Updated discussions on ‘Hybrid multiple criteria decisionmaking methods: a review of applications for sustainability issues’

A recent review discussed a variety of hybrid multiple criteria decision-making (H.M.C.D.M.) methods on the subject of sustainability issues. Some soft computing techniques, such as the fuzzy set, have contributed significantly to H.M.C.D.M. studies, emulating the imprecise or uncertain judgments of experts/decision makers in a complex environment. Nevertheless, a new rising trend in H.M.C.D.M., known as multiple rule-based decision-making (M.R.D.M.), which has the advantage of revealing understandable knowledge for supporting systematic improvements based on influential network relation maps (I.N.R.M.), was not discussed in the review. This study therefore attempts to extend the review by introducing recent developments and the associated work on M.R.D.M. for solving practical problems, updating the discussion

Assessment of Socio-Economic Sustainability and Resilience after COVID-19

The pandemic period has caused severe socio-economic damage, but it is accompanied by environmental deterioration that can also affect economic opportunities and social equity. In the face of this double risk, future generations are ready to be resilient and make their contribution not only on the consumption side, but also through their inclusion in all companies by bringing green and circular principles with them. Policy makers can also favor this choice

Amalan tanggungjawab sosial korporat : kajian terhadap proses pembuatan keputusan dan akauntabiliti pelaksanaan rancangan 'Bersamamu' oleh Media Prima Berhad

The accountability of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implementation in influencing the targeted community and the decision approach of the meaning of CSR should be seen from the practical and theoretical perspectives. The objectives of this study were to know ways of the decision approach in terms of the meaning of CSR and ways the decision-making processes are being made in program ‘BersamaMu’ at Media Prima Berhad. Specifically, there are three main objectives. Firstly, to determine CSR concept in the context of BersamaMu program. Secondly, to determine the decision making process in BersamaMu program. Thirdly, to investigate stimulating factors of rational decision making process of BersamaMu program. A total of 14 respondents who were involved in the production process of the CSR TV program were interviewed for this study. Through thematic analysis, several basic themes were identified and they were categorized into seven main themes. Firstly, CSR concepts in the context of BersamaMu program are poverty, development and participation to the targeted communities. Secondly, there are three types of decision making process, namely consensus-of-round-table, level of decision stages and perspective of stakeholders. Thirdly, situational context of the targeted community stimulated rational decision making process of BersamaMu program. The findings may offer a new approach in understanding the definition and decision making process of CSR through a set of decision-makers’ input and potential decision behaviors

Multiple Criteria Analysis of the Life Cycle of the Built Environment

To design and achieve effective the life cycle of the built environment a complex analysis of its stages as well as stakeholders, their aims and potentialities is needed. The effect of micro, meso and macro environmental factors should also be taken into account. A thorough built environment’s life cycle (brief; design; raw material extraction, transport and processing; construction materials production and distribution; construction; use, repair and maintenance; demolition; disposal, reuse, or recycling) analysis is quite difficult to undertake, because a buildings and its environment are a complex system (technical, technological, economical, social, cultural, ecological, etc.), where all sub-systems influence the total efficiency performance and where the interdependence between sub-systems play a significant role. Various stakeholders (clients, users, architects, designers, utilities engineers, economists, contractors, maintenance engineers, built environment material manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, finansing institutions, local government, state and state institutions) are involved in the life cycle of the built environment, trying to satisfy their needs and affecting its efficiency. The level of the efficiency of the life cycle of the built environment depends on a number of variables, at three levels: micro, meso and macro level. The problem is how to define an efficient built environment life cycle when a lot of various parties are involved, the alternative project versions come to hundreds thousand and the efficiency changes with the alterations in the environment conditions and the constituent parts of the process in question. Moreover, the realization of some objectives seems more rational from the economic perspective thought from the other perspectives they have various significance. Therefore, it is considered that the efficiency of a built environment life cycle depends on the rationality of its stages as well as on the ability to satisfy the needs of the stakeholders and the rational character of environment conditions. Formalized presentation of the research shows how changes in the environment and the extent to which the goals pursued by various stakeholders are satisfied cause corresponding changes in the value and utility degree of a built environment life cycle. With this in mind, it is possible to solve the problem of optimization concerning satisfaction of the needs at reasonable expenditures. This requires the analysis of the built environment life cycle versions allowing to find an optimal combination of goals pursued and finances available. References to the most modern world scientific literature sources are presented in the monograph. The monograph is prepared for the researchers, MSc and PhD students of civil engineering, construction management and real estate development. The book may be useful for other researchers, MSc and PhD students of economics, management and other specialities. The edition was recommended by the Committe of Studies of VGTU Faculty of Civil Engineering. The publication of monograph was funded by European Social Fund according to project No. VP1-2.2-ŠMM-07-K-02-060 Development and Implementation of Joint Master’s Study Programme “Sustainable Development of the Built Environment”.The edition was recommended by the Committe of Studies of VGTU Faculty of Civil Engineering. The publication of monograph was funded by European Social Fund according to project No. VP1-2.2-ŠMM-07-K-02-060 Development and Implementation of Joint Master’s Study Programme “Sustainable Development of the Built Environment”

Sustainable Urban Development - a Nexus of Understanding, Methodology, and Governance

Sustainability management requires facing tradeoffs between socioeconomic and environmental objectives, while integrating contextual variations into strategic and business goals to create a win-win situation. However, sustainability literature has shown a lack of consensus on the conceptualization, measurement, and operationalization of sustainability. Context-driven objectives demand multidimensional and multilateral synergies and tradeoffs that do not possess a simple generic pathway to achieve sustainable urban development. This dissertation explores the role of conceptual and methodological approaches in determining sustainability objectives, evaluating the policy development process and its implications, and identifying opportunities and constraints for local governance to localize sustainability. The study identified constraints to localizing Sustainable Development Goals and affordable housing that include distribution of authority, functional and geographic mapping, and assigning roles and responsibilities. These factors set a foundation for the subsidiarity principle, which guarantees delegation of commitment to a lower level of governance provided the federal government's role in ensuring systematic implementation of regulations and provision of necessary resources. Furthermore, the interconnectedness of SDGs requires synergies and tradeoffs to overcome potential hindrances and supplement multilateral efforts. Similarly, the complexity of the housing system demands a multidimensional approach, multisectoral integration, and a tradeoff between socioeconomic and environmental objectives. Such complexity wouldn’t be easy to address without innovative and out-of-the-box solutions to address socioeconomic and geographic differences between cities. In a complex urban environment, policies developed without considering functional and normative objectives, intergovernmental relationships, and local capacity may lead to unaccounted outcomes. Findings from this research highlight that the housing policies developed and implemented without an integrated approach may fail to achieve their intended objectives. The study confirms that speculation taxes are not an effective tool in curbing house prices. Similarly, considering the role of property taxes in providing public services, delinking property taxes from a potential contributor to house prices would provide a better lens to develop local housing policies. Furthermore, the study also confirms that the housing market can be better assessed at a local scale, considering geographical influence in conjunction with investment trends. The research advances the knowledge and theory in housing system analysis, sustainable housing, and policy-related decision-making. It paves the way for a theoretical extension of the subsidiarity theory, facilitating local government to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals framework. The evaluation further helps to generalize the conceptual approach for the subsidiarity principle in governing sustainability at a local level

Knowledge Capturing in Design Briefing Process for Requirement Elicitation and Validation

Knowledge capturing and reusing are major processes of knowledge management that deal with the elicitation of valuable knowledge via some techniques and methods for use in actual and further studies, projects, services, or products. The construction industry, as well, adopts and uses some of these concepts to improve various construction processes and stages. From pre-design to building delivery knowledge management principles and briefing frameworks have been implemented across project stakeholders: client, design teams, construction teams, consultants, and facility management teams. At pre-design and design stages, understanding the client’s needs and users’ knowledge are crucial for identifying and articulating the expected requirements and objectives. Due to underperforming results and missed goals and objectives, many projects finish with highly dissatisfied clients and loss of contracts for some organizations. Knowledge capturing has beneficial effects via its principles and methods on requirement elicitation and validation at the briefing stage between user, client and designer. This paper presents the importance and usage of knowledge capturing and reusing in briefing process at pre-design and design stages especially the involvement of client and user, and explores the techniques and technologies that are usable in briefing process for requirement elicitation

An Investigation on Benefit-Cost Analysis of Greenhouse Structures in Antalya

Significant population increase across the world, loss of cultivable land and increasing demand for food put pressure on agriculture. To meet the demand, greenhouses are built, which are, light structures with transparent cladding material in order to provide controlled microclimatic environment proper for plant production. Conceptually, greenhouses are similar with manufacturing buildings where a controlled environment for manufacturing and production have been provided and proper spaces for standardized production processes have been enabled. Parallel with the trends in the world, particularly in southern regions, greenhouse structures have been increasingly constructed and operated in Turkey. A significant number of greenhouses are located at Antalya. The satellite images demonstrated that for over last three decades, there has been a continuous invasion of greenhouses on all cultivable land. There are various researches and attempts for the improvement of greenhouse design and for increasing food production by decreasing required energy consumption. However, the majority of greenhouses in Turkey are very rudimentary structures where capital required for investment is low, but maintenance requirements are high when compared with new generation greenhouse structures. In this research paper, life-long capital requirements for construction and operation of greenhouse buildings in Antalya has been investigated by using benefit-cost analysis study