SELECTION OF THE BEST CONSULTANT FOR SAP ERP PROJECT USING COMBINED AHP-IBA APPROACH

Abstract: In this paper we propose a combined AHP-IBA model for selecting the best SAP consultant for an SAP ERP project. The goal of the SAP Project Manager is to choose the best consultant, the one who is able to implement standard SAP functionalities with quality and on time.When making a decision on the basis of multiple criteria, the traditional Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method does not take into account the fact that attributes may correlate, assuming that there are no dependencies between them. However, the dependencies of the attributes can often be used to model important knowledge for multiple criteria decision analysis. We propose an extension to the traditional AHP method by applying Interpolative realization of Boolean algebra (IBA), using AHP to determine the criteria weights, and IBA to model the logical interactions among criteria. The research conducted on ERP consultant selection suggests that the decision making process is modelled more accurately if logical interactions between attributes are modelled before applying AH

Application of Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods on Six Sigma Projects Selection

Abstract. Six sigma method widely applied in production and service businesses is known as a project-oriented method. In six sigma method, selection of the prior project among others can be considered as a multi -criteria decision making problem. The conducted literature review has revealed that there is a large number of methods to select six sigma projects. It is more appropriate to use fuzzy multi-criteria decision making methods in project selection since evaluation criteria of six sigma projects include uncertainties. The aim of this study is to select the most appropriate project as a result of evaluating the projects by Fuzzy VIKOR, Fuzzy TOPSIS and Fuzzy COPRAS as methods of fuzzy multicriteria decision-making and integrating the ranking scores obtained from each method by Copeland method. The proposed method has been implemented in a large scale production company, operating in Aydın ASTİM Organized Industrial Zone.Keywords. Six Sigma Projects, Fuzzy VIKOR, Fuzzy TOPSIS, Fuzzy COPRAS, Fuzzy AHP, Copeland Method.JEL. M11, C44, L20, C02, D70, O22

Planiranje okolišno prihvatljive trase šumske ceste pomoću GIS & S-MCDM

Forest roads are basic precondition for the sustainable management of forest resources. These roads entail a complex engineering effort because they can cause substantial environmental damage to forests and include a high-cost construction. Therefore, the design of forest road routes should have taken into account in terms of environmental impacts. In order to do this, the Geographical Information System (GIS) with Spatial Multi Criteria Decision Making (S-MCDM) techniques is a useful tool for creating a model. One such S-MCDM is the Spatial-integrated Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (S-TOPSIS). In this study, S-TOPSIS was applied to integrate environmental impacts into the design of a forest road route. Using the current forest road route (CFOR) and the GIS-based S-TOPSIS method, an environmentally sound forest road route (ESFOR) was determined according to environmental criteria. Five environmental criteria (avalanche, river, soil, geology and slope) were used for analysis to compare with. The results obtained from the analyses, are compared to the current forest road route. The CFOR 15.385 km in length, while the ESFOR found by S-TOPSIS was 14.385 km. If the differences in length between two roads multiplied by the width of the road (1km X 5m), the result would be 0.5 ha. The results showed that this methodology can provide environmentally sound road network also help to design quickly and less costly. These results suggest that spatial multi criteria decision making method can be more accurate in terms of environmentally sensitive forest road designing in mountainous area.Šumske ceste su osnovni preduvjet za održivo upravljanje šumskim resursima. Te ceste uključuju složene inženjerske napore, jer mogu izazvati znatnu ekološku štetu šumama i uključuju vrlo skupu izgradnju. Stoga pri izrada trasa šumskih cesta, treba uzeti u obzir i utjecaj na okoliš. Da bi se to i napravilo, geografski informacijski sustav (GIS) s tehnikama prostornog višekriterijskog donošenja odluka (S-MCDM) koristan je alat za izradu modela. Jedan takav S-MCDM je prostorno-integrirana tehnika preferiranja sličnosti do idealnog rješenja (S-TOPSIS). U ovoj studiji S-TOPSIS primijenjen je za integriranje ekoloških učinaka u izradu trase šumske ceste. Korištenjem sadašnje trase šumske ceste (CFOR) te S-TOPSIS metode na temelju GIS-a, utvrđena je ekološki osjetljiva trasa šumske ceste (ESFOR) prema ekološkim kriterijima. Za usporedbu korišteno je pet ekoloških kriterija (lavina, rijeka, tlo, geologija, nagib). Rezultati dobiveni iz analiza uspoređeni su sa sadašnjom trasom šumske ceste. Dužina CFOR-a je 15.385 km dok je ESFOR utvrđen S-TOPSIS-om bio 14.385 km. Da se razlike u dužini između dviju cesta pomnože sa širinom ceste (1 km x 5 m) rezultat bi bio 0,5 ha.Rezultati su pokazali da ova metodologija može pružiti ekološki osjetljivu mrežu cesta, te može pomoći u bržoj izradi i biti jeftinija. Ovi rezultati sugeriraju da metoda prostorne procjene višestrukim kriterijima može biti točnija u smislu izrade ekološki osjetljivih šumskih cesta u planinskim područjima

Market segment evaluation and selection based on application of fuzzy AHP and COPRAS-G methods

Market segment evaluation and selection is one of the critical marketing problems of all companies. This paper presents a novel approach which integrates fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and COPRAS-G method for market segment evaluation and selection. Fuzzy AHP is used to calculate the weight of each criterion, and COPRAS-G method is proposed to prioritize market segments from the best to the worst ones. The application of fuzzy set theory allows incorporating the vague and imprecise linguistic terms into the decision process. This study can be used as a pattern for market segment selection and future researches. A case study on a chair manufacturing company is put forward to illustrate the performance of the proposed methodology. First published online: 14 Sep 201

A fuzzy AHP multi-criteria decision-making approach applied to combined cooling, heating and power production systems

Most of the real-world multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems contain a mixture of quantitative and qualitative criteria; therefore quantitative MCDM methods are inadequate for handling this type of decision problems. In this paper, a MCDM method based on the Fuzzy Sets Theory and on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed. This method incorporates a number of perspectives on how to approach the fuzzy MCDM problem, as follows: (1) combining quantitative and qualitative criteria (2) expressing criteria pair-wise comparison in linguistic terms and performance of the alternative on each criterion in linguistic terms or exact values when criterion is qualitative or quantitative, respectively, (3) converting all the assessments into trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, (4) using the difference minimization method to calculate the local weight of criteria, employing the algebraic operations of fuzzy numbers based on the concept of α-cuts, (4) calculating the global weight of criteria and the global performance of each alternative using geometric mean and the weighted sum, respectively, (5) using the centroid method to rank the alternatives. Finally, an illustrative example on evaluation of several combined cooling, heat and power production systems is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology

A Process Model for ERP Upgrade and Replacement Decisions

Background: This paper aims to develop an effective decision making (DM) process for ERP change or replacement. ERP in most organizations constitutes a key critical system of high complexity with many stakeholders. A major change activity for such a system therefore exposes an organization to great risks, and thus should be well organized. Method: A design science approach was chosen for this research. Based on a review of related literature and evidence of the DM process at different companies, a general process of DM for ERP upgrade was designed, and later evaluated and improved through a case study approach. Results: The decision process assumes a model with variables describing characteristics and performance of possible alternatives, and the decision is decomposed into steps with three loops that are executed iteratively. We believe that the findings and approach can be useful both for the immediate problem context and also for other IT-related DM problems. Conclusions: The main outcome is the new process of DM that includes several novel contributions: three main loops of DM, multiple repetition of loops, and possible returns to the starting point

Performance evaluating of rural ICT centers (telecenters), applying fuzzy AHP, SAW-G and TOPSIS Grey, a case study in Iran

The project of developing technology in villages was an important project in Iran which was finished in 2010 but it's still being pursued to develop its related services. This project includes many major and minor objectives. After passing six years from the beginning of this project, it seems reasonable to do research about evaluating the progress of these centers. Hence, a framework of evaluation is presented studying past researches utilizing the following criteria; public training, classic training, special training, cultural services, social services, governmental services and other services. Three MCDM methods are applied for evaluating; Fuzzy AHP is used for calculating weights of each criteria and sub-criteria and SAW-G and TOPSIS Grey are applied for evaluating alternatives. Three rural ICT centers are selected as a case study which are located in Golestan Province in north of Iran. The findings show that due to new services presented in these areas, public training and cultural services are more important criteria. Results of SAW-G and TOPSIS Grey are the same which both selected Gharnabad ICT center as the best center and Livan and Bala Jadeh centers are placed as the second and third, respectively

Grey Strategies Interaction Model

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Purpose - This paper aims to implement the strategies selection process in a proposed formulated mathematical framework to prioritize selected strategies with the interaction of other groups of strategies, known as the strategies interaction model (SIM). Design/methodology/approach - SWOT analysis is a popular useful strategic planning tool, which analyzes organizations internal and external factors. The traditional SWOT procedure lists internal and external factors and derives four groups of strategies based on the organization’s strategic position. SWOT is easy to use as a business analyzing tool, while it is not competent enough for strategic formulation. With the emergence of the economy's vicissitudes, undulations in the markets and multiple changes, and various variables in the industrial competitive environment, selection of the organization strategies confront uncertainty in decision-making. The SIM framework presents a solution to select alternative strategies for organizations in unpredictable situations. Findings – The findings show that SIM is a reliable approach to evaluate, select and rank organization’ strategies. SIM proposes alternative strategies due to the uncertainty of the organization’ environment with respect to the four strategic positions. The SIM’ proposed ranking process is in accordance with the highest impact of each strategy on each other. Furthermore, it possesses advantages of AHP, ANP and other applied MCDM techniques in SWOT analysis. Practical implications - In this paper SIM is applied within a dairy company located in the north of Iran. Originality/value - SIM has the advantages of the classic SWOT and fills the gaps of MCDM methods application in the SWOT analysis. Moreover, it provides a formulated algorithm for the organizations to face the uncertainty of the environment. SIM philosophy can be widely used in the decision and managerial implications

Identification and Prioritization of Critical Risk Factors of Commercial and Recreational Complex Building Projects: A Delphi Study Using the TOPSIS Method

Construction development of Commercial and Recreational Complex Building Projects (CRCBPs) is one of the community needs of many developing countries. Since the implementation of these projects is usually very costly, identifying and evaluating their Critical Risk Factors (CRFs) are of significant importance. Therefore, the current study aims to identify and prioritize CRFs of CRCBPs in the Iranian context. A descriptive-survey method was used in this research; the statistical population, selected based on the purposive sampling method, includes 30 construction experts with hands-on experience in CRCBPs. A questionnaire related to the risk identification stage was developed based on a detailed study of the research literature and also using the Delphi survey method; 82 various risks were finally identified. In order to confirm the opinions of experts in identifying the potential risks, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used. In the first stage of data analysis, qualitative evaluation was performed by calculating the severity of risk effect and determining the cumulative risk index, based on which 25 CRFs of CRCBPs were identified for more accurate evaluation. At this stage, the identified CRFs were evaluated based on multi-criteria decision-making techniques and using the TOPSIS technique. Results show that the ten CRFs of CRCBPs are external threats from international relations, exchange rate changes, bank interest rate fluctuations, traffic licenses, access to skilled labor, changes in regional regulations, the condition of adjacent buildings, fluctuations and changes in inflation, failure to select a suitable and qualified consultant, and employer’s previous experiences and records. Obviously, the current study’s results and findings can be considered by CRCBPs in both the private and public sectors for proper effective risk identification, evaluation, and mitigatio

Barriers to coastal shipping development: an Indian perspective

Coastal shipping has been widely recognised as a sustainable and efficient alternative to road transport. However, the barriers encountered in the industry have not been systematically studied in any region. From an Indian perspective, this study aims to prioritise barriers to coastal shipping development for effective policy interventions. It identifies important barriers through a Delphi study and then quantifies their cause-and-effect relationships by the decision making-trial and evaluation laboratory analysis (DEMATEL) technique. It is interesting that the main barriers, those have most impact on coastal shipping development, are not necessarily the ones most widely recognised. The study also uncovers the hidden cause-and-effect relationships between several barriers. Four main barriers are identified: (1) Indian maritime legislation (especially cabotage rules); (2) issues in the infrastructure and procedures at port and port-centric areas; (3) underdevelopment of small ports; (4) lack of a collaborative culture among the various service providers involved in the logistics supply chain. This study finally recommends relaxing cabotage rules to stimulate the inflow of foreign capital to grow coastal shipping, improving the current port system through joint efforts of the ports, Indian customs and government, and fostering supply chain collaboration