Assessing consumers’ motivations for purchasing remanufactured products

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 2221-2240
Author(s):  
Qinghua Gan ◽  
Shumei Chen

Purpose Environmental crises and resource shortage have been matters of concern worldwide particularly, as the beginning of the twenty-first century. Remanufacturing can be one of the best approaches to promoting the development of circular economy and realizing the efficient use of resources. However, research studies indicate that the general public still remains unaware of the merits of remanufactured products. Hence, investigating main motivations of consumers to purchase remanufactured products is certainly worth exploring. The purpose of this paper is to find out consumers’ key motivations to purchase remanufactured products. A new multi-attributes decision-making method based on prospect theory (PT) is conducted. Design/methodology/approach Firstly, according to the prior literature, 12 main factors that influence consumers to purchase a remanufactured product are selected. Then, the single valued triangular neutrosophic numbers and triangular neutrosophic weighted geometric averaging operator are applied to rank them. Secondly, a multi-attribute decision-making method with PT is used to evaluate the utilities of new and remanufactured products, respectively. Based on the utilities, consumers’ preferred choice between the new and remanufactured products can be elicited. Findings The proposed method has been applied to a real survey. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is not only capable of recognizing the consumers’ key motivations for purchasing a remanufactured product but also able to deal with the ranking of the new and remanufactured products. Originality/value The contributions of this paper are threefold. Firstly, this paper attempts to explore the main motivations that encourage consumers to purchase a remanufactured product, instead of a new one. Secondly, the proposed method is established based on PT, taking consumers’ psychological behavior into consideration, which can obtain a relatively reasonable result. Thirdly, it can enrich the remanufacturing literature, serving as a guideline for consumers when purchasing a remanufactured product. In addition, this paper can help the remanufacturers make pricing and production decisions where necessary.

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-356
Author(s):  
Robert Donmoyer

PurposeThis paper has a twofold purpose: (1) to demonstrate, largely with historical evidence, that, contrary to what some have argued, thinking about educational research articulated at the start of the twenty-first century was not really “new wine in new bottles” but, rather, a continuation of the so-called paradigm wars about, ultimately, unresolvable methodological and epistemological issues that occurred during the twentieth century; (2) to suggest a way members of the educational administration field might transcend, or at least circumvent, time-consuming and distracting battles about unresolvable methodological and epistemological issues in the future while keeping their focus on issues of practice.Design/methodology/approachThis is a quasi-historical essay that uses influential literature during the historical periods focused on as evidence to support the essay's arguments.FindingsThe paper demonstrates that twentieth century philosophical disagreements about research methods and the role that educational research can play in policy and practice decision making were not resolved but, rather, were largely reenacted during the first decade of the twenty-first century, again without a resolution. The paper proposes a way that administrators, policymakers and researchers can manage this situation and still use research to make policy and practice decisions.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests a new role for both school administrators and policymakers to play. If administrators/policymakers play this role successfully, all types of research can inform decision making about policy and practice, and researchers can concentrate on doing their research rather than engaging in unresolvable philosophical disputes.Originality/valueAlthough a great deal has been written about the twentieth century's theory movement and paradigm wars and the twenty-first century's so-called science wars, the link between these phenomena has not been discussed in the literature. In addition, there have been few attempts to articulate an operational strategy for managing unresolvable philosophical disputes about research methods and the role that research can play in decision making. This paper tackles both matters.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Li ◽  
Shanli Zhu ◽  
San-dang Guo

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose the grey target decision method based on three-parameter interval grey number for dealing with multi-attribute decision-making problems under uncertain environment. Design/methodology/approach – First, the kernel and ranking method of three-parameter interval grey number are defined, which is the basis of determining the positive and negative bull’s-eye. Next, a new distance measure of three-parameter interval grey number is defined in view of the importance of the “center of gravity” point. Furthermore, a new comprehensive bull’s-eye distance is proposed based on the kernel which integrates the distance between different attributes to the positive and negative bull’s-eye. Then attribute weights are obtained by comprehensive bull’s-eye distance minimum and grey entropy maximization. Findings – The paper provides a grey target decision method based on three-parameter interval grey number and example analysis shows that the method proposed in this paper is more reasonable and effective. Research limitations/implications – If we have a better understanding of the distribution characteristics of three-parameter interval grey number, it is possible to have a more reasonable measure of the distance of three-parameter interval grey number. Practical implications – The paper provides a grey target decision method, which can help decision maker deal with multi-attribute decision-making problems under uncertain environment. Originality/value – This paper proposed the kernel and ranking method of three-parameter interval grey number, and defined a new distance measure of three-parameter interval grey number and proposed a new comprehensive bull’s-eye distance, Furthermore, this paper structured a grey target decision method based on three-parameter interval grey number.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Li ◽  
Dongxing Zhang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a dynamic multi-attribute decision-making method based on the prospect theory for dealing with the dynamic multi-attribute decision-making problem with three-parameter interval grey number. Design/methodology/approach First, the kernel and comparison rule of three-parameter interval grey numbers are defined, which are the basis of collecting and sorting grey numbers. Next, the prospect value function is determined in view of the decision-making information with different time points as the reference points. Then, an optimal model for solving the attribute weight and time weight is constructed based on the grey entropy principle. Findings The paper provides a dynamic grey interrelation decision method based on the prospect theory with three-parameter interval grey number, and the example analysis shows that the method proposed in this paper has validity and rationality. Research limitations/implications If we have a better understanding of the weights of different reference points, it is possible to receive a more reasonable expression for the comprehensive prospect utility value function. Practical implications The paper provides a grey interrelation decision method based on the prospect theory, which can help the decision maker deal with the dynamic multi-attribute decision-making problems under the uncertain environment. Originality/value The paper proposes the kernel and ranking method of three-parameter interval grey number, and uses different time points as the reference points to define the prospect value function. Furthermore, this paper structures a dynamic grey interrelation decision method with three-parameter interval grey number based on the prospect theory.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Qiyas ◽  
Saleem Abdullah ◽  
Muhammad Naeem

PurposeThe aim of this research is to establish a new type of aggregation operator based on Hamacher operational law of spherical uncertain linguistic numbers (SULNs).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the authors define spherical uncertain linguistic sets and develop some operational laws of SULNs. Furthermore, the authors extended these operational laws to the aggregation operator and developed spherical uncertain linguistic Hamacher averaging and geometric aggregation operators.FindingsThe authors were limited in achieving a consistent opinion on the fusion in group decision-making problem with the SULN information.Originality/valueIn order to give an application of the introduced operators, the authors first constrict a system of multi-attribute decision-making algorithm.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingsheng LI ◽  
Ni Zhao

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to deal with interval grey-stochastic multi-attribute decision-making problems. It proposes a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both grey numbers. Design/methodology/approach – In the prospect theory the results values and probability weight are used while the utility and probability values in the expected utility theory, which the more realistically reflect and describe the decision makers on the optimal process. VIKOR method makes the decision acceptable superiority and decision process stability. At the same time, a new interval grey number entropy is put forward, which is used to calculate the index weight of unknown. Findings – The paper provides a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both grey numbers. And the validity and feasibility of the method are illustrated by an example. Research limitations/implications – Although VIKOR is much closer to PIS than TOPSIS, at the same time VIKOR method can get the compromise solution with priority, researchers are encouraged to carry on comparative study further. Practical implications – The paper includes interval grey-stochastic multi-attribute decision-making method and implications. The validity and feasibility of the method are illustrated by a case. Originality/value – This paper proposes a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both interval grey numbers. At the same time, a new interval grey number entropy is put forward, which is used to calculate the index weight of unknown.


Kybernetes ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 1064-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naiming Xie ◽  
Jianghui Xin

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study a novel grey possibility degree approach, which is combined with multi-attribute decision making (MADM) and applied MADM model for solving supplier selection problem under uncertainty information. Design/methodology/approach – The supplier selection problem is a typical MADM problem, in which information of a series of indexes should be aggregated. However, it is relatively easy for decision makers to define information in uncertainty, sometimes as a grey number, rather than a precise number. By transforming linguistic scale of rating supplier selection attributes into interval grey numbers, a novel grey MADM method is developed. Steps of proposed model were provided, and a novel grey possibility degree approach was proposed. Finally, a numerical example of supplier selection is utilized to demonstrate the proposed approach. Findings – The results show that the proposed approach could solve the uncertainty decision-making problem. A numerical example of supplier selection is utilized to demonstrate the proposed approach. The results show that the proposed method is useful to aggregate decision makers’ information so as to select the potential supplier. Practical implications – The approach constructed in the paper can be used to solving uncertainty decision-making problems that the certain value of the decision information could not collect while the interval value set could be defined. Obviously it can be utilized for other MADM problem. Originality/value – The paper succeeded in redefining interval grey number, constructing a novel interval grey number based MADM approach and providing the solution of the proposed approach. It is very useful to solving system forecasting problem and it contributed undoubtedly to improve grey decision-making models.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Qian ◽  
Sifeng Liu ◽  
Zhigeng Fang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advance a new grey risky multi-attribute decision-making (RMADM) method from the perspective of regret aversion, which is based on the general grey numbers (GGNs) taking the form of kernel and degree of greyness. Design/methodology/approach First, the normalised grey decision-making matrix is obtained on the basis of kernel and greyness degree of GGNs. Then the regret theory is integrated into the decision-making process by constructing the grey perceived utility function based on GGNs. Finally, the method of evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) is applied to handle with the ranking problem because of its efficiency, stability as well as simplicity. Findings GGNs have more powerful capacity in expressing uncertainty than interval grey numbers, so the method can solve a larger number of RMADM problems in uncertain and imprecise environments. Meanwhile, the method fully considers the psychological behaviour of the decision makers, which is more applicable to the real world. It is the supplement and perfection of the existing RMADM methods. Originality/value The RMADM problem, the grey regret-rejoice function and the EDAS method are all introduced for the first time with GGNs in the form of kernel and degree of greyness. At the same time, the EDAS method is also the first time to be used in combination with the grey RMADM method based on the regret theory.


Kybernetes ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1213-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Mahmoudi ◽  
Soheil Sadi-Nezhad ◽  
Ahmad Makui ◽  
Mohammad Reza Vakili

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the PROMETHEE method under typical hesitant fuzzy information for solving multi-attribute decision-making problem in which there is hesitancy among experts. Design/methodology/approach Different aggregation and distance functions were developed to deal with HFS. But it is rational that different operators applying in existing methods can produce different results. Also, it is difficult for decision makers to select suitable operators. To address the drawback, this paper develops the PROMETHEE method as an outranking approach to accommodate hesitant fuzzy information. Since the proposed method is constructed on the basis of the pair-wise comparisons, it is independent of the aggregation and distance functions. Findings To demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method, the authors provide a numerical example and a comparative analysis. The results indicate that outranking-based methods suggest a better ranking than the aggregation- and distance-based methods. Research limitations/implications The proposed approach does not consider the hesitant fuzzy linguistic information decision-making problem. Practical implications The proposed approach can be applied in many group decision-making problems in which there is hesitancy among experts. Originality/value This paper proposes an extension on PROMETHEE method under hesitant fuzzy information, which has not been reported in the existing academic literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 2305-2325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Carlucci ◽  
Paolo Renna ◽  
Sergio Materi ◽  
Giovanni Schiuma

PurposeThis paper proposes a model based on minority game (MG) theory to support the decision-making regarding the efficient allocation and exploitation of resources/services among the partners of a cloud manufacturing (CMfg) system. CMfg system is a new manufacturing paradigm to share manufacturing capabilities and resources on a cloud platform. The use of a decision model to organize and manage the resources and services provided by the autonomous participants of a CMfg has crucial relevance for the system's effectiveness and efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThis research proposes a noncooperation model based on MG theory. The MG is designed to make decisions on the use of resources/services among the partners of CMfg with private information. A simulation environment was developed to test the efficiency of the proposed decision model. Moreover, an ideal decision model with complete information among the partners was used as a benchmark model.FindingsThe simulation results show how the application of the proposed MG model outperforms the MG model usually proposed in the literature. In particular, the proposed decision model based on private information has an efficiency closer to the ideal model with complete information among the partners of a CMfg.Originality/valueThis paper advances knowledge about the application of MG in the field of CMfg system. The proposed decision-making model based on MG is a promising approach to help enterprises, and especially small and medium enterprises, to participate in CMfg initiatives and to develop their business.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 648-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupinder Singh ◽  
Jasminder Singh Dureja ◽  
Manu Dogra ◽  
Jugraj Singh Randhawa

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the application of multi-attribute decision-making methods (MADMs) to ascertain the optimal machining parameters while turning Ti-6Al-4V alloy under minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) conditions using Jatropha-curcas oil (JCO) bio-based lubricant. Design/methodology/approach The experiments were designed and performed using Taguchi L27 design of experiments methodology. A total of 27 experiments were performed under MQL conditions using textured carbide cutting tools on which different MADMs like Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and Simple additive weighting (SAW) were implemented in an empirical manner to extract optimize machining parameters for turning of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under set of constrained conditions. Findings The results evaluated through MADMs exhibit the optimized set of machining parameters (cutting speed Vc = 80 m/min, feed rate f = 0.05 mm/rev. and depth of cut ap = 0.10 mm) for minimizing the average surface roughness (Ra), maximum flank wear (Vbmax), tangential cutting force (Fc) and cutting temperature (T). Further, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and traditional desirability function approach was applied and results of TOPSIS and SAW methods having optimal setting of parameters were compared as well as confirmation experiments were conducted to verify the results. A SEM analysis at lowest and highest cutting speeds was performed to investigate the tool wear patterns. At the highest speed, large cutting temperature generated, thereby resulted in chipping as well as notching and fracturing of the textured insert. Originality/value The research paper attempted in exploring the optimized machining parameters during turning of difficult-to-cut titanium alloy (Ti-6AL-4V) with textured carbide cutting tool under MQL environment through combined approach of MADMs techniques. Ti-6Al-4V alloy has been extensively used in important aerospace components like fuselage, hydraulic tubing, bulk head, wing spar, landing gear, as well as bio-medical applications.


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