An object-oriented approach to structuring multicriteria decision support in natural resource management problems

Includes bibliographical references.The undertaking of MCDM (Multicriteria Decision Making) and the development of DSSs (Decision Support Systems) tend to be complex and inefficient, leading to low productivity in decision analysis and DSSs. Towards this end, this study has developed an approach based on object orientation for MCDM and DSS modelling, with the emphasis on natural resource management. The object-oriented approach provides a philosophy to model decision analysis and DSSs in a uniform way, as shown by the diagrams presented in this study. The solving of natural resource management decision problems, the MCDM decision making procedure and decision making activities are modelled in an object-oriented way. The macro decision analysis system, its DSS, the decision problem, the decision context, and the entities in the decision making procedure are represented as "objects". The object-oriented representation of decision analysis also constitutes the basis for the analysis ofDSSs

Recruitment and selection processes through an effective GDSS

[[abstract]]This study proposes a group decision support system (GDSS), with multiple criteria to assist in recruitment and selection (R&S) processes of human resources. A two-phase decision-making procedure is first suggested; various techniques involving multiple criteria and group participation are then defined corresponding to each step in the procedure. A wide scope of personnel characteristics is evaluated, and the concept of consensus is enhanced. The procedure recommended herein is expected to be more effective than traditional approaches. In addition, the procedure is implemented on a network-based PC system with web interfaces to support the R&S activities. In the final stage, key personnel at a human resources department of a chemical company in southern Taiwan authenticated the feasibility of the illustrated example.[[notice]]補正完畢[[journaltype]]國內[[incitationindex]]SCI[[incitationindex]]E

Decision support systems (DSS) for wastewater treatment plants: a review of the state of the art

The use of decision support systems (DSS) allows integrating all the issues related with sustainable developmentin view of providing a useful support to solve multi-scenario problems. In this work an extensive review on theDSSs applied to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is presented. The main aim of the work is to provide anupdated compendium on DSSs in view of supporting researchers and engineers on the selection of the mostsuitable method to address their management/operation/design problems. Results showed that DSSs weremostly used as a comprehensive tool that is capable of integrating several data and a multi-criteria perspective inorder to provide more reliable results. Only one energy-focused DSS was found in literature, while DSSs based onquality and operational issues are very often applied to site-specific conditions. Finally, it would be important toencourage the development of more user-friendly DSSs to increase general interest and usability.This work is part of a research project supported by grant of the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) through the Research project of national interest PRIN2012 (D.M. 28 December 2012 n. 957/Ric – Prot. 2012PTZAMC) entitled “Energy consumption and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the wastewater treatment plants: a decision support system for planning and management – http://ghgfromwwtp.unipa.it” in which the first author is the Principal Investigator. In addition, some coauthors acknowledge the partial support of the Industrial Doctorate Programme (2017-DI-006) and the Research Consolidated Groups/Centres Grant (2017 SGR 574) from the Catalan Agency of University and Research Grants Management (AGAUR), from Catalan Government.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

A Framework for Describing and Classifying Multicriteria Portfolio Selection Problems: An Object-Oriented Approach

Many decisions require not a single solution alternative, but a set or portfolio of alternatives. For example, a business generally produces not a single product, but a portfolio of products, and a project is tackled not by a single individual, but by a team of individuals. Unfortunately, the portfolio selection problem has been largely neglected in the literature. Though many specific problem environments have been discussed using heuristic, ad hoc methods, no general methodology or theory has been developed. This paper proposes an object-oriented framework to provide a theoretical foundation for future research on the portfolio selection problem

EmC-ICDSST 2019: 5th International Conference on Decision Support System Technology - ICDSST 2019 & EURO Mini Conference 2019 on "Decision Support Systems: Main Developments & Future Trends"

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

DANP-Evaluation of AHP-DSS

The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the analytic network process (ANP) are important multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods for solving strategic decision problems. In the field of the research and teaching projects of a university’s Management Science Department, the use of adequate decision support systems (DSS) enables an appropriate application and acceptance of these methods. By reason of the great variety of AHP-DSS, the aim of this paper is the selection of AHP-supporting software. Owing to the interdependencies of the software quality criteria, these influences can be evaluated appropriately by the ANP. As for the various requirements of the different department members, the ANP procedure is linked with the DEMATEL approach. Within such a combined framework (DANP), the alternate software products and their quality selection criteria are transparently analysed and evaluated from a multi-personal point of view. The described procedure is an object of reference to solve such structuring and evaluation problems by support of parallel and/or distributed computing architecture

Integration of water ecosystem services provision objectives into forest management planning models

Mestrado Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management (MEDFOR) - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - ULIn recent years, an integration of water production values for forest ecosystems into forest management planning models has become increasingly important in sustainable forest management. The reason is that both for surface and groundwater resources quantity and quality – forests play a vital role. The main objective of this work is to produce an analysis of forest management planning methods that have been implemented the most frequently for assessing an optimal integrated forest and water management for forested catchments. The research was developed within the framework of Alternative Models and Robust Decision-Making for Future Forest Management (ALTERFOR) Project; being developed to assess Decision Support System (DSS) tools that support sustainable forest management by means of including a variety of ecosystem services. For that purpose, we use a taxonomy of water related ecosystem services based on the classification scheme estimated based on the findings of the project. The taxonomy is used to develop a query of relevant references from 2754 journals, encompassing 46 scientific categories, stored in the ISI Web of Science database over the last 30 years. Query results were analyzed, and decision-making methods were classified and assessed according to their supporting role to forest managers in addressing specific ecosystem services. As forest managers are often confronted with conflicting preferences by owners and stakeholders regarding ecosystem services target levels, the query will further address the potential of decision-making methods to facilitate negotiation and consensus buildingN/

DECISION SUPPORT MODEL IN FAILURE-BASED COMPUTERIZED MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM INDUSTRIES

Maintenance decision support system is crucial to ensure maintainability and reliability of equipments in production lines. This thesis investigates a few decision support models to aid maintenance management activities in small and medium industries. In order to improve the reliability of resources in production lines, this study introduces a conceptual framework to be used in failure-based maintenance. Maintenance strategies are identified using the Decision-Making Grid model, based on two important factors, including the machines’ downtimes and their frequency of failures. The machines are categorized into three downtime criterions and frequency of failures, which are high, medium and low. This research derived a formula based on maintenance cost, to re-position the machines prior to Decision-Making Grid analysis. Subsequently, the formula on clustering analysis in the Decision-Making Grid model is improved to solve multiple-criteria problem. This research work also introduced a formula to estimate contractor’s response and repair time. The estimates are used as input parameters in the Analytical Hierarchy Process model. The decisions were synthesized using models based on the contractors’ technical skills such as experience in maintenance, skill to diagnose machines and ability to take prompt action during troubleshooting activities. Another important criteria considered in the Analytical Hierarchy Process is the business principles of the contractors, which includes the maintenance quality, tools, equipments and enthusiasm in problem-solving. The raw data collected through observation, interviews and surveys in the case studies to understand some risk factors in small and medium food processing industries. The risk factors are analysed with the Ishikawa Fishbone diagram to reveal delay time in machinery maintenance. The experimental studies are conducted using maintenance records in food processing industries. The Decision Making Grid model can detect the top ten worst production machines on the production lines. The Analytical Hierarchy Process model is used to rank the contractors and their best maintenance practice. This research recommends displaying the results on the production’s indicator boards and implements the strategies on the production shop floor. The proposed models can be used by decision makers to identify maintenance strategies and enhance competitiveness among contractors in failure-based maintenance. The models can be programmed as decision support sub-procedures in computerized maintenance management systems

A multi-criteria decision support system for selecting cell phone services

ix, 64 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.An increasing number of companies now provide cell phones for their employees. However, these organizations find selecting cell phone services to be complex with literally hundreds of rate plans, coverage areas and other factors to consider. A cell phone service vendor selection decision support system is designed and developed to determine the most cost-effective vendor and plans. Current business plans including pooling plans, designed for business users in the local market are incorporated into this system. A Search Decision Rule (SDR)-based algorithm, written in VB.NET, determines the most cost-effective vendor and plans. Critical non-cost factors which affect the selection process are determined from a survey conducted in the local community. Finally, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based decision model is adopted to facilitate this decision-making process