Prioritizing lean manufacturing practices in small to medium enterprises by applying TOPSIS in fuzzy environment

Due to the globalization most of the Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are faced with a lot of pressure to survive. To overcome these pressures, Lean Production System could be very helpful to SMEs. In this research we want to highlight how it can help SMEs, identify limitations to implement lean manufacturing in SMEs and finally prioritize lean practices for implementing in SMEs. For this aim, TOPSIS method in fuzzy environment was applied. Twenty two lean practices which identified by Shah and Ward in 2003 [10] is used as the most suitable lean practices for implementing lean production. Then the barriers of implementing lean production in SMEs identified. An example is provided to illustrate finding of this study. In this study, the barriers of implementing lean production in SMEs were highlighted. It has strived to illustrate the applicability of Multi Criteria Decision Making method in lean production and SMEs. Finally, the result which is the ranked practices of lean production could help managers of SMEs to choose the most suitable practices of lean associated with less risk

Application of fuzzy set theory to evaluate the rate of aggregative risk in information security

Organizations use different types of information system to reach their goals. Decision makers are required to allocate a security budget and treatment strategy based on the risk priority of information systems. Each of the information systems has different components or assets. However, there is difficulty in aggregating the risk of each component. In this research a model is created to aggregate the risk of information system components to support decisions. Since there is uncertainty in the information security risk analysis area, we used fuzzy set theory in our model

Information security professional perceptions of knowledge-sharing intention in virtual communities under social cognitive theory

Knowledge sharing is an important component of knowledge management systems. Security knowledge sharing substantially reduces risk and investment in information security. Despite the importance of information security, little research based on knowledge sharing has focused on the security profession. Therefore, this study analyses key factors, containing attitude, self-efficacy, personal outcome expectation, and facilitating condition, in respect of the information security workers intention to share knowledge. Information security professionals in virtual communities, including the Information Security Professional Association (ISPA), Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), Society of Information Risk Analysts (SIRA), and LinkedIn security groups, were surveyed to test the proposed research model. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique were used to analyse the data and evaluate the research model. The results showed that the research model fit the data well and the structural model suggests a strong relationship between attitude and knowledge sharing intention. Hypotheses regarding the influence of self-efficacy and personal outcome expectation, to knowledge sharing attitude were upheld. Facilitating condition showed significant influences on moderating between attitude and intention

A review of the critical success factors in the adoption of lean production system by small and medium sized enterprises

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are important contributors to the economy of a country. In recent years, due to globalization and competition in the market they have faced high pressure to survive in the market. Lean production as a method of cost reduction which improves the efficiency has been adopted by many SMEs to survive within these dynamic markets. However, many failures of implementing a successful lean production system have been reported, caused by the inherent limitations of and factors unique to SMEs. This paper reviewed studies that focused on the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) of implementing lean production among SMEs. The result of the study highlighted that lack of top management commitment, cultural change, education and training might hinder the implementation of lean production in SMEs successfully