Marcela do Carmo Silva, Helder Gomes Costa and Carlos Francisco Simões Gomes
The purpose of this paper is to observe how to invest in upper-middle income countries via an innovation perspective following global innovation index (GII) by multicriteria…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to observe how to invest in upper-middle income countries via an innovation perspective following global innovation index (GII) by multicriteria decision aid (MCDA) approach, once MCDA was designed to support subjective decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
Pearson’s correlation was the milestone for understanding innovation indicators at upper-middle income countries profiles. In a MCDA first step, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to obtain the criteria weight. In this step, the judgments or evaluations inputted in AHP were collected from a sample composed by five experts in GII. After getting the criteria weights compose to GII, Borda and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMÉTHÉE) methods were applied to obtain an MCDA-based GII. The inputs for this second step were: the weights come from AHP output; and the countries performance came from GII data.
Findings
As a result, it was found out the upper-middle countries’ rank to invest and groups with countries acting like “hubs” or “bridges” for economic sectors in near countries; when they are grouped according to their maximum and minimum scores profiles, observing not only a particular region but also similar profiles at diverse world areas.
Originality/value
Pearson-AHP-PROMÉTHÉE works as a supportive decision tool for several and complex investment perspectives from criteria and alternatives analysis regarding innovation indicators for upper-middle income countries. This combination also demonstrates grouping possibilities, aligning profiles and not only ranking countries for investment and eliminating others but also grouping countries with similar profiles via innovation indicators MCDA combined application.
Details
Keywords
André Luís Policani Freitas, Gustavo Antonio Pessanha Monteiro and Helder Gomes Costa
Despite existing advances in information technology infrastructure services (ITISs), there remains no consensus in the literature regarding what dimensions or criteria are best…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite existing advances in information technology infrastructure services (ITISs), there remains no consensus in the literature regarding what dimensions or criteria are best suited for the measurement of their quality. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap, proposing a methodological approach to measuring the quality of ITISs, as perceived by users.
Design/methodology/approach
Cronbach’s α and item-total correlations were used to measure the reliability of the questionnaire; multiple linear regression analysis was employed to determine the items (criteria) most related to the quality of ITISs; and finally, importance–performance analysis was conducted to determine the most critical criteria in service provision. An exploratory study was conducted to evaluate the quality of ITISs at a Brazilian university.
Findings
Control of the activities of the information technology (IT) team, periodic maintenance of hardware and software, the security policy and the skill of the labor affect the quality of services most, relative to the dimensions of infrastructure, people and processes.
Practical implications
The results indicate what dimensions and items should be considered by IT managers to improve the quality of ITISs. Special attention should be paid to the effective use of equipment, software and network infrastructure: it should be ensured that these are in good working order and can be utilized by users who expect to be trained to take advantage of their functions.
Originality/value
This paper shows how to integrate relevant techniques to assess the quality of ITISs. An original set of criteria to evaluate the quality of ITISs, derived from a systematic review of the literature, is suggested.
Details
Keywords
Marcio Pereira Basilio, Valdecy Pereira and Helder Gomes Costa
This study aims to focus on the application of a multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method to compare results presented by the Integrated Goals System based on the 12th…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on the application of a multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method to compare results presented by the Integrated Goals System based on the 12th edition of the Integrated Public Safety Areas (IPSAs) Award, which achieved goals established for Strategic Crime Indicators for the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The main objective of this research was to limit the compensatory effects of classification criteria on IPSAs that have achieved goals established for crime indicators by applying the MCDA method.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology was based on the application of MCDA. The MCDA method selected and used was ELECTRE III, being implemented by J-Electre software.
Findings
Compared to results of the current method, the results of the ELECTRE III method showed a 94.87 per cent change in ranking positions revealed via the SIM method. This finding denotes the elimination of compensatory effects of the criteria. As a consequence, it can be affirmed that the application of resources by IPSA managers to reduce the prevalence of a single strategic crime indicator is no longer a success factor for awarding in the established goal system.
Research limitations/implications
As limitations, it is possible to indicate the time cut used to carry out the research. The research may be extended to other issues of the productivity award.
Practical implications
The methodology applied with the use of ELECTRE III revealed that the government could reduce the cost with the incentive program to reduce criminal indices.
Social implications
As the MCDA method is based on a binary pairwise comparison system, the methodology imposes a change of attitude on local managers fighting crime to reduce crime indicators and to consequently build a local sense of safety in IPSAs.
Originality/value
This research fills a gap in the literature because there are few studies using the MCDA method in the field of public security. The value of the work lies in the creation of a method that gives the decision-maker, of the law enforcement agency, an alternative to improve the process of rewarding by productividad of the integrated areas of public security.
Details
Keywords
Carlos Francisco Simões Gomes, Helder Gomes Costa and Alexandre P. de Barros
The purpose of this paper is to present a hybrid modelling that combines concepts and techniques for scenario building together with a Multi-criteria Decision Aid (MCDA…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a hybrid modelling that combines concepts and techniques for scenario building together with a Multi-criteria Decision Aid (MCDA) outranking approach. The paper presents a case to illustrate the proposed methodology.
Design/methodology/approach
The research method is a qualitative and quantitative mixture and it is presented as a study case. Bibliographic research is used to construct the theoretical framework. There are a number of studies that develop a sensibility analysis in MCDA modelling; however, none of them explore the robustness of the MCDA solution with use of scenarios variation.
Findings
The methodology allows the criteria that must be taken into account, according to the decision makers’ values and preferences. It is interesting to note that, depending on the scenario, different weights were applied for each criterion, and the performances of alternatives under each criterion has changed as well.
Practical implications
This need arises in decision problems that are susceptible to the influence of scenario variation.
Originality/value
This proposal was applied to a real case that has taken into account six alternatives, with a prospective analysis of three scenarios, evaluated by four criteria. The authors use prospective scenarios to choose the criterion weights and alternatives evaluation.
Details
Keywords
Valdecy Pereira and Helder Gomes Costa
This paper aims to present a set of five models for the economic order quantity problem. Four models solve problems for a single product: incremental discounts with or without…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a set of five models for the economic order quantity problem. Four models solve problems for a single product: incremental discounts with or without backorders and all-unit discounts with or without backorders, and the last model solves problems for the multiproduct case.
Design/methodology/approach
A basic integer non-linear model with binary variables is presented, and its flexible structure allows for all five models to be utilised with minor modifications for adaptation to individual situations. The multiproduct model takes into consideration the work of Chopra and Meindl (2012), who studied two types of product aggregations: full and adaptive. To find optimal or near-optimal solutions for the multiproduct case, the authors propose a simulated annealing metaheuristic application. Numerical examples are presented to improve the comprehension of each model, and the authors also present the efficiency of the simulated annealing algorithm through an example that aggregates 50 products, each one with different discount schemes and some allowing backorders.
Findings
Our model proved to be efficient at finding optimal or near optimal solutions even when confronted with mathematical complexities such as the allowance of backorders and incremental discounts.
Originality/value
Finally our model can process a mix of products with different discount schemes at the same time, and the simulated annealing metaheuristics could find optimal or near optimal solutions with very few iterations.
Details
Keywords
Jéssica Galdino de Freitas and Helder Gomes Costa
In a view to its comprehensive and diverse applicability, the methodology Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has the potential to the generation of impacts on various aspects of an…
Abstract
Purpose
In a view to its comprehensive and diverse applicability, the methodology Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has the potential to the generation of impacts on various aspects of an organization. This paper aims to carry out a systematic study of LSS impacts on organizations, analyzing their relation to organizational sustainability through the triple bottom line perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review of the existent literature on LSS was performed and the identified impacts were later classified as correspondence with three dimensions of organizational sustainability: financial, social and environmental.
Findings
There were identified 25 main impacts of the LSS through a systematic research of the literature. A greater correspondence of the LSS have been identified over a range of economic results in organizations; however, it was also possible to notice that the methodology has been directing its efforts gradually to meet further perspectives of sustainability, particularly by looking for a better relation with employees and customers.
Practical implications
The organizations that use the LSS as methodology to continuous improvement will be able to identify which impacts may need to be achieved primarily by the projects undertaken to enhance the achievement of a more sustainable management. Because of its comprehensive character, this paper can help organizations belonging to various industries and sectors of society.
Originality/value
Despite the growing number of published articles on the methodology LSS, it has not been identified articles that look for the study of the application of the methodology as a mechanism for increasing sustainability in organizations. Within the scenario presented, this study sought to assist the filling of this gap.
Details
Keywords
Reinaldo José De Freitas, Helder Gomes Costa, Valdecy Pereira and Eduardo Shimoda
– This paper aims to identify criteria that can be used in assessing the successful implementation of ERP (enterprise resource planning) in large companies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify criteria that can be used in assessing the successful implementation of ERP (enterprise resource planning) in large companies.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a systematic review conducted in 74 selected articles from a survey performed in Scopus bases and Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science, an initial set of 34 criteria was defined and used for evaluating the implementation of ERP systems. This set was submitted to a sample of 111 experts in ERP for evaluation via electronic forms provided through the EncuestaFácil site. The collected data were treated by applying the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) method. The criteria selection is based on the integration of two methodological approaches: systematic review and the application of CVR method for validation of ratings issued by experts.
Findings
As a result of the research, 25 criteria were identified and validated to evaluate the implementation of ERP systems, focusing on large Brazilian companies.
Practical implications
The research results can be very useful to managers using ERP systems and have significant utility for organizations that develop ERP systems.
Originality/value
According to studied literature, no previous study has used this integration in the identification of criteria for assessing the implementation of ERP systems in large Brazilian companies. On the other hand, the use of these two approaches assured confidence in the validity of the findings.
Details
Keywords
This study aims to use a graphical approach to highlight the differences between outranking and preference relationships. The outranking principle is based on a structure of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to use a graphical approach to highlight the differences between outranking and preference relationships. The outranking principle is based on a structure of non-dominance, which differs from the usual structures of preferences.
Design/methodology/approach
To reach the objective, the paper makes a deep analysis of outranking and preference relationships and uses graphical representation to highlight the differences between these two concepts. Graphical interpretation is also used to support the results form ELECTRE I and to highlight misinterpretation of results, such as rank reversal in ELECTRE I.
Findings
The results show that the assumption of rank reversal while using ELECTRE I is a mistake.
Originality/value
It was not found in literature a previous work paper that demonstrates a result like this one.
Details
Keywords
Valdecy Pereira and Helder Gomes Costa
This paper aims to present a literature review on models developed for the economic order quantity (EOQ) problem with incremental and all-units discounts, extending the work of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a literature review on models developed for the economic order quantity (EOQ) problem with incremental and all-units discounts, extending the work of Benton and Park (1996) which covered the most significant literature, from 1963 to 1994, about EOQ with discounts and that has identified four open areas in this field of study. The modeling of lot size with discounts wishes to give good solutions for realistic situations, such as those concerning the discounts offered by suppliers, to rises in the demand.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was carried out in papers published from 1995 to 2013, and indexed in databases as Scopus and ISI Web of Science. The papers were compared through objective function, constraints, discounts, developed algorithms, allowance of shortages or multiproduct, demand pattern and buyer or buyer–supplier perspective.
Findings
Results indicate two areas that still remain untouched, and probably the main cause is due to mathematical complexities. The authors have also identified an increasing trend of works that compared just-in-time with the EOQ with quantity discounts policy and also an increasing number of works that solved this category of problems with algorithms.
Research limitations/implications
The research does not cover materials published in working papers, monographs, thesis, conferences or journals that are not indexed in those databases.
Originality/value
This manuscript fills a gap in the study of EOQ with incremental discounts, as it highlights the leading edge advances in this field and the main differences among models. As a whole, the new trends about modeling EOQ problems with quantity discounts were discovered.
Details
Keywords
Barbara de Lima Voss, David Bernard Carter and Bruno Meirelles Salotti
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in…
Abstract
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in the construction of hegemonies in SEA research in Brazil. In particular, we examine the role of hegemony in relation to the co-option of SEA literature and sustainability in the Brazilian context by the logic of development for economic growth in emerging economies. The methodological approach adopts a post-structural perspective that reflects Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. The study employs a hermeneutical, rhetorical approach to understand and classify 352 Brazilian research articles on SEA. We employ Brown and Fraser’s (2006) categorizations of SEA literature to help in our analysis: the business case, the stakeholder–accountability approach, and the critical case. We argue that the business case is prominent in Brazilian studies. Second-stage analysis suggests that the major themes under discussion include measurement, consulting, and descriptive approach. We argue that these themes illustrate the degree of influence of the hegemonic politics relevant to emerging economics, as these themes predominantly concern economic growth and a capitalist context. This paper discusses trends and practices in the Brazilian literature on SEA and argues that the focus means that SEA avoids critical debates of the role of capitalist logics in an emerging economy concerning sustainability. We urge the Brazilian academy to understand the implications of its reifying agenda and engage, counter-hegemonically, in a social and political agenda beyond the hegemonic support of a particular set of capitalist interests.