Evaluation Matrix Research Articles

Tourist behaviour in a COVID-19 world: a New Zealand perspective

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic is considered a “once in a century” public health shock that, at the time of writing, continues to have a profound impact on global tourism and New Zealand. The paper aims to assess how consumer behaviour trends changed using a trends analysis framework.Design/methodology/approachPositioning the paper in the prognosis–prediction paradigm from futures studies and using a trend analysis approach, the authors forecasted a series of tourist trends at the beginning of COVID-19 based upon a multitude of sources trends. Then, 12 months later, they reported on the accuracy of these forecasts.FindingsThe matrix identifies 15 trends based upon consumer behaviour changes, which are either dominant, slowed, advanced or arrested. The prognosis was largely correct, which was supported by evidence gathered 12 months later.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper uses a series of different data sources to reflect on the initial forecasts. To some, this may be an issue of rigor, but the authors argue that through triangulation, credibility and validity are increased.Originality/valueFirst, the evaluation matrix allows users to make sense of COVID-19 based upon the concepts of dominant, slowed, advanced or arrested trends. Second, the matrix allows users to evaluate changes and movement of trends. Third, the trends featured in this paper could be generalisable to several different circumstances associated with simple identity. Fourth, this paper has tested the ability to predict trends in an uncertain environment within the context of the ontological paradigm of prognosis and prediction of futures states.

Business Development Strategy Tenant Business Incubator STP IPB; Case Study PT Ecodoe Widya Candia Internasional

Ecodoe is one of the companies that move in the field of E-Commerce souvenirs and gifts that are present to provide solutions for companies that need souvenir kits, without having to buy retail. Behind the growth of startups that seem significant, there are also failures that befall the perpetrators in various business sectors. Once support from governments and external agencies ends, revenue from startups tends to decline to the point that puts these businesses in a situation called the 'Valley of Death'. The study used the Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE) and the External Factor Evaluation Matrix (EFE) to identify the inernal environment and external environment of the company that are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Ecodoe. Furthermore, using Matrix IE analysis to find out the position of the company and produce alternative strategies using the SWOT matrix The results of the analysis of the preparation of alternative strategies with the SWOT matrix method on Ecodoe resulted in thirteen alternative strategies. Keywords: ECODOE, SWOT, Start Up.

Interkulturelle Musiktherapie –Ein Literaturreview

Cultural diversity has become a fact of our reality. To what extent this is considered in music therapy has been little studied. Four German and six English language music therapy journals were selected for a literature review of the period 1990–2019. They were systematically screened for articles with an intercultural context. The 196 articles identified, 138 of which in English, were evaluated using time-series representation and an evaluation matrix with nine categories, including client age groups. Intercultural music therapy articles with case studies appear from the turn of the millennium. With an increase in tendency, they have lately accounted for a fluctuation rate of approximately 4 %. The results show a classification of migration-specific pressures in intercultural music therapy work emphasizing the effects on children and adolescents. Pilot studies in multicultural schools and kindergartens report positive effects of music therapy, but admit insufficient sample size and lack of evidence. The importance of intercultural competency for music therapy work is emphasized, however there is no indication of its integration in music therapy training. Interdisciplinary research projects, together with educational and systemic psychiatric disciplines at schools, could help with difficulties in providing evidence for music therapy. Surveys on teaching intercultural competency at music therapy training-institutions would be useful.

A comprehensive perspective for exploring the trade-offs and synergies between carbon sequestration and grain supply in China based on the production possibility frontier

The growth of grain supply (GS) is generally achieved through production intensification, cropland expansion, or both, which have significant direct or indirect effects on carbon sequestration (CS). However, the comprehensive benefits of the two ecosystem services (ESs), determined by biophysical constraints and management conditions in specific regions, have not yet been thoroughly explored. In this study, the dynamic benefits of the two ESs was quantified by production possibility frontier (PPF) considering the biophysical constraints and management conditions in China during the years 2000–2015. An evaluation matrix combined with spatial analysis method was used to examine the spatiotemporal variations of the ES relationship, and a multiple logistic regression model was adopted to investigate the influencing mechanism that shape ES relationship. The results demonstrated that the ES relationship had considerable spatial heterogeneities in China, and synergy and trade-off were the dominant relationships during the study period. The further trade-off analyses of PPFs suggested that the fitting curve shape was concave trade-off type in 2000, backward S-type in 2005, and to a pattern between inverted backward S-type trade-off and convex trade-off type in 2015. Meanwhile, the threshold of the total benefits of the two ESs, which determines the influence degree that GS brings to bear on CS, decreased from 0.36 to approximately 0.07 kg/m2 in 2000–2015. Cropland area, topography, soil texture, soil organic carbon, and chemical fertilizer use were important factors influencing the synergy and trade-off of ESs. This study provides a comprehensive perspective to explore the spatial-temporal dynamic characteristics and the influencing mechanism of ES relationship. Our findings could serve as a basis for the multi-objective optimal management of ESs, considering both biophysical constraints and management conditions.

Comprehensive evaluation on water resources carrying capacity based on improved AGA-AHP method

The combined weight method (CWM) for comprehensive water resources carrying capacity evaluation is proposed in this paper to evaluate the regional water resources carrying capacity. Firstly, the accelerating genetic algorithm based on analytic hierarchy process (AGA-AHP) method is improved to optimize the expert evaluation matrix and determine the subjective weight, in which entropy weight method is used to determine objective weight, and the combined weight formula is put forward to get the combined weight of evaluation index. Secondly, the certainty degree is calculated by using the multi-dimensional normal cloud model. The obstacle factors of evaluation index are diagnosed. Finally, taking Henan Province as an example, the regional water resources carrying capacity is evaluated by using CWM method. The comparison between single cloud model, AHP-TOPSIS and CWM is made. It is proved that CWM method takes the fuzziness and randomness into account in the evaluation process, and the efficient and intuitive results can be obtained through evaluation. The obstacle degree and the time changing pattern of the index can be clearly diagnosed, which can provide a new idea for the evaluation method of water resources carrying capacity.

Fuzzy Model for Decision Support under Uncertainty Based on the «Fztotriangle» Transformation

One of the problems of operations research is the problem of choosing the best solution from the set of possible solutions in conditions of uncertainty, when there is no reliable data about the situation requiring a decision. Classical methods of mathematical modeling are focused on point, numerical estimates that characterize the results of possible choice. Moreover, in a situation of significant uncertainty, these methods do not provide unambiguous and mathematically rigorous recommendations for the choice of a solution method. One of the options to overcome these limitations is the use of the apparatus of the theory of fuzzy sets. We propose the method of finding the best solution on the set of fuzzy elements of the evaluation matrix, when the uncertainties of initial data are represented by fuzzy sets (numbers) with different functions of affiliation, which allows you to represent different levels of incomplete information about the situation requiring a decision. The choice of the best decision in conditions when the assessment of possible consequences is represented in the form of fuzzy sets is based on the application to these assessments of FztoTriangle transformation, which allows to obtain integral values for the results of possible decisions on the whole set of conditions characterizing the situation under study, in the form of an equivalent fuzzy set with a triangular identity function. This simplifies the comparison of fuzzy sets representing possible solutions. Performing such transformations does not impose restrictions on the type of affiliation functions of the evaluations used. The final result will be estimates of the consequences of the chosen solution, as well as the possibility of its implementation. The proposed method does not require complex mathematical transformations and can be easily implemented in software as a component of decision support system.

A Comparative View of Agri-Environmental Indicators and Stakeholders’ Assessment of Their Quality

The degree to which economic goals have been prioritized over environmental and social objectives has caused dissatisfaction with conventional agricultural practices and stimulated the adoption of sustainable farming methods. One way to consider the multidimensionality of sustainable agriculture is to refer to indicators, more precisely, to agri-environmental indicators (AEIs). This study provides a comparative overview of the 28 AEIs of the European Union (EU) and those of the OECD and FAO, additionally revealing how these 28 indicators are reflected in the literature regarding agri-environmental indicators. Furthermore, since much of human behavior is influenced by perceptions, it was critical to reveal the stakeholders’ assessment of the 28 AEIs based on four criteria (“Availability”, “Relevance”, “Target-oriented”, and “Operational simplicity”). The stakeholders’ opinions of the 28 AEIs were assessed using the evaluation matrix. The highest overall evaluation considering the four criteria was received by “Irrigation” and “Soil quality indicators”. The study concludes that tripartite cooperation between stakeholders—farmers, agri-environmental researchers, and policymakers—is needed to successfully implement the AEIs of the EU.

Investigation of green solvents for the extraction of phenol and natural alkaloids: Solvent and extractant selection

Green solvents have been gaining momentum to replace traditional volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in solvent extraction processes due to environmental and health concerns. In this work, phenol was used as a model compound for natural alkaloid extraction to find an appropriate alternative among green bio-derived solvents, including d-limonene, α-pinene, p-cymene, 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and CyreneTM. Moreover, extractants including Cyanex 923®, trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), tri-butyl-phosphate (TBP) and Alamine 336 were evaluated to investigate the improvement to phenol extraction performance. The selection of extractants and green solvents is based on an evaluation matrix composing several criteria including toxicity, biodegradability, feedstock, market price, physicochemical properties and extraction performance. Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) and conductor-like screening model (COSMO-SAC) with direction character of hydrogen bonding parameters (DHB) were used to assist the selection process. The COSMO predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data and within 20% deviation in most cases. Finally, d-limonene and Cyanex 923® were selected as the solvent replacement and extractant, respectively. 0.2 M and 0.6 M Cyanex 923® in d-limonene and xylene were further investigated via phenol and morphine isotherms at optimised pH values. It was found that d-limonene exhibits acceptable extraction performance for phenol extraction but is less efficient for morphine extraction as compared to xylene possibly due to emulsion formation during alkaloid extraction.

Cross-Border e-Commerce Business Model Based on Wireless Communication Network and Blockchain

At present, traditional business models are gradually being replaced, and companies in different industries and fields are paying much attention to the innovation and reform of e-commerce business models. First of all, this article summarizes the e-commerce business model applicable to this article through the literature induction method, the detailed explanation of cross-border e-commerce business model, and the innovation of domestic and foreign business models. It categorizes business models and introduces cross-border import business. It also introduces the development process of cross-border e-commerce in China’s consumer market, business processes, and the success factors of cross-border e-commerce. And, it introduces an evaluation matrix to create a cross-valuation model. The final research results show that the cross-border e-commerce business model has been comprehensively evaluated based on the evaluation index system. From the evaluation indicators and weights, it can be concluded that the organizational value weight of the platform in the cross-border e-commerce business model accounts for the largest weight, occupying a weight of 0.6370. Among the secondary evaluation indicators, the weight of key business capabilities accounted for the largest proportion, reaching 0.8571.

A Performance Evaluation Matrix for Measuring the Life Satisfaction of Older Adults Using eHealth Wearables.

eHealth wearables can track users’ state of health, record their physiological data, and facilitate self-care. In this study, we examined whether they enhance older adults’ casual exercise willingness and life satisfaction. After reviewing the related literature, the performance and satisfaction of elements for older adults to use eHealth Wearables were determined. The elements were derived from the means–end chain analysis. Three dimensions, product attributes, beneficial consequences, personal values, and responding elements, were identified first. The Performance Evaluation Matrix (PEM) was then established to determine the elements to be improved. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 206 valid questionnaires were completed and returned. In the proposed PEM, the product attributes that were in the priority improvement zone were accessibility, learnability, usability, affordability, positioning, pedometer, heart rate monitor, and data feedback. These elements are the most essential properties in need of improvement.

Research on disaster information dissemination based on social sensor networks

Sudden disaster events are usually unpredictable and uncontrollable, and how to achieve efficient and accurate disaster information dissemination is an important topic for society security. At present, social sensor networks which integrate human mobile sensors and traditional physical sensors are widely used in dealing with emergencies. Previous studies mainly focused on the impact of human mobility patterns on social sensor networks. In this article, based on the inherent autonomy property of human individuals, we propose a social sensor information dissemination model, which mainly focuses on the impact of the individual characteristics, social characteristics, and group information dissemination mode on social sensor networks. Specifically, the human sensor model is first constructed based on the inherent social and psychological attributes of human autonomy. Then, various information dissemination models such as one-to-one, one-to-many, and peer-to-peer are proposed by considering different transmission media and human interaction preferences. We simulate the environment of information dissemination in disaster events based on the NetLogo platform. Evaluation matrix is applied to test the performance of social sensor information dissemination model, such as event dissemination coverage, event delivery time, and event delivery rate. With the comparisons to epidemic model, social sensor information dissemination model shows excellent performance in improving the efficiency and accuracy of information transmission in disaster events.

Re-Fracturing Wells Selection by Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process—Taking Mahu Oilfield as An Example

Re-fracturing treatments of horizontal wells are increasingly gaining popularity to address the issue of rapid production decline and low recovery ratio for the conglomerate reservoir of the Mahu Oilfield. How to effectively select the horizontal wells with potentiality for re-fracturing and conduct the re-fracturing operation to achieve the purpose is the key problem that needs to be investigated urgently. However, the conventional methods for vertical wells are not in our consideration, and some methods for horizontal wells have their limits for the Mahu reservoir. To cope with problems mentioned above, fourteen factors from geology parameters, engineering parameters, and production performance parameters are considered to establish a multi-level evaluation model to quantify the potentiality of each horizontal well for re-fracturing in the Mahu Oilfield. First, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to obtain the weights of various factors affecting the productivity of horizontal wells, and on this basis, the subordination degree and evaluation matrix are then calculated, and finally, the fuzzy synthetic determination is obtained to determine the candidate wells for re-fracturing. The results have shown that the weights corresponding to engineering parameters obtained by the AHP method are the largest, followed by geology parameters, and the weights of production performance parameters are the minimal relatively; the number of fractures and the sand quantity of single cluster are the main controlling factors in engineering factors, and the initial formation pressure is the main controlling factor in geological factors; there is obvious correlation between the cumulative oil production after 90 days of primary fracturing with final cumulative production. Wells M15, M13, and M7 rank top three among the candidate wells. Through re-fracturing treatment by temporary plugging, the daily oil production of well M15 has increased significantly and is even higher than that of the primary hydraulic fracturing stimulation, confirming the reliability of the proposed selection method.

Streams Under Urban Pressure: Blue-Green Infrastructure Planning and Design Approaches for Bursa Ayvali Creek Corridor

In order to prevent the adverse effects of rapid urbanization and construction on the urban landscape, the protection and planning of the hydrological network systems with the open green spaces is a contemporary issue for cities. Within the scope of ensuring the sustainability of water resources and green open spaces, it is necessary to protect the natural water corridors for a sustainable environment, to store rainwater, to protect and feed the qualities of groundwater, and to create permeable surfaces. In many developed countries of the world, blue-green infrastructure solutions are produced respecting the natural structure of the water resources with innovative techniques. Ayvali Creek is an important branch of the Nilufer Stream, which is the main stream of the city of Bursa. Along this creek corridor under industrial, agricultural, and urban pressures, water pollution is observed and the natural habitat area is damaged. This study aims to categorize the problems and opportunities seen in the differentiating urban typologies along Ayvali Creek, by scoring and prioritizing them with an evaluation matrix. With matrix results, planning and design proposals focused on precipitation water integrated into the existing blue-green infrastructure system for the character of the area have been developed.

Analisis Strategi Bisnis Pada Perusahaan Layanan Internet Fixed Broadband Menggunakan Matriks IFE-EFE-IE

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all community activities, one of which is the change in communication patterns that have been using face-to-face activities now switch to using technology devices to communicate remotely, so this has encouraged fixed broadband internet service providers to compete to provide excellent quality service to their customers. . The purpose of this study is to provide appropriate recommendations regarding business strategies that fixed broadband internet service companies can implement through analysis of the IFE-EFE-IE matrix. The research design used is quantitative through respondent data collection (survey) of 55 people who use fixed broadband internet services calculated using the Expert Choice application version 11. The data obtained were analyzed using the Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) matrix, External Factor Evaluation Matrix ( EFE), and the Internal-External (IE) matrix. The study results suggest that the business strategies for fixed broadband internet service companies that can be implemented are market penetration strategies and product development strategies.

A Practical Decision Tool to Evaluate and Rank Potential Solutions for Expected Downhole Drilling Problems During the Well-planning Phase

Currently, the main objective of oil operating companies is to increase drilling efficiency and minimize drilling costs; this can be achieved in several ways. One of them is the curtailment of downhole events associated with trouble time by obtaining the key factors that drive the best proactive solutions in terms of cost and effectiveness. From this perspective, the core focus of this paper is to present a detailed description to develop an integrated decision tool that will assist well planner engineers in evaluating multiple solutions considered to address a downhole problem anticipated during the well construction process. The tool presented here provides the means of assessing a particular solution's cost and anticipated effectiveness by generating an evaluation matrix based on two intercorrelated decision-driving indices, technical and monetary. To theoretically validate the concept, an artificial case study was created to find the best solution in mitigating a bit balling problem. The results of the case study reveal that: the concept is indeed theoretically applicable. However, a real life case study must be performed to prove the concept practically.

Regional Differentiations of the Potential of Cultural Ecosystem Services in Relation to Natural Capital—A Case Study in Selected Regions of the Slovak Republic

Cultural ecosystem services (ES) require a multidisciplinary approach. The aim of the study was to evaluate regional differences in the values of cultural ES in relation to natural capital in four small pilot regions of the Slovak Republic using a matrix system. The article is an approximation of the connection of the biophysical method of evaluation (matrix system) of cultural ES of natural capital with geospatial data at the regional level in the Slovak Republic. Within the natural potential of the ES cultural categories, we evaluated recreation and tourism, landscape character and aesthetics, natural and cultural heritage, knowledge base, and regional significance for the given region. The highest values of indices in all categories were found in the Brezno region. The results of the pilot regions of the Slovak Republic indicated that the terrain fragmentation in combination with a higher altitude and a larger area of forests and protected areas may represent significant factors influencing the potential of the area to provide the various benefits resulting from cultural ES. Even though there is significant monetary potential of cultural ES in the region, its intensive utilization is not readily apparent.

Methodological framework for wastewater treatment plants delivering expanded service: Economic tradeoffs and technological decisions

With emerging decarbonization to deploy more integrated waste management, there is a burgeoning need for re-managing waste-related infrastructures in urban environments. Wastewater treatment plants are key contributors to expanded environmental services, but relevant technological decisions and economic tradeoffs have to be assessed from a systems perspective. This study provides a methodological framework that consolidates the multiple technological and economic aspects of system retrofitting for such an evaluation purpose. Complex leachate from refuse transfer stations has been recently identified as the decarbonization roadblock of urban waste management, and it was chosen for investigations by this new methodological approach. The system impacts by complex leachate on the existing facilities were validated by experimental trials. To derive the financial outlooks for decision making, the evaluation matrix includes the quantitative impacts of bioenergy profiles, energy balance analysis of biogas utilization methods, needs of system retrofitting, economic factors, and their uncertainties. Due to the detected inefficiency of bioenergy recovery, bioinformatic analysis was proceeded for understanding the underlying mechanism to propose a mitigation solution. Overall, the methodological framework can provide a quantitative assessment of the centralized capability of wastewater treatment plants for systems planning in the new policy agenda of urban decarbonization, where the methodological potentials of expanded framework applications are also highlighted.

Prioritization of railway proximity interventions: The case of the Portuguese railway network

The mission of a national railway administration is to provide conditions for the efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability of rail transport. In this context, this study aims to fill a gap in rail infrastructure management through the adoption of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and quadrant analysis to obtain a priority evaluation matrix for railway proximity interventions (small-scale, medium/short-term interventions close to the customer). In order to achieve the network manager’s general goals, an extensive collection of railway activities and an iterative procedure, which combines the strategic vision of different operational units, were adopted. Moreover, a multi-criteria and hierarchy process based on quadrant analysis to select the interventions with greater potential to achieve a set of objectives over five years, was defined. The proposed methodology was applied in a real case within the Infrastructures of Portugal, SA competencies and needs (Portuguese railway network manager). The identification of a set of fundamental interventions from a technical and non-technical point of view was performed and allowed a more efficient resource allocation. This allowed listing the most relevant interventions in both technical and non-technical perspectives (19–25% of total interventions) and also from an essentially technical point of view (27–31% of total interventions). These correspond to the interventions located in the two most relevant quadrants (Q1 – develop and Q2 – validate) and to more than 70% of the total investment. The presented approach and results constitute the first three iterations to be monitored and evaluated in the revision of future plans in order to increase reliability levels, safety conditions and service quality. The methodology has the potential to be adapted to different scenarios (in particular budgetary) and future proximity intervention plans, thus being an essential decision support tool for an efficient allocation of the company’s resources.

Data Quality Test Method for Factory Energy Management System

Because data is an important factor in the software industry, how to reliably test data is important. This is even more essential for building Industry 4.0 and smart industrial complexes. This study prepares ISO/IEC 25024-based test methods and guidelines and uses them for energy management at the industrial complex level. In order to provide services by collecting energy data from industrial complexes, it is necessary to verify data quality based on data reliability and compatibility of each plant. Data quality technology needs to conform to ISO TC184/SC4/WG13 (industrial data quality standard) based technology. The study defines the data quality evaluation matrix for the energy management system of industrial parks and factories. It defines five categories and maps detailed indicators to each. The category has three detailed items, which are evaluation items for core requirements, interoperability, and conformity to standards. Each data requirement category covers functionality and reliability, usability and efficiency, and portability as data requirements in the system. Core requirements for system operation such as data consistency are basic evaluation items, and interoperability, which is the semantic compatibility of data for integrated operation of multiple sites, is verified. In addition, data quality is evaluated by verifying standard conformance. Through this evaluation system, the requirements for linking the factory energy management system data with the industrial complex energy management system can be evaluated. This can be used to monitor data quality and develop improvement technologies by developing a master data quality management technology standard suitable for industrial sites.

A Choquet integral based interval Type-2 trapezoidal fuzzy multiple attribute group decision making for Sustainable Supplier Selection

A new Choquet Integral based interval type-2 (IT2TrFS) trapezoidal fuzzy multiple attribute group decision making (GDM) for Sustainable Supplier Selection (SSS) is put forward in this article. It mainly consists of two aspects: (1) resolving the interaction between criteria (attributes); and (2) obtaining a consensual evaluation matrix acceptable to the group. The new partial order of IT2TrFS is proposed to better retain the original evaluation information of individual experts. Then, the Choquet integral with IT2TrFS is put forward to compute the criteria weight, so as to reflect interaction relationship between criteria. The distance of IT2TrFS is explored to calculate the consensus level, which is used to detect the inconsistencies among experts, and then a new feedback mechanism with considering benefit or cost criteria is developed to obtain the individual consensus evaluation matrix. Then, Shapley value based on fuzzy measure is used to determine weight of experts to reflect their global relationship. The final group evaluation matrix is obtained by integrating all individual consensus evaluation matrices. At last, a numerical case is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the designed method.