A Real-time Crane Service Scheduling Decision Support System (css-dss) For Construction Tower Cranes

The success of construction projects depends on proper use of construction equipment and machinery to a great extent. Thus, appropriate planning and control of the activities that rely on construction equipment could have significant effects on improving the efficiency of project operations. Cranes are the largest and most conspicuous construction equipment, widely used in typical construction sites. They play a major role in relocation of materials in horizontal and vertical directions on construction sites. Given the nature of activities relying on construction cranes in various stages of a project, cranes normally have control over the critical path of the project with the potential to create schedule bottlenecks and delaying the completion of the project. This dissertation intends to improve crane operations efficiency by developing a new framework for optimizing crane service sequence schedule. The crane service sequence problem is mathematically formulated as an NP-complete optimization problem based on the well-known Travel Salesman Problem (TSP) and is solved using different optimization techniques depending on the problem’s size and complexity. The proposed framework sets the basis for developing near-real time decision support tools for on-site optimization of crane operations sequence. To underline the value of the proposed crane sequence optimization methods, these methods are employed to solve several numerical examples. Results show that the proposed method can create a travel time saving of 28% on average in comparison with conventional scheduling methods such as First in First out (FIFO), Shortest Job First (SJF), and Earliest Deadline First (EDF)

A Conceptual Model of Advanced Technology Acquisition Using Risk Analysis and Management Approach

Today, advanced technologies are considered as one of the most vital components of business, industry and services and a strategic factor for the economic development of countries. Some researchers consider advanced technologies as the heart of wealth generation in the organizations, and it is almost impossible to provide competitive products and services in a global environment without using the required advanced technologies. Given the importance and the role of technology, especially advanced technologies, in creating competitive advantage for organizations, one of the key issues regarding such technologies is acquisition and the acquisition method. This qualitative research, by adopting a risk analysis and management approach in the field of technology acquisition, seeks to explore a conceptual model of the acquisition of advanced technologies for the Information Technology (IT) industry using Grounded Theory. To collect data, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with the experts in the field of IT and technology management and acquisition. The sampling was performed using judgment and snowball techniques. Data analysis was done using MAXQDA10 software which resulted in the emergence of 105 concepts and codes, 23 sub-categories, and 5 main categories. This article aims to achieve a conceptual model of advanced technology acquisition with emphasis on information technology analysis and risk management, taking into account the environmental conditions prevailing in the country's information technology industry. The proposed conceptual model was developed with emerging design approach and the results of the research were explained as theoretical propositions

Providing a Dynamic Model for New Product Development in the Field of Financial Regulatory Technologies

In today's fast-paced and highly uncertain environment where customer needs, technology, employee needs, community status, monetary systems, geographic location and everything are changing, companies cannot always rely on the production and supply of their existing products. A new product development strategy is an important activity that helps companies stay alive and make continuous improvements. However, most organizations consider these factors static and disregard these dynamics. Since the relationship between the factors contributing to the success of new product development has many dynamics and feedbacks, the systems dynamics tool is a useful tool to analyze in this area. In this research, in order to identify and analyze the dynamics of the factors affecting the success of a new product development, based on the theoretical background and opinions of industry experts, key variables in the field of new product development have been identified and the causal relationships between these variables are outlined. Accordingly, the system simulated in Tejarat Bank from 1392 to 1404. The results of the simulation and review show that considering the considered policies optimizes the new product development of regulatory financial products in the aforementioned organization

Knowledge and attitude of pregnant women regarding mode of delivery in women referring to Dezful health centers

BackgroundThe significant increase in Cesarean delivery around the world turns this issue to a major health concern. In Iran, Cesarean rate is 3 to 4 times higher than what is recommended by WHO. Determining knowledge and attitude of people is the first step in developing and enacting educational programs for health promotion.PurposeThis descriptive study was performed to determine knowledge and attitude of pregnant women referring to Dezful health centers regarding mode of delivery in 2008.Methods 120 women selected via quota sampling method participated in the study. A questionnaire completed by interviewing regarding demographic characteristics, knowledge about modes of delivery and attitude toward normal vaginal delivery (NVD) was used for data collection. Content and test-retest methods were used for its validity and reliability. Results Most subjects (54.2%) had moderate knowledge regarding mode of delivery. Their attitude (56.7%) toward NVD was neutral.ConclusionSince the majority of cases had moderate knowledge about modes of delivery and neutral attitude toward NVD, holding prenatal educational classes in this regard and supervision as well as follow-up for them are recommended. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Modes of delivery