An intelligent group decision-support system and its application for project performance evaluation

Purpose: In any organization there are main goals, with lots of projects designed to achieve these goals. It is important for any organization to determine how much these projects affect the achievement of these goals. The purpose of this paper is to develop a fuzzy multiple attribute-based group decision-support system (FMAGDSS) to evaluate projects' performance in promoting the organization's goals utilizing simple additive weighting (SAW) algorithm and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) algorithm. The proposed FMAGDSS deals with choosing the most appropriate fuzzy ranking algorithm for solving a given fuzzy multi attribute decision making (FMADM) problem with both qualitative and quantitative criteria (attributes), and uncertain judgments of decision makers. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, a FMAGDSS model is designed to determine scores and ranks of every project in promoting the organization's goals. In the first step of FMAGDSS model, all projects are assessed by experts based on evaluation criteria and the organization's goals. The proposed FMAGDSS model will then choose the most appropriate fuzzy ranking method to solve the given FMADM problem. Finally, a sensitivity analysis system is developed to assess the reliability of the decision-making process and provide an opportunity to analyze the impacts of "criteria weights" and "projects" performance' on evaluating projects in achieving the organizations' goals, and to assess the reliability of the decision-making process. In addition, a software prototype has been developed on the basis of FMAGDSS model that can be applied to solve every FMADM problem that needs to rank alternatives according to certain attributes. Findings: The result of this study simplifies and accelerates the evaluation process. The proposed system not only helps organizations to choose the most efficient projects for sustainable development, but also helps them to assess the reliability of the decision-making process, and decrease the uncertainty in final decision caused by uncertain judgment of decision makers. Research limitations/implications: Future studies are suggested to expand this system to evaluate and rank the project proposals. To achieve this goal, the efficiency of the projects in line with organization's goals, should be predicted.Originality/value: This study contributes to the relevant literature by proposing a FMAGDSS model to evaluate projects in promoting organization's goals. The proposed FMAGDSS has ability to choose the most appropriate fuzzy ranking algorithm to solve a given FMADM problem based on the type and the number of attributes and alternatives, considering the least computation and time consumption for ranking alternatives. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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

Decision-making model for designing telecom products/services based on customer preferences and non-preferences

The design of the packages of products/services to be offered by a telecom company to its clients is a complex decision-making process that must consider different criteria to achieve both customer satisfaction and optimization of the company’s resources. In this process, Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (IFSs) can be used to manage uncertainty and better represent both preferences and non-preferences expressed by people who value each proposed alternative. We present a novel approach to design/develop new products/services that combines the Lean Six Sigma methodology with IFSs. Its main contribution comes from considering both preferences and nonpreferences expressed by real clients, whereas existing proposals only consider their preferences. By also considering their non-preferences, it provides an additional capacity to manage the high uncertainty in the selection of the commercial plan that best suits each client’s needs. Thus, client satisfaction is increased while improving the company’s corporate image, which will lead to customer loyalty and increased revenue. To validate the presented proposal, it has been applied to a real case study of the telecom sector, in which 2135 users have participated. The results obtained have been analysed and compared with those obtained with a model that does not consider the non-preferences expressed by users.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (State Research Agency)Junta de Andalucia PID2019-103880RB-I00 PID2019-109644RB-I00 PY20_0067

Avaliação e desenvolvimento de produtos alimentares excelentes na agro-indústria

Dissertação para Obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Tecnologia e Segurança Alimentar com Especialização em QualidadeO objetivo geral deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma metodologia para aplicação nas fábricas de produtos alimentares, nomeadamente a FIMA, SA do grupo Unilever Jerónimo Martins para avaliar e desenvolver produtos alimentares considerados de excelente qualidade. Os objetivos específicos são: - Criar um sistema operativo flexível e prático para o registo de todos os parâmetros da qualidade das linhas de produção e monitorização do processo de modo a alcançar zero defeitos e zero paragens; - Elaborar os CRQS europeus e globais de acordo os padrões desenvolvidos pelo grupo de excelência da Unilever; - Com base nos requisitos normativos (ISO 9001:2008, TPM, Princípios do HACCP e ISO 22000:2005) elaborar e aplicar metodologias e ferramentas da qualidade para melhoria contínua do processo. Para o cumprimento integral do objetivo deste trabalho foram acompanhadas as principais fases relacionadas com a elaboração dos produtos. A condição necessária e suficiente para que se consiga superioridade dos produtos é o desenvolvimento e adequação dos CRQS, do sistema operativo e maximização da eficiência operacional dos equipamentos de modos que estes sejam capazes de produzir sem defeitos/falhas. Os PCC´s, PCQ´s e manutenção do equipamento constituem a base para o sucesso da implementação de medidas corretivas das falhas/paragens. O projeto foi implementado com sucesso. Para minimizar os efeitos da falha no controlo dos CRQS foram elaboradas ferramentas da qualidade para melhoria contínua do processo, baseando-se no sistema TPM, para eliminar defeitos da qualidade que podem ser causados pelos equipamentos. TPM é uma ferramenta que permite garantir a manutenção da produtividade total. Para a aplicação das ferramentas da qualidade foram utilizadas as potencialidades dos pilares de manutenção autónoma/planeada, da qualidade, Kaizen, formação e treino coadjuvada com a Lei de Murphy e Lean Seis Sigmas. Para a implementação efetiva do projeto foi indispensável a conjugação da tecnologia, segurança e qualidade alimentar. Os padrões de excelência, definidos ao nível da Unilever, são os CRQS europeu e global. Os CRQS são dinâmicos e o seu desenvolvimento resulta duma investigação exaustiva, pelo grupo de excelência, do ponto de vista do consumidor em relação ao conceito de excelência alimentar

A FRAMEWORK FOR STRATEGIC PROJECT ANALYSIS AND PRIORITIZATION

Projects that support the long-term strategic intent and alignment are considered strategic projects. Therefore, these projects must consider their alignment with the organization’s current strategy and focus on the risk, organizational capability, resources availability, political influence, and socio-cultural factors. Quantitative and qualitative methods prioritize the projects; however, they are usually suitable for specific industries. Although prioritization models are used in the private sector, the same in the public sector is not widely seen in the literature. The lack of models in the public sector has happened because of the projects’ social implications, the value perception of different projects in the public sector, and potentially differing value perceptions attached to the types of projects in different decision-making environments in the public sector. The thesis proposes a generic framework to develop a priority list of the available basket of projects and decide on projects for the next undertaking. The focus of the thesis is on public projects. The analysis in the framework considers the critical factors for prioritization obtained from the literature clustered through the agglomerative text clustering technique. In the proposed framework, 13 critical clusters are identified and weighted using the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method to develop their ranking using the Technique for Order of Preference Similarity Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. In addition, the proposed framework uses vector weighting to prioritize projects across industries. The applicability of the framework is demonstrated through Qatar’s real estate and transportation projects. The outcome obtained from the framework is compared with those obtained through the experts using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The comparison shows that the framework provides good predictability of the projects for implementation

The mediating role of individual readiness for change

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel UniversityThis study investigates the mediating role of Individual Readiness for Change (IRFC) in the relationship between Organisational Culture (OC) and Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation. Despite the substantial body of literature examining the influence of OC on TQM implementation, there has been limited research investigating the mechanics of the link between OC and TQM implementation. In particular, an extensive review of the literature revealed that a contribution to knowledge would be derived from the investigation of the role of IRFC as one possible mechanism through which an organisation‘s culture comes to have an impact on TQM implementation. However, there is a gap in the TQM literature in not investigating the mediating role of IRFC on the relationship between OC and TQM implementation. The aim of this research study is to examine the influence of OC on TQM implementation and the mediating role of IRFC in the OC-TQM implementation relationship in Syrian Manufacturing Organisations (SMOs). The research methodology began with conducting a systematic review of the relevant literature, which led to the development of a theoretical framework. In the present study, an integrative framework was developed to combine the direct effect of OC on TQM implementation and the mediating role of IRFC in the OC-TQM relationship within a single framework. To validate this framework, empirical research was conducted. The empirical study was carried out in a new cultural context: Syria, and more specifically amongst SMOs. Following a hypothetico- deductive approach, primary data was collected through questionnaires from 350 middle managers in SMOs. The findings of this study indicate that the characteristics and values of group culture and adhocracy culture positively affect the implementation of TQM, however, IRFC was found to act as a mediator and possible mechanism to attenuate these positive relationships. This in turn highlights the critical role of IRFC in the formation of OC-TQM implementation link. Therefore, this study provides a refined and deeper understanding of the relationships between OC types and TQM implementation. With an improved comprehension of the relationship between OC and TQM, organisational leaders and managers can implement TQM more effectively and efficiently in their organisations. Consequently, this would assist SMOs in achieving higher levels of global marketing effectiveness. This research contributes to knowledge in several ways. Most importantly, it extends the existing literature on the link between OC and TQM implementation. Unlike previous studies about the direct influence of OC on TQM implementation, this research is one of the few empirical studies that examine the mediating role of IRFC as one of the mechanisms through which an organisation‘s culture comes to have an impact on TQM implementation. This research makes a further innovative contribution by providing empirical evidence leading to advancement of the understanding of the relationship between all four OC types of the Competing Values Framework (CVF) and IRFC. Furthermore, this research study adds value via its contextual originality. It is believed that this study is one of the few studies that examine the Syrian cultural context empirically. Hence, it contributes to the scarce body of literature on the relationship between OC, IRFC, and TQM implementation specifically in developing countries

An empirical investigation of the demographics of Top Management Team (TMT) and its influence in forecasting organizational outcome in international architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) Firms : a fuzzy set approach

Whereas Top Management Teams (TMTs) are selected to fit a firm’s strategy, prior studies have evidenced that TMTs have significant impact on firm performance. The challenge of the two-way causality has been reflected in previous findings being ambiguous, inconsistent and sometimes conflicted. Pursing the same line of research may lead to incomplete and even error-prone conclusion. In contrast, this research suggests that inconsistency of findings among TMT demographics shown in prior work may point the possibility of studying the black-box nature of such relationships, and provide a tool to future forecast the organization outcome. More specifically, a multi-input (TMT demographics) multi-output (organization outcome) structure was used in this research to explore the future predictability power of TMT demographics for international Architects, Engineers and Construction firms (AEC firms). In order to build a reliable forecasting model, those contradictions were avoided by the utilization of artificial intelligence methods by training, testing and producing results without any prior assumptions or known structures. In particular, the Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) have been employed as a basis for constructing a set of fuzzy “if– then” rules with pre-tested input–output pairs. Three different forecasting strategies were constructed, the findings have demonstrated the learning and potential of the ANFIS model (time series based) in forecasting organization outcome, but at the same time, suggest that distinction should be established among different constructs of TMT demographics and outcome constructs. The results demonstrated that job-related demographics (i.e., TMT Educational Diversity, TMT Functional Diversity and TMT Tenure) could provide a satisfactory forecasting accuracy for the short-span (Liquidity) and medium-span (Cash Flow Stability and Capital Structure) outcome constructs. The future predictability power of other non-job demographics could not be evidenced in this research. Additionally, outcome constructs with dynamic nature could not be forecasted. Lastly, future research opportunities have been suggested for researchers. Most importantly, it includes the need to re-define diversity in the context of TMT composition (having different meaning as in: Variety, Separation and Disparity). Other methodological future opportunities are also suggested at the end of this study