Mohammad Al-Omari, Jenny Carter and Francisco Chiclana
The purpose of this paper is to identify a framework to support adaptivity in e-learning environments. The framework reflects a novel hybrid approach incorporating the concept of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify a framework to support adaptivity in e-learning environments. The framework reflects a novel hybrid approach incorporating the concept of the event-condition-action (ECA) model and intelligent agents. Moreover, a system prototype is developed reflecting the hybrid approach to supporting adaptivity in any given learning management system based on learners’ learning styles.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper offers a brief review of current frameworks and systems to support adaptivity in e-learning environments. A framework to support adaptivity is designed and discussed, reflecting the hybrid approach in detail. A system prototype is developed incorporating different adaptive features based on the Felder-Silverman learning styles model. Finally, the prototype is implemented in Moodle.
Findings
The system prototype supports real-time adaptivity in any given learning management system based on learners’ learning styles. It can deal with any type of content provided by course designers and instructors in the learning management system. Moreover, it can support adaptivity at both course and learner levels.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous work has been done incorporating the concept of the ECA model and intelligent agents as hybrid architecture to support adaptivity in e-learning environments. The system prototype has wider applicability and can be adapted to support different types of adaptivity.
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Xinglian Jian, Mei Cai, Ya Wang and Yu Gao
The development of social networks enhances the interaction between people, which brings new challenges to the research of group decision-making (GDM). This study aims at the…
Abstract
Purpose
The development of social networks enhances the interaction between people, which brings new challenges to the research of group decision-making (GDM). This study aims at the problem that the synergy and redundancy due to interaction among decision-makers are ignored in the previous GDM, a trust-enhanced consensus reaching model based on interaction among decision-makers with incomplete preferences is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, confidence level is introduced to improve the hesitation phenomenon that should be considered when calculating trust degree; Secondly, a new trust propagation operator is developed to deal with indirect trust relationships; Thirdly, trust degree is transformed into interaction index to quantify the synergy and redundancy in decision-making. Fuzzy capacities of decision-makers are used to replace traditional weights, and the final scores of alternatives are obtained through Choquet integral.
Findings
The proposed model using fuzzy capacity can reflect the synergy or redundancy among decision-makers and improve the accuracy of final ranking result and reduce the loss of information.
Originality/value
This study proposes a trust-enhanced consensus reaching model, which develops a new trust propagation operator to ensure the continuous attenuation of trust in propagation process. And the proposed model uses fuzzy capacity to improve the enhancement or attenuation on the scores of alternatives.
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Sandang Guo, Qian Li and Yaqian Jing
The existing consensus reaching mechanisms ignore the influence of social triangle structure on the decision-makers’ (DMs') weights, and the consensus reaching process (CRP) fails…
Abstract
Purpose
The existing consensus reaching mechanisms ignore the influence of social triangle structure on the decision-makers’ (DMs') weights, and the consensus reaching process (CRP) fails to fully reflect the DMs' subjectivity and can be time consuming and costly. To solve these issues, a novel CRP for multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problems with intuitionistic grey linguistic numbers (IGLNs) is proposed in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
First, a weight calculation method is proposed by analysing the triangle structure of DMs' social network and scale of adjacent nodes. Then, a consensus degree index based on three-level polygon area is defined and applied to identify the inconsistent DMs. Finally, the feedback mechanism based on particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm under grey linguistic environment is developed, where subjective trust relationships in social network is utilised to determine the adjustment coefficient.
Findings
The advantages of the proposed method are highlighted by two practical applications of the evaluation of tunnel construction method and the selection of a hotel for the centralised isolation. Comparision analysis and numerical simulation are performed to reveal the effectiveness and applicability of the method.
Practical implications
The proposed model can not only reflect the effect of triangle structure in social network on DMs' weights, but also reduce the time and cost of decision-making.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is to propose a new MCGDM model based on intuitionistic grey linguistic numbers, which can handle the problem of inconsistency of information more effectively.
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Sandang Guo, Liuzhen Guan, Qian Li and Jing Jia
Considering the bounded confidence of decision-makers (DMs), a new grey multi-criteria group consensus decision-making (GMCGCDM) model is established by using interval grey number…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering the bounded confidence of decision-makers (DMs), a new grey multi-criteria group consensus decision-making (GMCGCDM) model is established by using interval grey number (IGN), cobweb model, social network analysis (SNA) and consensus reaching process (CPR).
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, the model analyzes the social relationship of DM under social networks and proposes a calculation method for DMs’ weights based on SNA. Secondly, the model defines a cobweb model to consider the preferences of decision-making alternatives in the decision-making process. The consensus degree is calculated by the area surrounded by the connections between each index value of DMs and the group. Then, the model coordinates the different opinions of various DMs to reduce the degree of bias of each DM and designs a consensus feedback mechanism based on bounded confidence to guide DMs to reach consensus.
Findings
The advantage of the proposed method is to highlight the practical application, taking the selection of low-carbon suppliers in the context of dual carbon as an example. Comparison analysis is performed to reveal the interpretability and applicability of the method.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this paper is to propose a new GMCGCDM model, which can not only expand the calculation method of DM’s weight and consensus degree but also reduce the time and cost of decision-making.
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Mahmoud A. Hammad, Sara Elgazzar, Matevž Obrecht and Marjan Sternad
Despite the concept of energy hub becoming widely signed and used in recent literature for addressing energy geopolitics, policies and relationships, it is still being confused…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the concept of energy hub becoming widely signed and used in recent literature for addressing energy geopolitics, policies and relationships, it is still being confused interchangeably with other concepts. Hence, the present paper aims to shed light on the concepts of an energy hub, energy corridor, energy transit and energy center to clarify the main differences among these concepts through conducting a systematic review for the previous studies using the VOSviewer software targeting the identification of the main research gaps and clearing any confusion related to these concepts.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper conducted a systematic review based on a qualitative synthesis for the available publications from Web of Science and Scopus databases. It also followed strict search and filtration criteria based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. In this review, a total of 47 papers, which met the inclusion criteria were selected and identified in the synthesis, and a bibliometric visualization approach were implemented by using VOSviewer software.
Findings
The bibliometric analysis presented the growth of the research topic recently. Besides, text mining and keyword analysis revealed the key themes that address energy hubs issues such as security, geopolitics, relationships, policies and transit of energy. The main research gaps identified in this review will provide a reference point that will encourage and open new avenues for other interested researchers for future studies. Furthermore, this review contributes to our understanding of the literature related to energy hub area through bibliometric analysis and visualization of publications data.
Originality/value
According to the authors’ knowledge, this review may be the first bibliometric analysis and systematic review of the energy hub domain.
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Ali Sarkeshikian, Mohhamadali Shafia, Amir Zakery and Alireza Aliahmadi
In the organizational technology acceptance (TA) decision-making process, stakeholders have many divergence opinions. Sometimes, an opposing stakeholder of a decision can stop the…
Abstract
Purpose
In the organizational technology acceptance (TA) decision-making process, stakeholders have many divergence opinions. Sometimes, an opposing stakeholder of a decision can stop the whole process of decision-making. In such a case, consensus may take a long time followed by a high risk. The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to find the best model with the least prediction error for the simulation of the consensus process in TA decisions. Second, to investigate the time required for the consensus process to yield the TA decision in different scenarios and to propose solutions to reduce the required time in a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses real-world data containing 1,186 actual observations. Stakeholders are decision-maker agents, and the observations are derived from survey data and used for simulation. Data were obtained from 126 experts in the Iranian rail freight industry. Opinion dynamics theory was used for agent-based simulation of stakeholders’ behavior. The agents interacted over time and their effects on other agents’ opinions were investigated.
Findings
The results illustrate an appropriate opinion changing model, a data-gathering method and a simulation scenario for TA consensus. The suitable model was selected after examining the advantages and disadvantages of and comparing the prediction results for different models with the real database of opinions. To reduce the consensus process time, the results suggest gathering the team members and networking with some leaders as advocators. A large number of advocators with high acceptability and continuous exchanging messages with other agents can improve the acceptance rate and have the most significant impact on other stakeholders’ opinions.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, previous studies simulate individual TA processes. However, there is a difference between the individual TA and the organizational TA. The organizational TA requires the simultaneous decision-making of different stakeholders. In this research, the organizational TA was investigated.
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This research conducts bibliometric analyses and network mapping on smart libraries worldwide. It examines publication profiles, identifies the most cited publications and…
Abstract
Purpose
This research conducts bibliometric analyses and network mapping on smart libraries worldwide. It examines publication profiles, identifies the most cited publications and preferred sources and considers the cooperation of the authors, organizations and countries worldwide. The research also highlights keyword trends and clusters and finds new developments and emerging trends from the co-cited references network.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 264 records with 1,200 citations were extracted from the Web of Science database from 2003 to 2021. The trends in the smart library were analyzed and visualized using BibExcel, VOSviewer, Biblioshiny and CiteSpace.
Findings
The People’s Republic of China had the most publications (119), the most citations (374), the highest H-index (12) and the highest total link strength (TLS = 25). Wuhan University had the highest H-index (6). Chiu, Dickson K. W. (H-index = 4, TLS = 22) and Lo, Patrick (H-index = 4, TLS = 21) from the University of Hong Kong had the highest H-indices and were the most cooperative authors. Library Hi Tech was the most preferred journal. “Mobile library” was the most frequently used keyword. “Mobile context” was the largest cluster on the research front.
Research limitations/implications
This study helps librarians, scientists and funders understand smart library trends.
Originality/value
There are several studies and solid background research on smart libraries. However, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to conduct bibliometric analyses and network mapping on smart libraries around the globe.