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Article
Publication date: 14 October 2019

S. Smys, Joy Iong-Zong Chen, Shahed Mohammadi and Álvaro Rocha

682

Abstract

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International Journal of Intelligent Unmanned Systems, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-6427

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Article
Publication date: 9 April 2018

Mohsen Mohammadi, Mohammad Rahim Eivazi, Gholam Reza Goudarzi and Einollah Keshavarz Turk

Various theoretical studies were carried out which attempted to identify impacting factors of cultural changes; however, these studies ignored the correlation among other…

414

Abstract

Purpose

Various theoretical studies were carried out which attempted to identify impacting factors of cultural changes; however, these studies ignored the correlation among other affecting factors all together. In this paper, the authors aim not only to discuss the hidden layers that trigger the cultural changes but also to answer the questions of how to identify the main factors in each layer based on casual layered analysis (CLA), which could have a strong impact in shaping other layers’ factors? What are the dominant metaphors and worldviews that human beings are telling themselves about our universe that influences the future cultural changes?

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the questions of “how to identify the main factors in each layer,” the CLA methodology was used to investigate the underlying reasons. CLA takes into account four layers (litany, social systems, dominant discourse and worldviews and metaphors), which could be a tremendous help in identifying the mentioned factors.

Findings

The analysis shows that there are some contributing factors such as economy, technology, politics, society, environment, mass media, globalization and migration at the second layer – “social systems layer” – which may trigger cultural changes in first layer “litany”; in addition, in the third and deeper layer two dominant worldviews – materialist/secular and religious affecting the contributing factors in the second layer – were identified. Such worldviews are, in turn, supported by metaphors or perfect stories/myths of the deepest layer.

Originality/value

It can be concluded that because the cultural changes as a reality is composed of different layers, it is important to dig into different layers of reality to comprehend the significant shaping factors of that reality to visualize and make the better future.

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foresight, vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

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Article
Publication date: 17 February 2025

Mohammad Farahmand-Mehr and Seyed Meysam Mousavi

The purpose of this study is to investigate resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problems (RCMPSP) involving uncertainty in the form of time-dependent renewable resource…

10

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problems (RCMPSP) involving uncertainty in the form of time-dependent renewable resource reliability. A key focus is to minimize the makespan (completion time) of projects when resources can become unavailable or fail over time at non-constant rates. Accounting for realistic resource reliability seeks to provide scheduling solutions that better reflect potential delays in practical multi-project environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A new discrete-time binary integer programming formulation of RCMPSP is expanded to include time-dependent resource reliability and simultaneously evaluate the time-dependent failure rate and constant repair rate of a resource. A new hybrid immune genetic algorithm with local search (HIGALS) is developed to solve this NP-hard problem. HIGALS incorporates a new coding mechanism, initialization method and local search operator.

Findings

A case study tests the proposed HIGALS approach. The validity of the mathematical model is confirmed by solving small-sized problems with GAMS software. The proposed HIGALS algorithm is validated by solving small-sized problems and comparing its solutions with GAMS. The superiority of HIGALS is demonstrated by comparing its solutions with six basic algorithms on medium- and large-sized problems. Results show that HIGALS outperforms existing algorithms, achieving an average reduction in makespan of over 11.79%, while maintaining the advantages of genetic, immune and local search algorithms and avoiding their disadvantages.

Practical implications

Considering time-dependent resource reliability can help project managers plan for disruptions and delays in resource-critical projects. HIGALS provides decision support for robust multi-project scheduling.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field by investigating RCMPSP with time-dependent renewable resource reliability, which reflects real-world uncertainty more accurately. HIGALS presents a novel approach to balance intensification and diversification for this challenging problem.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

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Article
Publication date: 6 July 2022

Pouyan Mahdavi-Roshan and Seyed Meysam Mousavi

Most projects are facing delays, and accelerating the pace of project progress is a necessity. Project managers are responsible for completing the project on time with minimum…

202

Abstract

Purpose

Most projects are facing delays, and accelerating the pace of project progress is a necessity. Project managers are responsible for completing the project on time with minimum cost and with maximum quality. This study provides a trade-off between time, cost, and quality objectives to optimize project scheduling.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper presents a new resource-constrained multi-mode time–cost–quality trade-off project scheduling model with lags under finish-to-start relations. To be more realistic, crashing and overlapping techniques are utilized. To handle uncertainty, which is a source of project complexity, interval-valued fuzzy sets are adopted on several parameters. In addition, a new hybrid solution approach is developed to cope with interval-valued fuzzy mathematical model that is based on different alpha-levels and compensatory methods. To find the compatible solution among conflicting objectives, an arithmetical average method is provided as a compensatory approach.

Findings

The interval-valued fuzzy sets approach proposed in this paper is denoted to be scalable, efficient, generalizable and practical in project environments. The results demonstrated that the crashing and overlapping techniques improve time–cost–quality trade-off project scheduling model. Also, interval-valued fuzzy sets can properly manage expressions of the uncertainty of projects which are realistic and practical. The proposed mathematical model is validated by solving a medium-sized dataset an adopted case study. In addition, with a sensitivity analysis approach, the solutions are compared and the model performance is confirmed.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a new continuous-based, resource-constrained, and multi-mode model with crashing and overlapping techniques simultaneously. In addition, a new hybrid compensatory solution approach is extended based on different alpha-levels to handle interval-valued fuzzy multi-objective mathematical model of project scheduling with influential uncertain parameters.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 9 January 2019

Amir Hossein Hosseinian, Vahid Baradaran and Mahdi Bashiri

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new mixed-integer formulation for the time-dependent multi-skilled resource-constrained project scheduling problem (MSRCPSP/t…

431

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new mixed-integer formulation for the time-dependent multi-skilled resource-constrained project scheduling problem (MSRCPSP/t) considering learning effect. The proposed model extends the basic form of the MSRCPSP by three concepts: workforces have different efficiencies, it is possible for workforces to improve their efficiencies by learning from more efficient workers and the availability of workforces and resource requests of activities are time-dependent. To spread dexterity from more efficient workforces to others, this study has integrated the concept of diffusion maximization in social networks into the proposed model. In this respect, the diffusion of dexterity is formulated based on the linear threshold model for a network of workforces who share common skills. The proposed model is bi-objective, aiming to minimize make-span and total costs of project, simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

The MSRCPSP is an non-deterministic polynomial-time hard (NP-hard) problem in the strong sense. Therefore, an improved version of the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (IM-NSGA-II) is developed to optimize the make-span and total costs of project, concurrently. For the proposed algorithm, this paper has designed new genetic operators that help to spread dexterity among workforces. To validate the solutions obtained by the IM-NSGA-II, four other evolutionary algorithms – the classical NSGA-II, non-dominated ranked genetic algorithm, Pareto envelope-based selection algorithm II and strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm II – are used. All algorithms are calibrated via the Taguchi method.

Findings

Comprehensive numerical tests are conducted to evaluate the performance of the IM-NSGA-II in comparison with the other four methods in terms of convergence, diversity and computational time. The computational results reveal that the IM-NSGA-II outperforms the other methods in terms of most of the metrics. Besides, a sensitivity analysis is implemented to investigate the impact of learning on objective function values. The outputs show the significant impact of learning on objective function values.

Practical implications

The proposed model and algorithm can be used for scheduling activities of small- and large-size real-world projects.

Originality/value

Based on the previous studies reviewed in this paper, one of the research gaps is the MSRCPSP with time-dependent resource capacities and requests. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-objective model for the MSRCPSP with time-dependent resource profiles. Besides, the evaluation of learning effect on efficiency of workforces has not been studied sufficiently in the literature. In this study, the effect of learning on efficiency of workforces has been considered. In the scarce number of proposed models with learning effect, the researchers have assumed that the efficiency of workforces increases as they spend more time on performing a skill. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the effect of learning from more efficient co-workers has not been studied in the literature of the RCPSP. Therefore, in this research, the effect of learning from more efficient co-workers has been investigated. In addition, a modified version of the NSGA-II algorithm is developed to solve the model.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

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Article
Publication date: 12 June 2024

Ankit Sharma, Suresh Kumar Jakhar, Ilias Vlachos and Satish Kumar

Over the past two decades, the hub location domain has witnessed remarkable growth, yet no prior study reviewed and synthesised problem formulation and solution methodologies to…

204

Abstract

Purpose

Over the past two decades, the hub location domain has witnessed remarkable growth, yet no prior study reviewed and synthesised problem formulation and solution methodologies to address real-life challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric literature review to develop a thematic framework that describes and presents hub location problems. The work employs cluster, bibliometric, and social network analyses to delve into the essential themes.

Findings

Key themes include cooperation, coopetition, sustainability, reshoring, and dynamic demand, contributing to the complex challenges in today’s hub location problems. As the first work in this field, the study serves as a valuable single-source reference, providing scholars and industry practitioners with key insights into the evolution of hub location research, prominent research clusters, influential authors, leading countries, and crucial keywords.

Research limitations/implications

Findings have significant implications since they highlight the current state of hub location research and set the stage for future endeavours. Specifically, by identifying prominent research clusters, scholars can explore promising directions to push the boundaries of knowledge in this area.

Originality/value

This work is a valuable resource for scholars in this domain and offers practical insights for industry practitioners seeking to understand the hub location problems. Overall, the study’s holistic approach provides a solid foundation for advancing future research work in the hub location field.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 74 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Available. Content available

Abstract

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International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 18 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

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Article
Publication date: 19 December 2022

Melisa Ozbiltekin-Pala, Aydın Koçak and Yigit Kazancoglu

COVID-19 is a global event affecting supply chain operations and human health. With COVID-19, many issues in business models, business processes and supply chains, especially in…

936

Abstract

Purpose

COVID-19 is a global event affecting supply chain operations and human health. With COVID-19, many issues in business models, business processes and supply chains, especially in the manufacturing industry, have had to change. The ability to analyze supply chain performances and ensure circularity in supply chains has become one of the factors whose importance has increased rapidly with COVID-19. Therefore, it aims to determine which supply chain performance criteria come to the fore for the company under consideration to accelerate the transformation into high performance and circularity in supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a new circular-SCOR model is proposed, and 17 supply chain performance measurement criteria are prioritized for a manufacturing company in the context of circular economy principles during COVID-19 by using stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis and analytical hierarchy process method, separately.

Findings

As a result, for both methods, in the case study discussed, the demand fulfillment rate is determined as the most prominent criterion in line with the circular economy principles in the COVID-19 period in manufacturing supply chains.

Originality/value

It is expected that this study will contribute to managers and policy makers as it addresses the “new normal” that started after COVID-19 and the criteria to be considered in supply chain performance measurement and emphasizes the need to adopt circular supply chains, especially in manufacturing industries.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 40 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

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