Search results

1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 24 March 2022

Dongxing Zhang and Dang Luo

The purpose of this study is to propose an unbiased generalized grey relational closeness evaluation model to improve the accuracy of regional agricultural drought vulnerability…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose an unbiased generalized grey relational closeness evaluation model to improve the accuracy of regional agricultural drought vulnerability decision-making results, as well as to provide theoretical support for reducing agricultural drought risk and losses.

Design/methodology/approach

The index weight is calculated using a rough set and deviation minimization criterion, and the relational degree between the research object and the double reference sequence is thoroughly investigated using the generalized grey relational closeness degree. Because different index rankings can correspond to different closeness degrees, the Monte Carlo method was used to calculate an unbiased estimate of the generalized grey relational closeness degree, which was used as a decision basis.

Findings

Agricultural drought vulnerability in Henan Province in 2019 was clearly spatially differentiated. The vulnerability to agricultural drought in the southern and eastern regions was generally higher than that in other regions. The evaluation results of this model are highly stable and reliable compared to those of the traditional generalized grey relational evaluation model.

Practical implications

This study proposes an evaluation model based on an unbiased generalized grey relational closeness degree, which is important to supplement the grey relational analysis method system and plays a positive role in promoting the quantitative evaluation of regional agricultural drought vulnerability.

Originality/value

The Monte Carlo method is used to calculate the unbiased estimation of the generalized grey relational closeness degree, which solves the problem of the replacement dependence of the traditional generalized grey relational degree and the one-sidedness of the evaluation results, and provides a new research idea for the evaluation of regional agricultural drought vulnerability under cross-sectional informatics.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 December 2023

M.A. Xianglin, Haochen Cai, Qiming Yang, Gang Wang and Kun Mao

This paper establishes a quality model for automation assembly of range hood impeller based on generalized grey relational degree, it improves the debugging efficiency of the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper establishes a quality model for automation assembly of range hood impeller based on generalized grey relational degree, it improves the debugging efficiency of the newly developed assembly workstation.

Design/methodology/approach

First, spot check the trial production impellers and obtain three indexes that reflect the assembly quality of the impellers. Then, analyze the parameters that affect the assembly quality of the impeller using grey relational analysis (GRA), establish a model for the assembly quality of the range hood impeller based on the generalized grey relational degree and identify the main parameters. After that, analyze the transmission structure of automation assembly workstation, identify the reasons that affect parameters and propose improvement plans. Finally, a trial production is conducted on the automation assembly workstation after adopting the improved plan to verify the quality model of impeller automation assembly.

Findings

The research shows that compared to manual assembly, the automation assembly quality of the impeller using GRA model has been improved, shortening the debugging cycle of the newly developed assembly workstation.

Practical implications

The newly developed automation equipment will have some problems in the trial production stage, which often rely on the experience of engineers for debugging. In this paper, the automation assembly quality model of range hood impeller based on GRA is established, which can not only ensure the quality of finished impeller but also shorten the debugging cycle of the equipment. In addition, GRA can be widely used in the commissioning of other automation equipment.

Originality/value

This study has developed a set of impeller automation assembly workstation. The debugging method in the trial production stage is beneficial to shorten the trial production time and improve the economic benefits.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 December 2023

Li Zhang and Xican Li

Aim to the limitations of grey relational analysis of interval grey number, based on the generalized greyness of interval grey number, this paper tries to construct a grey angle…

Abstract

Purpose

Aim to the limitations of grey relational analysis of interval grey number, based on the generalized greyness of interval grey number, this paper tries to construct a grey angle cosine relational degree model from the perspective of proximity and similarity.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the algorithms of the generalized greyness of interval grey number and interval grey number vector are given, and its properties are analyzed. Then, based on the grey relational theory, the grey angle cosine relational model is proposed based on the generalized greyness of interval grey number, and the relationship between the classical cosine similarity model and the grey angle cosine relational model is analyzed. Finally, the validity of the model in this paper is illustrated by the calculation examples and an application example of related factor analysis of maize yield.

Findings

The results show that the grey angle cosine relational degree model has strict theoretical basis, convenient calculation and is easy to program, which can not only fully utilize the information of interval grey numbers but also overcome the shortcomings of greyness relational degree model. The grey angle cosine relational degree is an extended form of cosine similarity degree of real numbers. The calculation examples and the related factor analysis of maize yield show that the model proposed in this paper is feasible and valid.

Practical implications

The research results not only further enrich the grey system theory and method but also provide a basis for the grey relational analysis of the sequences in which the interval grey numbers coexist with the real numbers.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in realizing the algorithms of the generalized greyness of interval grey number and interval grey number vector, and the grey angle cosine relational degree, which provide a new method for grey relational analysis.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 December 2021

Li Li and Xican Li

In order to make grey relational analysis applicable to the interval grey number, this paper discusses the model of grey relational degree of the interval grey number and uses it…

Abstract

Purpose

In order to make grey relational analysis applicable to the interval grey number, this paper discusses the model of grey relational degree of the interval grey number and uses it to analyze the related factors of China's technological innovation ability.

Design/methodology/approach

First, this paper gives the definitions of the lower bound domain, the value domain, the upper bound domain of interval grey number and the generalized measure and the generalized greyness of interval grey number. Then, based on the grey relational theory, this paper proposes the model of greyness relational degree of the interval grey number and analyzes its relationship with the classical grey relational degree. Finally, the model of greyness relational degree is applied to analyze the related factors of China's technological innovation ability.

Findings

The results show that the model of greyness relational degree has strict theoretical basis, convenient calculation and easy programming and can be applied to the grey number sequence, real number sequence and grey number and real number coexisting sequence. The relational order of the four related factors of China's technological innovation ability is research and development (R&D) expenditure, R&D personnel, university student number and public library number, and it is in line with the reality.

Practical implications

The results show that the sequence values of greyness relational degree have large discreteness, and it is feasible and effective to analyze the related factors of China's technological innovation ability.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in realizing both the model of greyness relational degree of interval grey number with unvalued information distribution and the order of related factors of China's technological innovation ability.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 June 2019

Souleymane Diba and Naiming Xie

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate, analyse and select the best suppliers for Satrec Vitalait Milk Company, operating in Senegal, based on criteria obtained from economic…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate, analyse and select the best suppliers for Satrec Vitalait Milk Company, operating in Senegal, based on criteria obtained from economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable supply chain management, through the application of Deng’s grey relational analysis (GRA) model, absolute GRA model (ADGRA) and a novel second synthetic GRA (SSGRA) model, combined with one decision making under the uncertainty-based model, namely, the Hurwicz criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts a new synthetic GRA model and highlights its reliability on small sample gathered from four senior experts of the company who administered a total number of 28 specialists operating in four departments of the company, through the employment of a self-administered questionnaire designed based on criteria identified from the literature that were refined via a Q-sort model.

Findings

The outcomes of the research methodology designated that all the selected five suppliers present a degree of attaining sustainability due to the fact that supplying unprocessed milk does not require the use of polluting methods for stocking and transportation. The undertaken study specifies that all the socio-environmental criteria play a crucial role in shaping the sustainability level of Satrec Vitalait’s suppliers and demonstrates the accuracy of the results obtained through the second synthetic degree of grey relation analysis for ranking the suppliers. Supplier 2 was found to be the best supplier for the company and, as result, a model for other suppliers to mimic.

Research limitations/implications

Future researchers can replicate the GRA-based supply chain model proposed in the current study in different environments especially in the context of green supply chain. Also, in future the SSGRA model, while using the bidirectional ADGRA instead of the conventional ADGRA, should also be tested, especially when the data sequences associated with different supply chain parameters have inconsistent directions. Also, comparative analysis of SSGRA-based results with that of modern statistical methods like structural equation modelling can also be used for future explorations. Furthermore, the current study is built upon the data associated with the Satrec Vitalait Milk Company (Senegal); therefore, the findings should be generalised with caution.

Originality/value

The study can be seen as a first-stepping stone for gauging and selecting the best sustainable supplier for Satrec Vitalait using grey system theory. For purpose of attaining the research goal, the SSGRA was exploited as an innovative experimental approach to estimate relationships between criteria with regard to the sustainability level of the company’s suppliers. Under this scope, relationships between criteria themselves and their goal were depicted by Deng’s degree of GRA and AGRA, respectively. The research is innovative by means of the framework of its methodology and data analysis.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 November 2022

Xican Li and Li Li

In order to reflect the essential characteristics of interval grey number and study the ranking method of interval grey number as a whole, this paper aims to establish a ranking…

Abstract

Purpose

In order to reflect the essential characteristics of interval grey number and study the ranking method of interval grey number as a whole, this paper aims to establish a ranking method of interval grey number.

Design/methodology/approach

First, based on the generalised greyness of interval grey number, the definitions of referenced grey number and proximity degree are given. Second, based on the greyness distance of interval grey number, the proximity degree model is constructed and its properties are analysed. Finally, some examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proximity degree model.

Findings

The results show that the index of proximity degree can better reflect the degree that the interval grey number is relatively close to the referenced grey number in different cases. The proximity degree model used to compare interval grey numbers is an extension of the model used to compare real numbers. The examples show that the proximity degree model of interval grey number proposed in this paper is feasible and effective.

Practical implications

The research studies show that the proximity degree model can be used for the ranking of interval grey numbers or real numbers and also for the ranking of numbers where interval grey numbers coexist with real numbers. In addition, the proximity degree model provides a theoretical basis for the establishment of grey comprehensive evaluation model.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in putting forward the conceptions of referenced grey number and proximity degree based on the generalised greyness of interval grey number and constructing the proximity degree model for the ranking of interval grey number.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 July 2023

Guozhi Xu, Xican Li and Hong Che

In order to improve the estimation accuracy of soil organic matter, this paper aims to establish a modified model for hyperspectral estimation of soil organic matter content based…

Abstract

Purpose

In order to improve the estimation accuracy of soil organic matter, this paper aims to establish a modified model for hyperspectral estimation of soil organic matter content based on the positive and inverse grey relational degrees.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 82 soil sample data collected in Daiyue District, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, firstly, the spectral data of soil samples are transformed by the first order differential and logarithmic reciprocal first order differential and so on, the correlation coefficients between the transformed spectral data and soil organic matter content are calculated, and the estimation factors are selected according to the principle of maximum correlation. Secondly, the positive and inverse grey relational degree model is used to identify the samples to be identified, and the initial estimated values of the organic matter content are obtained. Finally, based on the difference information between the samples to be identified and their corresponding known patterns, a modified model for the initial estimation of soil organic matter content is established, and the estimation accuracy of the model is evaluated using the mean relative error and the determination coefficient.

Findings

The results show that the methods of logarithmic reciprocal first order differential and the first-order differential of the square root for transforming the original spectral data are more effective, which could significantly improve the correlation between soil organic matter content and spectral data. The modified model for hyperspectral estimation of soil organic matter has high estimation accuracy, the average relative error (MRE) of 11 test samples is 4.091%, and the determination coefficient (R2) is 0.936. The estimation precision is higher than that of linear regression model, BP neural network and support vector machine model. The application examples show that the modified model for hyperspectral estimation of soil organic matter content based on positive and inverse grey relational degree proposed in this article is feasible and effective.

Social implications

The model in this paper has clear mathematical and physics meaning, simple calculation and easy programming. The model not only fully excavates and utilizes the internal information of known pattern samples with “insufficient and incomplete information”, but also effectively overcomes the randomness and grey uncertainty in the spectral estimation of soil organic matter. The research results not only enrich the grey system theory and methods, but also provide a new approach for hyperspectral estimation of soil properties such as soil organic matter content, water content and so on.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in realizing both a modified model for hyperspectral estimation of soil organic matter based on the positive and inverse grey relational degrees and effectively dealing with the randomness and grey uncertainty in spectral estimation.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 January 2023

Jintao Yu, Xican Li, Shuang Cao and Fajun Liu

In order to overcome the uncertainty and improve the accuracy of spectral estimation, this paper aims to establish a grey fuzzy prediction model of soil organic matter content by…

Abstract

Purpose

In order to overcome the uncertainty and improve the accuracy of spectral estimation, this paper aims to establish a grey fuzzy prediction model of soil organic matter content by using grey theory and fuzzy theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data of 121 soil samples from Zhangqiu district and Jiyang district of Jinan City, Shandong Province, firstly, the soil spectral data are transformed by spectral transformation methods, and the spectral estimation factors are selected according to the principle of maximum correlation. Then, the generalized greyness of interval grey number is used to modify the estimation factors of modeling samples and test samples to improve the correlation. Finally, the hyper-spectral prediction model of soil organic matter is established by using the fuzzy recognition theory, and the model is optimized by adjusting the fuzzy classification number, and the estimation accuracy of the model is evaluated using the mean relative error and the determination coefficient.

Findings

The results show that the generalized greyness of interval grey number can effectively improve the correlation between soil organic matter content and estimation factors, and the accuracy of the proposed model and test samples are significantly improved, where the determination coefficient R2 = 0.9213 and the mean relative error (MRE) = 6.3630% of 20 test samples. The research shows that the grey fuzzy prediction model proposed in this paper is feasible and effective, and provides a new way for hyper-spectral estimation of soil organic matter content.

Practical implications

The research shows that the grey fuzzy prediction model proposed in this paper can not only effectively deal with the three types of uncertainties in spectral estimation, but also realize the correction of estimation factors, which is helpful to improve the accuracy of modeling estimation. The research result enriches the theory and method of soil spectral estimation, and it also provides a new idea to deal with the three kinds of uncertainty in the prediction problem by using the three kinds of uncertainty theory.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in realizing both the grey fuzzy prediction model for hyper-spectral estimating soil organic matter content and effectively dealing with the randomness, fuzziness and grey uncertainty in spectral estimation.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2014

Xiaoning Li, Xinbo Liao, Xuerui Tan and Haijing Wang

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate resource configuration and service ability in hospital on public private partnership (PPP) model (Chaonan Minsheng Hospital of Guangdong…

399

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate resource configuration and service ability in hospital on public private partnership (PPP) model (Chaonan Minsheng Hospital of Guangdong Province), supplying decision-making reference for participants of hospital on PPP model.

Design/methodology/approach

Four model of grey relational analysis (GRA) (Deng's correlation degree, grey absolute correlation degree, grey relative correlation degree and grey comprehensive correlation degree) are applied to evaluate resource configuration and service ability, a total of 11 indicators of hospital on PPP model public hospital and private hospital from 2007 to 2011.

Findings

The paper finds that different GRA models have different results when the paper applied them to evaluate resource configuration and service ability in hospital on PPP model. More than 60 per cent indicators of resource configuration (total six indicators) and service ability (total six indicators) are assessed as “hospital on PPP model ≻ public hospital” or “hospital on PPP model≻ private hospital” from three models of Deng's correlation degree, grey absolute correlation degree and grey comprehensive correlation degree.

Practical implications

Evaluation of resource configuration and service ability for hospital on PPP model with GRA makes results quantified objective and provides reference for decision making and management. GRA makes the comparison of resource configuration and service ability between hospital on PPP model and other model hospitals becoming possible.

Originality/value

The shortcoming for data analysis method of “large sample” is overcome and data analysis method of “small sample” is realized by using GRA, which broaden the method of evaluating hospital on PPP model.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2023

Li Li and Xican Li

In order to make full use of the generalized greyness of interval grey number, this paper analyzes the properties and its applications of generalized greyness.

Abstract

Purpose

In order to make full use of the generalized greyness of interval grey number, this paper analyzes the properties and its applications of generalized greyness.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the static properties of generalized greyness in bounded background domain, infinite background domain and infinitesimal background domain are analyzed. Then, this paper gives the dynamic properties of generalized greyness in bounded background domain, infinite background domain and infinitesimal background domain and explains the dialectical principle contained in it. Finally, the generalized greyness is used to judge the effectiveness of interval grey number transformation.

Findings

The results show that the generalized greyness of interval grey number has relativity, normativity, unity, eternity and conservation. The static and dynamic properties of generalized greyness are the same in the infinite and infinitesimal background domain, while they are different in the bounded background domain. The generalized greyness can be used as an index to judge whether the grey number transformation is greyness or information preservation.

Practical implications

The research shows that the generalized greyness can be used as an index to judge the validity of the grey number transformation and also can be applied in grey evaluation, grey decision-making and grey prediction and so on.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in realizing the mathematical principle of “white is black”, the “greyness clock-slow effect” of the value domain of interval grey number and the generalized greyness conservation principle, which provides a theoretical basis for the rational use of generalized greyness of interval grey number.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000