Economic criterion is the most crucial for decision makers from the Ministry for Investments and Development. On the other hand, the Environmental criterion is the most important among decision makers from the Ministry of Energy. The Environmental criterion was assessed by the Ministry for Investments and Development as the least important factor in the construction of a nuclear power plant. Interestingly, both decision making groups did not assess the Socio-Political criterion as an important barrier. Moreover, government officials from the Ministry for Investment and Development believe that Construction cost and Payback period are the most important barriers in the development of a nuclear power plant, however, Social Acceptance and Noise play only an insignificant role in the decision making. In the case of the Ministry of Energy, criteria such as Impact on environment and Land use are the most significant, while Efficiency and R&D were assessed with a low importance. Key words: Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Republic of Kazakhstan, Criteria, Decision making, Nuclear energy, Nuclear power plant. Student number: 2017-29469Abstract iii Contents v List of Tables vii List of Figures viii Chapter 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Overall introduction 1 1.2 Development of energy sector in Kazakhstan 3 1.3 Energy sector in the Republic of Kazakhstan 9 1.4 Purpose of study 16 1.5 Research motivation 21 1.6 Research questions and thesis structure 23 Chapter 2. Literature review and methodology for comparative analysis 25 2.1 Literature review 25 2.2 The Analytic Hierarchy Process 31 2.3 Why the Analytic Hierarchy Process? 34 2.4 Main steps of the AHP 37 2.4.1 Representing the initial problem in the form of a hierarchical structure 37 2.4.2 Pairwise comparison of individual hierarchy component 38 2.4.3 Obtaining normalized matrix 40 2.4.4 Consistency index and consistency ratio 41 Chapter 3. Model and Data 43 3.1 Previous studies 43 3.2 Basic concept of barriers related to the construction of nuclear power plants 50 3.3 Description of criteria 52 3.3.1 Socio-Political criterion 52 3.3.2 Technical criterion 53 3.3.3 Economic criterion 54 3.3.4 Environmental criterion 55 3.4 Consistency test 58 Chapter 4. Results of AHP 65 4.1 Weights of main criteria 65 4.2 Weights of sub criteria within Socio-Political criterion 68 4.3 Weights of sub criteria within Technical criterion 71 4.4 Weights of sub criteria within Economic criterion 73 4.5 Weights of sub criteria within Environmental criterion 75 4.6 Results of Global Priorities 77 4.7 Comparative analysis 81 4.7.1 Ministry for Investments and Development 81 4.7.2 Ministry of Energy 83 4.7.3 Weight of each barrier and analysis of differences between two decision making groups ………..85 Chapter 5. Conclusion 87 5.1 Overall conclusion 88 5.2 Limitations of Study 90 Bibliography 91 Appendix 1: Questionaire 103 Abstract (Korean) 113 Aknowledgement 115Maste

Strategies and Processes for Implementing Financial Analysis for Business Success

The early failure of startup businesses is a concern for many local communities, including the Virgin Islands, with about half of startups failing within the first 5 years of their life cycle. Besides the social and economic impact on communities, these failures have a personal effect on small business owners. Grounded in decision-making theory and the theory of financial management, the purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies and processes Virgin Islands retail business managers use to implement financial analysis for decision making to help sustain their operations. Data were collected using company records and semistructured interviews with 7 retail managers, who had developed successful financial analysis strategies. Keywords and narrative segments from the collected data were analyzed using methodological triangulation by integrating the findings from the review of company records and the semistructured interviews. Emergent themes from interviews and company records revealed 5 themes, including selection and retention of personnel, implementation of growth and development strategies, and the monitoring and evaluation of financial data, that contributed to business success. With the implementation of the results suggested by participants, retail managers may improve their profit margins beyond the first 5 years of operation, contributing to the increases in tax revenues within the Virgin Islands, and they may improve their ability to make sound financial decisions for continued business success

Uncertainty Models in Reverse Supply Chain: A Review

Reverse logistic has become an important topic for the organization due to growing environmental concern, government regulation, economic value, and sustainable competitiveness. Uncertainty is one of the key factors in the reverse supply chain that must be controlled; thus, the company could optimize the reverse supply chain function. This paper discusses progress in reverse logistic research. A total of 72 published articles were selected, analyzed, categorized and the research gaps were found among them. The study began by analyzed previous research articles in reverse logistic. In this stage, we also collected and reviewed journals discussing about the reverse supply chain. Meanwhile, the result of this stage shows that uncertainty factor has not been reviewed in detail. The most common theme as the background research in reverse logistic is environmental and economic aspect. Uncertainty in Close Loop Supply Chain is the most widely used approach, followed by the usage on reverse logistics, reverse supply chain and reverse Model. The most used approach and method on uncertainty are Mixed Integer Linear Programing, mixed integer nonlinear Programing, Robust Fuzzy Stochastic Programming, and Improved kriging-assisted robust optimization method. Customer demand, total cost, product returns are the most widely researched aspects. This paper may be useful for academicians, researchers and practitioners in learning on reverse logistic and reverse supply chain; therefore, close loop supply chain can be guidance for upcoming researches. Research opportunity based on this research combines total cost, quality return product, truck capacity, delivery route, remanufacturing capacity, and facility location got optimum function in uncertainty. The research method and approach for MINLP, IK-MRO and RSFP provide many opportunities for research. For theme and area in reverse logistic, close loop supply chain is the theme that provides the most research opportunities

Toward a risk framework in prioritizing ancillary transportation assets for management.

A growing number of transportation agencies have begun to manage selected ancillary transportation assets systematically--culverts, guardrails, pavement markings, sidewalks and curbs, street lighting, traffic signals, traffic signs, utilities and manholes, earth retaining structures, and environmental mitigation features. Given prevailing budget limitations, several agencies are interested in prioritizing these assets for inclusion in their existing management systems. This paper discusses critical elements of a framework for assessing the risks, benefits and costs of incorporating ancillary assets in existing Transportation Asset Management programs. The paper reviews some basic elements of a risk theory, examines risk applications in transportation asset management, water mains, and storm water management, and identifies the basic elements of a risk-benefit-cost framework for prioritizing ancillary assets for management. These elements can be used as a basis for developing a decision analysis framework to make a business case for the formal management of ancillary transportation assets and to prioritize them for inclusion in existing Transportation Asset Management programs. Using these elements, we have developed a risk ranking model that can be used by transportation officials to prioritize their ancillary asset classes for management. A demonstration of the model is presented in this paper to show its effectiveness. The study concludes that tracking and documentation of ancillary transportation asset failures would help agencies better understand the risks associated with failure. Tracking and documenting the failures of ancillary transportation assets would also help in identifying trends/probability of failure as well as quantifying the consequences associated with these failures. Such information could also be used to estimate risk factors to prioritize individual asset classes for inclusion in existing management systems.MSCommittee Chair: Amekudzi, Adjo; Committee Member: Hunter, Michael; Committee Member: Meyer, Michae

Risk Management in Environment, Production and Economy

The term "risk" is very often associated with negative meanings. However, in most cases, many opportunities can present themselves to deal with the events and to develop new solutions which can convert a possible danger to an unforeseen, positive event. This book is a structured collection of papers dealing with the subject and stressing the importance of a relevant issue such as risk management. The aim is to present the problem in various fields of application of risk management theories, highlighting the approaches which can be found in literature