Integrating Multiple Stakeholder Interests into Conceptual Design

The engineering design process transforms stakeholder needs into design specifications. This study focuses on the engineering design process for systems of products and services known as product-service systems (PSS) and proposes a novel way to analyze PSS ideas by four characteristics: customer perceived value level, connectivity number, type and degree of connectivity, and configuration type. The process to apply this characterization scheme examines the inter-dependencies within a PSS and between the PSS and its environment and holistically incorporates the interests of customers, end-users, and social and environmental stakeholders early in the development process. This process clarifies design specifications in seven cases across five industries

Gestão de Recursos Finitos em Empresas

The present work has as goal aiding decision makers, researchers, enterprises and practitioners by developing a proper literature review as a base for comparison among multiple-criteria decision making methods in finite resources management according to each of the most important areas of a business environment. Efficient resource management decision making in companies impacts its value creation capability and, therefore, its competitiveness and ultimate success. The methodology for paper research follows the PRISMA flow diagram, for correct paper filtrations according to the set of criteria stablished in alignment with the thesis goal. The papers included in the study are any that employ multiple-criteria decision making methods in their pure forms, in combination with each other forming hybrids, or in combination with other mathematical techniques for solving decision making problems across five major areas of a company’s body. The five major areas are: (1) Supply Chain Management and Logistics; (2) Environmental Management; (3) Business and Marketing Management; (4) Design, Engineering and Manufacturing Systems; and (5) Human Resources Management. The 204 final papers are presented separated by their corresponding application areas, ordered by number of citations, which is used as a measure of their scientific community relevance. They are also classified by, author, nationality, journal, year, type of research and methods used. All collected data is used for quantitative statistical analysis, with which is possible to collect more in-depth information on the literature research. Focused comments on the main methods are also present in this work, with observations made on the many applications and variations each of them had throughout the articles in the research. The AHP and TOPSIS approaches, either with their fuzzy set variations are by far the most popular methods in the referred applications. However, besides them other 51 MCDM or other mathematical techniques are employed in many different combinations and approaches, bringing a very interesting diversity to the study that is very useful for it to be used as a base for comparison among methods. A total number of 111 journals and authors and co-authors of 41 nationalities are involved in the publications between 2012 and 2018, with more than half of papers coming from either India, Turkey or Iran. Many other results are obtained, bringing the readers different perspectives on the subject. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge with a great and insightful overview on MCDM methods application in aiding in challenges part of a business environment, so that companies can better manage their resources and be more prosperous. It is a vast database that allows many comparisons and evaluations, offering more analysis than the standard literature review articles.O presente trabalho tem como objetivo auxiliar os tomadores de decisão, pesquisadores e profissionais, ao desenvolver uma revisão bibliográfica adequada como base para comparação entre os métodos de decisão multicritério na gestão de recursos finitos de acordo com cada uma das áreas mais importantes de um ambiente de negócios. A tomada eficiente de decisões de gestão de recursos nas empresas afeta sua capacidade de criação de valor e, portanto, sua competitividade e sucesso finais. A metodologia da investigação baseou-se na metodologia PRISMA, para a correta filtração das publicações de acordo com o conjunto de critérios estabelecidos, em alinhamento com o objetivo da tese. Os artigos incluídos no estudo são aqueles que apresentam métodos de decisão com critérios múltiplos em suas formas puras, em combinação uns com os outros ao formar híbridos, ou com outras técnicas matemáticas para resolver problemas em cinco áreas principais das empresas. As cinco áreas são: (1) Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos e Logística; (2) Gestão Ambiental; (3) Gestão de Negócios e Marketing; (4) Sistemas de Projeto, Engenharia e Manufatura; e (5) Gestão de Recursos Humanos. Os 204 artigos finais são apresentados de acordo com as áreas de aplicação correspondentes, ordenadas por número de citações, que são usadas como uma medida de sua relevância na comunidade científica. Eles são, ainda, classificados por autor, nacionalidade, revista, ano, tipo de pesquisa e métodos utilizados. Todos os dados coletados são utilizados para análise estatística quantitativa, com a qual é possível recolher informações mais aprofundadas sobre a pesquisa bibliográfica. São realizados comentários sobre os principais métodos e as maneiras que foram apresentados ao longo do estudo de todos os artigos durante a pesquisa. As abordagens AHP e TOPSIS, com suas variações em conjuntos difusos ou fuzzy, são de longe os métodos mais populares nas aplicações referidas. No entanto, além destes, outros 51 MCDM e outras técnicas são utilizadas em muitas combinações e abordagens, trazendo uma diversidade muito interessante para o estudo, servindo de base para comparação dos métodos. Um total de 111 revistas e autores e coautores de 41 nacionalidades estão envolvidos nas publicações entre 2012 e 2018, com mais de metade dos artigos provenientes da Índia, Turquia ou Irão. Estes e outros resultados levam aos leitores diferentes perspectivas sobre o assunto. Este documento contribui para o estado da arte, com um conhecimento geral excelente e perspicaz sobre a aplicação de métodos MCDM para ajudar nos desafios de um ambiente de negócios, para que as empresas possam melhor gerenciar seus recursos e serem mais prósperas. É um vasto banco de dados que permite muitas comparações e avaliações, oferecendo mais análises do que os artigos de revisão de literatura padrão

Formulation of Manufacturing Strategies Based on An Extended SWARA Method with Intuitionistic Fuzzy Numbers: An Automotive Industry Application

Applying any kind of manufacturing strategy requires evaluating the current situation of the system at the internal and external levels and providing strategies for improving the system performance. Hence, the study presents review and design the optimal manufacturing strategy for increasing the efficiency of the automotive industry. This article presents a three-step manufacturing strategy model using Miltenburg worksheet and extended the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method into the intuitionistic fuzzy environment. It concentrates on five manufacturing objectives encompassing the production system, manufacturing outputs, manufacturing leverage, production capabilities, and competitive analysis. First,the basis of current production system is Product\Volume Layout\Flow Matrix (PV-LF) matrix. At the point, six manufacturing levers are analysed and assessed. The following step extends the SWARA method into the intuitionistic fuzzy environment. The research evaluates manufacturing outputs (delivery and cost, quality and performance) to define criteria of the optimal production system. Eventually, the study describes optimal strategies. Thus, the production system could change to the optimal policy. The results demonstrated that the case study production system is Equipment Paced Line Flow (EPL) and should vary from EPL to Just in Time (JIT). Furthermore, changing manufacturing levers is necessary to execute the proposed framework successfully

Rethinking the risk matrix

So far risk has been mostly defined as the expected value of a loss, mathematically PL (being P the probability of an adverse event and L the loss incurred as a consequence of the adverse event). The so called risk matrix follows from such definition. This definition of risk is justified in a long term “managerial” perspective, in which it is conceivable to distribute the effects of an adverse event on a large number of subjects or a large number of recurrences. In other words, this definition is mostly justified on frequentist terms. Moreover, according to this definition, in two extreme situations (high-probability/low-consequence and low-probability/high-consequence), the estimated risk is low. This logic is against the principles of sustainability and continuous improvement, which should impose instead both a continuous search for lower probabilities of adverse events (higher and higher reliability) and a continuous search for lower impact of adverse events (in accordance with the fail-safe principle). In this work a different definition of risk is proposed, which stems from the idea of safeguard: (1Risk)=(1P)(1L). According to this definition, the risk levels can be considered low only when both the probability of the adverse event and the loss are small. Such perspective, in which the calculation of safeguard is privileged to the calculation of risk, would possibly avoid exposing the Society to catastrophic consequences, sometimes due to wrong or oversimplified use of probabilistic models. Therefore, it can be seen as the citizen’s perspective to the definition of risk

Strategic Logistics Outsourcing:Integrated Models for Evaluating and Selecting Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) Upstream/Downstream Supply Chain Comparison

This research aims to maximize the logistics outsourcing benefits through developing new hybrid models for evaluating and selecting Logistics Service Providers (LSPs). The growing demand for logistics outsourcing and the increase in the number and type of LSPs highlight the increasing importance of the LSP evaluation and selection process. Firms use various approaches to evaluate and select their LSP partners. Most of these approaches seem to have overlooked the strategic side of the logistics outsourcing process. Additionally, the uncertainty issue of data, the complexity of the decision and the large number of criteria involved increase the attractiveness of the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approaches. A comparative literature review was used in order to identify crucial factors and methods that are used in logistics literature in fragmented ways and therefore, to establish and design a conceptual framework and models for logistics outsourcing. First, a long list of evaluation criteria was developed. Three main dimensions were identified: logistics performance, logistics resources and logistics services. Then a conceptual framework was developed using the three main dimensions with their related factors. Based on the comparative literature review outcomes, a number of integrated models have been developed and used to achieve this aim with emphasis given to FDEMATEL, FTOPSIS and FQFD techniques. Whereas the FDEMATEL technique contributed to construct influence relationships between factors under each dimension, develop impact-relationship maps and identify dependent and independent success factors (ISFs), the FTOPSIS technique used the weighted success factors to evaluate, rank and select the best LSP in three case studies. Twenty-one ISFs have been identified to be used in the final approach. These ISFs consist of eight LKPIs, seven logistics services and six logistics resources and capabilities. All of the factors were used to evaluate and select the best LSP alternative and ISFs were used to conduct the evaluation process. Different sensitivity analysis tests are used to confirm models’ robustness. Based on the outcomes of both cases, decision makers can use independent factors alone to evaluate and select the best LSP, which simplified the logistics outsourcing process in our study. The FQFD technique was used to link the LSUs strategic objectives with logistics requirements and the ISFs to develop a new strategic logistics outsourcing approach. Finally, two case studies representing the supply chain upstream and downstream are used to demonstrate the new hybrid approach effectiveness. The comparison of both cases’ findings highlighted their differences in terms of strategic objectives, logistics requirements and ISFs

Key Factors to Increasing Free Cash Flow for Manufacturers Utilizing Lean Production: An AHP-DEMATEL Approach

This paper aims to apply AHP and DEMATEL to analyze the key factors and interrelationships of lean production to increase free cash flow for manufacturers. The AHP hierarchy was determined through literature and interviews with leading management experts. The assessment criteria were categorized into five major criteria and 15 sub-criteria, including production, sales, human resources, R&D, and finance. According to the AHP results, the first eight key factors were identified as the key factors to increasing cash flow for manufacturers who utilized lean production. DEMATEL was used to identify the interactions among the eight key factors and further identify the four more important ones. The four key factors are strategic planning, strategic deployment, leadership, and goal orientation. This paper proposes management implications and improvement suggestions for the four key factors and their interactions

Partner selection in agile supply chains: A fuzzy intelligent approach

Partner selection is a fundamental issue in supply chain management as it contributes significantly to overall supply chain performance. However, such decision-making is problematic due to the need to consider both tangible and intangible factors, which cause vagueness, ambiguity and complexity. This paper proposes a new fuzzy intelligent approach for partner selection in agile supply chains by using fuzzy set theory in combination with radial basis function artificial neural network. Using these two approaches in combination enables the model to classify potential partners in the qualification phase of partner selection efficiently and effectively using very large amounts of both qualitative and quantitative data. The paper includes a worked empirical application of the model with data from 84 representative companies within the Chinese electrical components and equipment industry, to demonstrate its suitability for helping organisational decision-makers in partner selection

Decision Making of Environmental Engineers on Project Selection

Some environmental engineers do not understand how to perceive profitable opportunities in redeveloping the large number of contaminated brownfield sites in New Jersey. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to find effective decision-making strategies that help environmental engineers acquire profitable environmental redevelopment projects. The target population consisted of 4 environmental engineers in an environmental organization in Camden County, New Jersey who possessed proven decision-making strategies that helped them acquire profitable environmental redevelopment projects in the past 5 years. The conceptual framework for this study was the multiple criteria decision method (MCDM). Semistructured interviews were conducted with the engineers, and company documents were additional sources of data gathered. Triangulation and member checking were used to ensure the trustworthiness of interpretations. Five themes emerged from the analyses relating to strategies for an MCDM assessment in project management, a go/no-go assessment in project selections, education and training, ethics as an organizational value, and project management. These findings may lead to social change in Camden County, New Jersey community organizations, such as schools, daycare centers, and local businesses, which may benefit from the knowledge and safety recommendations of remediation decision making. Furthermore, these findings may provide opportunities for environment organizations to teach and train stakeholders on environmental processes while providing profitable opportunities to shareholders through sustainable practices

Three Essays on Innovation and Regional Economic Development

The first essay develops a typology that identifies the multiple pathways, functions and operations where innovation can occur in a firm\u27s internal business cycle based upon the extant literature that includes both technological and non-technological activities. This is an important step toward developing a comprehensive strategy for a regional economy and provides a common platform for the discussion of innovation among academics and practitioners.The typology adds to the existing knowledge of how innovation works in organizations by describing the pathways, business functions and operations in a firm\u27s internal-business-process the business strategies used to advance innovation to the market and the market impact that innovation has in a regional economy.The typology is enhanced by the different threads of literature - innovation, technology, organization and marketing. The integrated approach allows academics and practitioners to understand how and where innovation occurs in firms and lays the foundation for robust metrics of the behavioral relationship between variables under study. The result is a set of assessment tools that permits diagnostics of the firm, industry, market and region. The second essay examines the relationship between innovation, emerging technologies, business firms\u27 investment structure, and specialized types of private equity used to finance emerging technologies. A conceptual framework is developed for financial investment and a set of hypotheses tested for investment between Ohio and U.S. firms. Ohio firms take a different investing approach than U.S. firms when investing in a firm\u27s stage of business development but are not significantly different when using specialized types of financing, investing in industry/technology niches, and investing in geographic markets.The third essay explores the role of innovation in business firms. The essay examines the reasons firms invest in innovation and then test the difference in the innovation behavior of firms. Descriptive analysis is per

Sustainable Business Models

The dynamically changing world economy, in an era of intensive development and globalization, creates new needs in both the theoretical models of management and in the practical discussion related to the perception of business. Because of new economic phenomena related to the crisis, there is a need for the design and operationalization of innovative business models for companies. Due to the fact that in times of crisis, the principles of strategic balance are particularly important; these business models can be sustainable business models. Moreover, it is essential to skillfully use different methods and concepts of management to ensure the continuity of business. It seems that sustainable business models, in their essence, can support companies' effectiveness and contribute to their stable, sustainable functioning in the difficult, ever-changing market. This Special Issue aims to discuss the key mechanisms concerning the design and operationalization of sustainable business models, from a strategic perspective. We invite you to contribute to this Issue by submitting comprehensive reviews, case studies, or research articles. Papers selected for this Special Issue are subject to a rigorous peer review procedure, with the aim of rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments, and applications