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1 – 10 of over 10000Chhabi Ram Matawale, Saurav Datta and S.S. Mahapatra
The concept of agile supply chain (ASC) has become increasingly important as means of achieving a competitive edge in turbulent business environments. An ASC is a dynamic alliance…
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of agile supply chain (ASC) has become increasingly important as means of achieving a competitive edge in turbulent business environments. An ASC is a dynamic alliance of member enterprises, the adaptation of which is likely to introduce velocity, responsiveness and flexibility into the manufacturing system. In ASC management, supplier/partner selection is a key strategic concern; influenced by various agility-related criteria/attributes. Therefore, evaluation and selection of potential supplier in an ASC has become an important multi-criteria decision-making problem. The purpose of this paper is to report, a supplier selection procedure (module) in the context of ASC.
Design/methodology/approach
During supplier selection, subjectivity of evaluation information (human judgment) often creates conflict and bears some kind of uncertainty. To overcome this, the present work attempts to explore vague set theory to deal with uncertainties in the supplier selection decision-making process. Since, vague sets can provide more accurate information as compared to fuzzy sets. It considers true membership function as well as false membership function which give more superior results for uncertain information. In this procedure, first, linguistic variables have been used to assess appropriateness rating (performance extent) as well as priority weights for individual quantitative or qualitative criterions. Second, the concept of degree of similarity and probability of vague sets has been used to determine appropriate ranking order of the potential supplier alternatives.
Findings
A case empirical example has been provided. It has been proved that the methodology would be fruitful in considering different evaluation criterion (indices); may be contradicting in nature like beneficial and cost criterions. The application of vague set theory has also been proved as a better option to work under uncertain (fuzzy) decision-making environment in comparison to fuzzy set theory.
Originality/value
The application of vague set theory in multi-criteria group decision making has been reported in literature to a limited extent. Application of vague set as a decision-making tool in agile supplier selection appears relative new and unexplored work area. The work has got remarkable managerial implications.
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Manjit Verma, Amit Kumar and Yaduvir Singh
The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology, named vague lambda‐tau, used for reliability analysis of a combustion system, which could be used for managerial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology, named vague lambda‐tau, used for reliability analysis of a combustion system, which could be used for managerial decision making and future system maintenance strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper involves the qualitative and quantitative analysis of a combustion system. In qualitative analysis, the Petri net model is obtained from its equivalent fault tree and in quantitative analysis, the reliability parameters are evaluated using vague lambda‐tau methodology. Further, a decision support system based on vague sets is developed to overcome the limitations of traditional risk analysis.
Findings
The reliability parameters (such as expected number of failures, mean time between failures, availability, and reliability) of the compressor system are evaluated. The proposed, vague sets‐based reliability analysis and risk analysis not only overcome the limitations associated with traditional approaches but also integrate the confidence level of domain experts and expert's experience, in a more flexible and realistic manner.
Originality/value
Instead of fuzzy sets, this paper used vague sets for reliability analysis with Petri net modelling because in real life problems, there may be hesitation regarding the belongingness of an object to a set or not. In fuzzy set theory, there is no means to incorporate such type of hesitation.
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Amit Kumar, Shiv Prasad Yadav and Surendra Kumar
The purpose of this research is to develop a new approach for analyzing the fuzzy reliability of a series and parallel system. Also to introduce definition of L‐R type interval…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to develop a new approach for analyzing the fuzzy reliability of a series and parallel system. Also to introduce definition of L‐R type interval valued triangular vague set and certain Tω‐based arithmetic operations between two L‐R type interval valued triangular vague sets.
Design/methodology/approach
In the proposed approach using a fault tree an interval valued vague fault tree is developed for the system in which the fuzzy reliability of each component of the system is represented by a L‐R type interval valued triangular vague set. Then with the help of a developed interval valued vague fault tree an algorithm is developed to analyze the fuzzy system reliability.
Findings
For numerical verification of the proposed approach the fuzzy reliability of the basement flooding has been analyzed using the existing approaches and the proposed approach. Comparing the results of existing approaches and the proposed approach, it has been shown that the uncertainty about the reliability is minimized using the proposed approach and the results are exact. While using the existing approaches the results are approximate due to approximate product of triangular vague sets and interval valued triangular vague sets.
Originality/value
The paper introduces a new approach for analyzing the fuzzy system reliability using Tω‐based arithmetic operations over L‐R type interval valued triangular vague sets.
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Ruixia Yan, Jinliang Liu and Bingxue Yao
The purpose of this paper is to present research methods in processing uncertain information.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present research methods in processing uncertain information.
Design/methodology/approach
Vague set and rough set are both‐wings‐mode for expressing uncertainty systems, and based on the both‐wings‐mode of expressing uncertainty systems, the connections of vague set and rough set are discussed.
Findings
This paper presents the relationships between vague set and rough set.
Research limitations/implications
Based on these connections between vague set and rough set, theoretical and means of vague set can be used for rough set; also theoretical and means of rough set can be used for vague set.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the discussion on the research of vague set and rough set. The conclusions are useful in information processing.
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Dilip Kumar Sen, Saurav Datta and S.S. Mahapatra
The purpose of this paper is to attempt supplier selection considering economic, environmental and social sustainability issues.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to attempt supplier selection considering economic, environmental and social sustainability issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Subjective human judgment bears some kind of vagueness and ambiguity; fuzzy set theory has immense potential to overcome this. Owing to the advantage of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers set over classical fuzzy numbers set; three decision-making approaches have been applied here in intuitionistic fuzzy setting (namely, intuitionistic-TOPSIS, intuitionistic-MOORA and intuitionistic-GRA) to facilitate supplier selection in sustainable supply chain.
Findings
The stated objective of this research “to verify application potential of different decision support systems (in intuitionistic fuzzy setting) in the context of sustainable supplier selection” has been carried out successfully. A case empirical research has been conducted by applying three different decision-making approaches: intuitionistic fuzzy-TOPSIS, intuitionistic fuzzy-MOORA and intuitionistic fuzzy-GRA to an empirical data set of sustainable supplier selection problem. The ranking orders thus obtained through exploration of aforesaid three approaches have been explored and compared.
Originality/value
As compared to generalized fuzzy numbers, intuitionistic fuzzy numbers exhibit a membership degree, a non-membership degree and the extent of hesitation; a better way to capture inconsistency, incompleteness and imprecision of human judgment. Application potential of aforesaid three decision support approaches has been demonstrated in this reporting for a case sustainable supplier selection.
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The purpose of the paper is to propose a new decision‐making method using grey systems theory with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to propose a new decision‐making method using grey systems theory with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers.
Design/methodology/approach
The uncertain degrees of different indices are determined by using the grey incidence analysis. Then, the mass functions of different alternatives in different indices are obtained by using the score function of intuitionistic fuzzy sets and the uncertain degrees of different indices. Information can be fused in accordance with the D‐S combination rule and the best alternative is calculated accordingly. Finally, a numerical example is utilized to illustrate that a satisfied solution can be obtained and the uncertainty can be decreased.
Findings
The results are convincing: the new decision‐making method, by combining the D‐S theory of evidence, can well deal with decision‐making problems with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy sets. From the numerical example, it is seen that the uncertainty can be decreased by using the new method.
Practical implications
The method exposed in the paper can be used to help the decision maker make a fast and accurate decision when facing decision problems with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy sets.
Originality/value
The paper succeeds in proposing a decision‐making method by using the D‐S theory of evidence and one of the newest developed theories: grey systems theory.
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Chong Wu and Dong Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to rank products by combining sentiment analysis (SA) and multiple attribute decision-making (MADM).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to rank products by combining sentiment analysis (SA) and multiple attribute decision-making (MADM).
Design/methodology/approach
This research constructs intuitionistic fuzzy (IF)-based sentiment word framework and corresponding computation rules, which aim to calculate the sentiment score of each sentiment phase. Based on intuitionistic fuzzy weighted averaging operator, the authors aggregate the overall performance of each feature for different products. Then, the MADM method can be used, TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese of interactive and multi-criteria decision making) in this paper, to rank product through online reviews.
Findings
The results of the research show the superiority and applicability of proposed method in ranking products with online reviews.
Originality/value
This paper proposes IF-based sentiment word framework and corresponding computation rules, which is a novel idea to express both the sentiment orientations (positive, negative and neutral) and emotional intensities. In addition, this research makes full use of knowledge from both experts and online reviewers. Further, attention degree of each feature is considered in the process of calculating weight of different features, which is rarely seen in current studies. This paper makes full use of SA, fuzzy control theory and MADM theory to handle vague information (online comments) and rank alternative products, which can promote future perspectives and developments.
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Sebastião M. Neto, Sérgio Dias, Rokia Missaoui, Luis Zárate and Mark Song
In recent years, the increasing complexity of the hyper-connected world demands new approaches for social network analysis. The main challenges are to find new computational…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, the increasing complexity of the hyper-connected world demands new approaches for social network analysis. The main challenges are to find new computational methods that allow the representation, characterization and analysis of these social networks. Nowadays, formal concept analysis (FCA) is considered an alternative to identifying conceptual structures in a social network. In this FCA-based work, this paper aims to show the potential of building computational models based on implications to represent and analyze two-mode networks.
Design/methodology/approach
This study proposes an approach to find three important substructures in social networks such as conservative access patterns, minimum behavior patterns and canonical access patterns. The present study approach considered as a case study a database containing the access logs of a cable internet service provider.
Findings
The result allows us to uncover access patterns, conservative access patterns and minimum access behavior patterns. Furthermore, through the use of implications sets, the relationships between event-type elements (websites) in two-mode networks are analyzed. This paper discusses, in a generic form, the adopted procedures that can be extended to other social networks.
Originality/value
A new approach is proposed for the identification of conservative behavior in two-mode networks. The proper implications needed to handle minimum behavior pattern in two-mode networks is also proposed to be analyzed. The one-item conclusion implications are easy to understand and can be more relevant to anyone looking for one particular website access pattern. Finally, a method for a canonical behavior representation in two-mode networks using a canonical set of implications (steam base), which present a minimal set of implications without loss of information, is proposed.
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Yin Kedong, Shiwei Zhou and Tongtong Xu
To construct a scientific and reasonable indicator system, it is necessary to design a set of standardized indicator primary selection and optimization inspection process. The…
Abstract
Purpose
To construct a scientific and reasonable indicator system, it is necessary to design a set of standardized indicator primary selection and optimization inspection process. The purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical guidance and reference standards for the indicator system design process, laying a solid foundation for the application of the indicator system, by systematically exploring the expert evaluation method to optimize the index system to enhance its credibility and reliability, to improve its resolution and accuracy and reduce its objectivity and randomness.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on system theory and statistics, and it designs the main line of “relevant theoretical analysis – identification of indicators – expert assignment and quality inspection” to achieve the design and optimization of the indicator system. First, the theoretical basis analysis, relevant factor analysis and physical process description are used to clarify the comprehensive evaluation problem and the correlation mechanism. Second, the system structure analysis, hierarchical decomposition and indicator set identification are used to complete the initial establishment of the indicator system. Third, based on expert assignment method, such as Delphi assignments, statistical analysis, t-test and non-parametric test are used to complete the expert assignment quality diagnosis of a single index, the reliability and validity test is used to perform single-index assignment correction and consistency test is used for KENDALL coordination coefficient and F-test multi-indicator expert assignment quality diagnosis.
Findings
Compared with the traditional index system construction method, the optimization process used in the study standardizes the process of index establishment, reduces subjectivity and randomness, and enhances objectivity and scientificity.
Originality/value
The innovation point and value of the paper are embodied in three aspects. First, the system design process of the combined indicator system, the multi-dimensional index screening and system optimization are carried out to ensure that the index system is scientific, reasonable and comprehensive. Second, the experts’ background is comprehensively evaluated. The objectivity and reliability of experts’ assignment are analyzed and improved on the basis of traditional methods. Third, aim at the quality of expert assignment, conduct t-test, non-parametric test of single index, and multi-optimal test of coordination and importance of multiple indicators, enhance experts the practicality of assignment and ensures the quality of expert assignment.
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The purpose of this study is to develop Markovian model to obtain the transient probabilities to determine mean-time-to-failure and reliability function and further steady state…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop Markovian model to obtain the transient probabilities to determine mean-time-to-failure and reliability function and further steady state availability of the repairable system. As the system parameters are uncontrollable factors; thus the life times, repair times and recovery/reboot time are assumed to be as uncertain or fuzzified distributions.
Design/methodology/approach
The fuzzy approach is introduced to investigate the reliability measures of load sharing repairable system which consists of two operating units and one standby unit. On the failure of an operating component, it is instantly spotted, located and sent for recovery procedures with coverage probability. In case of imperfect recovery, reboot takes place.
Findings
On the basis of extension principle and mathematical programming approach, the authors establish membership functions for system characteristics with the help of α-cuts. To demonstrate the practical validity of the proposed fuzzified model, numerical illustrations are performed.
Originality/value
The model proposed for reliability analysis may cheer up the continuance of the work towards more applications in repairable systems. Therefore, the reader is provided with useful intuition into the nature of fuzzy computations and practical amendments while measuring ambiguous data.
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