DEA-ADALINE: an approach to improve the relative efficiency of 3PLs providers

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-191
Author(s):  
Mahamaya Mohanty ◽  
Ravi Shankar
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Neuron Network ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Benchmarking is an approach to understand and evaluate the current position of different entities like third-party logistics (3PLs) service providers with respect to the best practices. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated approach to benchmark the 3PLs and minimize the transportation cost, operational cost, total carbon emissions and improve vehicle capacity utilization rate and demand management in an efficient manner. Design/methodology/approach Conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) is extended to develop an integrated approach involving DEA and adaptive linear neuron network (ADALINE). The proposed methodology is dichotomized to the benchmarking of DMUs using Charnes, Cooper, Rhodes ratio and, in the process, helps to suggest ways to reduce inefficiencies. Findings The approach also supports the decision makers to understand ways to increase the efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs) that are relatively inefficient for a set of 3PLs considered in this study. This is one of the potential researches as it studies how to improve the efficiency of inefficient DMUs. Research limitations/implications The proposed approach would help the decision makers to better understand the complexities associated with the low-performing 3PLs. The application of the proposed DEA-ADALINE methodology is illustrated using a range of data set for 3PLs. Originality/value The paper examines and explains the value added to the conventional DEA model for obtaining the relative efficiencies with reference to the most efficient DMUs without any loss to the original characteristics of DEA and ADALINE.

A fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS methodology to evaluate 3PL in a supply chain

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pravin Kumar ◽  
Rajesh K. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Fuzzy Ahp ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Hierarchy Process

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the use of an integrated approach of fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) and TOPSIS in evaluating the performance of global third party logistics service providers for effective supply chain management.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the integration of fuzzy AHP with TOPSIS is proposed in determining the relative importance (weight) of criteria and then ranking of 3PLs.FindingsFindings show that the logistics cost and service quality are two most important criteria for performance rating of 3PLs. Deciding the relative importance of various criteria for 3PLs evaluation is a complex task. The superiority of one criterion over the other varies from person to person and firm to firm. Therefore, to capture the variability in decision fuzzy extended AHP is very useful tool. Finally, the preference raking of alternatives are found using TOPSIS.Research limitations/implicationsFuzzy AHP is a complex methodology and requires more numerical calculations than the traditional AHP and hence it increases the effort. But in this paper single stage fuzzy AHP is used to simplify the process. Fuzzy AHP is integrated with TOPSIS for preference ranking of 3PL, which provides a good methodology to rank 3PLs.Originality/valueThere is a lack of research in the literature to deal directly with the uncertainty of human decisions in evaluating the relative importance of multiple criteria. Therefore, fuzzy AHP is an appropriate methodology to find the relative importance of the criteria to rank the 3PLs using TOPSIS.

Sustainable evaluation and selection of potential third-party logistics (3PL) providers

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Raut ◽  
Manoj Kharat ◽  
Sheetal Kamble ◽  
Chandra Shekhar Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to efficiently assist the decision makers in evaluating and selecting the most appropriate third-party logistics (3PL) provider from environmental sustainability perspective using a two-phase model based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) and analytic network process (ANP). Design/methodology/approach The study uses an integrated approach of DEA and ANP as an evaluation and selection methodology to select an efficient and requisite 3PL. The integrated model is a sound technique for 3PL evaluation and selection. DEA effectively screens the maximally efficient 3PLs, whereas ANP easily performs the cumbersome process of weighting diverse criteria and ranks various alternatives according to their performance on the basis of these criteria. This study lists the prominent evaluation and selection criteria taking into consideration the environmental sustainability. Finally, a real-life industrial application is presented to demonstrate the proposed method. Findings The current research work is devoted to the emerging research topic of environmental sustainability in logistics industry and supply chain management. The results of study indicate that eco-efficient transportation and 3PLs lead better transportation planning, better inventory and warehouse management, lower inventory cost and sustainable supply chain operations. Also, the applied approach enables the decision makers to better understand the complex relationships of the relevant criteria in the decision-making process. Research limitations/implications This study does not investigate the relationships between environmental performances and differentiation advantage from the perspective of 3PLs. Also, sensitivity analysis is not performed. Practical implications The developed integrated model enables decision analysts to better understand the complete evaluation process of 3PL evaluation and selection considering environmental sustainability perspective. Furthermore, the developed approach provides a more flexible, simple, accurate, effective, and systematic decision support tool for 3PL evaluation and selection. Originality/value The current study is first of its kind to use the integrated approach in evaluation and selection of 3PLs from environmental sustainability perspective considering the inter-dependencies among the evaluation and selection criteria.

Is it possible to rank universities using fewer indicators? A study on five international university rankings

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Güleda Doğan ◽  
Umut Al
Keyword(s):  
Similarity Measure ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Cosine Similarity ◽  
University Rankings ◽  
University Ranking ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Cosine Similarity Measure ◽  
International University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the similarity of intra-indicators used in research-focused international university rankings (Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), NTU, University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Round University Ranking (RUR)) over years, and show the effect of similar indicators on overall rankings for 2015. The research questions addressed in this study in accordance with these purposes are as follows: At what level are the intra-indicators used in international university rankings similar? Is it possible to group intra-indicators according to their similarities? What is the effect of similar intra-indicators on overall rankings? Design/methodology/approach Indicator-based scores of all universities in five research-focused international university rankings for all years they ranked form the data set of this study for the first and second research questions. The authors used a multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cosine similarity measure to analyze similarity of indicators and to answer these two research questions. Indicator-based scores and overall ranking scores for 2015 are used as data and Spearman correlation test is applied to answer the third research question. Findings Results of the analyses show that the intra-indicators used in ARWU, NTU and URAP are highly similar and that they can be grouped according to their similarities. The authors also examined the effect of similar indicators on 2015 overall ranking lists for these three rankings. NTU and URAP are affected least from the omitted similar indicators, which means it is possible for these two rankings to create very similar overall ranking lists to the existing overall ranking using fewer indicators. Research limitations/implications CWTS, Mapping Scientific Excellence, Nature Index, and SCImago Institutions Rankings (until 2015) are not included in the scope of this paper, since they do not create overall ranking lists. Likewise, Times Higher Education, CWUR and US are not included because of not presenting indicator-based scores. Required data were not accessible for QS for 2010 and 2011. Moreover, although QS ranks more than 700 universities, only first 400 universities in 2012–2015 rankings were able to be analyzed. Although QS’s and RUR’s data were analyzed in this study, it was statistically not possible to reach any conclusion for these two rankings. Practical implications The results of this study may be considered mainly by ranking bodies, policy- and decision-makers. The ranking bodies may use the results to review the indicators they use, to decide on which indicators to use in their rankings, and to question if it is necessary to continue overall rankings. Policy- and decision-makers may also benefit from the results of this study by thinking of giving up using overall ranking results as an important input in their decisions and policies. Originality/value This study is the first to use a MDS and cosine similarity measure for revealing the similarity of indicators. Ranking data is skewed that require conducting nonparametric statistical analysis; therefore, MDS is used. The study covers all ranking years and all universities in the ranking lists, and is different from the similar studies in the literature that analyze data for shorter time intervals and top-ranked universities in the ranking lists. It can be said that the similarity of intra-indicators for URAP, NTU and RUR is analyzed for the first time in this study, based on the literature review.

scholarly journals Evaluation and Selection of Nigerian Third-Party Logistics Service Providers Using Multi-Criteria Decision Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-146
Author(s):  
E.A. Ejem ◽  
C.M. Uka ◽  
D.N. Dike ◽  
C.C. Ikeogu ◽  
C.C. Igboanusi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Decision Models ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract This paper is focused on solving the evaluation and selection of 3PL’s by applying multi-criteria decision-making methods. Nigerian Breweries, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), AG Leventis, Kobo logistics, and Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) were understudied. The main criteria on which evaluation is based were established: Cost, Service level, Financial Capability, Reputation and Long-term relationship. A combination of two quantitative models was adopted in the study. Relevant data were collected through an oral interview with managers and key decision-makers at the companies. SWARA was first applied to the collated data to determine the relative weights of the criteria. Afterwards, the TOPSIS was applied to the weights developed using SWARA and on the performance of the selected service providers. After the analysis, the best service provider was identified as supplier 2 while the worst was supplier 5.

Does intellectual capital impact firms' capital structure? Exploring the role of firm risk and profitability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D'Amato
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Firm Risk ◽  
Financial Leverage ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Firm Profitability ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between intellectual capital and firm capital structure by exploring whether firm profitability and risk are drivers of this relationship.Design/methodology/approachBased on a comprehensive data set of Italian firms over the 2008–2017 period, this paper examines whether intellectual capital affects firm financial leverage. Moreover, it analyzes whether firm profitability and risk mediate the abovementioned relationship. Financial leverage is measured by the debt/equity ratio. Intellectual capital is measured via the value-added intellectual coefficient approach.FindingsThe findings show that firms with a high level of intellectual capital have lower financial leverage and are more profitable and riskier than firms with a low level of intellectual capital. Furthermore, this study finds that firm profitability and risk mediate the relationship between intellectual capital and financial leverage. Thus, the higher profitability and risk of intellectual capital-intensive firms help explain their lower financial leverage.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings have several implications. From a theoretical standpoint, the paper presents and tests a mediating model of the relationship between intellectual capital and financial leverage and its underlying processes. In terms of the more general managerial implications, the results provide managers with a clear interpretation of the relationship between intellectual capital and financial leverage and point to the need to strengthen the capital structure of intangible-intensive firms.Originality/valueThrough a mediation framework, this study provides empirical evidence on the relationship between intellectual capital and firm financial leverage by exploring the underlying mechanisms behind that relationship, which is a novel approach in the literature.

Business strategy for environmental social governance practices: evidence from telecommunication companies in Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-289
Author(s):  
Nur Syuhada Jasni ◽  
Haslinda Yusoff ◽  
Mustaffa Mohamed Zain ◽  
Noreena Md Yusoff ◽  
Nor Syafinaz Shaffee
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Telecommunications Industry ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Governance ◽  
Telecommunications Companies

Purpose The present digital era has integrated the conventional telecommunications companies as service providers in this ever-competitive environment. Towards gaining business competitiveness, businesses are operated from the stance of dynamic business model that places focus on both economic activities and, more importantly, value-added benefits. One essential value embedded into business strategies refers to the aspect of sustainability in conjunction to environmental social governance (ESG). Within the context of Malaysia, ESG practices have been expected to grow rapidly in years to come, along with the vision of becoming a digital economy nation, by 2050. The continuous discussions appear to support the significance of implementing ESG practices amidst organizations, which in turn, could enhance a more sustainable economic growth for the country. Although many studies have probed into the dimensions of ESG, little attention has been given to the ESG practices incorporated into business strategy agenda. Design/methodology/approach This paper combed through the literature to retrieve the multi-dimensions of ESG concepts, as well as related in-depth insights into ESG disclosures amongst leading companies established in Malaysia. As for the research design, this study used the content analysis method and the ESG Grid as the benchmarking tool to explore superior commitments amongst its peers. Findings As a result, this study stumbled upon two major outcomes: the pattern of ESG disclosures in telecommunications industry and the approaches in implementing ESG practices in telecommunications companies. These two aspects appear essential to establish a competitive advantage, apart from addressing the issues raised by concerned stakeholders. Research limitations/implications Future studies may explore deeper into comprehending the ESG practices by using the interview method and incorporating other industry or arena. Practical implications The decisions made by the companies to invest in ESG practices mark the ability of a company in devising viable survival strategies within the industry. Originality/value Hence, this study offers several vital insights into the practical value to learn from the best experiences, aside from analyzing the current progress of ESG practices within the context of developing nation.

An assessment of flight efficiency based on the point merge system at metroplex airports

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ozlem Sahin ◽  
Oznur Usanmaz ◽  
Enis T. Turgut
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Empirical Model ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Flight Time ◽  
Flight Distance ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Airport ◽  
Entry Points

Purpose Metroplex is a system of two or more airports, in physical proximity, with highly interdependent arrival and departure operations. The purpose of this study is the construction of an efficient and effective air route model based on the point merge system (PMS) to reduce aircraft fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for three metroplex airports in Istanbul terminal control area (TMA). Design/methodology/approach A PMS arrival route model is constructed for metroplex airports. In the proposed model, two situations are taken into consideration: for delay which can be defined as flying on sequencing legs (PMSdel) and for no delay (PMSno del). An empirical model is developed using a data set including the flight data records of ten actual B737-800 domestic flights. With this empirical model, both the baseline and the PMS models (PMSdel and PMSno del) are compared in terms of fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and flight distance and time as a theoretical computation. Findings In the proposed PMSno del arrival route model, according to different entry points for Istanbul Ataturk International Airport (LTBA), the analyses show an average reduction of 26 per cent in flight time, 24.5 per cent in flight distance, 17 per cent in fuel burned and CO2 emissions; in addition, for Sabiha Gökcen International Airport (LTFJ) there are 34, 23 and 32 per cent average savings for flight time, flight distance and fuel burned together with CO2 emissions obtained, respectively. Even if the PMSdel model, for LTFJ except only one entry point, for LTBA except two entry points, better results are obtained than baseline. Practical implications The point merge model for metroplex airports in this paper can be applied by airspace designers and Air Navigation Service Providers to perform efficient and effective arrival routes. Originality/value In this study, a point merge model is constructed for metroplex airports. Quantitative results, using an empirical model, are achieved in terms of fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and flight distance and time at metroplex airports.

scholarly journals Child online safety and parental intervention: a study of Sri Lankan internet users

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 770-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemamali Tennakoon ◽  
George Saridakis ◽  
Anne-Marie Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Parental Monitoring ◽  
Parental Mediation ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Parental Intervention

PurposeToday’s world of digital and mobile media does not require actual physical contact, between the suitable target and the motivated offender, as with traditional crime. In fact, as Mesch (2009) contended that the internet is not merely an information channel but it creates a new space of activities for children, where they are exposed to motivated offenders and the actors of fourth party. Therefore, for the sake of children’s safety, the practice of parental mediation control is increasingly becoming more pertinent everyday. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine how parental mediation control in Sri Lanka is influenced by their internet self-efficacy, their experience as online victims and their trust in online users.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a unique data set of computer and internet users from Sir Lanka to examine parental intervention in their children’s online activities. Specifically, the data set contains 347 responses from computer and internet users. To analyze the data, the authors use a binary dependent (probit) model.FindingsThe results show that such factors alter the baseline probability of parental intervention. However, some differences are found between younger and older parents, with the latter group responding more to trust in online users and victimization experience while the former is mainly driven from computer self-efficacy. In particular, the older group is less likely to trust online internet users in terms of never adding unknown persons in the social media. Finally, being self-employed and an older parent has a positive effect on the likelihood of adopting parental controls, possibly because of the non-pecuniary attributes of self-employment.Originality/valueThis study adds to the emerging parental mediation control literature by looking at the likelihood of younger and older parents who were victims of cybercrimes, who have greater internet self-efficacy and lower online third-party trust to adopt parental mediation control behaviors. Also another contribution to the literature is the role of occupation type on parental monitoring behaviors.

Does an oil boom promote firms’ R&D expenditure? Evidence from Ecuador

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-199
Author(s):  
Diego F. Grijalva ◽  
Mary Lou Ponsetto ◽  
Yelitza Pontón
Keyword(s):  
Business Cycles ◽  
Business Cycle ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Commodity Price ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Exogenous Shock ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Boom ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Oil Shock

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how the expansionary phase of a business cycle driven by an exogenous commodity price shock (oil) affects R&D expenditures among Ecuadorian firms. Design/methodology/approach Using two rounds of the Ecuadorian National Science, Technology and Innovation Activities Survey (ACTI 2012 and 2015) and a data set on gross value added (GVA) by industry, we run a sample correction model applied to a panel data of 1,023 firms from 2009 to 2014. Findings In deciding whether to invest in R&D, the higher an industry’s GVA, the lower the predicted probability that firms in that industry would invest. Additionally, R&D investments are not procyclical, and there is marginal evidence that they might actually be countercyclical. These findings are consistent with Schumpeter (1939) and Ouyang (2011) and are likely due to an increased opportunity cost of R&D investment during the oil boom. Originality/value In this study, we examine a boom period and not a full business cycle. This boom is driven by an exogenous shock, deviating from much of the current literature, which focuses on endogenously driven business cycles. This paper examines how the oil shock impacted a variety of industries, and not just attractive ones. Additionally, this paper adds to the limited literature around R&D and business cycles in Latin America.

Factors driving indebtedness among small- and medium-sized dairy companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-175
Author(s):  
Alberto Mazzoleni ◽  
Enrica Pollonini
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Financial Structure ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeWe developed a model to demonstrate how multiple interrelated aspects of a firm influence its recourse to third-party financing, which frequently depends on the characteristics of each food production chain.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted an empirical research on a relevant sample of small- and medium-sized Italian dairy firms. Our research methodology is inspired by the grounded theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967).FindingsOur findings illustrated that firm indebtedness is the result of intertwined variables, linked to different firm dimensions, including growth, financial structure and economic dynamics.Research limitations/implicationsA portion of the analysed phenomenon is not explained using the sample and econometric tools.Practical implicationsThere are practical implications for the decision-makers in a firm (in particular, the managers and the shareholders) as the model allows to evaluate the influence of a set of mutually interdependent firm variables for the indebtedness level.Originality/valueFirst, we considered the recourse to third-party financing within the context of the systems theory (Millová and Blatný, 2015) and from the perspective of linked causes and mutually connected variables. Second, our research focussed on a well-defined food chain and on features of firms operating in this context. Last, our model considered the impact of the recent economic crisis, which motivated us to review the existing models.

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