Pub Date : 2018-08-09DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015002
Shubin Xu
We study the problem of scheduling a set of jobs with non-identical capacity requirements on parallel non-identical batch processing machines to minimise the makespan. We formulate the problem as a nonlinear integer programming model. Given that this problem is NP-hard, we propose a genetic algorithm to heuristically solve it. An adaptive penalty is combined to guide the search process to explore promising feasible and infeasible regions. Random problem instances were generated to test the approach with respect to solution quality and run time. Computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
{"title":"An adaptive penalty guided genetic algorithm for scheduling parallel batch processing machines","authors":"Shubin Xu","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015002","url":null,"abstract":"We study the problem of scheduling a set of jobs with non-identical capacity requirements on parallel non-identical batch processing machines to minimise the makespan. We formulate the problem as a nonlinear integer programming model. Given that this problem is NP-hard, we propose a genetic algorithm to heuristically solve it. An adaptive penalty is combined to guide the search process to explore promising feasible and infeasible regions. Random problem instances were generated to test the approach with respect to solution quality and run time. Computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47398930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-08-09DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015005
Abdelaziz El Kfita, O. Drissi-Kaitouni
This study shows to the importance of maintenance management to increase the vehicles fleet availability. In reality there are several factors related to the maintenance process and procedures, maintenance outsourcing, spare parts, fleet size, age and environment having a direct and indirect influence with varying degrees affecting fleet management. In this sense two methods have been combined: fuzzy revised DEMATEL and analytic network process (ANP), to evaluate the levels of interdependence as well as relative weight of selected factors and then a model was proposed with five dimensions and their relative weights were calculated. This proposed approach has been implemented in public administration as a strategic decision support. Following this study the result shows that, Outsourced Maintenance Providers dimension is the weighted factor affecting maintenance service. By contrast, the lowest weight factors were Procedures and Technical Skills.
{"title":"A hybrid fuzzy MCDM approach based on fuzzy revised DEMATEL and ANP to evaluate fleet maintenance management","authors":"Abdelaziz El Kfita, O. Drissi-Kaitouni","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015005","url":null,"abstract":"This study shows to the importance of maintenance management to increase the vehicles fleet availability. In reality there are several factors related to the maintenance process and procedures, maintenance outsourcing, spare parts, fleet size, age and environment having a direct and indirect influence with varying degrees affecting fleet management. In this sense two methods have been combined: fuzzy revised DEMATEL and analytic network process (ANP), to evaluate the levels of interdependence as well as relative weight of selected factors and then a model was proposed with five dimensions and their relative weights were calculated. This proposed approach has been implemented in public administration as a strategic decision support. Following this study the result shows that, Outsourced Maintenance Providers dimension is the weighted factor affecting maintenance service. By contrast, the lowest weight factors were Procedures and Technical Skills.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41996092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-08-09DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.093800
Bowon Kim, Jaeseok Na, Sunghak Kim
Firms use merger and acquisition (M&A) as a strategic tool to restructure their business. We explore the factors that determine the success of M&A in manufacturing. The literature has highlighted financial variables as success factors. However the literatures have not considered how operational factors of target firm have effects on the post-M&A performance of the buyer firm. Thus, we hypothesise that operational factors of the target firm also affect the M&A performance. In particular, we look into three different types of inventory, i.e., raw material, work-in-process, and finished goods, simultaneously. Then, we put forth that the turnover of the target firm's work-in-process inventory, which directly reflects its operational efficiency, is the most important factor. Thus, we conclude that in addition to financial factors, the target firm's operational efficiency determines the M&A performance. We elaborate on the analysis results and discuss economic as well as managerial implications.
{"title":"Effects of target firm's inventory turnover on post-merger and acquisition performance","authors":"Bowon Kim, Jaeseok Na, Sunghak Kim","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.093800","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.093800","url":null,"abstract":"Firms use merger and acquisition (M&A) as a strategic tool to restructure their business. We explore the factors that determine the success of M&A in manufacturing. The literature has highlighted financial variables as success factors. However the literatures have not considered how operational factors of target firm have effects on the post-M&A performance of the buyer firm. Thus, we hypothesise that operational factors of the target firm also affect the M&A performance. In particular, we look into three different types of inventory, i.e., raw material, work-in-process, and finished goods, simultaneously. Then, we put forth that the turnover of the target firm's work-in-process inventory, which directly reflects its operational efficiency, is the most important factor. Thus, we conclude that in addition to financial factors, the target firm's operational efficiency determines the M&A performance. We elaborate on the analysis results and discuss economic as well as managerial implications.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.093800","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48793441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-08-09DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015009
J. Razmi, R. Babazadeh, M. Kaviani
The recent studies on hydrogen supply chain (HSC) explicitly state that optimising the HSC flows is one of the main elements leads to have an efficient hydrogen supply network and plays a vital role in total costs minimisation of hydrogen production and transportation. Considering the importance of this issue, this study presents a mathematical programming optimisation model to help the HSC managers make robust strategic and tactical decisions related to HSC management. Generally, the HSC echelons include gathering raw material centres, production facilities and hydrogen distribution and storage centres. The proposed approach introduces a mix-integer linear programming (MILP) model optimising the HSC network at the strategic level of decision-making through minimising both capital and operational costs of the HSC. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis is accomplished on the transportation cost of materials within the HSC network which constitutes the major share of total costs. Moreover, a numerical example is performed to demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the proposed optimisation model. The obtained results confirm the capability of the presented model for HSC network optimisation. The main finding of the research indicated that hydrogen transportation cost is completely sensitive to HSC network structure.
{"title":"Optimisation of dynamic hydrogen supply chain network: a mathematical programming approach","authors":"J. Razmi, R. Babazadeh, M. Kaviani","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10015009","url":null,"abstract":"The recent studies on hydrogen supply chain (HSC) explicitly state that optimising the HSC flows is one of the main elements leads to have an efficient hydrogen supply network and plays a vital role in total costs minimisation of hydrogen production and transportation. Considering the importance of this issue, this study presents a mathematical programming optimisation model to help the HSC managers make robust strategic and tactical decisions related to HSC management. Generally, the HSC echelons include gathering raw material centres, production facilities and hydrogen distribution and storage centres. The proposed approach introduces a mix-integer linear programming (MILP) model optimising the HSC network at the strategic level of decision-making through minimising both capital and operational costs of the HSC. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis is accomplished on the transportation cost of materials within the HSC network which constitutes the major share of total costs. Moreover, a numerical example is performed to demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the proposed optimisation model. The obtained results confirm the capability of the presented model for HSC network optimisation. The main finding of the research indicated that hydrogen transportation cost is completely sensitive to HSC network structure.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45048402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-01DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.092078
Sarah Oufella, D. Hamdadou
Nowadays, urban areas face many challenging issues; one of the most demanding is site selection. Strategic site selection issues are typically complex problems that require consideration of multiple alternatives (sites), multiple criteria and multiple decision-makers with conflicting interests, preferences and desires. In this perspective we propose a new decision making framework based on three areas of high importance: multi-agent systems, geographic information system and multiple-criteria decision analysis. These three tools are combined in a manner so that the shortcoming of one tool is complemented by the strength of the others. To assist the decision makers in selecting the compromise alternative from a number of feasible alternatives, the proposed decision support system will be enriched with a protocol of negotiation based on argumentation approach, which allows agents (decision makers) to exchange complex justification positions rather than just simple proposals, this property of argumentation protocols can lead to faster and beneficial agreements to the group.
{"title":"A collaborative spatial decision support system applied to site selection problems","authors":"Sarah Oufella, D. Hamdadou","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.092078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.092078","url":null,"abstract":"Nowadays, urban areas face many challenging issues; one of the most demanding is site selection. Strategic site selection issues are typically complex problems that require consideration of multiple alternatives (sites), multiple criteria and multiple decision-makers with conflicting interests, preferences and desires. In this perspective we propose a new decision making framework based on three areas of high importance: multi-agent systems, geographic information system and multiple-criteria decision analysis. These three tools are combined in a manner so that the shortcoming of one tool is complemented by the strength of the others. To assist the decision makers in selecting the compromise alternative from a number of feasible alternatives, the proposed decision support system will be enriched with a protocol of negotiation based on argumentation approach, which allows agents (decision makers) to exchange complex justification positions rather than just simple proposals, this property of argumentation protocols can lead to faster and beneficial agreements to the group.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.092078","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49492513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-01DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013135
J. Michnik
The paper presents a comprehensive method for supporting important decisions with long-term consequences for an organisation. The proposed approach combines multiple weighted influence nonlinear gauge system (WINGS) networks into a single model comprising a broad analysis of benefits, opportunities, costs and risks (BOCR). Practicality of the presented solution is demonstrated with the illustrative example of selecting innovation projects.
{"title":"The WINGS method with multiple networks and its application to innovation projects selection","authors":"J. Michnik","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013135","url":null,"abstract":"The paper presents a comprehensive method for supporting important decisions with long-term consequences for an organisation. The proposed approach combines multiple weighted influence nonlinear gauge system (WINGS) networks into a single model comprising a broad analysis of benefits, opportunities, costs and risks (BOCR). Practicality of the presented solution is demonstrated with the illustrative example of selecting innovation projects.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45832448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-01DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013140
H. Karimi, Atefeh Azarakhshi, F. Nobakht
It is essential to choose proper teams for exhibition games by management of sports teams. The Iran soccer team as well as its opponents in the World Cup tournament needs some exhibition games. This study suggests a two-phase model for planning the exhibition football games to choose between 15 teams for exhibition games considering the cost of travels and the minimum values required for different parameters. The first phase uses multi attribute decision-making (MADM) technique in which each team is assigned scores based on the pre-defined parameters. Weights obtained in the first phase are used as input to the second phase. In the second phase, a mathematical optimisation model is proposed which is able to choose teams, organise the events and minimise the travel path from the origin to each destination and eventually to the origin (Iran). It is noteworthy that the second phase uses travelling salesman problem (TSP).
{"title":"A two-phase methodology based on MADM and zero-one programming for planning exhibition soccer matches","authors":"H. Karimi, Atefeh Azarakhshi, F. Nobakht","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013140","url":null,"abstract":"It is essential to choose proper teams for exhibition games by management of sports teams. The Iran soccer team as well as its opponents in the World Cup tournament needs some exhibition games. This study suggests a two-phase model for planning the exhibition football games to choose between 15 teams for exhibition games considering the cost of travels and the minimum values required for different parameters. The first phase uses multi attribute decision-making (MADM) technique in which each team is assigned scores based on the pre-defined parameters. Weights obtained in the first phase are used as input to the second phase. In the second phase, a mathematical optimisation model is proposed which is able to choose teams, organise the events and minimise the travel path from the origin to each destination and eventually to the origin (Iran). It is noteworthy that the second phase uses travelling salesman problem (TSP).","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43193340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-01DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013138
Abednico Lopang Montshiwa
This paper presents a comparative analysis study between Asian and North American automobile parts markers' perspective on competitive advantages. To undertake this task, the study introduced supply chain cooperation, risk ranking and business risk management in a three phase competitive advantages model adopted from the Barney (1995) model (with slight differences). Smart PLS 3.0.was employed to analyse data. In this survey, Asian companies accounted for 60% of the responses while the remaining 40% were from North America. Both Asian and North American companies highlighted the importance of resources availability (big company size) in organising the supply chain network. Asian companies indicated that supply chain cooperation significantly affects competitive advantages while the North American ones did not record any significant relationship. Finally, North American companies indicated that business risk management is crucial in attaining competitive advantages while their Asian rivals did not consider that vital.
{"title":"Regional automobile parts makers' competitive advantages analysis","authors":"Abednico Lopang Montshiwa","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10013138","url":null,"abstract":"This paper presents a comparative analysis study between Asian and North American automobile parts markers' perspective on competitive advantages. To undertake this task, the study introduced supply chain cooperation, risk ranking and business risk management in a three phase competitive advantages model adopted from the Barney (1995) model (with slight differences). Smart PLS 3.0.was employed to analyse data. In this survey, Asian companies accounted for 60% of the responses while the remaining 40% were from North America. Both Asian and North American companies highlighted the importance of resources availability (big company size) in organising the supply chain network. Asian companies indicated that supply chain cooperation significantly affects competitive advantages while the North American ones did not record any significant relationship. Finally, North American companies indicated that business risk management is crucial in attaining competitive advantages while their Asian rivals did not consider that vital.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46953837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-02-28DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10010961
D. Földes, C. Csiszár
Modal share of cycling is growing; however, information services are to be significantly improved. Our research aim was to reveal, how the available real-time data can be used to support bikers and to ease decision making by provision of personalised information. We have identified the categories of biker information services and then the route planner applications have been analysed in order to point out the exemplary solutions. The attributes of mobility and information management, as well as their correspondences have been revealed in order to develop appropriate information services. We have carried out a questionnaire survey to identify bikers' habits and expectations towards information services. An analysis method has been elaborated which is applicable to determine the correspondences between mobility and information management attributes. The results are to be applied as bases during development of adaptive, personalised information application aiding decisions.
{"title":"Personalised information services for bikers","authors":"D. Földes, C. Csiszár","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10010961","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10010961","url":null,"abstract":"Modal share of cycling is growing; however, information services are to be significantly improved. Our research aim was to reveal, how the available real-time data can be used to support bikers and to ease decision making by provision of personalised information. We have identified the categories of biker information services and then the route planner applications have been analysed in order to point out the exemplary solutions. The attributes of mobility and information management, as well as their correspondences have been revealed in order to develop appropriate information services. We have carried out a questionnaire survey to identify bikers' habits and expectations towards information services. An analysis method has been elaborated which is applicable to determine the correspondences between mobility and information management attributes. The results are to be applied as bases during development of adaptive, personalised information application aiding decisions.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42927908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-02-28DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10010973
Z. Qin
We analyse the competitive price timing decisions of both e-tailers (online sellers) and brick-mortar retailers for a new product. Firms may announce the price early (when the product's valuation for consumers is highly uncertain) or late (when the uncertainty of the product's valuation has been resolved). Both firms choose the timing and price level to maximise their own expected profits. We find that firms always choose to announce the price late when they monopoly the market. However, when both firms compete against each other and duopoly the market, both firms announce the price late when the uncertainty of the product's valuation is high and the online acceptance rate is low; by contrast, one of them takes a leadership role and announces the price early whereas the other one follows and announces late when the uncertainty of the product's valuation is low and the online acceptance rate is high.
{"title":"Price timing in new markets with strategic consumers","authors":"Z. Qin","doi":"10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10010973","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMS.2018.10010973","url":null,"abstract":"We analyse the competitive price timing decisions of both e-tailers (online sellers) and brick-mortar retailers for a new product. Firms may announce the price early (when the product's valuation for consumers is highly uncertain) or late (when the uncertainty of the product's valuation has been resolved). Both firms choose the timing and price level to maximise their own expected profits. We find that firms always choose to announce the price late when they monopoly the market. However, when both firms compete against each other and duopoly the market, both firms announce the price late when the uncertainty of the product's valuation is high and the online acceptance rate is low; by contrast, one of them takes a leadership role and announces the price early whereas the other one follows and announces late when the uncertainty of the product's valuation is low and the online acceptance rate is high.","PeriodicalId":38716,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Applied Management Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2018-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44924466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}