Cognitive mapping and multi-criteria analysis for decision aiding: an application to the design of an electric vehicle sharing service

The paper presents a model for the design of an electric car sharing service for the city of Milano. Several options of service configurations have been analysed and evaluated according to indicators, to measure the performance of such options in respect to relevant dimensions (i.e., economic and financial costs and revenues, mobility, social benefits, environmental effects). We set up a multicriteria decision analysis, structured by means of cognitive maps. Causal networks to estimate the effects of the options have been identified and instantiated by means of simulation techniques and other qualitative and quantitative models. The focus of the paper is on the development and use of the causal maps and their integration with a multicriteria method. The use of cognitive maps allowed to capture the multiple values of the problem and the value trees of stakeholders objectives. The proposed method can be useful in general for design and planning of mobility service, especially at a strategic level

Modelling business and management systems using Fuzzy cognitive maps: A critical overview

A critical overview of modelling Business and Management (B&M) Systems using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps is presented. A limited but illustrative number of specific applications of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps in diverse B&M systems, such as e business, performance assessment, decision making, human resources management, planning and investment decision making processes is provided and briefly analyzed. The limited survey is given in a table with statics of using FCMs in B&M systems during the last 15 years. The limited survey shows that the applications of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps to today’s Business and Management studies has been steadily increased especially during the last 5-6 years. Interesting conclusions and future research directions are highlighted

Modelling business and management systems using Fuzzy cognitive maps: A critical overview

A critical overview of modelling Business and Management (B&M) Systems using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps is presented. A limited but illustrative number of specific applications of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps in diverse B&M systems, such as e business, performance assessment, decision making, human resources management, planning and investment decision making processes is provided and briefly analyzed. The limited survey is given in a table with statics of using FCMs in B&M systems during the last 15 years. The limited survey shows that the applications of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps to today’s Business and Management studies has been steadily increased especially during the last 5-6 years. Interesting conclusions and future research directions are highlighted

Stochastic logistic fuzzy maps for the construction of integrated multirates scenarios in the financing of infrastructure projects

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.In general, the development of economic infrastructure systems requires a behavioural comprehensive analysis of different financial variables or rates to establish its long-term success with regards to the Equity Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) expectation. For this reason, several financial organizations have developed economic scenarios supported by computational techniques and models to identify the evolution of these financial rates. However, these models and techniques have shown a series of limitations with regard to the financial management process and its impact on EIRR over time. To address these limitations in an inclusive way, researchers have developed different approaches and methodologies focused on the development of financial models using stochastic simulation methods and computational intelligence techniques. This paper proposes a Stochastic Fuzzy Logistic Model (S-FLM) inspired by a Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) structure to model financial scenarios. Where the input consists in financial rates that are characterized as linguistic rates through a series of adaptive logistic functions. The stochastic process that explains the behaviour of the financial rates over time and their partial effects on EIRR is based on a Monte Carlo sampling process carried out on the fuzzy sets that characterize each linguistic rate. The S-FLM was evaluated by applying three financing scenarios to an airport infrastructure system (pessimistic, moderate/base, optimistic), where it was possible to show the impact of different linguistic rates on the EIRR. The behaviour of the S-FLM was validated using three different models: (1) a financial management tool; (2) a general FCM without pre-loaded causalities among the variables; and (3) a Statistical S-FLM model (S-FLMS), where the causalities between the concepts or rates were obtained as a result of an independent effects analysis applying a cross modelling between variables and by using a statistical multi-linear model (statistical significance level) and a multi-linear neural model (MADALINE). The results achieved by the S-FLM show a higher EIRR than expected for each scenario. This was possible due to the incorporation of an adaptive multi-linear causality matrix and a fuzzy credibility matrix into its structure. This allowed to stabilize the effects of the financial variables or rates on the EIRR throughout a financing period. Thus, the S-FLM can be considered as a tool to model dynamic financial scenarios in different knowledge areas in a comprehensive manner. This way, overcoming the limitations imposed by the traditional computational models used to design these financial scenarios

Analyzing the determinants of e-commerce in small and medium-sized enterprises: a cognition-driven framework

The increasing use of information technology in enterprises’ daily operations has led to multiple innovative ways to run a business, including electronic commerce (hereafter, e-commerce). However, firms with fewer resources, such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are more reluctant to use electronic channels during transactions. This aversion to contemporary business models is a result of these companies’ lack of knowledge and capabilities regarding e-commerce. To improve their businesses, SMEs’ managers and decision makers could benefit from a methodological framework that fosters a deeper understanding of the determinants of e-commerce. This study sought to explore the use of fuzzy cognitive mapping to address this need. The results are grounded in the knowledge and experience of a panel of experts in e-commerce. The fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) developed shows that entrepreneur profile, market, operational management, marketing and promotions, website and digital platform, and products present the highest centrality indices as determinants of SME e-commerce. The findings offer a better understanding of the cause-and-effect relationships between these determinants. The advantages, limitations, and shortcomings of our constructivist proposal are also discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Application of fuzzy cognitive maps to investigate the contributors of maritime collision accidents

Maritime transport has been striving to reduce ship accidents since its origins, which results in loss of lives or properties and damage for the environment. Hence, a continuous effort to enhance safety is a crucial requirement for the maritime sector, for which several approaches have been tried for the past years. This paper presents the first results of a study which aim is to assess the factors affecting collision accidents in order to enhance safety and resilience. This aim is achieved by using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) method, which consider and evaluates importance of these factor by calculating and assigning individual weights to them. Moreover, FCM appears to be a suitable approach since it can take into account both, fuzzy data and past accidents experiences. Hence, in this paper with the help of FCM, past accidents from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) database regarding collision are analysed to identify the contributors of collision accidents and their FCM weightings

A Comprehensive Bibliometric Study of the Balanced Scorecard

This research provides a deeper knowledge in the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) insight by using the bibliometric technique. The existing gap between the traditional literatura reviews and previous bibliometric studies, is covered as it is the first comprehensive analysis carried out in applying quantity, quality, and structural indicators. Web of Science Core Collection was used as the source of information, considering it the most accurate and suitable data base for these studies. This research covers the wider period-of-time possible, from 1992 to 2020, with a final sample of 771 articles in 466 reviews. Quantity indicators show the high interest that the BSC still has in the scholar’s community, pointing out Kaplan and Norton as the most productive authors,and confirming that ‘management’, ‘business’ and ‘accountability’ are its most common field of activity, although others as ‘systems’ and sustainability’ are coming to prominence; ‘Balanced Scorecard’ appears as the most remarkable keyword. Quality indicators found 32,706 citations, with Kaplan and Norton occupying again top positions as well as ‘Harvard Business Review’ as the most impacting review both in cited articles and in average. Co-citation analysis reveals the existence of a triple corecluster for articles, based on the theory, literature reviews, and case-studies

Integration of Balanced Scorecard (BSC), strategy map, and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for a sustainability business framework: A case study of a Spanish software factory in the financial sector

This work has been subsidized through the Plan of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Principality of Asturias (Ref: FC-15-GRUPIN14-132). The authors also thank anonymous referees who reviewed and gave important comments to this pape

Business process performance measurement : a structured literature review of indicators, measures and metrics

Measuring the performance of business processes has become a central issue in both academia and business, since organizations are challenged to achieve effective and efficient results. Applying performance measurement models to this purpose ensures alignment with a business strategy, which implies that the choice of performance indicators is organization-dependent. Nonetheless, such measurement models generally suffer from a lack of guidance regarding the performance indicators that exist and how they can be concretized in practice. To fill this gap, we conducted a structured literature review to find patterns or trends in the research on business process performance measurement. The study also documents an extended list of 140 process-related performance indicators in a systematic manner by further categorizing them into 11 performance perspectives in order to gain a holistic view. Managers and scholars can consult the provided list to choose the indicators that are of interest to them, considering each perspective. The structured literature review concludes with avenues for further research