An integrated fuzzy SWARA and fuzzy AD approach for outsourcing provider selection

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 531-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selçuk Perçin
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Ratio Analysis ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Chemical Company ◽  
Order Preference ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Unlike previous literature, this study offers a novel integrated fuzzy approach to the field of outsourcing decisions. The purpose of this paper is to use design ranges of evaluation criteria that satisfy the functional requirements (FRs) of decision makers to solve the outsourcing provider selection problem. Design/methodology/approach In this study, considering the expected significance of outsourcing evaluation criteria, and the FRs of decision makers expressed in linguistic terms, a robust multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool based on the integrated use of fuzzy Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis and weighted fuzzy axiomatic design methods is proposed for use in decision process. Findings The proposed method is applied to a Turkish chemical company. A sensitivity analysis is performed and the outcomes of the proposed integrated framework are compared with those of other MCDM methods such as fuzzy-based Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution, fuzzy Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje and fuzzy Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis. This validates the usefulness and practicality of the proposed methodology. Practical implications The main contribution of this study is that it defines specific requirements that will assist company managers in eliminating alternatives that do not satisfy the needs and expectations of their company. Originality/value This paper compares the present study with other studies in the field of manufacturing. Additionally, it provides a well-documented case study, which makes the paper of value to researchers interested in the practical applications of MCDM methods.

Size does matter – span of control in hospitals

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Holm-Petersen ◽  
Sussanne Østergaard ◽  
Per Bo Noergaard Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Leadership Capacity ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Span Of Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Frontline Leaders ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Centralization, mergers and cost reductions have generally led to increasing levels of span of control (SOC), and thus potentially to lower leadership capacity. The purpose of this paper is to explore how a large SOC impacts hospital staff and their leaders. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a qualitative explorative case study of three large inpatient wards. Findings The study finds that the nursing staff and their frontline leaders experience challenges in regard to visibility and role of the leader, e.g., in creating overview, coordination, setting-up clear goals, following up and being in touch. However, large wards also provide flexibility and development possibilities. Practical implications The authors discuss the implications of these findings for decision makers in deciding future SOC and for future SOC research. Originality/value Only few studies have qualitatively explored the consequences of large SOC in hospitals.

How “The Three Rules” guide strategy and investment decisions at Deloitte Consulting LLP

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Moffatt
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Case ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Thought Leadership

Purpose – This case example looks at how Deloitte Consulting applies the Three Rules synthesized by Michael Raynor and Mumtaz Ahmed based on their large-scale research project that identified patterns in the way exceptional companies think. Design/methodology/approach – The Three Rules concept is a key piece of Deloitte Consulting’s thought leadership program. So how are the three rules helping the organization perform? Now that research has shown how exceptional companies think, CEO Jim Moffatt could address the question, “Does Deloitte think like an exceptional company?” Findings – Deloitte has had success with an approach that promotes a bias towards non-price value over price and revenue over costs. Practical implications – It’s critical that all decision makers in an organization understand how decisions that are consistent with the three rules have contributed to past success as well as how they can apply the rules to difficult challenges they face today. Originality/value – This is the first case study written from a CEO’s perspective that looks at how the Three Rules approach of Michael Raynor and Mumtaz Ahmed can foster a firm’s growth and exceptional performance.

Supplier selection using SWARA and WASPAS – a case study of Indian cement industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Kumar Singh ◽  
Sachin Modgil
Keyword(s):  
Supplier Selection ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Supplier Management ◽  
Cement Industry ◽  
Ratio Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Assessment ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate and prioritize the key supplier selection indicators and to establish the relationship between available alternatives and selected indicators by using step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) and weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS). Design/methodology/approach Authors have extracted the supplier selection criteria from literature and used a combined SWARA-WASPAS method to evaluate and rank the criteria’s. SWARA is applied for evaluating and weighting selection criteria, whereas WASPAS helped in evaluating different available alternatives based on supplier selection indicators. Findings Finding from SWARA suggests that supplier management is the high weighted criteria followed by information sharing and joint actions. WASPAS was used to evaluate the available alternatives and supplier A1 got the highest priority. Additionally, sensitivity analysis indicates the different scenarios for the best supplier selection. Practical implications Working executives can use the SWARA for assessment of weights of finalized indicators for their firm in the cement industry. Further, the calculated weights can be used for product and sum weightage through WASPAS to finalize the best supplier. Originality/value The originality of the manuscript lies in the sector and methodology. Author(s) applied the SWARA and WASPAS method for supplier selection in the Indian cement industry that will help working executives to evaluate their supply chain partners.

Industrial customers’ organizational readiness for new advanced services

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1073-1096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eija Vaittinen ◽  
Miia Martinsuo
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Adoption ◽  
Complex Products ◽  
Organization Level ◽  
Service Readiness ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Manufacturing firms delivering complex products and systems are increasingly offering advanced data-based services. Customers, however, are not always willing to adopt manufacturers’ advanced services, so manufacturers need knowledge of how to promote customers’ service readiness. The purpose of this paper is to further develop the concept of service readiness by proposing a framework for industrial customers’ organizational dimension of service readiness and by increasing the understanding of the conditions underpinning that service readiness. Design/methodology/approach This case study explores service readiness among customers of a manufacturer delivering complex systems and related services. Interviews were conducted within the company and among key customers as the potential users of those services. Findings Customers use versatile processes, engage multiple people and use different evaluation criteria when considering adoption of data-based services. The organizational component of service readiness involves requirements in the service context, supplier relations and organizational habits and culture. Actions are proposed for manufacturers to promote customers’ readiness for new services. Research limitations/implications The research is limited through its qualitative design and case selection. Mapping of the organizational dimension of service readiness further develops the concept of service readiness and offers a framework for further research. This research offers novel understanding of organization-level service adoption to complement individual-centric technology adoption. Practical implications New knowledge is offered to manufacturing firms about customers’ challenges and requirements in adopting advanced services. This knowledge will help manufacturers to support customers and develop the activities of their own salespeople when introducing advanced services. Originality/value The findings expose the contents of the organizational dimension of customers’ service readiness. The study provides a more complete picture of service readiness and shows it to be a multilayered concept with interdependencies between its levels, between individuals in customer organizations and even between the manufacturer and the customer organization.

scholarly journals Child trafficking crime and means of fighting it: Egypt as a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzi Mohamed Rashad
Keyword(s):  
Social Economic ◽  
Research Paper ◽  
The State ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Child Trafficking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Egyptian Government ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore the factors leading to the phenomenon of child trafficking in Egypt, how deeply it runs through the Egyptian society and evaluate the state’s efforts to combat it. Design/methodology/approach This research paper uses a case study method applied to the phenomenon of child trafficking in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and how the State is fighting it. The general policy approach is also used to clarify the State’s plans, programs and legislation in addressing the phenomenon of child trafficking, evaluate those policies and analyze the international documents. Findings The research paper concluded that child trafficking in Egypt represents a serious phenomenon, which stems from social, economic and cultural reasons. Even though the Egyptian Government exerts relentless efforts to fight this crime, all attempts have proven insufficient due to the lack of coordination between the concerned parties and low funds, in addition to the feeble services offered to the victims. Practical implications This study sheds light on a very perilous phenomenon in the Egyptian society; an international one with intricate magnitudes, upon which the State must concentrate more and eradicate it. Originality/value The study contributes to drawing the attention of decision makers in Egypt to the dangers of this phenomenon, and to the points of strength and weaknesses of the government’s efforts against it.

Financial regulation, collective cognition, and nation state crisis management

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Patrick Forbes ◽  
Sheila O Donohoe ◽  
Jörg Prokop
Keyword(s):  
Financial Markets ◽  
Crisis Management ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
National Study ◽  
Bank Failures ◽  
Credit Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this cross-national study is to evaluate the communality and differences in experiences and policy responses in the run up to the 2007-2009 credit crisis and during its critical early stages in Germany, Ireland and the UK. The importance of shared cognitive illusions regarding the power and stability of financial markets is emphasised. Design/methodology/approach – A multiple case study approach is used which draws on publicly available information to trace developments leading up to bank failures (or near failures) and the evolution of government responses drawing upon alternative paradigms used to justify State intervention. Findings – Findings emphasise the role of state regulatory bodies and their response to the crisis as a primary source of the “rules of the game” in financial markets, here it is the “game of bank bargains” and a potential source of repair. Given the degree of interconnectedness, opacity and complexity of financial markets investors/politicians/regulators will fall victim to cognitive biases which affect their decisions. Research limitations/implications – This case study method allows identification of patterns in decision-makers’ behaviour and yields richer insights than a quantitative approach but is limited in its generalisability. Practical implications – This paper offers practical implications in suggesting that a pivotal step in effective crisis management requires directly addressing sources of uncertainty, namely, time pressure, complexity and opacity of underlying cause–effect relationships, empowering decision-makers to act responsibly. Originality/value – This paper is novel in its illustration of the collective cognitive paradigm for justifying regulatory action across three countries using six case studies.

Geometric tolerance analysis through Jacobian model for rigid assemblies with translational deviations

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilma Polini ◽  
Andrea Corrado
Keyword(s):  
Tolerance Analysis ◽  
Geometric Error ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Geometric Tolerances ◽  
Mechanical Assemblies ◽  
Geometric Deviations ◽  
2D And 3D ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to carry out a tolerance analysis with geometric tolerances by means of the Jacobian model. Tolerance analysis is an important task to design and to manufacture high-precision mechanical assemblies; it has received considerable attention by the literature. The Jacobian model is one of the methods proposed by the literature for tolerance analysis. The Jacobian model cannot deal with geometric tolerances for mechanical assemblies. The geometric tolerances may not be neglected for assemblies, as they significantly influence their functional requirements. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents how it is possible to deal with geometric tolerances when a tolerance analysis is carried out by means of a Jacobian model for a 2D and 3D assemblies for which the geometric tolerances applied to the components involve only translational deviations. The three proposed approaches modify the expression of the stack-up function to overcome the shortage of Jacobian model that the geometric error cannot be processed. Findings – The proposed approach has been applied to a case study. The results of the case study show how, when a statistical approach is implemented, the Jacobian model with the three developed methods gives results very similar to those due to other models of the literature, such as vector loop and variational. Research limitations/implications – In particular, the proposed approach may be applied only when the applied geometrical tolerances involve translational variations in 3D assemblies. Practical implications – Tolerance analysis is a valid tool to foresee geometric interferences among the components of an assembly before getting the physical assembly. It involves a decrease of the manufacturing costs. Originality/value – The original contribution of the paper is due to three methods to make a Jacobian model able to consider form and geometric deviations.

scholarly journals Leveraging procurement-related knowledge through a fuzzy-based DSS: a refinement of purchasing portfolio models

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1077-1104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Aloini ◽  
Riccardo Dulmin ◽  
Valeria Mininno ◽  
Pierluigi Zerbino
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Group Decision ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Multinational Company ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Decision Logic ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to model a decision support system (DSS) that could overcome the oversimplified, subjective, compensatory decision logic of extant purchasing portfolio models (PPMs) by leveraging the firms’ procurement-related knowledge base. Design/methodology/approach The DSS was developed through a fuzzy-based approach, whose design and application were framed within a case study in a multinational company. Findings The application of the fuzzy-based DSS to a product class suggests investing in the relationship with two specific suppliers and to loosen the relationship with a third one. Research limitations/implications Exploiting the fuzzy set theory and fostering the elicitation of procurement-related knowledge from the decision-makers, the DSS effectively tackles the concerns about the existing PPMs by including strategic-oriented priorities and contextual constraints in the evaluation. Practical implications The recommendations in output from the DSS are feasible, more analytical and easy to interpret, enabling knowledge sharing, group decision processes and better decision-making. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this manuscript is the first attempt to effectively integrate traditional PPMs with contextual, strategy-related factors to refine the purchasing directions and make them objective.

Metachoice for benchmarking: a case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Laise ◽  
Laura Marraro ◽  
Gianpaolo Iazzolino
Keyword(s):  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Multicriteria Analysis ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Benchmark Analysis ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – In a previous paper the authors emphasized the advantages of multicriteria methodologies to evaluate business performance. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the metachoice problem that always arises in a benchmark multicriteria analysis that can be synthesized as follows: “how to choose an algorithm to choose?” Design/methodology/approach – In order to perform a benchmark analysis, a set of criteria must be chosen. In the Balanced Scorecard approach, for example, key performance indicators (KPIs) are grouped in four different perspectives: financial, customer, internal processes and learning and growth. In this paper, the authors focus on multicriteria benchmark analysis applied to KPIs of the financial perspective. The paper considers a set of criteria used in financial statement analysis based on balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. A case study is described. Findings – The main findings of the paper are when the evaluation of a firm is based on different genuine criteria, a metachoice problem arises: multicriteria ranking algorithms cannot be selected using a multicriteria algorithm; the choice of an algorithm ultimately depends on the subjective preference of the policy maker; and the authors metachoice solution to the benchmarking problem is in accordance with Simon’s satisfacing solution, describing a non-maximizing performance measurement methodology. Practical implications – The paper provides several practical implications in all cases in which a ranking has to be assigned to a group of firms based on financial performances. More in general the problem is very relevant when a ranking has to be carried out with respect to a set of projects, a set of strategies, a set of organizational units, etc. Originality/value – The adoption of a set of criteria is certainly an advantage to avoid uni-criterial myopic evaluation. However, this also creates some methodological problems. The paper demonstrates the “relativity” (subjectivity) of results of the evaluation process when there are many evaluation criteria, as in a benchmark context. This is a metachoice problem that cannot be solved by using another multicriteria algorithm.

Servitization as reinforcement, not transformation

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 662-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Salonen ◽  
Onur Saglam ◽  
Fredrik Hacklin
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Basic Product ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Empirical Basis ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain why product-centric manufacturers utilize advanced services not as vehicles of transformation, but of reinforcement, to strengthen their established business model logic based on selling products and basic product-related services. Design/methodology/approach The empirical basis of this study relies on an in-depth case study of a globally operating manufacturer of industrial pumps and related services. The data includes 31 interviews conducted over several years of in-depth collaboration with the studied firm. Findings Product-centric manufacturers utilize advanced services as engagement platforms to facilitate the external and internal engagement of the actors and the resources controlled by them. Externally, advanced services facilitate access to customer decision makers and insights into their latent needs. Internally, advanced services help the manufacturer to more effectively leverage resources that reside within its different organizational units. Ultimately, in leveraging advanced services as engagement platforms, the manufacturer seeks to boost activities with the greatest immediate impact on its market performance: the sale of products and basic product-related services. Practical implications The study explains why managers should invest into development of advanced services even if such services contribute only marginally to the manufacturer’s direct revenues and profits. Originality/value This study contributes to development of an alternative explanation of servitization that departs from the current paradigmatic assumptions in the field.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document