Industrial management
Hossein Sayyadi Tooranloo; Mohammad Zarei Mahmoudabadi; Reza Norouzi Avargani
Abstract
Purpose: Over the past decade, the development of Network Data Envelopment Analysis (NDEA) models has enabled researchers to capture the internal structures and interrelationships among sub-units of decision-making units (DMUs). Compared to conventional DEA models, this approach provides deeper managerial ...
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Purpose: Over the past decade, the development of Network Data Envelopment Analysis (NDEA) models has enabled researchers to capture the internal structures and interrelationships among sub-units of decision-making units (DMUs). Compared to conventional DEA models, this approach provides deeper managerial and analytical insights into performance evaluation. The purpose of this study is to systematically review and clarify the overall trends in the development and application of NDEA models, with a particular focus on uncertainty-based approaches, over the period 2014–2024.Methodology: This research employs Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer software tools to conduct co-word analysis, visualize scientific networks, and identify research clusters. The reviewed articles were classified into two major dimensions: research domain (application areas) and research logic (deterministic or non-deterministic).Findings: The results indicate that most NDEA applications are concentrated in industrial sectors, and that deterministic logic dominates the existing body of literature. The term network data envelopment analysis was identified as the second most frequent keyword following data envelopment analysis. Based on the synthesis of reviewed studies, this research proposes a conceptual framework for NDEA and outlines potential future research directions centered on the integration of NDEA with uncertainty theories.Originality/Value: To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive study has simultaneously addressed network data envelopment analysis and uncertainty. By identifying research gaps, mapping the scientific structure of the field, and highlighting emerging themes and future avenues, this study provides a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners interested in performance evaluation under uncertainty.
Industrial management
Mahdiye Ghorbani; Hossein Sayyadi; salim karimi takalo
Abstract
The existence of challenges such as the continuous circulation of information, the active presence of governments in the online environment, ecological changes in work and lifestyle, and the problem of electronic wave pollution have made the role of governments in green management both essential and ...
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The existence of challenges such as the continuous circulation of information, the active presence of governments in the online environment, ecological changes in work and lifestyle, and the problem of electronic wave pollution have made the role of governments in green management both essential and inevitable. For this reason, along with accelerating the development of information technology in organizations, governments pay special attention to the protection of biological resources to ensure stakeholder trust in electronic services and adhere to environmental principles as a strategic approach. The present study was conducted with the aim of designing a model for green e-government. For this research, after reviewing the related literature and utilizing experts’ opinions, a snowball sampling survey was conducted among subject-matter experts, with a final sample size of 13 determined according to the rule of theoretical saturation. Forty-three components were identified within eight dimensions. The factors affecting the implementation of green e-government include citizen communication management, service delivery management, human resource management, process management, legal requirements, financial management, strategic management, and cultural management. Then, using the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) methodology, the relationships among the factors were explained. In this process, the concept of cultural management had the highest influence (4.54), and citizen communication management had the highest susceptibility (4.49). The results also showed that strategic management, with the highest degree of centrality, is the most fundamental among key concepts. Therefore, focusing on this concept in creating green e-government is not only an undeniable necessity but also a vital requirement for managers and innovators in all areas of decision-making and planning. The proposed model provides an essential tool for policymakers to develop successful strategies for green e-government.IntroductionGlobal economic shifts and growing environmental challenges have pushed organizations and governments toward embracing sustainability and green initiatives (Espejo & Espinosa, 2015; Chofreh & Goni, 2017). Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations (Glasser, 2016). Today, improving efficiency, trust, service quality, and reducing corruption have become government priorities (Dwivedi et al., 2017). Global environmental crises such as pollution and loss of biodiversity have brought “green” issues to the forefront of public agendas (Too & Bajracharya, 2015; Laasch & Conaway, 2014). Alongside technological developments, the expansion of e-government has accelerated, yet it presents fresh environmental problems including e-waste, increased energy consumption, and digital pollution (Andreopoulou, 2012). To address these risks, implementing green strategies in government processes and managing electronic waste through green technologies are critical (Masud et al., 2012; Nurdin et al., 2022). The main challenge in Iran is the absence of a comprehensive framework that integrates environmental sustainability into e-government structures. Therefore, this study presents an applied, integrated model based on expert knowledge to support decision-makers in advancing green e-government practices.MethodologyThis research was conducted using a mixed-method design. After reviewing relevant literature, 13 academic experts in e-government and sustainability were selected by snowball sampling for interviews and surveys, reaching theoretical saturation. Important factors for green e-government were identified and validated, resulting in 43 components within eight main dimensions. Using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM), the causal relationships and relative influence of these factors were analyzed. The process included scoring the importance of each dimension, converting these scores into fuzzy values, and constructing matrices that mapped the direct and indirect influence among factors. Analytical tools such as Excel, FCMapper, and Pajek were used for data management and visualization (Rodriguez-Repiso et al., 2007).ResultsThe findings of this research led to the identification of 43 major components classified into eight primary dimensions: citizen communication management, service delivery management, human resource management, process management, legal requirements, financial management, strategic management, and cultural management. Noteworthy components included environmentally-focused complaint handling, citizen engagement in green communications, empowerment of e-citizens for energy efficiency, green IT literacy, rapid response to environmental needs, employee training for green skills, awareness of environmental protection, readiness for green software, pollution control, resource adaptability, network and cybersecurity, and waste management. The legal, financial, and strategic dimensions included the development of supportive laws, financial incentives for environmental protection, green budgeting, convergent organizational structures and strategies, senior management support, and eco-friendly infrastructure. The cultural management dimension emphasized promoting a green culture, upholding ethical standards, and empowering culture for green digital services.Based on the expert assessments and the FCM model, cultural management was identified as the most influential factor (impact score: 4.54), and citizen communication management was the most susceptible (influenceability: 4.49). Among all, strategic management emerged as the most central factor in the cognitive map, indicating its fundamental bridging role in the system and its importance for practical policy and implementation (Rodriguez-Repiso et al., 2007). These findings underscore the need for an integrated managerial, legal, financial, strategic, and cultural approach to developing green e-government initiatives tailored to the national context (Schein, 2012; Schleager & Stepan, 2017).ConclusionThe research provides a structured understanding of the causal relationships among the multifaceted dimensions of green e-government. The results emphasize that successful implementation of green e-government in Iran demands special emphasis on cultural management—as the greatest driver of system-wide change—and strategic management, which facilitates effective alignment of policy and practice. Policymakers and managers must therefore devote particular attention to nurturing a green culture across government entities and building strategic capability for environmental policy integration. The fuzzy cognitive map approach has proven to be a robust method for unraveling complex, interdependent systems, enabling prioritization of interventions and formulation of actionable, context-aware strategies for sustainable digital governance.
