A methodological framework based on a DANP model for evaluating the software quality in terms of usability: a preliminary investigation on mobile operating systems

Evaluation of the software usability as concerns software alternatives represents a typical Multi- Criteria Decision-Analysis (MCDA) problem. Such a kind of problem can be successfully faced via structured models and approaches which validity have been widely shown in literature. In this work, a methodological framework based on a MCDA model integrating the DEMATEL method along with the ANP technique is proposed and explained with more detail to address the relevant issue of the software usability evaluation. The applicability of the considered DEMATEL-ANP (DANP) based model in the under analysis contest is demonstrated via a preliminary investigation, where the usability of the two major Mobile Operating Systems (MOSs) is compared and quantitatively prioritized. Results of both performed comparison method and sensitivity analysis confirm the validity of the proposed MCDA model as well robustness of its outcomes. Moreover, results obtained point out about the influenced, independent and core factors for the MOSs usability, as well as strengths, weaknesses and discrepancies in the usability as concerns the two investigated alternatives. Representing these outcomes crucial aspects for driving focused MOSs usability improvement processes and strategies, they give also evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed methodological framework

DANP-Evaluation of AHP-DSS

The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the analytic network process (ANP) are important multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods for solving strategic decision problems. In the field of the research and teaching projects of a university’s Management Science Department, the use of adequate decision support systems (DSS) enables an appropriate application and acceptance of these methods. By reason of the great variety of AHP-DSS, the aim of this paper is the selection of AHP-supporting software. Owing to the interdependencies of the software quality criteria, these influences can be evaluated appropriately by the ANP. As for the various requirements of the different department members, the ANP procedure is linked with the DEMATEL approach. Within such a combined framework (DANP), the alternate software products and their quality selection criteria are transparently analysed and evaluated from a multi-personal point of view. The described procedure is an object of reference to solve such structuring and evaluation problems by support of parallel and/or distributed computing architecture

A Decision Support System for Performance Evaluation: A Combined D-ANP & ANN Approach

In this study, a novel performance evaluation approach combining DEMATEL, ANP and ANN methods is proposed. The influenced weights for the evaluation criteria are calculated by D-ANP and following this the final ranking of the stores is obtained by utilizing historical data in artificial neural networks

An integrated logistics performance measurement system for logistics management

In the 1980's there was a revolution that changed the nature of traditional performance measurement systems. Since then there has been an explosion in the number of scholars and practitioners seeking new and better ways of measuring organizational performance. Performance measurement systems (PMS) specialized for logistics management caught attention much later when more enterprises began to focus on logistics to reduce operational cost and increase profits. Meanwhile, there are more demands on logistics performance measurement systems (LPMSs). The role of an LPMS is beyond monitoring logistics performance, but also to provide logistics improvement suggestions, resolve trade-offs between different logistics activities and so on. To design an LPMS, this thesis addresses the following four objectives: 1) review the evolution of performance measurement systems (PMS) for logistics since 2000; 2) determine the requirements for the design an ILPMS; 3) propose an ILPMS that satisfies these requirements; and 4) apply the ILPMS to a case study. The ILPMS consists of three components: 1) a hybrid performance measurement framework, combining a hierarchical and process-based structure, to facilitate developing logistics performance measures and metrics; 2) different strategies for developing logistics performance measures and logistics activity metrics; 3) a hybrid multi-criteria decision making methodology, analytic network process (ANP) and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), to prioritize performance measures and metrics for managerial purposes. The ILPMS developed illustrates the procedures to establish a logistics performance measurement system for a manufacturing company. The results from the ILPMS provide effective feedback for performance management process and suggestions about performance improvement for managers. Keywords: integrated logistics performance measurement framework (ILPMS), performance measures/metrics, multi-criteria decision making methodology (MCDM

An Integrated Decision-Making Method Based on Neutrosophic Numbers for Investigating Factors of Coastal Erosion

The recent boom of various integrated decision-making methods has attracted many researchers to the field. The recent integrated Analytic Network Process and Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (ANP–DEMATEL) methods were developed based on crisp numbers and fuzzy numbers. However, these numbers are incapable of dealing with the indeterminant and inconsistent information that exists in real-life problems

EVALUATION OF LOGISTIC FLOWS IN GREEN SUPPLY CHAINS BASED ON THE COMBINED DEMATEL-ANP METHOD

Supply chains and transport corridors have a significant impact on the socio-economic and environmental situation in the regions where the elements of the logistics infrastructure are located. The achievement of the goals of the concept of sustainable development in these regions is ensured, among other things, as a result of the formation of green supply chain management (GSCM), that is, as a result of changes in existing approaches to supply chain management. Analysis of the practice of supply chain management showed a wide variety of parameters and indicators of logistics flows used in decision-making at different stages of managing these flows. The authors propose a universal system of the logistic flows parameters and indicators for the GSCM, corresponding to the principles of the concept of sustainable development. A methodology for ranking indicators of logistics flows based on a combined DEMATEL-ANP method has been developed. The results of a case study on the evaluation of logistics flows for the GSCM are presented. The ranks of logistics flow indicators obtained in the study are proposed to be used in GSCM to adjust of the logistics flows actual parameters to achieve the goals of the concept of sustainable development

Logistics service providers (LSPs) evaluation and selection: Literature review and framework development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight to the outsourcing decision-making through investigating if the old evaluation/selection criteria and methods still fit with current business priorities or not and, therefore, to identify the appropriate criteria and methods to develop a new selection framework. Since the economic recession of 2008, logistics outsourcing decisions have become more prominent to avoid high fixed costs and heavy investment requirements and to achieve competitive advantages. Design/methodology/approach – This is a focused literature review prepared after analyzing 56 articles related to the logistics service provider (LSP) evaluation and selection methods and criteria during 2008-2013. The academic articles are analyzed based on research focus/area, evaluation and selection methodology/methods and evaluation and selection criteria. Then reviewed result is compared with previous literature studies for the periods (1991-2008) to identify any possible shifts. Findings – The review reveals that: several problems in current LSPs literature have been identified; the reviewed papers can be categorized into seven groups, the usage and importance of evaluation and selection criteria fluctuate during different periods; 12 crucial criteria have been identified, increasing the importance of specific selection methods and the integrated models and fuzzy logic in logistics literature. Then, a comprehensive LSPs’ evaluation and selection framework has been developed. Originality/value – To the best of our knowledge, this is the first focused logistics outsourcing study that reviews the 2008-2013 period in detail, comparing results with previous literature studies, identifies current LSPs literature problems/gaps, new trends and shifts in the way that LSPs are evaluated and selected, identifies crucial selection criteria and proposes a new holistic LSPs evaluation and selection framework. In addition, it identifies important issues for future research. Keywords Supplier or partner selection, Evaluation and selection methods and criteria, Logistics outsourcing, Logistics service provider, LSP framewor

Fuzzy Delphi and hybrid AH-MATEL integration for monitoring of paint utilization

This study investigates the unattended aspects of paint utilization selection criteria in industries. In today competitive business environment almost all companies focus towards sustainable manufacturing. The utilization evaluation and selection criteria for paint and its consumption reduction is the top priority for industry. Especially in automotive industries, paint shop stands as a centre for hazardous waste due to wastage of paint and thinner during the painting process. This research work focuses on optimizing consumption of paint by finding most important criteria affecting paint consumption and optimizing the same to achieve maximum paint yield. The study uses the routes of Delphi technique in a fuzzy environment to find out the most important criteria for paint utilization selection, so that maximize utilization and minimize consump-tion reduction of paint has been achieved. An integrated approach of AHP and DEMATEL methods has been implemented to prioritize the criteria and to familiarize the relationship within criteria. The outcomes of the study substantiate and proves that this study is the best way to select a particular paint utilization selection criteria for the paint shop and also to anticipate the optimal level of paint utilization.N/

A hybrid approach to apply dematel in a multi-criteria setting

The DEMATEL method has been applied in the Decision Sciences in several studies. However, one has not been able to apply DEMATEL directly to a multi-criteria matrix formed by a set of alternatives and a set of criteria yet. In order to approach this, we propose a novel way to apply DEMATEL to a multi-criteria matrix for ranking a set of alternatives according to their performances in a set of criteria. For accomplishing this, we consider the set of alternatives in a classical multi-criteria problem as the set of components used in a usual DEMATEL application. To set up the influence degree among studied components, we used the preference index of PROMÉTHÉE II. Such preference index takes into consideration the performances of alternatives on all criteria to establish each influence degree. Thereby, we denote the influence degree by preference degree. This new approach is applied to a case study and results are compared against those of three multi-criteria methods. It is then possible to note small, understandable differences among the rankings. This hybrid approach has therefore shown to be theoretically sound and feasible to be used in the practice of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis