Optimum performance evaluation during machining of Al6061/cenosphere AMCs using TOPSIS and VIKOR based multi-criteria approach

Selection of optimal processing condition is an issue associate with multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) which can be influenced by several conflicting processing variables. The present study have been devoted to the implementation of TOPSIS algorithm in coordination with the VIKOR technique to yield an optimistic processing criteria while machining of metal matrix composites under electro-discharge machining process. A decision-making module has been developed for selection of optimum processing conditions under specified machining conditions. An experimental investigation was performed based on Taguchi’s orthogonal array on the newly prepared AA6061-cenosphere MMCs to analyze the sensitivity of EDM attributes to the process parameters such as peak current, pulse on time, the percentage of reinforcement, and flushing pressure. The weighing factors for the criteria were determined using AHP method. The results concluded that both the applied MCDM approaches, TOPSIS and VIKOR accrue the similar possible optimal solution having optimal value of pulse current 10 A, pulse on time 1010 µs, percentage of reinforcement as 2% and flushing pressure as 0.6 MPa.

Selection of appropriate maintenance strategy using fuzzy VIKOR technique: application in paper industry

PurposeThe industry is relying on the preventive maintenance techniques that can minimize failures and provide industrial plants with effective equipment, but in many companies the maintenance tasks are performed very frequently and not as per plan and do not take into consideration the conditions of the plant and equipments. The failure of each and every component needs to be studied in order to choose the best maintenance strategy. This paper presents a fuzzy VIKOR (Multicriteria Optimization and Compromise Solution) technique which is used in developing a comprehensive approach for maintenance strategy selection in the Deinking plant of the paper industry to choose the appropriate maintenance strategy thereby reducing the unnecessary cost incurred on the maintenance.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the Fuzzy VIKOR based methodology was applied for determining the maintenance criticality index of the deinking plant of the paper industry. The effect of failure of components were evaluated by three maintenance experts on five performance criteria that is chance of failure, chance of non-detection, downtime length, severity, spare part criticality. The components were ranked according to the maintenance criticality index and thereby implementing the appropriate maintenance strategy.FindingsThe Fuzzy VIKOR technique was applied to calculate the ranking of various components of paper industry based on the views and judgment of three maintenance experts. The proposed technique suggested the appropriate maintenance strategy for various components taking into consideration the maintenance criticality index of the components.Originality/valueThe proposed technique will help the maintenance managers to solve a discrete problem with non-commensurable and conflicting criteria. The study will help the industries to reduce the unnecessary maintenance tasks and thereby reduce the maintenance cost. This will help the maintenance practitioners in choosing the best and most effective strategy for the organization with regard to the market and company situation especially in the changing business requirement of Industry 4.0.

Using a Modified VIKOR Technique for Evaluating and Improving the National Healthcare System Quality

The effectiveness of the national/regional healthcare system is one of the keys to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In the face of this unknown pandemic, where the healthcare system should continue to be promoted and improved are crucial decision issues. In the past, most studies have used the subjective opinions of experts for analysis and decision-making processes when investigating complicated decision-making problems. However, such decision-making processes are easily influenced by experts’ preferences. Therefore, this research proposes a soft computing technology that integrates CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) with the modified VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje in Serbian, meaning multicriteria optimization and compromise solution (modified VIKOR) technique to reduce the impact of expert preference. In order to cope with the fact that COVID-19 has spread globally and to discover problems quickly and effectively, this study uses the global health security (GHS) index as the evaluation framework and conducts overall discussions in 195 countries/regions around the world. It is verified that the technology of soft computing can be used for continuous promotion and improvement of the national/regional healthcare system. This technology facilitates decision makers to know the gap of performance between the current healthcare system and the aspiration level. Finally, based on these gaps, we provide management advice to help improve these systems.

Aspiration of Public-Private Partnership Projects’ Risk Management Supported on Probabilistic Linguistic Terms amid Weakened Hedges

The provision of risk involved in a deal for a public-private partnership (PPP) is an essential aspect of triumph that should be based on the best smart party’s opinion to organize it. This study anticipated the importance of risk management in PPP projects to adjust the risk management dilemma of the PPP projects’ pedestal on the P-LTWHs with a new notion of FMEA. The dynamic linguistic expressions, P-LTWHs, were suggested in the theoretical aspect to articulate decision-makers’ assessments, who take the reluctant information with weakened hedges and the likelihood of the linguistic information into account. Besides, the biprojection technique was used to rank risk management problem failure modes in a PPP project. The probabilistic linguistic terms with compromised hedges evaluate the risk management of the novel failure mode and impact analysis (NFMEA) and rank failure modes with the biprojection technique (P-LTWHs). This study also shows that it is possible to spread risks based on fuzzy set theory among public-private parties effectively. Likewise, with the biprojection practice of LTWHs with the VIKOR technique of P-LTWHs, the predicted model is estimated.

Identification and prioritization of issues to implementation of information-facilitated product recovery system for a circular economy

PurposeInformation-facilitated product recovery system (IFPRS) has captivated industry attention and has developed into a matter of consideration among the researchers because of enhanced climate concerns, jurisdictive logics and societal liabilities. Although IFPRS implementation has become an essential aspect in manufacturing industries functional in the developed nations, still, limited consideration has been given in the literature to analyze the issues to IFPRS implementation for a circular economy (CE) in emerging and developing nations. Therefore, the objective of this study is to recognize issues to implementing IFPRS for a CE in context of select manufacturing industries in India.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, 24 potential issues are established from the literature and from suggestions from the experts. The issues are clubbed under five different perspectives of technical, government, organization, policy and knowledge. Further, fuzzy VIKOR technique is applied on the results obtained to prioritize the identified issues. A sensitivity analysis has been carried out to check the robustness of the framework.FindingsThe present study shows that lack of skills and expertise in IFPRS implementation for a CE (I2), deficient capital to implement a CE in IFPRS (I9), inadequate in adopting recent IT technology (I18), feasibility of IFPRS employment for a CE (I6) and no efficient training and program to CE adoption (I21) are the top five potential issues in implementing IFPRS practices for a CE in Indian manufacturing industries.Research limitations/implicationsIn literature, limited study has been observed on determining issues to implementation of IFPRS for a CE. A more systematic method and statistical confirmation is necessary to establish further new confronting issues. This study is limited to Indian manufacturing industries.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this study includes identification of issues and later prioritizing them to reflect their severity. This would help the industry practitioners to formulate strategies for handling the issues conveniently.

Economic and Environmental Performance of the Agricultural Sectors of the Selected EU Countries

This paper aims at to identify the differences in the performance of the agricultural sectors in the selected European Union Member States. The research covers 21 countries in the period from 2007–2017. The paper uses data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). Three types of sectors were considered: Crop farming (wheat and rapeseed), specialist milk, and specialist cattle. The sector’s performance was measured by calculating the aggregate scores using the VIKOR technique. The panel regression model was also used to estimate and assess the technical and economic determinants of the sector’s performance. The obtained results indicated that the new EU Member States showed higher levels of performance compared to the old Member States. This finding may be attributed to the fact that some of the production factors in the new EU Member States are still under-valued compared to those of the old EU Member States.