Application of Fuzzy Set/Qualitative Comparative Analysis to Public Participation Projects in Support of the EU Water Framework Directive

[EN] This study analyzes the level of satisfaction of stakeholders in the public participation process (PPP) of water resources management, which is mandatory according to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The methodology uses a fuzzy set/qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), which allows the identification of a combination of factors that lead to the outcome that is stakeholders' satisfaction. It allows dealing with uncertain environments due to the heterogeneous nature of stakeholders and factors. The considered causes range from environmental objectives pursued, actual capacity of efficiently carrying out those objectives, socioeconomic development of the region, level of involvement and means of participation of the stakeholders engaged in the PPP, and alternative policies and measures that should be performed. Results support the argument that different causal paths explain the stakeholders' satisfaction. The methodology may help in the implementation of the WFD and conflict resolution since it leads to greater fairness, social equity, and consensus among stakeholders.Llopis Albert, C.; Merigó -Lindahl, JM.; Xu, Y.; Liao, H. (2018). Application of Fuzzy Set/Qualitative Comparative Analysis to Public Participation Projects in Support of the EU Water Framework Directive. Water Environment Research. 90(1):74-83. https://doi.org/10.2175/106143017X15054988926550S748390

Inverse Modelling and Medical Imaging Applied to Biomechanical Research

[EN] The prediction of heterogeneous material properties in biomedical applications is becoming a major problem in cases with complex microstructures and multiphase materials. Several branches in medicine require accurate measurements, which can be achieved by means of medical imaging. They are non-destructive techniques to visualize the inside features of solid objects and for obtaining digital information on their three-dimensional geometries and properties. Therefore, for relating the observed measurements to unknown physical parameters, through medical imaging reconstruction, inverse modelling approaches are advisable.Llopis Albert, C.; Rubio Montoya, FJ.; Merigó-Lindahl, JM.; Valero Chuliá, FJ. (2018). Inverse Modelling and Medical Imaging Applied to Biomechanical Research. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research. 4(3):1-2. https://doi.org/10.26717/BJSTR.2018.04.001065S124

The induced generalized hybrid averaging operator and its application in financial decision making

We present the induced generalized hybrid averaging (IGHA) operator. It is a new aggregation operator that generalizes the hybrid averaging (HA) by using generalized means and order inducing variables. With this formulation, we get a wide range of mean operators such as the induced HA (IHA), the induced hybrid geometric averaging (IHGA), the induced hybrid quadratic averaging (IHQA), the HA, etc. The ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator and the weighted average (WA) are included as special cases of the HA operator. Therefore, with this generalization we can obtain a wide range of WA, WA operators and induced OWA (IOWA) operators such as the induced generalized OWA (IGOWA), the generalized OWA (GOWA), etc. We further generalize the IGHA operator by using quasi-arithmetic means. Then, we get the Quasi-IHA operator. Finally, we also develop an illustrative example of the new approach in a financial decision making problem

A bibliometric analysis of the Base/Bottom of the Pyramid research

The concept of the Base/Bottom of the pyramid (BoP), since its first use in the early 2000 s, has been used by researchers and practitioners alike. The past 16 years has witnessed a significant increase in output of published research on the subject. This study aims to analyze the main contributions in this field, using a bibliometric approach. It considers key bibliometric indicators, such as leading authors, journals, institutions, sources, countries, and the most common keywords. A graphical visualization in bibliometric maps has also been developed, using the VOSviewer software. As expected, the results indicate a sharp increase in BoP research over the last 5 years. The most influential research is from the USA, although there has been a considerable wave of production from the global south. The results may be of interest for those hoping to gain an overview of the current state of BoP research

Decision making with dempster-shafer theory and uncertain induced aggregation operators

We develop a new approach for decision making with Dempster-Shafer (D-S) theory of evidence. We focus on a problem where the available information is uncertain and it can be assessed with interval numbers. In order to aggregate the information, we suggest the use of different types of uncertain induced aggregation operators such as the uncertain induced ordered weighted averaging (UIOWA) and the uncertain induced hybrid averaging (UIHA) operator. We also develop an application of the new approach in a decision making problem about selection of investments

Organizational design as a learning enabler: A fuzzy-set approach

Artículo de publicación ISIIn the literature on organizational learning, very few empirical studies attempt to show how organizational design can enable or hinder learning in organizations. This study uses a fuzzy-set technique (fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis: fsQCA) as an initial approach to analyzing different design variables and how they affect organizational learning. The results prove that the mechanical structures are suitable for organizational learning, especially in large companies. Furthermore, qualified workers should have autonomy to learn

Dynamics of stakeholder relations with multi-person aggregation

© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel method to analyse dynamic interactions of stakeholders to explain how a set of agents can act by considering the power/influence positions. Design/methodology/approach: A novel mathematical application uses the importance of characteristics algorithm in combination with composition max-min to compare, group and order information according to the importance of its characteristics. The mathematical application is focused on a strategic analysis, evaluating stakeholder dynamics through power relationships. Findings: The results show a comparison of the relationships among each of the stakeholders to obtain the relative intensity and importance of relationships between them, given by the fuzzy matrix FRInM and the fuzzy matrix FRIM, respectively. This application provides a useful tool for a dynamic analysis of stakeholders in a complex environment, where the best approach to performing a strategi

Induced generalized ordered weighted logarithmic aggregation operators

We present the induced generalized ordered weighted logarithmic aggregation (IGOWLA) operator. It is an extension of the generalized ordered weighted logarithmic aggregation (GOWLA) operator. The IGOWLA operator uses order-induced variables that modify the reordering mechanism of the arguments to be aggregated. The main advantage of the induced process is the consideration of the complex attitude of the decision makers. We study some properties of the IGOWLA operator, such as idempotency, commutativity, boundedness and monotonicity. Finally we present an illustrative example of a group decision-making procedure using a multi-person analysis and the IGOWLA operator in the area of innovation management

Dynamics of stakeholder relations with multi-person aggregation

© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel method to analyse dynamic interactions of stakeholders to explain how a set of agents can act by considering the power/influence positions. Design/methodology/approach: A novel mathematical application uses the importance of characteristics algorithm in combination with composition max-min to compare, group and order information according to the importance of its characteristics. The mathematical application is focused on a strategic analysis, evaluating stakeholder dynamics through power relationships. Findings: The results show a comparison of the relationships among each of the stakeholders to obtain the relative intensity and importance of relationships between them, given by the fuzzy matrix FRInM and the fuzzy matrix FRIM, respectively. This application provides a useful tool for a dynamic analysis of stakeholders in a complex environment, where the best approach to performing a strategi