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Article
Publication date: 8 January 2018

Ashkan Hafezalkotob, Reza Mahmoudi, Elham Hajisami and Hui Ming Wee

Nowadays, uncertainty in market demand poses considerable risk to the retailers that supply the market. On the other hand, the risk-averse behaviors of retailers toward risk may…

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Abstract

Purpose

Nowadays, uncertainty in market demand poses considerable risk to the retailers that supply the market. On the other hand, the risk-averse behaviors of retailers toward risk may have evolved over time. Considering a supply chain including a manufacturer and a population of retailers, the authors intend to investigate how the population of retailers tends to evolve toward risk-averse behavior. Moreover, this study aims to evaluate the effects of wholesale-retail price of manufacturer on evolutionary stable strategy (ESS) of the retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to market uncertainty, a supply chain with a population of risk-averse and risk-neutral retailers was investigated. The wholesale pricing strategy is determined by a manufacturer acting as a leader, while retailers who make order quantity decisions act as followers. An integrated Cournot duopoly equilibrium and evolutionary game theory (EGT) approach has been used to model this situation.

Findings

A numerical real-world case study using Iran Khodro Company is analyzed by applying the proposed EGT approach. The study provides managerial insights to the manufacturer as well as retailers in developing their strategies. Results showed that risk behavior of retailers significantly affects optimal wholesale/retail price, profits and ESS. In the long term, the retailers tend to have a risk-neutral behavior to gain more profit. In the short term, if a retailer choses risk-averse strategy, in the long term, it will change its strategy to obtain more profit and remain in the competitive market.

Originality/value

The contributions in this research are fourfold. First, ESS concept to investigate the risk-averse or risk-neutral attitudes of the retailers was used. Second, the uncertain risk behavior of the competing retailers was considered. Third, the effect of varying wholesale pricing was investigated. Fourth, the equilibrium wholesale and retail prices have been obtained by considering uncertainty demand and risk.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 47 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

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Article
Publication date: 19 October 2018

Akbar Marefat, Hossein Toosi and Reza Mahmoudi Hasankhanlo

Construction industry bears a lot of casualties and accidents more than other high-risk industries annually. Thus, the use of new technologies such, as building information…

2993

Abstract

Purpose

Construction industry bears a lot of casualties and accidents more than other high-risk industries annually. Thus, the use of new technologies such, as building information modeling, automatic rule checking, information technology-based safety systems in order to implement the rules and safety standards, better controls the performance of workers on site and make high coordination between operational executives, leading to create a secure environment in projects by reducing accidents. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a researcher-designed questionnaire was distributed among 200 companies that are active in the field of construction to evaluate the effect of building information model (BIM) for safety projects and barriers to adoption. Only 70 percent of questionnaires were returned. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences analysis has been used to determine the correlation coefficient among the respondents.

Findings

The results show the factors that lead to failure in the adoption of BIM in Iran are lack of well-trained personnel, proper social infrastructure, guidance and governmental supports.

Originality/value

Finally, the authors presented solutions for overcoming barriers and proposed some factors leading to the successful adoption of BIM in Iran.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 26 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 8 April 2019

Mahdi Salehi, Mohamad Reza Fakhri Mahmoudi and Ali Daemi Gah

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a deeper understanding about the reasons behind difference in previous studies’ results in the field of audit quality determinants.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a deeper understanding about the reasons behind difference in previous studies’ results in the field of audit quality determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

A meta-analysis method is employed in which 52 studies including 40 international studies from authentic scientific articles during the year 2000–2015 and 12 national studies out of authentic national scientific articles from 2001 to 2015 are taken to account as sample studies. Audit firm size, auditor tenure and auditor specialization are set as independent variables and audit quality is the only dependent variable in the current paper.

Findings

The results indicate that audit firm size and auditor specialization are positively associated with audit quality. In other words, contracting with larger audit firm and specialized auditor results in delivering higher quality audit services.

Originality/value

The current study is the first study to be conducted in the field of audit quality determinants. The results may be beneficial both for standard setters as well practitioners in a way that it provides evidence that contributes to basis policy and audit-standard makers about domination and determinants of audit quality.

Details

Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-1168

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Article
Publication date: 25 May 2018

Amin Mahmoudi, Mohammad Reza Feylizadeh, Davood Darvishi and Sifeng Liu

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for solving multi-objective linear programming (MOLP) with interval coefficients using positioned programming and interactive…

171

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for solving multi-objective linear programming (MOLP) with interval coefficients using positioned programming and interactive fuzzy programming approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed algorithm, first, lower and upper bounds of each objective function in its feasible region will be determined. Afterwards using fuzzy approach, considering a membership function for each objective function and finally using grey linear programming, the solution for this problem will be obtained.

Findings

According to the presented example, in this paper, the proposed method is both simple in use and suitable for solving different problems. In the numerical example mentioned in this paper, the proposed method provides an acceptable solution for such problems.

Practical implications

As in most real-world situations, the coefficients of decision models are not known and exact. In this paper, the authors consider the model of MOLP with interval data, since one of the solutions to cover uncertainty is using interval theory.

Originality/value

Based on using grey theory and interactive fuzzy programming approaches, an appropriate method has been presented for solving MOLP problems with interval coefficients. The proposed method, against the complex methods, has less effort and offers acceptable solutions.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

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Article
Publication date: 23 May 2018

Amin Mahmoudi and Mohammad Reza Feylizadeh

The purpose of this paper is to examine projects crashing based on the factors including cost, time, quality, risk and the law of diminishing returns.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine projects crashing based on the factors including cost, time, quality, risk and the law of diminishing returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first investigated effective factors on project crashing then proposed a grey linear programming model. In the proposed grey linear programming model, the costs of quality of works that include the cost of conformance and non-conformance of deliverables in the project were studied. The results are presented for considering the existing uncertainties using positioned programming under the sensitivity analysis table and graphs.

Findings

The lack of consideration of project risks will reduce the project success probability in future. The proposed model reduces the existing uncertainties to a significant extent by covering the project risks completely. Based on the law of diminishing returns, after a certain point technically known as saturation point, the increase of resources does not lead to the reduction of time and may even have negative impacts. Finding the saturation point for each activity prevents the excessive allocation of resources that can lead to reduction of productivity.

Practical implications

The main duty of each project manager is finishing the project in the framework of the determined objectives. In most of the cases, after the preparation of the initial project schedule by the project team, it is seen that there is a need for the time reduction. This study has used a grey linear programming model for optimum crashing of project activities. In order to make the model more realistic and applicable, the authors endeavoured to consider most of the factors that are involved in doing a project.

Originality/value

In the present study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge the factors of time, cost, quality, risk and the law of diminishing returns are simultaneously considered in project crashing for the first time and the grey theory was used for considering the uncertainties of project parameters. Also, “the law of diminishing returns” has not been considered during crashing in the studies conducted so far.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

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Article
Publication date: 11 September 2018

Hojjat Saberinejad, Ali Keshavarz, Mohammad Payandehdoost, Mohammad Reza Azmoodeh and Alireza Batooei

The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate the heat transfer enhancement in a tube filled partially with porous media under non-uniform porosity distribution and…

138

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate the heat transfer enhancement in a tube filled partially with porous media under non-uniform porosity distribution and thermal dispersion effects. The optimum porous thickness ratio [R_(r,Nu)] for the heat transfer enhancement under these conditions with and without considering required pumping power is evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

The local thermal non-equilibrium and Darcy–Brinkman–Forchheimer models are used to simulated thermal and flow fields in porous region. The tube wall and flow regime are assumed to be isothermal and laminar, respectively. The impacts of Darcy number (Da = 10-6 - 10-1) and inertia parameter (F = 0 − 2) on the Nusselt number and friction factor are studied for non-uniform porosity distribution.

Findings

First, the effect of Nusselt number indicates that there are two different behaviors with respect to uniform and non-uniform porosity for partially and fully filled porous pipe. Second, variable porosity in porous region has significant influence on the optimum thickness ratio with considering required pumping power. For negligible inertia term, it depends on the Darcy number, whereas it is 0.9 at F > 1. Third, the plug flow assumption cannot be valid even at lower Darcy number under non-uniform porosity, while this assumption is applicable at Da < 10-3 for constant porosity distribution in porous region.

Originality/value

According to the best knowledge of authors, the optimum porous thickness ratio for the heat transfer enhancement considering the pressure loss effects under variable porosity has not reported up to now. Also the plug flow assumption in such physics is not discussed.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 28 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

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Article
Publication date: 8 November 2018

Mahmood Kasravi, Amin Mahmoudi and Mohammad Reza Feylizadeh

Construction projects managers try their best for the project to go according to the plans. They always attempt to complete the projects on time and consistent with the…

379

Abstract

Purpose

Construction projects managers try their best for the project to go according to the plans. They always attempt to complete the projects on time and consistent with the predetermined budgets. Amid so many problems in project planning, the most critical and well-known problem is the Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (RCPSP). The purpose of this paper is to solve RCPSP using hybrid algorithm ICA/PSO.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the existence of various forms for scheduling the problem and also the diversity of constraints and objective functions, myriad of research studies have been conducted in this realm of study. Since most of these problems are NP-hard ones, heuristic and meta-heuristic methods are used for solving these problems. In this research, a novel hybrid method which is composed of meta-heuristic methods of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) has been used to solve RCPSP. Finally, a railway project has been examined for RCPS Problem in a real-world situation.

Findings

According to the results of the case study, ICA/PSO algorithm has better results than ICAs and PSO individually.

Practical implications

ICA/PSO algorithm could be used for solving problems in a multi-mode situation of activities or considering more constraints on the resources, such as the existence of non-renewable resources and renewable. Based on the case study in construction project, ICA/PSO algorithm has a better solution than PSO and ICA.

Originality/value

In this study, by combining PSO and ICA algorithms and creating a new hybrid algorithm, better solutions have been achieved in RCPSP. In order to validate the method, standard problems available in PSPLib library were used.

Details

Journal of Advances in Management Research, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0972-7981

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Article
Publication date: 5 February 2018

Amin Mahmoudi, Mohammad Reza Feylizadeh and Davood Darvishi

The purpose of this paper is to examine the shortcomings and problems associated with the method proposed by Razavi Hajiagha et al. (2012).

155

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the shortcomings and problems associated with the method proposed by Razavi Hajiagha et al. (2012).

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-objective approach is proposed to solve the grey linear programming problems. In this method, the grey linear problem is converted into a multi-objective problem and then solved.

Findings

According to the numerical example presented in the study by Razavi Hajiagha et al. (2012), this method does not have a correct solution because the solution does not satisfy the constraints and the upper bounds of the variables are equal or less than their lower bound.

Originality/value

In recent years, various methods have been proposed for solving grey linear programming problems. Razavi Hajiagha et al. (2012) proposed a multi-objective approach to solve grey linear programming problems, but this method does not have a correct solution and using this method in other researches studies can reduce the value of the grey system theory.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

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Article
Publication date: 5 September 2016

Amin Mahmoudi, Soheil Sadi-Nezhad, Ahmad Makui and Mohammad Reza Vakili

The purpose of this paper is to extend the PROMETHEE method under typical hesitant fuzzy information for solving multi-attribute decision-making problem in which there is…

364

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the PROMETHEE method under typical hesitant fuzzy information for solving multi-attribute decision-making problem in which there is hesitancy among experts.

Design/methodology/approach

Different aggregation and distance functions were developed to deal with HFS. But it is rational that different operators applying in existing methods can produce different results. Also, it is difficult for decision makers to select suitable operators. To address the drawback, this paper develops the PROMETHEE method as an outranking approach to accommodate hesitant fuzzy information. Since the proposed method is constructed on the basis of the pair-wise comparisons, it is independent of the aggregation and distance functions.

Findings

To demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method, the authors provide a numerical example and a comparative analysis. The results indicate that outranking-based methods suggest a better ranking than the aggregation- and distance-based methods.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach does not consider the hesitant fuzzy linguistic information decision-making problem.

Practical implications

The proposed approach can be applied in many group decision-making problems in which there is hesitancy among experts.

Originality/value

This paper proposes an extension on PROMETHEE method under hesitant fuzzy information, which has not been reported in the existing academic literature.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 45 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 4 August 2023

Hamid Asnaashari, Abbas Sheikh Aboumasoudi, Mohammad Reza Mozaffari and Mohammad Reza Feylizadeh

The application of correct contractor selection strategies leads to the selection of a qualified contractor and, as a result, the on-time delivery of the project with the desired…

134

Abstract

Purpose

The application of correct contractor selection strategies leads to the selection of a qualified contractor and, as a result, the on-time delivery of the project with the desired quality and within the predetermined budgetary constraints. For this reason, evaluating and qualifying contractors before reviewing the proposed prices has been considered an important issue. One factor that disrupts the project completion process and the failure to achieve pre-planned goals effectively is the occurrence of contractors' disputes and claims in projects. To this end, the present study explores claim-reduction strategies for selecting effective contractors in an uncertain environment to reduce possible problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-step grey data envelopment analysis (GDEA) approach was used to measure efficiency as a powerful tool in selecting efficient contractors during tenders. This approach can extend the applications of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models. In other words, given some uncertainties, the unavailability of some data, and the problems with the DEA model, the two-step GDEA model was used to rank the contractors. The data confirmed the satisfactory outcomes from the selected model.

Findings

The preliminary assessment of contractors is a pre-tendering process and a step in categorizing contractors, excluding contractors lacking required qualifications, and selecting efficient contractors. At first, it will help the employer to exclude inexperienced and unqualified contractors, save resources and time, reduce threats, replace opportunities with threats, and reduce material and non-material costs during the completion of the project until the projects are put into operation. Consequently, this approach reduces claims to a minimum level and increases the organization's effective material and non-material profit.

Originality/value

Oil and gas plans and projects have a significant, sensitive, and decisive role in the economic, social, political, cultural, infrastructural, and all-round development of Iran; This is while most of the financial resources needed to implement the development and programs across the country come from oil revenues. Studies have indicated that despite the importance of these plans and projects, many of them are not completed successfully, and this causes irreparable losses to the country's economy and development in various fields.

Highlight

  1. The findings of this study can be used by organizations to select more effective contractors to assign projects and plans to them.

  2. The preliminary assessment of contractors is a pre-tendering process and a step in categorizing contractors, excluding contractors who lack required qualifications, and finally selecting efficient contractors.

  3. At first, it will help the employer to exclude inexperienced and unqualified contractors, save resources and time, reduce threats, replace opportunities with threats, and reduce material and non-material costs during the completion of the project until the projects are put into operation.

  4. This approach also gives credit to the employer during the execution period and contributes to assessing unqualified contractors and reducing the temptation to hand over the project to an unqualified contractor but with a lower bid price.

  5. Consequently, this approach reduces claims to a minimum level and increases the effective material and non-material profit of the organization.

  6. Moreover, it provides an extra-organizational evaluation for contractors, motivating them to upgrade their capabilities and optimally allocate material and non-material resources, especially human resources.

The findings of this study can be used by organizations to select more effective contractors to assign projects and plans to them.

The preliminary assessment of contractors is a pre-tendering process and a step in categorizing contractors, excluding contractors who lack required qualifications, and finally selecting efficient contractors.

At first, it will help the employer to exclude inexperienced and unqualified contractors, save resources and time, reduce threats, replace opportunities with threats, and reduce material and non-material costs during the completion of the project until the projects are put into operation.

This approach also gives credit to the employer during the execution period and contributes to assessing unqualified contractors and reducing the temptation to hand over the project to an unqualified contractor but with a lower bid price.

Consequently, this approach reduces claims to a minimum level and increases the effective material and non-material profit of the organization.

Moreover, it provides an extra-organizational evaluation for contractors, motivating them to upgrade their capabilities and optimally allocate material and non-material resources, especially human resources.

Details

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

Keywords

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