S.M. Ali Khatami Fivouzabadi; Mohsen Rahimi; Ali Mohtashami
Volume 5, Issue 14 , December 2006, , Pages 29-54
Abstract
In this paper, we will consider the problem of courses timetabling in a small educational institute. We will present the mathematical model considering six hard constraints (compelling constraints) and five soft constraints (constraints that are lot compelling, but regarding them results increasing the ...
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In this paper, we will consider the problem of courses timetabling in a small educational institute. We will present the mathematical model considering six hard constraints (compelling constraints) and five soft constraints (constraints that are lot compelling, but regarding them results increasing the utility of timetable). To formulating the model we will use a type of goal programming. In this paper we will try to define decision variables, hard constraints, soft constraints and objective function in a step by step direction. Afterward we will test the model on a mathematical example.
Ashkan Ayough; Mostafa Zandyeh; Haide Mottaghi
Volume 6, Issue 16 , June 2007, , Pages 29-54
Abstract
In this paper we develop the concept of boring caused by doing the same jobs to two types of boring, negative or undesirable and positive or desirable, which are felt by operators because of doing similar jobs and not only due to doing the same ones. Based on this new concept, the flexible model has ...
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In this paper we develop the concept of boring caused by doing the same jobs to two types of boring, negative or undesirable and positive or desirable, which are felt by operators because of doing similar jobs and not only due to doing the same ones. Based on this new concept, the flexible model has been proposed by which jobs will be scheduled to minimize the total cost of assignment including the cost of doing the jobs by operators and the boring cost so that job scheduled with respect to their similarities in the smallest time period as well as dissimilarities in the biggest given time period. For the reason that the proposed job rotation scheduling model has a multi-period assignment structure and formulated as an integer non-linear model, it is recognized as a combinatorial optimization problem. So applying the metaheuristic algorithms to overcome the complexity of such a problem is required. We use the genetic and imperialist competitive algorithms to do that and verify their efficiency in comparison to that of Lingo software which solves the small integer nonlinear problems. It is also shown that the quality of imperialist competitive algorithm solutions is better than those of genetic algorithm for the proposed model.
Morteza Shafiee
Abstract
In today's competitive and global economy, the life and activity of the organization is determined by the ability to compete and adopt the most appropriate policy against environmental changes. In this regard, the knowledge about the performance of all aspects of the organization is vital for management ...
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In today's competitive and global economy, the life and activity of the organization is determined by the ability to compete and adopt the most appropriate policy against environmental changes. In this regard, the knowledge about the performance of all aspects of the organization is vital for management decisions. Although extensive studies has been carried out in evaluating the performance of organizations through the balanced scorecard (BSC), but there are defects such as focusing on a one-way causality, ignoring the replacement between indexes and between the four-way, and equality between weighted value of indexes. In the present study, focusing on the casual relationships between factors and also between the direction and strength of these relationships, we tried to improve the balanced scorecard method. To do this, first all the relationships between the four dimensions of BSC were determined using fuzzy cognitive map, and it was then used to obtain a network structure, which was used later to create a network data envelopment analysis (NDEA) model. Finally, this model was used to evaluate the performance in Maskan Bank of Fars province. The results show that between 82 branches investigated, 15 branches were efficient and the others inefficient.
A. Kazazi; Y. Dehghani
Volume 1, Issue 3 , January 2003, , Pages 31-71
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the quality of postal services and the relationship between postal services and customers satisfactions from the viewpoint of customers and postal employees. Quality of postal services is formal through the process of collection to delivery. With regard to expansion of ...
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This dissertation investigates the quality of postal services and the relationship between postal services and customers satisfactions from the viewpoint of customers and postal employees. Quality of postal services is formal through the process of collection to delivery. With regard to expansion of operations geographical discrepancies and other restrictions quality of services in postal field is more complex and more comprehensive than in other manufacturing.
The case study is Tehran province and a sample of 580 persons who were selected on the basis of stratified and random systematic sampling.
The model used is SERVQUAL which is a tool for measuring the quality.
The achievements of this research are as follows:
1- In the five -level dimensions of service quality such as Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance, Empathy and Tangibility, there seems to be a gap in grades allocated to perception and expectations of the two groups.
2- The gap between perception and expectations of customers in the fields of Reliability, Responsiveness and Empathy is greater than the gap between the existing fact and knowledge of customers’' expectations by the employees: this gap has a negative correlation with customers’ satisfactions. Concept of customers in the field of Assurance and Tangibility is less than the gap between the existing fact and knowledge of the customers' expectations by the employees. This gap has also a negative correlation with customers' satisfaction.
3- The gap between concept of customers in the field of Assurance and Tangibility is less than the gap between the existing fact and knowledge of the customers’ expectations by the employees this gap has also a negative correlation with customers’ satisfaction.
4- From the viewpoint of both, the customers and the employees, Reliability dimension is the most important variance.
5- Customers’ satisfaction from postal services in five dimensions has a more positive relation with their perception from quality of postal services (received quality). Postal employees also put emphasis on the existing fact for the customers' perception and their judgment from the quality of postal services.
Akdar Alemtabriz; Ashkan Ayough; Mahdie Baniasadi
Abstract
During the recent years, extensive research has been done on the field ofproject scheduling. There is always uncertainty in the area of projectscheduling that causes a deviation in the real plan from the scheduled plan.One of the solutions to deal with this uncertainty is using the critical chainmethod ...
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During the recent years, extensive research has been done on the field ofproject scheduling. There is always uncertainty in the area of projectscheduling that causes a deviation in the real plan from the scheduled plan.One of the solutions to deal with this uncertainty is using the critical chainmethod (CCM) in project scheduling. This method which is derived from thetheory of constraints (TOC) is a new method in project control which was firstproposed by Goldartt in 1997.In this research we attempt to use the principalsof critical chain in resource-constrained project scheduling problem. The maininnovation in this research is presentation of critical chain project schedulingproblem model with consideration of feeding buffer and using float as asupplement for feeding buffer. For this matter, the project scheduling underresources constraints with critical chain approach was first written and itsreliability was evaluated using the Lingo software. In the next step thesolution algorithm of this model was developed using the genetic algorithmand finally different sample issues were investigated. The results of thisresearch show the efficiency of the presented genetic algorithm
Milad Yari; Mir Saman Pishvaee; Armin Jabbarzadeh
Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to provide a model for supply chain design of decorative stones in competitive conditions by taking into account the risk of the disruption. The main tools used in this study are mathematical programming and game theory which Stackelberg game is often used for competitive ...
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The main aim of this paper is to provide a model for supply chain design of decorative stones in competitive conditions by taking into account the risk of the disruption. The main tools used in this study are mathematical programming and game theory which Stackelberg game is often used for competitive modeling. The aim of the proposed model is to consider potential risks of disruption and competitive situation in the market. Also, due to the problem situation, we use meta-heuristic methods like particle swarm optimization and biogeography based optimization for solving and verification of the model. The results show that the occurrence of disruption affects in location decisions of production and distribution centers, price of products and profit of chain components
Abstract
This article benefits from the perspective of knowledge management on the organization social networks. This study was an attempt to investigate how employees benefit from organizational social networks in order to create value and expand the knowledge management. It also considers different usage of ...
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This article benefits from the perspective of knowledge management on the organization social networks. This study was an attempt to investigate how employees benefit from organizational social networks in order to create value and expand the knowledge management. It also considers different usage of organizational social networks and its value for knowledge management. Also, five functions of social networks have been studied, which includes: problem solving, generating ideas, updates, task management, and informal conversations. This research is an applied one and data was gathered by questionnaires and regression analysis with SPSS software was used as means of data analysis. The community of this study included 100 employees of " Hamkaran System", who use professional social networks. A group of 75 employees was selected as the sample group for research through Cochran's formula. To evaluate the Content validity and reliability of the questionnaire was used of Comments professors and experts and Cronbach's alpha. Results showed that the organizational social network is able to create value for innovation by helping people in effective use of social networking functions and enrich the abilities of knowledge. Effective participation in organizational social networks can cause to active knowledge management and create value. The purpose of valuation is assessment of the benefits of organizational social network to gain effective knowledge.
seyed mohamad erabi
Seyed Mohammad Ali Khatami Firouzabadi; Hamid Moradi; Kamran Feizi
Abstract
Given the importance of financing small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in order to provide working capital and their profitability, this study has presented a mathematical model for financing these companies by factoring in the supply chain. Factoring is one of the most important ways to finance ...
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Given the importance of financing small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in order to provide working capital and their profitability, this study has presented a mathematical model for financing these companies by factoring in the supply chain. Factoring is one of the most important ways to finance the business world, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Therefore, considering the relationship between the enterprise and the bank, suppliers and buyers based on the integration of financial and physical flows in the supply chain, this research has financed the enterprise in the above-mentioned method. In order to analyze the validity of financing methods, goals, parameters and important variables in modeling, the perspective of experts based on the index of content validity ratio has been used. The goals of modeling are to maximize profits and achieve the desired liquidity in time periods, and in order to solve the model, goal programming has been used and in order to cover uncertainty conditions, interval programming has been used. Finally, the model was solved using GAMS software and CPLEX solver, and the results, in addition to proposing appropriate financial and physical flows in the supply chain, have proposed an appropriate factoring financing program to small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises to provide the necessary liquidity in each period and increase profitability.
Emad Roghanian; Fatemeh Mojibian
Volume 10, Issue 26 , January 2012, , Pages 35-54
Abstract
In this paper, a novel intuitionist fuzzy TOPSIS method for groupdecision making will be presented. In this method the preferencevalues for an alternative on criteria and the weight values of criteriaare given by experts, using linguistic values of trapezoidal intuitionistfuzzy numbers, and weights of ...
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In this paper, a novel intuitionist fuzzy TOPSIS method for groupdecision making will be presented. In this method the preferencevalues for an alternative on criteria and the weight values of criteriaare given by experts, using linguistic values of trapezoidal intuitionistfuzzy numbers, and weights of decision makers’ opinions areunknown. In proposed method, expected values and weightedaveraging operator for trapezoidal intuitionist fuzzy numbers are usedto induce the weight values of criteria and decision makers’ opinions.Then an algorithm for ranking alternatives is presented undertrapezoidal intuitionist fuzzy environment. Finally, using a numericalexample, the efficiency of new extended TOPSIS method isinvestigated.
Mohsan Shafiee Nick Abadi; Habib Farajpour Khanaposhtani; Hossein Eftekhari; Aliasghar Sadadadi
Volume 13, Issue 39 , January 2016, , Pages 35-62
Abstract
Today, companies have accepted that the maintenance and repairs are profitable business elements and therefore, the role of maintenance and repairs has become more important in modern manufacturing systems.Maintenance and repair play important roles in achieving organizational goals and improving the ...
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Today, companies have accepted that the maintenance and repairs are profitable business elements and therefore, the role of maintenance and repairs has become more important in modern manufacturing systems.Maintenance and repair play important roles in achieving organizational goals and improving the indicators of reliability, reducing the equipment downtime, products quality, increasing productivity, safety equipment and etc. In this regard, the maintenance and repairs and their strategies have the particular importance in the industry. As a result, the main purpose of this study is selecting and ranking the best repairs and maintenance strategies using a combination of confirmatory factor analysis methods (FA), AHP and TOPSIS in oil refinery of Ray. According to that many variables such as safety, cost, added value, etc. are affective in choosing a maintenance and repairs strategy, in the present study at first has been identified these variables by the aid of literature review and experts opinion and then has been addressed to select the best maintenance strategy by AHP and TOPSIS techniques and try to offer suggestions for improving refinery maintenance system.
Moslem Alimohammadlou
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to consider the importance role of operational and financial variables and also extract these variables in four-echelon supply chain network in a systematic mode. In addition, this study explores the direct and indirect relations of variables, clustering concepts, making ...
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The purpose of this study is to consider the importance role of operational and financial variables and also extract these variables in four-echelon supply chain network in a systematic mode. In addition, this study explores the direct and indirect relations of variables, clustering concepts, making co-occurrence networks and calculating micro and macro indices of Scientometrics using co-occurrence analyses. The methodology of the research is content analysis and Scientometrics. Data were collected from four databases (science direct, emerald, wiley, SID) between 2013-2016. Data analyzes were done by Excel, VosViewer and Nodexl. The results of the content analysis extract 106 variables that the most frequent variables were demand, profit and price. In addition, co-occurrence analysis of operational and financial variables shows high Solidarity of the network (more than 80 percent density) that the result confirms the goodness clustering of the variables. Regards to this study, researchers and practitioners can use and employ the results in difference modeling (like: mathematical modeling, structural equation model, …).
shaghayegh Vaziri; Arash Zaretalab; Mani Sharifi
Abstract
Course timetabling problem is a weekly assignment a set of course and teacher to the time and space with considering a lot of hard and soft constraints in universities. In each semester, heads of educational institutes take too much time and effort to prepare a timetable by using trial and error method ...
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Course timetabling problem is a weekly assignment a set of course and teacher to the time and space with considering a lot of hard and soft constraints in universities. In each semester, heads of educational institutes take too much time and effort to prepare a timetable by using trial and error method or last semester's timetable, although the rapid changing needs, resources and rules of each semester causes this method are not the perfect solutions. In this study, we design and develop a novel multi objective mathematical model which taking into account the preferences of students and teachers, Due to the complexity, we have benefited the metaheuristic algorithm to solve nonlinear model. Simulated Annealing algorithm is used to solve the mathematical model in two stages. In the first stage, the system automatically generates feasible solutions that will meet all the hard constraints. Then, the solutions are improved with spotting different neighborhood's structures. This collection is in the form of computer software application which is implemented the C# language programing and SQL database. This system is tested the data gathered by Azad University data and the results compared to the manual process showed the great progress is achieved. The entire system is flexible and easy to test different scenarios
production and operations management
abolfazl Kazazi; Mohammad Taghi Taghavifard; reza kianimavi; mohsen hooshangi
Abstract
Companies, as one of the most prominent features of today's societies, are rapidly changing and evolving, and in the current situation, improving the innovation capabilities is one of the main goals of any living and active organization. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of social ...
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Companies, as one of the most prominent features of today's societies, are rapidly changing and evolving, and in the current situation, improving the innovation capabilities is one of the main goals of any living and active organization. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of social capital on innovation capabilities in supplier-buyer relationships by of opportunistic and intellectual property risks. The statistical sample in this study contains 95 of supply chain managers which are active in the escalator and elevator industry. The collected data were analyzed by using partial least squares method and Smart PLS software. The findings illustrate positive and significant effect of social capital on innovation capabilities (and indirectly through intellectual property risk). Opportunistic and intellectual property risks also have a significant negative impact on innovation capabilities. The results of this study for managers reveal the fact that investing in social capital in a buyer-supplier relationship not only does not hurt but also achieves a competitive advantage through innovation capabilities.
Mohammadtaghi Moharrami; Mohammad Kazem Sayadi; Meysam Rafei
Abstract
Nowadays, due to the pollution that businesses and various industries impose to the environment, the adoption of strategies and policies by governments to improve the environmental performance of the supply chain has received more attention. The green supply chain will have many benefits, such as saving ...
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Nowadays, due to the pollution that businesses and various industries impose to the environment, the adoption of strategies and policies by governments to improve the environmental performance of the supply chain has received more attention. The green supply chain will have many benefits, such as saving energy resources, reducing pollutants, and so on. Government intervention to develop these chains takes various forms, such as subsidies, taxes, licensing, and advertising. In this study, two manufacturers with green and non-green supply chains compete in a competitive market and sell their products through a joint retailer, and the government intervenes as a leader in the Stackelberg game. These chains are designed based on the selection of agent-based pricing and wholesale pricing methods in four different models. In these models, the government advertises for green products in the first and second models and imposes taxes on the producer of non-green products in the third and fourth models, seeking to maximize social welfare and improving the environment. In order to analyze and compare the models, the game theory approach was used. The results show that in general, government intervention improves the environmental situation and social welfare, and in the case of advertising has a better effect on the overall market trend and also on social welfare than the tax imposing strategy.IntroductionToday, with the rapid growth of industries worldwide, the environmental impact and ecological effects of products have become significant concerns. There is a growing awareness of the environmental consequences and associated risks to human health resulting from industrial activities. Consequently, research on green supply chain management has seen a significant increase. As public awareness about environmental issues continues to rise and concerns about the future of our planet intensify, customers are increasingly inclined to purchase environmentally friendly products. This shift in consumer behavior has prompted manufacturers and businesses to reassess their production processes and adapt to changing customer preferences and new government policies. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the role of government intervention in influencing the demand for green and non-green products through factor-oriented green and non-green supply chains. Additionally, the study aims to identify government policies that can facilitate the development and adoption of green products. The findings of this research can be utilized by governments to promote the use of environmentally friendly goods and enhance environmental protection efforts.Materials and methodsThe approach of this research involves modeling and analysis. The research considers multiple models, each consisting of two supply chains with two manufacturers and a common retailer. One manufacturer produces a green product (environmentally friendly), while the other produces a non-green product (not environmentally friendly). Throughout the research, all comparative models adhere to this structure, with the first supply chain focusing on the production of green products and the second supply chain delivering non-green products to customers. All the analyses conducted in this research are mathematically analyzed and utilize game theory to validate the model results and analyze them. Since the model results are mathematically proven, there is no need to collect real-world data. Instead, hypothetical data are used in the examples to illustrate the various aspects of the problem. In this research, all the models are designed based on the Stackelberg game, and the government takes the initiative in determining its objectives.ResultsIn order to compare the models and analyze the results, we first considered a fixed strategy (advertisement or taxation) for the government. This allowed us to investigate the effect of pricing type on profit, demand, and social welfare. We compared the first model with the second model and also compared the third and fourth models together. Furthermore, we compared the advertising strategy models with the taxation strategy models, examining each strategy within the supply chains. The results indicate that the second model generates the highest level of social welfare and benefits for society, while also resulting in the greatest profit for producers and retailers. Following that, the first model exhibits more social welfare compared to the third and fourth models. Additionally, the profit of the green product producer in the first model significantly surpasses that of the non-green product producer. This difference in profitability serves as an incentive for producers to transition to green product production. Although the profit disparity between producers in the third and fourth models is more substantial and encourages the greater promotion of green product production, it leads to lower satisfaction and well-being.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate the high sensitivity of producers' and retailers' profits to the pricing of their products. The product price is influenced by factors such as whether the supply chain is factor-oriented or wholesale, as well as the type of government intervention. When consumers make purchasing decisions, they consider not only the price but also other parameters, such as the environmental friendliness of the product. In other words, the choice of a product is determined by a set of conditions and is not solely dependent on price fluctuations. The pricing method, whether factor-oriented or wholesale, significantly impacts the profitability of supply chain members and has implications for social welfare and environmental improvement. Different types of government intervention, such as cultural initiatives or taxation, can also lead to changes in the results
Mehrdad Madhoushi,; Faegheh Rezaee
Volume 13, Issue 37 , July 2015, , Pages 37-54
Abstract
Newcomer companies, creating dynamism in the economy, as through the provision of goods, services and new technologies, increasing competition in the market and expanding the industry, making it more dynamic. But the fact that what was going on after their entrance are also important. Because their growth ...
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Newcomer companies, creating dynamism in the economy, as through the provision of goods, services and new technologies, increasing competition in the market and expanding the industry, making it more dynamic. But the fact that what was going on after their entrance are also important. Because their growth and longevity in achieving long- term goals and policies in regarding employment and economic growth are of particular importance. This study was conducted to investigate the factors that influence the survival of newcomer companies. Company size and growth rate of the industry are features that are assumed to affect the survival of the company. So the effects of these variables on the survival of newcomer companies of Electronic and Electric Industries in Mazandaran province during1981-2011 were studied.
Semi-parametric Cox regression model was used to test the hypotheses. In order to further analyze the data, nonparametric model life table and product limit estimator was used. Data from the Mazandaran province database of Industry, Mine and Trade were collected and for data processing, winTDA software is used. As a result of this study, a positive relationship between firm size and survival rates were approved. But there was no significant relationship between industry growth rates and survival
Laya Olfat; Seyyed Mahmood Zanjirch
Volume 3, Issue 11 , December 2005, , Pages 37-61
Abstract
Agile manufacturing as the most modern production system has covered significant portion of literature in operations management. But there is a great vague. whether agile manufacturing is the same as prior concepts but in a new form or it's ...
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Agile manufacturing as the most modern production system has covered significant portion of literature in operations management. But there is a great vague. whether agile manufacturing is the same as prior concepts but in a new form or it's a completely new concept accompanied with necessary techniques? Lean production and Agile production are two dominant production systems that were studied through literature survey and their dimensions were defined. Then dimensions similarities and differences among these two approaches were investigated. Finally considering the importance of different dimensions, weighted difference between them is demonstrated. Results show that although there are some common features between these two concepts, their emphasis on different aspects has formed a new approach. The proper attention of agile system to nowadays business requirements and continuous change, has distinguished it from other production systems such as lean production system.
Mostafa Ebrahimpour Azbari; Mohsen Akbari; Fatemeh Rafiei Rashtababdi
Abstract
Today, organizations in an environment with growing changes, should be flexible enough to manage unpredictable threats and opportunities in an uncertain future and lead to better performance. Also, they should optimize their business processes to achieve operational efficiency. Besides, Operational absorptive ...
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Today, organizations in an environment with growing changes, should be flexible enough to manage unpredictable threats and opportunities in an uncertain future and lead to better performance. Also, they should optimize their business processes to achieve operational efficiency. Besides, Operational absorptive Capacity is a significant learning capabilities that may explain why some companies are enable to create a more effective response to environmental uncertainties. In this study, the impact of environmental uncertainty mediated by manufacturing flexibility and operational efficiency and moderating role of operational absorptive capacity on the performance of manufacturing firms has been tested. Also, the effect of manufacturing flexibility on the operational efficiency has been tested. A questionnaire is used as an instrument to collect data that is provided by experts and managers of 101 manufacturing companies in Rasht province. For the data analysis, structural equation modeling techniques (SEM) with the approach of Partial Least Squares (PLS) has been used. The results show that the company's performance can be improved by increasing manufacturing flexibility and operational efficiency . Also, with increasing flexibility, can provide more effective responses to environmental changes. The results confirmed the effect of manufacturing flexibility on the operational efficiency, as well as moderating role of operational absorptive capacity
Ali Atashsooz; Kamran Feizi; Abolfazl Kazazi; Laya Olfat
Abstract
In a complex and volatile environment of the supply chain, any attempt to reduce the risks may increase or decrease other risks; thus, achieving an overall picture of the risks of supply chain and relationships between them are necessary and will lead to more effective and comprehensive strategy to response ...
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In a complex and volatile environment of the supply chain, any attempt to reduce the risks may increase or decrease other risks; thus, achieving an overall picture of the risks of supply chain and relationships between them are necessary and will lead to more effective and comprehensive strategy to response to risks. The purpose of this paper is identifying and extracting the potential risks of supply chain using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach. In order to do that, first an in-depth litreture review has done and Delphi method with content validity has used, and then, the ISM model, representing the structure of risks relationship has extract. The results show that the external environment supply chain risks (natural risks, political/social, policy and macroeconomic), at a low levels of the model, have the most impact on other risks and are as a emerging and or increasing factor for industrial environment (market and product competition; market inputs, communications and collaboration) and organizational environment risks (operational, financial, strategic, commitment and organizational culture and employee).
quality management
amir mohammad khani; Abolfazl Kazzazi; Soraya birami
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between comprehensive productive maintenance, TQM, supply chain management, learning organization characteristics and operational performance. In order to conduct research operations, the conceptual framework of the research was first presented ...
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The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between comprehensive productive maintenance, TQM, supply chain management, learning organization characteristics and operational performance. In order to conduct research operations, the conceptual framework of the research was first presented by studying the theoretical foundations. In the next stage, by compiling and distributing a questionnaire among 180 people from the statistical population of the research consisting of senior, middle and operational managers aware of the subject under study, export companies of Golestan province were distributed randomly, the information needed to test research hypotheses was collected. Finally, 146 completed return questionnaires were covered by the structural equation modeling technique based on the partial least squares method. The results obtained based on this technique showed that the maintenance and repair of comprehensive productivity has a positive effect on total quality management, while the maintenance and repair of comprehensive productivity alone could not achieve an acceptable result to achieve operational performance and requires comprehensive quality management. . Another result obtained indicates the positive effect of total quality management and supply chain management and the mediating role of supply chain management in achieving operational performance between the two variables of total quality management and operational performance. In addition to these results, it was found that total quality management has a positive effect on the learning organization and the learning organization has an important role between total quality management and operational performance of export companies in Golestan province.
Industrial management
Mina Kazemian; Mohamad Ali Afshar Kazemi; Kiamars Fathi Hafshejani; Mohammad reza Motadel
Abstract
IntroductionThe field of supply chain management has focused on crucial topics such as coordination, cooperation, and competition among chain members. Game theory has emerged as a valuable tool for examining supply chain management issues, as it analyzes various situations and their impact on supply ...
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IntroductionThe field of supply chain management has focused on crucial topics such as coordination, cooperation, and competition among chain members. Game theory has emerged as a valuable tool for examining supply chain management issues, as it analyzes various situations and their impact on supply chain performance (Naimi Sediq et al., 2013; Shafi'i et al., 2018). While every action and performance within the supply chain influences the outcomes of the game, it does not solely determine them. The goal is to balance the parties involved in the supply chain and create satisfaction for the end customer (Metinfer et al., 2018).Although extensive research has been conducted in supply chain management within the steel industry, the impact of sanctions on Nash equilibria and the application of three approaches (Cournot, Stackelberg, and collusion) to achieve game balance in different scenarios have not been thoroughly investigated. This research aims to fill this gap by addressing the mentioned research question. The current study focuses on determining the optimal price using an intelligent decision-making system based on game theory within the steel industry, considering the presence or absence of the sanctions variable.Our country currently possesses several relative advantages in terms of steel production conditions, including abundant and affordable energy, iron ore and refractory raw materials, considerable steel production experience, and a skilled and cost-effective workforce. By acquiring new production technology, these advantages enable our country to play a competitive and influential role in the global steel market. However, the steel industry faces significant challenges such as price fluctuations, extreme price disparities across regions, and delayed delivery due to a lack of efficient supply chain management. Therefore, the main research question aims to provide a model that incorporates key variables, such as the supply and demand of final and intermediate products in the steelmaking industry and the future trends in production and quantity changes.Research methodThis article introduces a composite model that combines artificial neural networks and game theory to assist stakeholders in the steel industry in determining optimal production levels and price levels. To predict the price of steel, three techniques were employed: Bayesian neural networks, support vectors, and Grassberg anti-diffusion. Additionally, to address the issue of binary identification in the neural network, three different network structures were introduced: feedforward network structure, competitive network structure, and backward associative memory network structure.Research findingsThe first scenario is the non-cooperative game (Cournot model scenario) where each participant aims to maximize their profit and would not deviate from their strategy as it would lead to a reduction in their profits. The second scenario is the sequential non-cooperative game (Stackelberg model scenario), in which two chains engage in a confrontation of the Stackelberg game type. The leader's goal is to determine the best strategy while considering all rational strategies that follower players can employ to maximize their income. This scenario demonstrates that the rate of price and profit increase is lower compared to sequential and cooperative game modes. The third scenario is the cooperative game (collusion model scenario). In this scenario, the allocation of profits among the cooperating members is crucial to ensure the stability of their cooperation. The Grassberg anti-diffusion method exhibits higher accuracy due to its higher true positive (TP) and true negative (TN) values compared to other algorithms. Additionally, it has fewer false positives (FP) and false negatives (FN) because a higher TP and TN indicate more accurate predictions in the tested dataset, while FP and FN represent incorrect predictions. The inclusion of the sanctions variable as a moderating factor in the steel price forecasting model accounts for the potential reduction in production and increased cost price. Through the model, it was discovered that the Grossberg method yields more accurate steel price forecasting. Consequently, price forecasting in the model is based on the Grossberg method.Research resultsThe results indicate that transitioning from the Cournot game to the Stackelberg game and from the Stackelberg game to the collusion game in the steel industry's supply chain leads to a $6 increase in price per ton and a product supply ranging from 1500 to 4000 tons. In other words, as collusion in the steel market intensifies, more products are introduced into the market, resulting in an increase in product prices and a decrease in the welfare of steel consumers. According to the findings, increased competition in the industry reduces the profitability and production levels of producers while enhancing consumer welfare. Conversely, higher levels of monopoly exhibit the opposite effect. To maintain a balanced supply chain in the steel industry and prevent potential problems, it is recommended to adopt the Stackelberg game approach, which aligns more closely with reality. It is worth noting that the order in which players enter the game impacts the Nash equilibrium. Therefore, exploring market entry monitoring regulations and rules in this industry becomes crucial since the steel industry involves high entry and exit costs. Policymakers and industry managers should consider monitoring the entry and exit of players, formulate game standards and rules among market participants. Based on the results, the primary recommendation of this research is to increase competition intensity and adopt the Cournot approach in the industry to reduce prices and increase production. Additionally, enhancing international relations and diplomatic efforts will mitigate the impact of sanctions on the industry, leading to cost price improvements and an increase in the level of comparative advantage at the international level.
supply chain management
S.Ali Torabi; Yasin Heidari
Abstract
In a competitive world, one of the most crucial ways to enhance the supply chain performance of manufacturing companies is through integrated scheduling of production and distribution activities. Two significant concerns for dentists and patients include delayed denture deliveries and the multiple production ...
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In a competitive world, one of the most crucial ways to enhance the supply chain performance of manufacturing companies is through integrated scheduling of production and distribution activities. Two significant concerns for dentists and patients include delayed denture deliveries and the multiple production and correction processes for dentures. This research addresses these concerns by developing a mixed-integer linear programming model for solving the integrated production and distribution scheduling problem in a fixed denture supply chain operating under an additive manufacturing environment. The objective functions of this model aim to minimize the cost of production and distribution orders while reducing weighted delays. The Augmented Epsilon Constraint Method is employed to identify Pareto-optimal solutions. To validate the mathematical model, a numerical example and a case study are presented, and various sensitivity analyses are conducted on key model parameters. The numerical results demonstrate substantial improvements in total costs and customer satisfaction levels.IntroductionA supply chain (SC) comprises several interconnected echelons and processes, where an integrated perspective can lead to optimal overall SC performance. Simply improving an organization's internal processes is insufficient for competitiveness in the market; establishing effective relationships with suppliers, distributors, and other SC stakeholders is essential. Achieving maximum value along the SC involves focusing on cost reduction through cost-effective decision-making. In the past decade, the rising adoption of 3-D printing and additive manufacturing technologies in SCs, as a prominent disruptive technology in the Industry 4.0 era, has created numerous opportunities for improving manufacturing SCs compared to traditional production methods. These opportunities include reduced setup and production times, lower safety stock levels, and fewer processing steps. Additive manufacturing has found applications in various fields, particularly in denture production. This research addresses two primary concerns in the field: timely denture delivery and the multiple production and correction processes associated with dentures. A novel mathematical model is developed to tackle these issues, aiming to solve the integrated production and distribution scheduling problem in a fixed denture supply chain operating within an additive manufacturing environment. The objective functions of this model aim to minimize the costs associated with production and order distribution while minimizing the weighted total delays.Materials and MethodsA mixed-integer linear programming model is devised to address the problem outlined in this paper. The Augmented Epsilon Constraint Method is applied to identify Pareto-optimal solutions. To validate the mathematical model, a numerical example and a case study are presented, and several sensitivity analyses are conducted on key model parameters to elucidate their critical roles in the final solutions.Discussion and ResultsA case study is provided to demonstrate the practical applicability of the developed model. Sensitivity analyses on demand data highlight the substantial impact of demand management on final solutions. This research presents a two-objective optimization model to address the simultaneous scheduling of production and order delivery in a three-tier dental prosthesis supply chain. The first tier comprises a dental prosthesis production laboratory, while the second and third tiers include distributors and dentists (final customers). The objective functions include the minimization of total order delivery costs and the average weighted lateness of delivered products from a fixed dental prosthesis production laboratory. Constraints encompass delivery time delays, order allocation to customers, capacity limitations, calculations of time to reach each customer, and vehicle routing. Given that this research problem falls into the category of multi-objective problems, the Augmented Epsilon Constraint Method is employed to obtain Pareto-optimal solutions. To investigate and implement the proposed model, a fixed dental prosthesis production laboratory in Neka City is examined. The numerical results indicate the existence of a trade-off between the problem's objectives.ConclusionsThis paper presents a bi-objective model to address the integrated production and distribution scheduling problem in a three-tier dentures supply chain, aiming to minimize total delivery costs and the average weighted tardiness. The first tier includes a dentures production laboratory, while the second and third tiers comprise distributors and dentists, respectively. Numerical results based on a real case study demonstrate the practical applicability of the model. Several avenues for future research include considering uncertainty in input data and developing efficient meta-heuristic algorithms for solving large-scale instances.
production and operations management
Morteza Saeidi; Mostafa Ebrahimpour Azbari; MohammadRahim Ramazanian
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to design a model for improving the sustainable performance of small and medium food companies in Guilan Province. The aim is to provide managers and decision-makers with insights into the factors, challenges, and consequences associated with enhancing the sustainable performance ...
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The purpose of this article is to design a model for improving the sustainable performance of small and medium food companies in Guilan Province. The aim is to provide managers and decision-makers with insights into the factors, challenges, and consequences associated with enhancing the sustainable performance of these companies in the current business environment. The article falls under the category of applied research in terms of its purpose, exploratory-descriptive research in nature, and field studies based on data collection. It is classified as qualitative research. The Grounded Theory method was employed to create a paradigm model, progressing through three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. The results of data analysis using Grounded Theory led to the identification of 13 main floors, 29 main categories, and 248 concepts. The paradigm model, developed through theoretical coding, encompasses six main classes: pivotal phenomenon (sustainable performance improvement), causal conditions (organizational survival, social and environmental obligation, gaining competitive advantage), contextual conditions (environmental factors, organizational factors), interfering conditions (environmental factors, organizational factors), and strategies (macro level, organizational level). Finally, the economic, social, and environmental consequences of achieving sustainable performance improvement were derived through the implementation of these strategies.
Introduction
The increasing societal focus on sustainability necessitates attention to improving sustainable performance in small and medium-sized companies. Today, achieving a competitive edge and attracting customers goes beyond operational or financial superiority. In the contemporary business landscape, companies are expected to demonstrate responsibility and consider future generations in their activities. SMEs play a pivotal role in the industrial growth of developing economies globally. Enhancing communication and information flow in small and medium-sized companies can lead to more efficient processes and cost reduction. To thrive in the current business environment, SMEs must adopt emerging technologies to improve their sustainable performance. Industry 4.0 and the circular economy, which involve the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, can be instrumental in achieving sustainable performance in these companies. The synergy between Industry 4.0 technologies and circular economy methods positively contributes to enhancing sustainable performance. Given that small and medium industries are significant drivers of economic growth in regions like Guilan province, improving the sustainable performance of companies in this sector can have a substantial impact on preserving and maintaining environmental aspects. With the rapid growth of technology and the advancement of Industry 4.0, SMEs are recognized as vital economic foundations contributing to the development and economic growth of societies. It is crucial to investigate and conduct research in the field of Industry 4.0 and the circular economy to improve the sustainable performance of small and medium-sized companies. A conscious analysis of the benefits and challenges of Industry 4.0 on SMEs allows for a better understanding of the needs and opportunities within this sector. Examining the effectiveness and utilization of new technologies in the processes and organizational structures of small and medium companies can lead to increased efficiency, cost reduction, improved quality, enhanced decision-making processes, and expanded market presence.
Literature Review
Performance, in a broad sense, can be defined in accordance with the concept of quality and an organization's ability to achieve internal and external goals. It is important to note that performance encompasses multiple dimensions. Sustainability, on the other hand, is a multidimensional concept that presents a significant challenge in our time. It involves the understanding and management of economic, social, and environmental performance simultaneously. Researchers argue that if the current population and economic growth rates persist, the utilization of the planet's natural resources will surpass its capacity. This issue gives rise to environmental protection concerns, which are addressed under the umbrella of sustainable development. Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In a broader sense, a sustainable development strategy entails creating harmony among humans and between humans and nature. It implies that sustainability requires a societal approach that manages the environmental perspective alongside the economic perspective in the progress of development and performance improvement. In the present era, there is an expectation from customers and members of society for companies and organizations to be responsible and consider future generations in their activities and operations. Prioritizing the future generation in activities signifies a positive step towards sustainable performance and demonstrates the organization's commitment to a sustainable global economy. While the concept of sustainability is easily understood, operationalizing and concretely expressing it poses challenges. Decision-makers in industries need to evaluate and review their operations considering both internal and external effects. Optimal decisions can only be made when the social, economic, and environmental consequences are taken into account.
Methodology
The Research falls under the category of applied research in terms of its purpose, exploratory-descriptive research in nature, and field studies based on data collection. Grounded theory, a qualitative research approach, is particularly well-suited for exploratory research seeking to theorize or identify patterns. It employs open, axial, and selective coding methods for data analysis. This approach, introduced by Strauss and Corbin in 1990, is based on the three-stage coding process of open, axial, and selective (or theoretical) coding. In this regard, it utilizes the logical paradigm or diagrammatic representation of the theory created. Research based on the grounded theory approach, employing a systematic strategy, culminates in the development of hypotheses and statements that may specify the relationships between classes in the axial coding paradigm.
Discussion and Results
The central category identified is Sustainable Performance Improvement. Two dimensions associated with this central category are Industry 4.0 and the circular economy. The most crucial factors influencing sustainable performance improvement are categorized into three groups: organizational survival (including profitability and maintaining market share), social and environmental requirements (such as attracting public support, considering future generations, and managing limited resources), and gaining competitive advantage (encompassing both temporary and sustainable competitive advantages). These factors contributing to sustainable performance improvement are further classified into two categories: environmental factors and organizational factors. Environmental factors involve challenges such as environmental instability, legal factors, and political factors, while organizational factors encompass financial and cost considerations, along with human resources. Strategies for achieving desirable outcomes are outlined at both the macro level (involving government and industrial estate company activities related to consortium formation, culture, and education) and the organizational level. Small and medium-sized food industry companies are encouraged to pursue innovation, creativity, value chain knowledge, and professional structure to create favorable benefits for themselves. The final segment of the sustainable performance improvement model outlines economic, social, and environmental consequences. Key consequences at the economic level include company development, sustainable profitability, and sustainable productivity. At the social level, consequences encompass the welfare of workers and the social responsibility of the organization. The most critical consequence at the environmental level is the achievement of a sustainable environment.
Conclusion
To design a model for enhancing the sustainable performance of small and medium-sized companies, the grounded theory methodology with the systematic approach of Strauss and Corbin was employed. This involved conducting interviews with experts to gather the necessary conceptual codes. Following the systematic approach, data analysis utilized three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. The design of the model adhered to the paradigm model of this approach, incorporating six dimensions: the central category, causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences.
Ali Khatami Firouzabadi; Ali Khoramrooz
Volume 4, Issue 12 , March 2006, , Pages 45-71
Abstract
Experiments have shown the most important factor in leakage of gas pressure stations are taps. Gas leakage in industrial environment has hazardous effects.so, there is important to consider the same factors in these environments. To recognize these factors, it is necessary to represent the importance ...
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Experiments have shown the most important factor in leakage of gas pressure stations are taps. Gas leakage in industrial environment has hazardous effects.so, there is important to consider the same factors in these environments. To recognize these factors, it is necessary to represent the importance of avoiding these events by risk evaluation methods. Fault tree analysis is a method which can recognize the fault points in a system and it is able to obtain the probability of these events. To analyze the problem, fault tree of each region in the gas station is drawn. Then the data of these regions (including the probability of failure parts) are entered to FTA software. The outputs of software can be used to analyze the system. The outputs show that the most part of leakage caused by refnenet gas region which turbines are activated. Finally, some procedures are suggested for preventive of leakage in gas stations.
Mohammad Taghi Taghavifard
Abstract
Nowadays, customers are the most important sources of income for financial institutions and banks. According to the privatization process in the country and financial restrictions of banks, it is necessary to maintain and attract more profitable customers. Though, one of the most important methods to ...
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Nowadays, customers are the most important sources of income for financial institutions and banks. According to the privatization process in the country and financial restrictions of banks, it is necessary to maintain and attract more profitable customers. Though, one of the most important methods to identify profitable customers is the concept of customer lifetime value (CLV) but it is more important to estimate customers’ future conditions because a bank`s future profitability highly depends on the customers situation.In this research, the issues about CLV, the necessity and different classification methods are presented. Then, considering weighting variables using Recency, Frequency, and Monetary (RFM) model, AHP technique, and experts opinion, customers are classified. Using Markov chain and probability matrix, the displacement of customers in different groups and their future status are predicted.One of the major outcomes of this research is the calculation of profitability matrix to predict customers’ displacement in different groups. The probability matrix can also show the reluctance of large number of customers to move to the specified groups (the highest percentage of customers in the main diameter of the probability matrix). In this research, we observed that account balance (M) has the greatest impact on customers grouping and that the number of transactions (F) and recency variable (R) are ranked as the second and third impact factors. Also, the determination coefficient (C) is another result of the research. Finally, the presented research used financial information and proposed a mathematical model (Markov chain) to calculate the probability of customers’ displacement (switching from one group to another). The proposed model can be helpful to facilitate customer relationship management process in the banking system.
