scholarly journals Public buying decisions: a framework for buyers and small firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mark McKevitt ◽  
Anthony Flynn ◽  
Paul Davis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Buying Decisions

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to explore the factors that influence buyer decision-making in public procurement. The objective is to better understand the processes and conditions that support different supply arrangements, which maximise SME participation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses case study evidence of contract awards across multiple organisational contexts including: a local authority, commercial semi-state, police force, and a tourist agency. Findings – National policy and the role of procurement exerted mixed effects upon the cases. The procurement processes were broadly similar and included cross-functional teams, consideration of trade-offs and market research. Research limitations/implications – The paper highlights the transition of public organisations toward strategic procurement including supplier engagement. Practical implications – This offers buyers a decision support tool that promotes equal opportunities for SME participation, a key goal of EU procurement. The implications for suppliers of each buying decision are also outlined. The concept of practical rationality is used to support the framework. Originality/value – A normative framework of public procurement decision-making is generated from the cases. Buying complexity and supplier engagement are two conditions that support a 2×2 decision framework. The framework extends efficient and central-buying decisions to include adapted and balanced decisions. This range offers buyers a decision support tool that promotes equal opportunities for SME participation, a key goal of EU procurement. The implications for suppliers of each buying decision are discussed.

Predictive data analytics for contract renewals: a decision support tool for managerial decision-making

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Serhat Simsek ◽  
Abdullah Albizri ◽  
Marina Johnson ◽  
Tyler Custis ◽  
Stephan Weikert
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Predictive Analytics ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Managerial Decision Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Tool

PurposePredictive analytics and artificial intelligence are perceived as significant drivers to improve organizational performance and managerial decision-making. Hiring employees and contract renewals are instances of managerial decision-making problems that can incur high financial costs and long-term impacts on organizational performance. The primary goal of this study is to identify the Major League Baseball (MLB) free agents who are likely to receive a contract.Design/methodology/approachThis study used the design science research paradigm and the cognitive analytics management (CAM) theory to develop the research framework. A dataset on MLB's free agents between 2013 and 2017 was collected. A decision support tool was built using artificial neural networks.FindingsThere are clear links between a player's statistical performance and the decision of the player to sign a new offered contract. “Age,” “Wins above Replacement” and “the team on which a player last played” are the most significant factors in determining if a player signs a new contract.Originality/valueThis paper applied analytical modeling to personnel decision-making using the design science paradigm and guided by CAM as the kernel theory. The study employed machine learning techniques, producing a model that predicts the probability of free agents signing a new contract. Also, a web-based tool was developed to help decision-makers in baseball front offices so they can determine which available free agents to offer contracts.

A decision support tool to mitigate decision-making problems faced by a building design team

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natee Singhaputtangkul
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Design Team ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Tool

Purpose There are a number of decision-making problems encountered by a building design team. This issue is apparent in assessment of building envelope materials and designs in the early design stage. The purpose of this paper is to develope a decision support tool based on a quality function deployment (QFD) approach integrated with a knowledge management system (KMS) and fuzzy theory to facilitate a building design team to simultaneously mitigate the decision-making problems when assessing the building envelope materials and designs for the first instance. Design/methodology/approach This study engaged a design team comprising three decision makers (DMs) to test the developed decision support tool through a case study of a representative building project. The study employed deductive qualitative data analysis with use of a framework analysis approach to analyze perspectives of the DMs after completing the case study through a semi-structured interview. Findings A mapping diagram derived qualitatively from the framework analysis suggested that the tool can help mitigate the identified decision-making problems as a whole. Originality/value Practical contributions of using the decision support tool include achievement of a more efficient design and construction management, and higher productivity of a project. In terms of academic contributions, this study expands capabilities of a conventional decision support system, KMS, and QFD tool to handle decision-making problems.

scholarly journals Development and Application of a Multi-Objective-Optimization and Multi-Criteria-Based Decision Support Tool for Selecting Optimal Water Treatment Technologies in India

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2836
Author(s):  
Seyed M. K. Sadr ◽  
Matthew B. Johns ◽  
Fayyaz A. Memon ◽  
Andrew P. Duncan ◽  
James Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Trade Offs

Despite considerable efforts to improve water management, India is becoming increasingly water stressed due to multiple factors, including climate change, increasing population, and urbanization. We address one of the most challenging problems in the design of water treatment plants: how to select a suitable technology for a specific scenario or context. The process of decision making first requires the identification of feasible treatment configurations based on various objectives and criteria. In addition, the multiplicity of water quality parameters and design variables adds further complexity to the process. In this study, we propose a novel Decision Support Tool (DST), designed to address and support the above challenges. In this user-friendly tool, both Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) methods are employed. The integration of MCDA with MOO facilitates the generation of feasible drinking water treatment solutions, identifies optimal options, and ultimately, improves the process of decision making. This implemented approach has been tested for different contexts, including for different types of raw water sources and system implementation scales. The results show that this tool can enhance the process of decision making, supporting the user (e.g., stakeholders and decision makers) to implement the most suitable water treatment systems, keeping in view the trade-offs.

scholarly journals Video decision support tool promoting values conversations in advanced care planning in cancer: protocol of a randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Michael ◽  
Clare O’Callaghan ◽  
Ekavi Georgousopoulou ◽  
Adelaide Melia ◽  
Merlina Sulistio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Personal Values ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Randomised Control Trial ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advanced Directives ◽  
Support Tool

Abstract Background Views on advance care planning (ACP) has shifted from a focus solely on treatment decisions at the end-of-life and medically orientated advanced directives to encouraging conversations on personal values and life goals, patient-caregiver communication and decision making, and family preparation. This study will evaluate the potential utility of a video decision support tool (VDST) that models values-based ACP discussions between cancer patients and their nominated caregivers to enable patients and families to achieve shared-decisions when completing ACP’s. Methods This open-label, parallel-arm, phase II randomised control trial will recruit cancer patient-caregiver dyads across a large health network. Previously used written vignettes will be converted to video vignettes using the recommended methodology. Participants will be ≥18 years and be able to complete questionnaires. Dyads will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to a usual care (UC) or VDST group. The VDST group will watch a video of several patient-caregiver dyads communicating personal values across different cancer trajectory stages and will receive verbal and written ACP information. The UC group will receive verbal and written ACP information. Patient and caregiver data will be collected individually via an anonymous questionnaire developed for the study, pre and post the UC and VDST intervention. Our primary outcome will be ACP completion rates. Secondarily, we will compare patient-caregiver (i) attitudes towards ACP, (ii) congruence in communication, and (iii) preparation for decision-making. Conclusion We need to continue to explore innovative ways to engage cancer patients in ACP. This study will be the first VDST study to attempt to integrate values-based conversations into an ACP intervention. This pilot study’s findings will assist with further refinement of the VDST and planning for a future multisite study. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12620001035910. Registered 12 October 2020. Retrospectively registered.

Creation of a Community-Driven Decision Support Tool for Caregivers of Children With Developmental Concerns

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Dawn M. Magnusson ◽  
Irena Shwayder ◽  
Natalie J. Murphy ◽  
Lindsay Ollerenshaw ◽  
Michele Ebendick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Cultural Humility ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Key Aspects

Purpose Despite increasing standardization of developmental screening and referral processes, significant early intervention service disparities exist. The aims of this article are to: (a) describe methods used to develop a decision support tool for caregivers of children with developmental concerns, (b) summarize key aspects of the tool, and (c) share preliminary results regarding the tool's acceptability and usability among key stakeholders. Method Content and design of the decision support tool was guided by a systematic process outlined by the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) Collaborative. Three focus group interviews were conducted with caregivers ( n = 7), early childhood professionals ( n = 28), and a mix of caregivers and professionals ( N = 20) to assess caregiver decisional needs. In accordance with the IPDAS, a prototype of the decision support tool was iteratively cocreated by a subset of caregivers ( n = 7) and early child health professionals ( n = 5). Results The decision support tool leverages images and plain language text to guide caregivers and professionals along key steps of the early identification to service use pathway. Participants identified four themes central to shared decision making: trust, cultural humility and respect, strength-based conversations, and information-sharing. End-users found the tool to be acceptable and useful. Conclusions The decision support tool described offers an individualized approach for exploring beliefs about child development and developmental delay, considering service options within the context of the family's values, priorities, and preferences, and outlining next steps. Additional research regarding the tool's effectiveness in optimizing shared decision-making and reducing service use disparities is warranted.

Multivariable Automatisierungsentscheidungen*/Multivariate automation decisions – A tool for cost-benefit assessments as a basis for decision-making

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (03) ◽  
pp. 134-139
Author(s):  
P. Burggräf ◽  
J. Wagner ◽  
M. Dannapfel ◽  
K. Müller ◽  
B. Koke
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Cost And Benefit ◽  
Benefit Evaluation ◽  
Level Of Automation

Der wachsende Bedarf an Wandlungsfähigkeit führt zu einer höheren Frequenz in der Umplanung von Montagesystemen und erfordert eine kontinuierliche Überprüfung und Anpassung des Automatisierungsgrades. Um auch die komplexen Umgebungsbedingungen abzubilden, sollen nicht-monetäre Faktoren in den Entscheidungsprozess eingebunden werden. Um die Entscheidung zu unterstützen, stellt dieser Beitrag ein Tool zur Identifizierung und Bewertung von Automatisierungsszenarien mittels einer Nutzwert-Aufwand-Analyse vor.   The increasing need for adaptability in assembly leads to a higher planning frequency of the system and requires continuous checks and adaptations of the appropriate level of automation. To account for the complex environmental conditions, non-monetary factors are included in the decision-making process. This paper presents a decision support tool to identify and evaluate automation scenarios by means of cost and benefit evaluation.

A decision-support tool to assist muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients choosing between radical cystectomy and chemoradiotherapy.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 505-505
Author(s):  
Brian Christopher Baumann ◽  
Wei-Ting Hwang ◽  
Sharadha Srinivasan ◽  
Xingmei Wang ◽  
Ronac Mamtani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Muscle Invasive ◽  
Break Even Point

505 Background: Patients with high-risk muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are borderline medically operable for radical cystectomy (RC) face a difficult decision between RC which has higher short-term treatment-related morbidity/mortality & chemoradiotherapy (CRT) which is better tolerated in the short-term but may have worse long-term cancer control outcomes. There are no existing decision support tools to assist patients & providers in understanding these trade-offs. Herein, we developed a visualization tool to inform patients & providers how the relative risks & benefits of RC & CRT vary over time with respect to overall survival (OS). Methods: We identified cT2-3 N0 M0 urothelial bladder cancer patients ≥65 y/o treated with RC +/- chemo (n = 5981) or definitive-dose CRT after TURBT (n = 793) in the National Cancer Database, 2003-2011. The database was split into a development & validation cohort. Multivariate Cox regression with time-varying hazard ratio was performed to assess pre-treatment factors associated with OS. The inverse probability of treatment weighting method using the propensity score was employed to reduce selection bias. External validation was performed. Visualization tool showing adjusted survival curves based on pre-op patient features was generated with input from patients & a multidisciplinary expert panel. Tool calculates median OS & the “break-even point,” where the short-term OS disadvantage of RC equals the long-term advantage of RC (i.e. the point where the restricted mean survival for RC & CRT are equal). Results: On MVA, significant predictors of OS were age, Charlson Deyo comorbidity index, & cT stage (p < 0.001 for all). Using these results, we iteratively developed a web application that utilizes clinical inputs to generate patient-specific survival curves that display estimated OS differences over time. Median OS, the break-even point, & percent alive at the break-even point are provided. Conclusions: This is the first decision-support tool developed to assist high-risk borderline operable MIBC patients & their providers in understanding the short-term & long-term trade-offs between RC & CRT. Additional testing is underway.

scholarly journals Development of Decision Support Tool for Evaluation of Urban Water System Metabolism Efficiency

10.29007/r6xs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Nikolic ◽  
Darko Joksimovic
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Sustainable Solutions

The revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront presents the largest urban redevelopment project currently underway in North America. With respect to planning the waterfront’s urban water systems (UWS), a number of studies considered a range of criteria in search for sustainable alternatives. However, a comprehensive assessment of the integrated source-drinking-wastewater-stormwater systems over their life cycles has not been developed. According to the main postulates of the integrated approach, hybrid water systems can offer potentially more sustainable solutions than traditional centralized systems. This paper discusses the development process of a decision support tool designed to facilitate evaluation of alternatives based on UWS metabolism concept while addressing some typical challenges of hydroinformatics. This decision-making support tool analyses and compares the sustainability performance of alternative decentralized solutions against a baseline conventional approach on a neighbourhood level. The tool uses a set of criteria, adopted by the large group of stakeholders involved in the development process, that are not typically considered in the decision-making process, such as energy savings, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate change resiliency, chemical use, and nutrient recovery.

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