Evaluation of e-learning web sites using fuzzy axiomatic design based approach

High quality web site has been generally recognized as a critical enabler to conduct online business. Numerous studies exist in the literature to measure the business performance in relation to web site quality. In this paper, an axiomatic design based approach for fuzzy group decision making is adopted to evaluate the quality of e-learning web sites. Another multi-criteria decision making technique, namely fuzzy TOPSIS, is applied in order to validate the outcome. The methodology proposed in this paper has the advantage of incorporating requirements and enabling reductions in the problem size, as compared to fuzzy TOPSIS. A case study focusing on Turkish e-learning websites is presented, and based on the empirical findings, managerial implications and recommendations for future research are offered

Linking objective and subjective modeling in engineering design through arc-elastic dominance

Engineering design in mechanics is a complex activity taking into account both objective modeling processes derived from physical analysis and designers’ subjective reasoning. This paper introduces arc-elastic dominance as a suitable concept for ranking design solutions according to a combination of objective and subjective models. Objective models lead to the aggregation of information derived from physics, economics or eco-environmental analysis into a performance indicator. Subjective models result in a confidence indicator for the solutions’ feasibility. Arc-elastic dominant design solutions achieve an optimal compromise between gain in performance and degradation in confidence. Due to the definition of arc-elasticity, this compromise value is expressive and easy for designers to interpret despite the difference in the nature of the objective and subjective models. From the investigation of arc-elasticity mathematical properties, a filtering algorithm of Pareto-efficient solutions is proposed and illustrated through a design knowledge modeling framework. This framework notably takes into account Harrington’s desirability functions and Derringer’s aggregation method. It is carried out through the re-design of a geothermal air conditioning system

Evaluation of MVNO model implementation in remote and border areas using the consistent fuzzy preference relations method

Law No. 36 of 1999 concerning Telecommunication has brought many changes, especially in the development of telecommunications infrastructure in Indonesia. However, the penetration of telecommunications services in the forefront, outermost, and backward regions is still relatively low. The government has made various efforts in terms of minimizing the gap in telecommunication services between urban and rural areas through various programs. However, an acceleration is needed so that the service disparity can be immediately overcome. One of the telecommunications products that can be applied to overcome these barriers is the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). This study evaluates the most appropriate type of MVNO model to be applied in Indonesia by implementing the Consistent Fuzzy Preference Relations (CFPR) method. This method is able to accommodate expert opinion through a series of scientific steps so as to produce weights for each alternative type of MVNO model. The results obtained are that the most appropriate model to be applied in Indonesia by taking into account the criteria given. The implementation of this model is expected to be able to encourage the optimization of BTS USO that has been declared by the government.Law No. 36 of 1999 concerning Telecommunication has brought many changes, especially in the development of telecommunications infrastructure in Indonesia. However, the penetration of telecommunications services in the forefront, outermost, and backward regions is still relatively low. The government has made various efforts in terms of minimizing the gap in telecommunication services between urban and rural areas through various programs. However, an acceleration is needed so that the service disparity can be immediately overcome. One of the telecommunications products that can be applied to overcome these barriers is the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). This study evaluates the most appropriate type of MVNO model to be applied in Indonesia by implementing the Consistent Fuzzy Preference Relations (CFPR) method. This method is able to accommodate expert opinion through a series of scientific steps so as to produce weights for each alternative type of MVNO model. The results obtained are that the most appropriate model to be applied in Indonesia by taking into account the criteria given. The implementation of this model is expected to be able to encourage the optimization of BTS USO that has been declared by the government

University Website Quality Ranking using Logarithmic Fuzzy Preference Programming

The current tight competition in developing University websites forces developers to create better products that meet users needs and convinient. There are at least two factors representing university websites; accessibility and usability. We test three criteria of accessibility and usability that are called stickiness, backlink, and web page loading time. Usability and accessibility are closely related to subjective user judgments. Human judgment cannot be valid. Thus the use of fuzzy numbers are expected to provide solutions in calculating the results. In this research, the question of usability is a multi criteria decision-making problem that is caused by its complex structure. We use the Logarithmic Fuzzy Preference Programming (LFPP) method, which is a refinement of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process method, to solve this problem. This research aims to re- assess the rank of five Indonesian university websites. Based on LFPP method, we obtain that the equation of model gets high consistency of the set priority matching to fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix of three selection criteria. The calculation results show that stickiness is the most significant factor that affects the quality of the websites

A systematic review on multi-criteria group decision-making methods based on weights: analysis and classification scheme

Interest in group decision-making (GDM) has been increasing prominently over the last decade. Access to global databases, sophisticated sensors which can obtain multiple inputs or complex problems requiring opinions from several experts have driven interest in data aggregation. Consequently, the field has been widely studied from several viewpoints and multiple approaches have been proposed. Nevertheless, there is a lack of general framework. Moreover, this problem is exacerbated in the case of experts’ weighting methods, one of the most widely-used techniques to deal with multiple source aggregation. This lack of general classification scheme, or a guide to assist expert knowledge, leads to ambiguity or misreading for readers, who may be overwhelmed by the large amount of unclassified information currently available. To invert this situation, a general GDM framework is presented which divides and classifies all data aggregation techniques, focusing on and expanding the classification of experts’ weighting methods in terms of analysis type by carrying out an in-depth literature review. Results are not only classified but analysed and discussed regarding multiple characteristics, such as MCDMs in which they are applied, type of data used, ideal solutions considered or when they are applied. Furthermore, general requirements supplement this analysis such as initial influence, or component division considerations. As a result, this paper provides not only a general classification scheme and a detailed analysis of experts’ weighting methods but also a road map for researchers working on GDM topics or a guide for experts who use these methods. Furthermore, six significant contributions for future research pathways are provided in the conclusions.The first author acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministry of Universities [grant number FPU18/01471]. The second and third author wish to recognize their support from the Serra Hunter program. Finally, this work was supported by the Catalan agency AGAUR through its research group support program (2017SGR00227). This research is part of the R&D project IAQ4EDU, reference no. PID2020-117366RB-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Proposing a new methodology for prioritising the investment strategies in the private sector of Iran

This article proposes a systematic and organised approach for group decision-making in the presence of the uncertainty involved in expert judgments as used in multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) issues. This procedure comprises the selection of the optimum alternative with respect to the evaluation criteria under consideration, in particular to select the strategy of investing. However, the selection of the investment strategy is difficult on account of considering the numerous quantitative and qualitative parameters like benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks. However, it is possible that these parameters have a significant influence on each other. A decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), used to define the influential network of elements, can be employed to construct a network relationship map (NRM). On the other hand, according to whether the information is incomplete or unavailable, uncertainty is an inseparable part of making decision for solving the MCDM problems. Therefore, this article proposes a new hybrid model based on analytic hierarchical process (AHP), DEMATEL, and echnique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) techniques under fuzzy environment to evaluate the problem of the selection of the investment strategy. To achieve the aim, a three-step process is presented to solve a sophisticated problem. First, the AHP method is employed to break down the investment problem into simple structure and calculate the importance weights of criteria by using a pairwise comparison process. Second, the DEMATEL technique is applied for considering interdependence and dependencies and computing the global weights of benefit, opportunities, cost, and risk (BOCR) factors. Finally, the fuzzy TOPSIS methodology is used for prioritising the possible alternatives. To demonstrate the potential application of the proposed model, a numerical example is illustrated and investigated. The results show that the proposed model has a high ability to prioritise the strategies of investing