Metaheuristic Algorithms Based on Compromise Programming for Multi-Objective Urban Shipment Problem

The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) and its variants are found in many fields, especially logistics. In this study, we introduced an adaptive method to a complex VRP. It combines multi-objective optimization and several forms of VRPs with practical requirements for an urban shipment system. The optimizer needs to consider terrain and traffic conditions. The proposed model also considers customers' expectations, shipper considerations as goals, and the common goal like transportation cost. We offered compromise programming to approach the multi-objective problem by decomposing the original multi-objective problem into a minimized distance-based problem. We designed a hybrid version of the Genetic algorithm with the Local Search algorithm to solve the proposed problem. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm with the Tabu Search algorithm, the original Genetic algorithm on the tested dataset. The results show that our method is an effective decision-making tool for the multi-objective VRP and an effective solver for the new variation of VRP.

The Retail Industry’s Impact of Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Augmented-Reality Applications: An examination of trust and satisfaction of the Youth Vietnamese online shopping

As competition in the retail industry heats up, businesses are increasingly resorting to kinds of artificial intelligence (AI) to differentiate themselves. E-commerce firms are combining technologies such as AI chatbots and augmented reality applications (ARA), which have established themselves as prominent customer service solutions in the practitioner area. However, little is known about consumers’ views and participation with developing technologies when they are implemented in a retail setting. A theory-based study model was developed to elucidate the motivational factors required for effective decision-making in this environment. The proposed model was supported by empirical testing conducted as a field study.

Review of studies of blockchain technology effects on the shipping industry

Decision-making is a prolific research area in the internet era, which has propelled globalization and the virtual elimination of many country border barriers. However, effective decision-making in the shipping industry is a time consuming and often complicated process. Digital evolution has provided new innovative organizational operation methods. Blockchain technology—a basic component of the Fourth Industrial Revolution—is one such innovation that promises to alter the process of decision-making. However, only a few academic studies have explored the decision-making aspect of blockchain technology. Moreover, there is a dearth of comprehensive research on how blockchain affects decisions in the shipping industry. This study explored how this novice technology can address issues, such as vast documentation and information asymmetry in the shipping industry. Specifically, grounded theory was used to qualitatively investigate extant practices and examine the potential impact of blockchain technology on decision-making in the shipping industry and the potential of using blockchain technology to emancipate decision-making. The study results indicate that the instant and reliable data-sharing capability of blockchain can significantly impact the shipping industry, while transforming its decision-making processes.

SARS-CoV-2, alcohol consumption, poor social behaviour, and the COVID-19 pandemic

Studies dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease have concentrated on the study of the virus and the disease themselves, but a knowledge of the causes responsible for the pandemic is still lacking. Crucial for effective decision making and control of the pandemic is a thorough and critical analysis of data regarding COVID-19, which shows an intimate relation between the number of cases/deaths and the consumption of alcohol. Ranked top 30 countries in COVID-19 cases/deaths and alcohol consumption coincide, with only a few exceptions. This coincidence is not fortuitous nor surprising, because excessive alcohol consumption is known to have pernicious effects on social behaviour, i.e. lead to deviant and irresponsible behaviour, which greatly promotes transmission

Application and Recent Trends in Implementation of Internet of Things: A comprehensive review

Internet of Things (IoT) is an evolving technology in the current era with a combination of diverse computational technologies, objects, animals and human. The objects in the IoT framework transmit data among themselves and they are assigned with unique numbers for identification. The communication among the network is established by identification system and functions without any centralized system. Advancement in the sensor network has made automation in numerous field and integration of soft computing technology in the IoT system has made effective decision making. The objects resides in the IoT system acts intelligent and perform the actions intelligently. The IoT based technology enhances daily life of humans via connected devices and makes living things context-aware. The information collected from sensors will be processed with the computational algorithms and effective predictions are accomplished. In this article, recent applications and soft computing algorithms are reviewed. In addition to that numerous applications based on IoT is also discussed in this article.

Analysis of Principals’ Decision-Making: A Literature Study

This research was conducted to analyze the decision making by the principal. The analysis is carried out on the stages of decision making, influencing variables and factors, so that decision making is better. Effective decision making will make the school able to realize its vision and goals. This research uses the literature study method. The main source of research data is articles on school principals' decision-making obtained from Google Scholar. The technique of data collection is done by the method of documentation. The results showed that the principal has carried out the decision-making process by following six decision-making steps: problem identification, gathering information, developing alternative solutions, choosing the best alternative, implementing alternatives, and evaluating decisions. There are five variables that influence decision making by the principal. The five variables are self-efficacy, administration knowledge, management information system, emotional quotient and personality. Decision-making by the principal will be more effective by involving teachers and education staff.

Ecological well-being performance and influencing factors in China: from the perspective of income inequality

PurposeChina's increasing income inequality might cause a series of problems, such as the slowdown of economic growth, social and economic tension, the decline of the ecological environment quality and the threat to citizens' health. Consequently, income inequality will inevitably affect the ecological well-being performance (EWP) level of China's provinces through the above aspects. Analyzing the impact of income inequality on EWP and its spatial spillover effects are conducive to improving the level of EWP in China. Therefore, the research purpose of this paper is to use China's provincial data from 2001 to 2017 to analyze the impact of income inequality on EWP and the spatial spillover effect based on the evaluation of the EWP value of each province.Design/methodology/approachAt first, this study utilizes the super efficiency slacks-based measure model (Super-SBM model) to calculate the EWP values of 30 provinces in China, which can evaluate and rank the effective decision units in the SBM model and make up for the defect that the effective decision units cannot be distinguished. Then this study applies the spatial Durbin model and Tobit regression model (SDM-Tobit model) to explore the impact of income inequality and other influencing factors on EWP and the spatial spillover effects in adjacent areas.FindingsFirstly, the average EWP in China fluctuated slightly and showed a downward trend from 2001 to 2017. In addition, the EWP values of the provinces in the western region are usually weaker than those in the eastern and central regions. Moreover, income inequality is negatively correlated with EWP, and the EWP has a spatial spillover effect, which means the EWP level in a region is affected by EWP values in the adjacent regions. Furthermore, the industrial structure and urbanization level are both negatively related to EWP, while technology level, investment openness, trade openness and education level are positively related to EWP.Originality/valueCompared with the existing research, the possible contribution of this research is that it takes income inequality as one of the important influencing factors of EWP and adopts the SDM-Tobit model to analyze the impact mechanism of income inequality on EWP from the perspective of time and space, providing new ideas for improving the EWP of various provinces in China.

Quantifying spatial associations between effective green spaces and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by applying volunteered geo-referenced data

Among the top public health risks, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases cause more than 1 million deaths annually globally. Urban green spaces are considered have close associations with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, ignoring the spatial heterogeneity of different urban green space types and considering only the configuration or compositions of urban green spaces has resulted in inconsistent and contradictory conclusions. Therefore, by introducing Tencent urban density data, four effective green spaces (EGSs) were categorized. Category 1 EGSs, which exhibit a high increasing of visitors and areas, accounted for the smallest areal percentage (0.81%). Category 2 EGSs, which exhibit a low increasing of visiting and high increasing of areas, accounted for the highest areal percentage (42.51%). Category 3 EGSs, which exhibit a high increasing of visiting and low increasing of areas, accounted for 13.70% of the total EGS areas. Category 4 EGSs, which exhibit a low increasing of visiting and areas, accounted for 3.75% of the total EGS areas. Using a geographically weighted regression model, spatial associations between EGS and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were quantified. Consequently, these spatial associations varied among EGS types and seasons. EGS configurations (perimeters of vegetation and areas of vegetation) have a more significant association with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases than the composition (NDVI) of EGS. Spatial associations implying stronger relationships were observed in EGS1. The strongest association was found in summer. Enlarge the coverage of evergreen vegetation in all EGS is first considered to enhance the negative association between EGS and chronic diseases. A methodology framework was provided to classify urban green space types using multi-source data. Suggestions for how to plan different urban green spaces for developing sustainable cities have been provided in this study, which offer scientific support to urban managers and planners for effective decision making.

Factors impacting digital transformations of the food industry by adoption of blockchain technology

Purpose This study aims to blockchain facilitate information sharing among different players in the food industry, such as farmers, food suppliers and investors, enabling an effective decision-making process where the information about goods is traceable without any inherent risk. Although blockchain technology is emerging, its use in the food industry needs to be explored from different angles, such as organizations’ policy, adoption strategies and potential technology innovations which could positively impact business processes. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, the authors survey 84 organizations in the food industry. Further, the authors conducted in-depth- interviews with three organizations that applied blockchain technology in the production phase to address the pros and cons of this adaption and discuss how the technology could be improved based on the challenges they faced. Moreover, an overview of current and potential digital transformation uses cases of blockchain technology in the food industry has been provided. Findings The results suggested that perceived efficiency, transparency, standardization and platform development and traceability factors positively influenced intention to use (ITU). Practical implications The adoption of the blockchain cloud solution is neither time-consuming nor expensive; organizations may attempt to predict how regulations or standards will be developed to create a blockchain solution compatible with them. Originality/value This study is among the primary studies investigating the role of blockchain technology in the food sector from the organizations’ viewpoint, highlighting the factors influencing the ITU.

Modelling of interrelationships amongst enterprise and inter-enterprise information system barriers affecting digitalization in electronics supply chain

PurposeThe process of supply chain digitalization (SCD) through enterprise and inter-enterprise information systems (EIIS) is a challenging task. Understanding and studying barriers of SCD adopting EIIS are essential for better management of supply chains (SCs) in the long run. This paper analyses the key EIIS adoption barriers affecting the process of SCD.Design/methodology/approach Fifteen key EIIS barriers of SCD in the context of an electronic SC were identified from existing literature and in consultation with experts from industry and academia. Grey-based decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology is used to identify cause–effect relationship and extent of the strength of relationship amongst EIIS barriers. Sensitivity analysis is done to verify the robustness of the study.Findings EIIS barriers were classified into seven major cause factors and eight effect factors. This study provides a structural framework of key EIIS adoption barriers to decision makers by classifying barriers into cause and effect groups for effective SCD and better management.Originality/value This study contributes to SC literature by exploring key EIIS barriers affecting the process of SCD. These findings will also help the practitioners in effective decision making for digitalization.