A note on the statistical analysis of point judgment matrices

The Analytic Hierarchy Process is a multicriteria decision making technique developed by Saaty in the 1970s. The core of the approach is the pairwise comparison of objects according to a single criterion using a 9-point ratio scale and the estimation of weights associated with these objects based on the resultant judgment matrix. In the present paper some statistical approaches to extracting the weights of objects from a judgment matrix are reviewed and new ideas which are rooted in the traditional method of paired comparisons are introduced

Multi-criteria decision methods to support the maintenance management of complex systems

[ES] Esta tesis doctoral propone el uso de métodos de toma de decisiones multi-criterio (MCDM, por sus iniciales en inglés) como herramienta estratégica para apoyar la gestión del mantenimiento de sistemas complejos. El desarrollo de esta tesis doctoral se enmarca dentro de un acuerdo de cotutela entre la Università degli Studi di Palermo (UNIPA) y la Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), dentro de sus respectivos programas de doctorado en 'Ingeniería de Innovación Tecnológica' y 'Matemáticas'. Estos programas están estrechamente vinculados a través del tópico MCDM, ya que proporciona herramientas cruciales para gestionar el mantenimiento de sistemas complejos reales utilizando análisis matemáticos serios. El propósito de esta sinergia es tener en cuenta de forma sólida la incertidumbre al atribuir evaluaciones subjetivas, recopilar y sintetizar juicios atribuidos por varios responsables de la toma de decisiones, y tratar con conjuntos grandes de esos elementos. El tema principal del presente trabajo de doctorado es el gestionamiento de las actividades de mantenimiento para aumentar los niveles de innovación tecnológica y el rendimiento de los sistemas complejos. Cualquier sistema puede ser considerado objeto de estudio, incluidos los sistemas de producción y los de prestación de servicios, entre otros, mediante la evaluación de sus contextos reales. Esta tesis doctoral propone afrontar la gestión del mantenimiento a través del desarrollo de tres líneas principales de investigación estrechamente vinculadas. ¿ La primera es el núcleo, e ilustra la mayoría de los aspectos metodológicos de la tesis. Se refiere al uso de métodos MCDM para apoyar decisiones estratégicas de mantenimiento, y para hacer frente a la incertidumbre que afecta a los datos/evaluaciones, incluso cuando están involucrados varios responsables (expertos en mantenimiento) en la toma de decisiones. ¿ La segunda línea desarrolla análisis de fiabilidad para sistemas complejos reales (también en términos de fiabilidad humana) sobre cuya base se debe implementar cualquier actividad de mantenimiento. Estos análisis consideran la configuración de fiabilidad de los componentes del sistema en estudio y las características específicas del entorno operativo. ¿ La tercera línea de investigación aborda aspectos metodológicos importantes de la gestión de mantenimiento y enfatiza la necesidad de monitorizar el funcionamiento de las actividades de mantenimiento y de evaluar su efectividad utilizando indicadores adecuados. Se ha elaborado una amplia gama de casos de estudio del mundo real para evaluar la eficacia de los métodos MCDM en el mantenimiento y así probar la utilidad del enfoque propuesto.[CA] Aquesta tesi doctoral proposa l'ús de mètodes de presa de decisions multi-criteri (MCDM, per les seves inicials en anglès) com a eina estratègica per donar suport a la gestió del manteniment de sistemes complexos. El desenvolupament d'aquesta tesi doctoral s'emmarca dins d'un acord de cotutela entre la Università degli Studi di Palermo (UNIPA) i la Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), dins dels seus respectius programes de doctorat en 'Enginyeria d'Innovació Tecnològica' i ' Matemàtiques '. Aquests programes estan estretament vinculats a través del tòpic MCDM, ja que proporciona eines crucials per gestionar el manteniment de sistemes complexos reals utilitzant anàlisis matemàtics profunds. El propòsit d'aquesta sinergia és tenir en compte de forma sòlida la incertesa en atribuir avaluacions subjectius, recopilar i sintetitzar judicis atribuïts per diversos responsables de la presa de decisions, i tractar amb conjunts grans d'aquests elements en els problemes plantejats. El tema principal del present treball de doctorat es la gestió de les activitats de manteniment per augmentar els nivells d'innovació tecnològica i el rendiment dels sistemes complexos. Qualsevol sistema pot ser considerat objecte d'estudi, inclosos els sistemes de producció i els de prestació de serveis, entre d'altres, mitjançant l'avaluació dels seus contextos reals. Aquesta tesi doctoral proposa afrontar la gestió del manteniment mitjançant el desenvolupament de tres línies principals d'investigació estretament vinculades. ¿ La primera és el nucli, i il·lustra la majoria dels aspectes metodològics de la tesi. Es refereix a l'ús de mètodes MCDM per donar suport a decisions estratègiques de manteniment, i per fer front a la incertesa que afecta les dades/avaluacions, fins i tot quan estan involucrats diversos responsables (experts en manteniment) en la presa de decisions. ¿ La segona línia desenvolupa anàlisis de fiabilitat per a sistemes complexos reals (també en termes de fiabilitat humana) sobre la qual base s'ha d'implementar qualsevol activitat de manteniment. Aquestes anàlisis consideren la configuració de fiabilitat dels components del sistema en estudi i les característiques específiques de l'entorn operatiu. ¿ La tercera línia d'investigació aborda aspectes metodològics importants de la gestió de manteniment i emfatitza la necessitat de monitoritzar el funcionament de les activitats de manteniment i d'avaluar la seva efectivitat utilitzant indicadors adequats. S'ha elaborat una àmplia gamma de casos d'estudi del món real per avaluar l'eficàcia dels mètodes MCDM en el manteniment i així provar la utilitat de l'enfocament proposat.[EN] This doctoral thesis proposes using multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods as a strategic tool to support maintenance management of complex systems. The development of this doctoral thesis is framed within a cotutelle (co-tutoring) agreement between the Università degli Studi di Palermo (UNIPA) and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), within their respective programmes of doctorates in 'Technological Innovation Engineering' and 'Mathematics'. Regarding this thesis, these programmes are closely linked through the topic of MCDM, providing crucial tools to manage maintenance of real complex systems by applying in-depth mathematical analyses. The purpose of this connection is to robustly take into account uncertainty in attributing subjective evaluations, collecting and synthetizing judgments attributed by various decision makers, and dealing with large sets of elements characterising the faced issue. The main topic of the present doctoral work is the management of maintenance activities to increase the levels of technological innovation and performance of the analysed complex systems. All kinds of systems can be considered as objects of study, including production systems and service delivery systems, among others, by evaluating their real contexts. Thus, this doctoral thesis proposes facing maintenance management through the development of three tightly linked main research lines. ¿ The first is the core and illustrates most of the methodological aspects of the thesis. It refers to the use of MCDM methods for supporting strategic maintenance decisions, and dealing with uncertainty affecting data/evaluations even when several decision makers are involved (experts in maintenance). ¿ The second line develops reliability analyses for real complex systems (also in terms of human reliability analysis) on the basis of which any maintenance activity must be implemented. These analyses are approached by considering the reliability configuration of both the components belonging to the system under study and the specific features of the operational environment. ¿ The third research line focuses on important methodological aspects to support maintenance management, and emphasises the need to monitor the performance of maintenance activities and evaluate their effectiveness using suitable indicators. A wide range of real real-world case studies has been faced to evaluate the effectiveness of MCDM methods in maintenance and then prove the usefulness of the proposed approach.Carpitella, S. (2019). Multi-criteria decision methods to support the maintenance management of complex systems [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/11911

An evaluation thermometer for assessing city sustainability and livability

The real estate industry is an important indicator of national economic growth and development, which is influenced by the environment in which it operates. Various countries have been seriously affected by the most recent international financial crisis. Nevertheless, regardless of the challenges some cities currently face and the impacts on their sustainable livability, urban real estate is still of interest to investors. Given this context, researchers have sought to develop and apply methods of evaluating sustainable livability in cities. However, most practical applications have been hampered by methodological limitations (e.g., how to select and weight criteria in evaluations), which has hampered progress in this area. The present study thus aimed to develop a knowledge-based decision support system to evaluate city sustainability and livability in a transparent and informed way. To achieve its goal, this research combined cognitive mapping techniques and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Based on real-world data, the advantages and limitations of this integrative evaluation system are discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Comprehensive Methodology for Sustainable Power Supply in Emerging Countries

[EN] Electricity has become one of the main driving forces for development, especially in remote areas where the lack of energy is linked to poverty. Traditionally, in these areas power is supplied by grid extension projects, which are expensive, or stand-alone systems based on fossil fuels. An actual alternative to these solutions is community micro-grid projects based on distributed renewable energy sources. However, these solutions need to introduce a holistic approach in order to be successfully implemented in real cases. The main purpose of this research work is the definition and development of a comprehensive methodology to encourage the use of decentralized renewable power systems to provide power supply to non-electrified areas. The methodology follows a top-down approach. Its main novelty is that it interlinks a macro and micro analysis dimension, considering not only the energy context of the country where the area under study is located and its development towards a sustainable scenario; but also the potential of renewable power generation, the demand side management opportunities and the socio-economic aspects involved in the final decision on what renewable energy solution would be the most appropriate for the considered location. The implementation of this methodology provides isolated areas a tool for sustainable energy development based on an environmentally friendly and socially participatory approach. Results of implementing the methodology in a case study showed the importance of introducing a holistic approach in supplying power energy to isolated areas, stating the need for involving all the different stakeholders in the decision-making process. Despite final raking on sustainable power supply solutions may vary from one area to another, the implementation of the methodology follows the same procedure, which makes it an inestimable tool for governments, private investors and local communities.This research was funded by Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and Generalitat Valenciana, grant references SP20180248 and GV/2017/023, respectively.Peñalvo-López, E.; Pérez-Navarro, Á.; Hurtado-Perez, E.; Cárcel Carrasco, FJ. (2019). Comprehensive Methodology for Sustainable Power Supply in Emerging Countries. Sustainability. 11(19):1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195398S1221119LOKEN, E. (2007). Use of multicriteria decision analysis methods for energy planning problems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11(7), 1584-1595. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2005.11.005Cherni, J. A., Dyner, I., Henao, F., Jaramillo, P., Smith, R., & Font, R. O. (2007). Energy supply for sustainable rural livelihoods. A multi-criteria decision-support system. Energy Policy, 35(3), 1493-1504. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2006.03.026Gabaldón-Estevan, D., Peñalvo-López, E., & Alfonso Solar, D. (2018). The Spanish Turn against Renewable Energy Development. Sustainability, 10(4), 1208. doi:10.3390/su10041208Ouyang, W., Cheng, H., Zhang, X., & Yao, L. (2010). Distribution network planning method considering distributed generation for peak cutting. Energy Conversion and Management, 51(12), 2394-2401. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2010.05.003Chaurey, A., Ranganathan, M., & Mohanty, P. (2004). Electricity access for geographically disadvantaged rural communities—technology and policy insights. Energy Policy, 32(15), 1693-1705. doi:10.1016/s0301-4215(03)00160-5CARCEL CARRASCO, F. J., PEÑALVO LOPEZ, E., & DE MURGA, G. (2018). OFICINAS AUTO-SOSTENIBLES PARA LAS AGENCIAS DE AYUDA INTERNACIONAL EN ZONAS GEOGRÁFICAS REMOTAS. DYNA INGENIERIA E INDUSTRIA, 94(1), 272-277. doi:10.6036/8507Erdinc, O., & Uzunoglu, M. (2012). Optimum design of hybrid renewable energy systems: Overview of different approaches. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(3), 1412-1425. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2011.11.011Al-falahi Monaaf D.A., Jayasinghe, S. D. G., & Enshaei, H. (2017). A review on recent size optimization methodologies for standalone solar and wind hybrid renewable energy system. Energy Conversion and Management, 143, 252-274. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2017.04.019Bajpai, P., & Dash, V. (2012). Hybrid renewable energy systems for power generation in stand-alone applications: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(5), 2926-2939. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2012.02.009Pérez-Navarro, A., Alfonso, D., Ariza, H. E., Cárcel, J., Correcher, A., Escrivá-Escrivá, G., … Vargas, C. (2016). Experimental verification of hybrid renewable systems as feasible energy sources. Renewable Energy, 86, 384-391. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.08.030Al-Alawi, A., & Islam, S. . (2004). Demand side management for remote area power supply systems incorporating solar irradiance model. Renewable Energy, 29(13), 2027-2036. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2004.03.006Ardakani, F. J., & Ardehali, M. M. (2014). Novel effects of demand side management data on accuracy of electrical energy consumption modeling and long-term forecasting. Energy Conversion and Management, 78, 745-752. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.019Kavrakoǧlu, I., & Kiziltan, G. (1983). Multiobjective strategies in power systems planning. European Journal of Operational Research, 12(2), 159-170. doi:10.1016/0377-2217(83)90219-9Pohekar, S. D., & Ramachandran, M. (2004). Application of multi-criteria decision making to sustainable energy planning—A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 8(4), 365-381. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2003.12.007Kabak, M., & Dağdeviren, M. (2014). Prioritization of renewable energy sources for Turkey by using a hybrid MCDM methodology. Energy Conversion and Management, 79, 25-33. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.036Peñalvo-López, E., Cárcel-Carrasco, F., Devece, C., & Morcillo, A. (2017). A Methodology for Analysing Sustainability in Energy Scenarios. Sustainability, 9(9), 1590. doi:10.3390/su9091590HOMER Pro® Microgrid Software, the Micro-Power Optimization Model; HOMER Pro 3.13, HOMER Energyhttps://www.homerenergy.com/products/pro/index.htmlSuper Decisions Softwarehttps://www.superdecisions.com/ENRGYPLAN Advanced Energy System Analysishttp://www.energyplan.eu/LEAP Code Energy Analysishttps://www.energycommunity.org/default.asp?action=introductionRodríguez-García, Ribó-Pérez, Álvarez-Bel, & Peñalvo-López. (2019). Novel Conceptual Architecture for the Next-Generation Electricity Markets to Enhance a Large Penetration of Renewable Energy. Energies, 12(13), 2605. doi:10.3390/en12132605Huld, T., Müller, R., & Gambardella, A. (2012). A new solar radiation database for estimating PV performance in Europe and Africa. Solar Energy, 86(6), 1803-1815. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2012.03.006Fischer, G., & Schrattenholzer, L. (2001). Global bioenergy potentials through 2050. Biomass and Bioenergy, 20(3), 151-159. doi:10.1016/s0961-9534(00)00074-xHurtado, E., Peñalvo-López, E., Pérez-Navarro, Á., Vargas, C., & Alfonso, D. (2015). Optimization of a hybrid renewable system for high feasibility application in non-connected zones. Applied Energy, 155, 308-314. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.09

Framework for evaluating water quality information system performance

1994 Fall.Includes bibliographic references (pages 280-308).Water resource and water quality managers are being held increasingly accountable for the programs they manage. Much progress has been made in applying total systems perspectives to the design and operation of water quality monitoring and information programs, and towards rationalizing those programs with respect to management objectives and information needs. A recent example of that progress is the development of data analysis protocols to enhance the information system design process. However, further work is necessary to develop approaches which can help managers confront the water quality management environment of the future, which will be characterized by: (1) fewer purely technical questions, (2) more complex problems with social, economic, political and legal ramifications, and (3) actively managed and continuously improved water quality information systems. This research concludes that the management of water quality information systems for continuous improvement requires: (1) a competent system design process, (2) comprehensive documentation of system design and operation, and (3) a routine and thorough performance measurement and evaluation process. The framework for evaluating water quality information system performance presented in this dissertation integrates the experience of several disciplines into an instrument to help water quality managers accomplish these requirements. The framework embodies four phases: (1) evaluation planning, (2) watershed and management system analyses, (3) information system analysis, and (4) information system performance evaluation. The application of the framework is demonstrated in the evaluation of water quality monitoring programs associated with a unique municipal water transfer project. Water quality professionals of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey are surveyed as to its potential application to large (e.g., regional or national) systems. Those exercises indicate the framework to be a convenient, economic, and flexible instrument useful towards enhancing water quality information system performance. Recommendations for future research to refine the framework and to extend its scope and utility are also presented

A study on reducing digital piracy: an analytical network process approach with benefits, opportunities, costs and risks analysis

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia e Gestão IndustrialThe world and the information technology in general has in recent years undergone a major transformation due to rapid technological innovations that became universally available to all. These innovations that are constantly being introduced bring an increasing ease of access, use, mobility and other gains which in turn are also facilitators to illegal activities, allowing for the acquisition of products that are identical to the original without there being any loss of quality in the copy process. This led to technologies that were created in order to prevent such practices of digital piracy and give more control to those who own the intellectual property rights, known as Digital Rights Management (DRM) technologies. The application of these technologies has brought new problems, such as excessive restrictions that do not satisfy consumers and may harm society in general by restricting the freedom of use and exchange of ideas. Although there is scientific work on this issue, there has never been applied a multi-criteria analysis to assist in the decision making of what could be the best solution to reduce digital piracy. By developing an analytical network process (ANP) model with analysis of benefits, opportunities, costs and risks (BOCR), this dissertation seeks to fill the gap in the scientific community with the implementation of a multi-criteria decision making process to determine the best alternative for this problem. Finally, in this dissertation there is also a practical application of the developed model in the national digital books area

Usage of Structural Equation Modeling and Analytical Hierarchy Process Approach to Select Information Technology

Progressive change is an accurate way to describe the advancement of information technology (IT) throughout the 1990s. As IT continues to evolve, the ways in which companies do business are also changing. The emergence ofthe Internet as a business venue, the growing percentage of consumers accessing the Web, and the increasing number of households equipped with a PC or other Web-access device are speeding IT's rate of change. The industries especially banking and financial services industries (BFSI) are heavily supported by IT and technology vendor for their service oriented business. It indicates that choosing the right vendor remains a critical success factor for every enterprise's business success. Selection of the best possible set of vendors not only allow organisations to downsize and utilise resources more effectively, but also allows themto take advantage of the capabilities andtechnologies of the vendors. The vendor selection process can be a very complicated and emotional undertaking if the approach from the very beginning is not known. The purpose ofthis research is to identify the required criteria for selecting the best vendor for information technology (IT) process and provide a vendor selection model including these criteria by using the structural equation modeling (SEM) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). To demonstrate the above model and also, to arrive at vendor selection scores, the vendor selection for mobile banking application was considered as an example. The developed model is a generic one considering the global economic turmoil and the amount ofpressure on banking &financial services industries (BFSI), where IT is the backbone of the BFSI; In any future studies the model could be applied in making other strategic decisions like IT outsourcing, ERP (enterprise resource planning) implementation vendor selection etc. V

Assessing supply chain risks in the automotive industry through a modified MCDM-based FMECA

Supply chains are complex networks that receive assiduous attention in the literature. Like any complex network, a supply chain is subject to a wide variety of risks that can result in significant economic losses and negative impacts in terms of image and prestige for companies. In circumstances of aggressive competition among companies, effective management of supply chain risks (SCR) is crucial, and is currently a very active field of research. Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) has been recently extended to SCR identification and prioritization, aiming at reducing potential losses caused by lack of risk control. This article has a twofold objective. First, SCR assessment is investigated, and a comprehensive list of specific risks related to the automotive industry is compiled to extend the set of most commonly considered risks. Second, an alternative way of calculating the risk priority number (RPN) is proposed within the FMECA framework by means of an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. We give a new calculation procedure by making use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to derive factors weights, and then the fuzzy DEcision-MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) to evaluate the new factor of “dependence” among risks. The developed joint analysis constitutes a risk analysis support tool for criticality in systems engineering. The approach also deals with uncertainty and vagueness associated to input data through the use of fuzzy numbers. The results obtained from a relevant case study in the automotive industry showcase the effectiveness of this approach, which brings important value to those companies: when planning interventions of prevention/mitigation, primary importance should be given to 1) supply chain disruptions due to natural disasters, 2) manufacturing facilities, human resources, policies and breakdown processes, and 3) inefficient transport

A knowledge-based decision support system for sustainable city livability evaluation

The real estate industry is an important indicator of national economies and is influenced by the environment in which it operates. Several countries were seriously affected by the most recent international financial crisis, including Portugal. Nevertheless, it is still an interesting area to invest in, in spite of the challenges cities may face nowadays that influence their sustainable livability. For this reason, it seems logical to develop and apply methodologies aimed at evaluating sustainable city livability. It is worth noting, however, that there are methodological limitations typically associated with the majority of the current applications (e.g. how to select and weight criteria in the evaluation), which have been hampering the progress. Hence, this dissertation aims to develop a knowledge-based decision support system to evaluate sustainable city livability, in a transparent and informed way. To achieve this goal, it combines cognitive mapping techniques and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The advantages and limitations of this integrative evaluation model are also analyzed and discussed.O mercado imobiliário é um indicador importante das economias mundiais e é influenciado pelo ambiente em que opera. Muitos foram os países seriamente afetados pela mais recente crise financeira internacional, incluindo Portugal. Não obstante, este continua a ser uma área de investimento interessante, ainda que, hoje em dia, as cidades possam enfrentar desafios que influenciam a sua habitabilidade sustentável. Por essa razão, parece lógico o desenvolvimento e a aplicação de metodologias que permitam avaliar a sustentabilidade habitacional de uma área urbana. No entanto, limitações metodológicas comuns à maioria das aplicações (e.g. processo de seleção e ponderação dos critérios de avaliação) têm dificultado os progressos alcançados. Assim, a presente dissertação pretende desenvolver um “termómetro” de habitabilidade sustentável que, de forma informada e transparente, permita apoiar a tomada de decisão no mercado imobiliário urbano, através da combinação do uso integrado de técnicas de mapeamento cognitivo e da metodologia Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). As vantagens e as limitações do uso deste sistema integrativo de avaliação serão também analisadas e discutidas

Optimization of the product design through Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Analaytical Hierarchy Process (AHP): A case study in a ceramic washbasin

Thesis (Master)--Izmir Institute of Technology, Industrial Design, Izmir, 2009Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 67-79)Text in English; Abstract: Turkish and Englishx, 81 leavesQFD is a methodology, which establishes a relationship between product and customer, determines product.s sales ability and carry out it to a high level during the process.In this study, QFD methodology, which is used in several industries, was implemented in the sanitary production industry. In this purpose, the washbasin, which is called as .Potsink. produced by Vitra, was chosen and examined implementation ability of the methodology. The aim for this choice is that Potsink.s design is different from usual washbasin forms and because of this reason, some sales problems would be appeared also there are some ergonomical and functional problems was observed.In the first step, which is developed by the customer.s voice, Analytic Hierarchy Process AHP was used. The relationship, which is between product and customer.s requirements, is determined by Analytic Hierarchy Process AHP.After this step, with customer requirements and technical details, which is matched with, are put in the house of quality (HoQ). Fallowing this step, improvement ratio and sales points are taken place in the house. Finally calculate all items and evaluated