Critical Success Factors For Supplier Selection: An Update

For many organizations effective supplier evaluation and purchasing processes are of vital importance. As the pace of market globalization quickens, the number of potential suppliers and the number of factors to consider when selecting suppliers increases. In this paper we present the critical success factors (CSFs) for supplier selection reported in the literature emanating from the seminal work of Dickson and provide an update based on reviewing more than 110 research papers. Our study indicates significant change in the relative importance of various critical success factors in the research reported during 1966-1990 versus 1990-2001. Increased competition and globalization of markets facilitated by Internet-based technologies have combined to dramatically change the ranking of factors while introducing new criteria to the supplier selection process. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that supplier selection criteria will continue to change based on an expanded definition of excellence to include traditional aspects of performance (quality, delivery, price, service) in addition to non-traditional, evolving ones (just-in-time communication, process improvement, supply chain management)

Revenue Management In Manufacturing: A Research Landscape

Revenue management is the science of using past history and current levels of order activity to forecast demand as accurately as possible in order to set and update pricing and product availability decisions across various sales channels to maximize profitability. In much the same way that revenue management has transformed the airline industry in selling tickets for the same flight at markedly different rates based upon product restrictions, time to departure, and the number of unsold seats, many manufacturing companies have started exploring innovative revenue management strategies in an effort to improve their operations and profitability. These strategies employ sophisticated demand forecasting and optimization models that are based on research from many areas, including management science and economics, and that can take advantage of the vast amount of data available through customer relationship management systems in order to calibrate the models. In this paper, we present an overview of revenue management systems and provide an extensive survey of published research along a landscape delineated by three fundamental dimensions of capacity management, pricing, and market segmentation

Comparative Analysis Of Production Control Systems Through Simulation

This paper presents a comparative analysis of seven different production control systems in a complex factory setup through computer simulation. Batch size, arrival rate, inter-arrival time, and maintenance type are the input parameters to the model. Work-in-process (WIP) and throughput (TH) are the system performance measurement output parameters. The study shows that a pull-based system does not outperform a push-based system with respect to WIP under all conditions. Pull-based systems prefer a smaller batch size to better control WIP. Each of the seven production control systems performs best at a specific inter-arrival time, although it is different for each system. Preventive maintenance is preferred over repair maintenance in a pull system and in a just-in-time (JIT) system. The computer simulation confirms that no single production control system is best under all conditions. The performance of a production control system depends not only on the type of manufacturing strategy chosen, but also on the values of the input parameters. This research shows that it makes no sense to comment on the superiority of one strategy over another without regard to the value of input parameters and the type of factory setup

Inequality in the global prevalence of HIV based on the human development index

Introduction: Burden of HIV and AIDS is considerably different among regions and countries of the world. The aim of this study was to assess of inequality in the prevalence of HIV, according to human development index among countries of the world. Methods: In this study the desired outcome was prevalence of HIV, which estimated in 100 countries in 2012. The annual report of UNAIDS was used for prevalence of HIV in countries. Also, we used data for the human development index of the countries from UNDP. We defined inequality of human development index in the prevalence of HIV by using the concentration index. Results: Concentration index for prevalence of HIV among 25-49 years adults was -0.217574 (95 CI: -0.07422, -0.361125). This index indicated the inequality in the prevalence of HIV base on the human development index and concentrating more HIV subjects in poor countries. Also concentration indexes in the prevalence of HIV among young males and females were 0.229920 and -0.200014 respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study emphasized on inequality in the prevalence of HIV and concentration HIV in countries with lower human development index, so the international organization must perform fundamental actions to help these countries, such as prevention, care and treatment programs

Black and minority ethnic group involvement in health and social care research: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Patient and public involvement (PPI) in research is growing internationally, but little is known about black and minority ethnic (BME) involvement and the factors influencing their involvement in health and social care research. OBJECTIVES: To characterize and critique the empirical literature on BME-PPI involvement in health and social care research. SEARCH STRATEGY: Systematic searches of six electronic bibliographic databases were undertaken, utilizing both MeSH and free-text terms to identify international empirical literature published between 1990 and 2016. INCLUSION CRITERIA: All study designs that report primary data that involved BME groups in health or social care research. Screening was conducted by two reviewers. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data extraction and quality appraisal were performed independently. Data extraction focused on the level(s) of PPI involvement and where PPI activity occurred in the research cycle. Studies were quality-assessed using the guidelines for measuring the quality and impact of user involvement in research. Data were analysed using a narrative approach. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-five studies were included with the majority undertaken in the USA focusing on African Americans and indigenous populations. Involvement most commonly occurred during the research design phase and least in data analysis and interpretation. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review investigating BME involvement in health and social care research internationally. While there is a widespread support for BME involvement, this is limited to particular phases of the research and particular ethnic subgroups. There is a need to understand factors that influence BME involvement in all parts of the research cycle

A Study of Swelling Behaviour in a Tunnel Using Finite Element Methods

The aim of this research is to show swelling behaviour in a tunnel excavated through rocks by modeling them and using laboratory results. The engineering challenge is how to design a tunnel which contains swelling rocks such as marl. This aim is achieved through two methods. In the first method, the Field System Solution program (FISS) is calibrated using experimentally obtained laboratory graphs of the saturated rocks around the tunnel, and the parameters are applied to the geometry of the tunnel. Comparing a critical state model with stresses around the tunnel, stability of the rocks was examined. In the second method, stability of the rocks around the tunnel was investigated by using the Nisa-II program, adjusting the laboratory swelling graphs with the creep function to the program and, finally, drawing Von Mises stresses around the tunnel

Quality Evaluation and Study of Ecological Toxicity of Heavy Metals in Shadegan Wetland

Wetlands hold a principal position in storing food for primary producers, so they are not able to bear the pressure. The slightest disturbance, hence, may harm wetlands and cause detrimental effects. The present study aims at monitoring heavy metals and evaluation of the sediment quality index of Shadegan wetland in Iran. Thus, a sampling of surface sediments of the wetland was performed at ten stations with three replications; after the preparation of samples with aqua regia, the concentrations of heavy metals were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The quantification of sediment pollution using the contamination factor, contamination degree, pollution load index, ecological risk assessment index, and ecological toxicity of heavy metals in the region were all carried out. The results of Cf and Cd showed that the degree of zinc and copper contamination is low; however, the degree of lead contamination is moderate. Moreover, the obtained PLI was less than 1 indicating a lack of sediments contamination with heavy metals. The RI was less than 150 indicating a low risk of contamination. In addition, comparing the concentrations of elements with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Sediment Quality Guidelines showed slightly toxic and non-toxic sediments, respectively. Finally, based on a mixture of effect range median, all sediment samples are placed in the first category with less than 12% toxicity probability

Co-designing an Adaption of a Mobile App to Enhance Communication, Safety, and Well-being Among People Living at Home With Early-Stage Dementia: Protocol for an Exploratory Multiple Case Study

Background There is a growing interest in using mobile apps to support communication, safety, and well-being. Evidence directly from people with dementia regarding the usability, usefulness, and relevance of mobile apps is limited. Objective This paper describes the protocol of a study that will evaluate an app designed for supporting communication, safety, and well-being among people living with dementia. The study aims to understand if the app can enhance safety through improved communication among users. Methods The study will use participatory qualitative methods over 3 cycles of evaluation with co-designers (service users, their families, and care practitioners). The study will be developed in partnership with a specialist home care service in England. Purposive case selection will be performed to ensure that the cases exemplify differences in experiences. The app will be evaluated in a walk-through workshop by people living with early-stage dementia and then trialed at home by up to 12 families in a try-out cycle. An amended version will be evaluated in a final walk-through workshop during cycle 3. Data will be collected from at least 4 data sources during the try-out phase and analyzed thematically. An explanatory multiple case study design will be used to synthesize and present the evidence from the three cycles, drawing on the Normalization Process Theory to support the interpretation of the findings. Results The study is ready to be implemented, but it was paused to protect vulnerable individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The findings will be particularly relevant for understanding how to support vulnerable people living in the community during social distancing and the period following the pandemic as well as for providing insight into the challenges of social isolation that arise from living with dementia. Conclusions Evaluating a mobile app for enhancing communication, safety, and well-being among people living with dementia contributes to the key ambitions enshrined in policy and practice—championing the use of digital technology and supporting people with dementia to live safely in their own homes. The study will involve co-designers living with dementia, so that the voices of service users can be used to highlight the benefits and challenges of assistive technology and shape the future development of apps that enhance safety by improving communication. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/19543 </jats:sec