Fuzzy Extended Analytic Hierarchy Process Research Articles

Research on the Correlation between Industry 4.0 and Sustainable Development in the Machine Tool industry – Application of QFD and Fuzzy MADM methods

<p>Starting in 2025, Taiwan will introduce a requirement that listed companies with a paid-in capital of less than 2 billion NTD need to prepare a sustainability report. Most of the actual income scale of Taiwan’s machine tool industry falls within this range. In response to the requirement, the machine tool industry must reduce its impact on the environment and society and strike a balance while increasing economic returns. This is undoubtedly a major challenge for the machine tool industry, which is one of the most internationally competitive industries in Taiwan. If sustainable development (SD) can be successfully implemented, it will set a benchmark for Taiwan’s traditional industries.</p> <p>The machine tool industry has continued to improve its industrial competitiveness in recent years, especially after Germany proposed the concept of Industry 4.0 in 2013, which accelerated the pace of industrial upgrading and transformation. Studies have shown that the adoption of Industry 4.0 technology can effectively enhance the sustainable performance of enterprises. Additionally, in the literature on SD, it has been confirmed that there is a significant positive relationship between corporate social responsibility and profitability.</p> <p>This study will propose a reasonable and feasible model framework to demonstrate the relationship between SD factors and Industry 4.0 technical indicators, aiming to identify the key Industry 4.0 technologies to improve SD. This study uses the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method as the basic structure and adopts the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) of the Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM), the improved Fuzzy Extended Analytic Hierarchy Process (FEAHP), and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for prioritizing performance index factors.</p>

The prospect of using carbon pricing instruments to reduce energy based emissions of apparel sector in Sri Lanka

Carbon pricing instruments (CPI) are deemed effective in achieving emission reductions, as they induce emission reductions through price signals and generate revenues which can later be used effectively. Sri Lanka is a country that is among the top apparel manufacturers in South Asia, with massive emission levels in the apparel manufacturing firms. The prospect of using CPIs in the Sri Lankan apparel sector was studied by evaluating the response of firms. A questionnaire survey was conducted with professionals representing ten key apparel firms in Sri Lanka to evaluate the response of apparel firms to a prospective CPI. Data collected through the questionnaire survey was analysed using Fuzzy Extended Analytic Hierarchy Process (FEAHP). Expert interviews with five experts specialised in environmental sustainability in the Sri Lankan apparel sector were conducted to determine the suitable options to utilise revenue generated by CIPs. It was found that apparel firms are willing to invest in new technologies to reduce emissions in response to a prospective CPI. Using carbon pricing revenue in programmes that target emission reductions was recommended. The most suitable option is facilitating the introduction of renewable and energy-efficient technologies.

Multicriteria Decision-Making System for Supplier Selection Considering Risk: A Computational Fuzzy AHP-Based Approach

In the latest years, supply chain academics and practitioners have been increasingly concerned with the supplier selection problem. In this paper, a computational system based on 'Fuzzy Extended Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP)' was developed for supplier selection considering risks. Specifically, we aimed to assess the use of the Fuzzy AHP method in supplier selection and to analyze the support of the proposed system to supplier selection considering risks through a practical application in the Brazilian oil industry. For this, the main criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives for supplier selection were identified and comparatively assessed by expert managers from the focal company. Through the Fuzzy AHP computational approach the priority weights of each item were calculated. After computing the final score for each supply alternative, supplier A <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1</sub> was defined as the preferred supplier as it obtained the highest priority weight (0.848), followed by supplier A <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2 </sub> with the second highest priority weight (0.151). The results of the research raised important opportunities for improving supplier selection considering risks, such as decision rationalization, flexible modeling of decision variables, and automation of subjective judgments and evaluations by decision-makers. These benefits may contribute to lower purchasing costs and improve the overall assessment of supply risks, promoting supply chain competitiveness.

Supplier Selection Risk: A New Computer-Based Decision-Making System with Fuzzy Extended AHP

Supplier risks have attracted significant attention in the supply chain risk management literature. In this article, we propose a new computational system based on the ‘Fuzzy Extended Analytic Hierarchy Process (FEAHP)’ method for supplier selection while considering the relevant risks. We sought to evaluate the opportunities and limitations of using the FEAHP method in supplier selection and analyzed the support of the system developed through the real case of a Brazilian oil and natural gas company. The computational approach based on FEAHP automates supplier selection by determining a hierarchy of criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives. First, the criteria and sub-criteria specific to the selection problem were identified by the experts taking the relevant literature as a starting point. Next, the experts performed a pair-wise comparison of the predefined requirements using a linguistic scale. This evaluation was then quantified by calculating the priority weights of criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives. The best decision alternative is the one with the highest final score. Sensitivity analysis was performed to verify the results of the proposed model. The FEAHP computer approach automated the supplier selection process in a rational, flexible, and agile way, as perceived by the focal company. From this, we hypothesized that using this system can provide helpful insights in choosing the best suppliers in an environment of risk and uncertainty, thereby maximizing supply chain performance.

Risk analysis and assessment in the worksites using the fuzzy-analytical hierarchy process and a quantitative technique – A case study for the Greek construction sector

In this paper, we propose a safety risk assessment process using the Fuzzy Extended Analytic Hierarchy Process (FEAHP) for prioritizing the risks in worksites. Also, the FEAHP which responds the decision maker’s opinion is enhanced by the Proportional Risk Assessment Technique (PRAT), which is a quantitative risk analysis and assessment process applied by using real accidents data. A real-life project example has been used in order to illustrate the functionality and adequability of the process. For validating the effectivity of the proposed framework, we compared the results of the process with the results of treating the example with using only the typical Analytical Hierarchy Process. The proposed framework could be a useful tool for decision makers to estimate the emergency of investing constrained budget in actions preventing specific kind of accidents for achieving the maximum health and safety protection with the minimum cost.

The evaluation and enhancement of quality, environmental protection and seaport safety by using FAHP

Abstract. The evaluation and enhancement of business processes in any organization in an uncertain environment presents one of the main requirements of ISO 9000:2008 and has a key effect on competitive advantage and long-term sustainability. The aim of this paper can be defined as the identification and discussion of some of the most important business processes of seaports and the performances of business processes and their key performance indicators (KPIs). The complexity and importance of the treated problem call for analytic methods rather than intuitive decisions. The existing decision variables of the considered problem are described by linguistic expressions which are modelled by triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs). In this paper, the modified fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) is proposed. The assessment of the relative importance of each pair of performances and their key performance indicators are stated as a fuzzy group decision-making problem. By using the modified fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process, the fuzzy rank of business processes of a seaport is obtained. The model is tested through an illustrative example with real-life data, where the obtained data suggest measures which should enhance business strategy and improve key performance indicators. The future improvement is based on benchmark and knowledge sharing.

Supporting decision-making in service supplier selection using a hybrid fuzzy extended AHP approach

PurposeService supplier selection is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem assuming a strategic role for the competitiveness of high-tech manufacturing companies. Nevertheless, especially for service quality evaluation, there is little empirical evidence of the practical usefulness of MCDM methodologies. Aiming to cover this gap between theoretical approaches and empirical applications, the purpose of this paper is to propose a fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process (FEAHP) approach for service supplier evaluation.Design/methodology/approachA hybrid approach which combines some of the strengths of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and of the fuzzy set theory is presented, as organized into five steps. A case study is used to evaluate the applicability in a real company context.FindingsThe usability of the approach is demonstrated in an aerospace company for solving the supplier selection problem of a business software whose applications are still in infancy: a Test Data Management System (TDMS). The illustrative application contains both “general” criteria to be used for other service supplier selection contexts as well as service-specific criteria related to software selection.Research limitations/implicationsEven if the application regards the selection of a software supplier, the methodology can be generically extended to other services’ selection in complex manufacturing industries through the personalization of some criteria.Practical implicationsImplications can be derived both for business managers involved into the decision-making process and for suppliers identifying the most promising features of software quality.Originality/valueThe originality consists in the combination into a hybrid approach of the strong points of the AHP with the fuzzy set; the inclusion of multiple perspectives of decision criteria for service supplier selection, basically the “software product” and “supplier” ones; a real empirical application to test and demonstrate the efficacy and the practical utility of the proposed approach.

Application of Fuzzy Extended AHP methodology for selection of ideal ship for oceangoing watchkeeping officers

One of the primary concerns of the modern-day maritime transportation is the concept of qualified seafarer. Among these seafarers, watchkeeping officers have particular importance. Because wrong decisions made by the watchkeeping officers regarding management of the ship might have negative impact on the ship, crew and its surroundings. Improving qualification standards of watchkeeping officers is possible by ensuring professional continuity. Wrong ship choices of oceangoing watchkeeping officer candidates might also have negative impact on their professional continuity. To that end, this study ranked the ideal types of ship for oceangoing watchkeeping officer candidates. Fuzzy Extended Analytic Hierarchy Process (FEAHP) method, which is one of the multi-criteria decision making methods used frequently, is used for determining the order of ideal ship types for oceangoing watchkeeping officers. The study concluded that the order of ideal ship types for oceangoing watchkeeping officers is: bulk carrier & general cargo ships, tankers, container ships and RoRo&RoPax ships. Relevance to industryThis study focuses on the concept of ideal ship type selection for oceangoing watchkeeping officer candidates on merchant fleet. Oceangoing watchkeeping officer candidates can easily determine the order of ship type ideal for them by using this method and taking into consideration the available criteria.

An evaluation approach to logistics service using fuzzy theory, quality function development and goal programming

Logistics customer service is an important factor in the success of supply chain management. The aim of this study is to propose a novel approach for customer service management. For the improvement of logistics service operations, the proposed method integrates quality function development (QFD), fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process (FEAHP), and multi-segment goal programming (MSGP). The advantage of the method includes the consideration of various logistics goals and the flexibility of setting multi-aspiration levels of evaluation criteria.

Enterprise Knowledge Management Application Evaluation Based on Cloud Gravity Center Model and Fuzzy Extended AHP

Enterprise knowledge management has important influence on an enterprise core competency, and enterprise knowledge management application evaluation plays an important role for the enterprise economic benefits, innovation ability and culture. The evaluation of the enterprise knowledge management application can guide the enterprise knowledge management implement better. In this paper, an enterprise knowledge management application evaluation index system is constructed and fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process and cloud gravity center model are employed to evaluate the enterprise knowledge management application problem because it has the advantages of simple, less time taking and dealing with qualitative and quantitative indicators simultaneously. An implementation of the proposed model is used for a certain enterprise knowledge management application evaluation, and the results shows the proposed model is feasibility and effective for the evaluation.

An integrated FA-FEAHP approach on the social indicators of Taiwan's green building

Green building indicator system has become an essential instrument for fulfilling the sustainable development of collective residence environment. Under the action principle of 'global thinking, local action', the indicator system should reflect local characteristics and requirements and must possesses extensity. However, the followed norm in Taiwan does not contain the related social impact factors that reflect the characteristics of high density and collective dwelling. Therefore, this paper first collects the relevant possible impact factors based on the inhabitant users' information, local characteristics and other indicator systems. Then, factor analysis (FA) method is employed to investigate the users and to extract the principal components of social impact with regional characteristics. Then, the social indicator establishment and application problem is solved by applying the fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process (FEAHP) method. Finally, by integrating the examination of actual cases, a hierarchical assessment framework is built. The subjective qualitative values for indicators are transferred into objective and quantitative priority weights by fuzzy pairwise comparison to reflect the degree of importance and evaluation efficacy. The results of this research not only strengthen the comprehensiveness of the existing green building indicator system, but also signify the concrete direction for improvement for evaluated cases.

Global supplier development considering risk factors using fuzzy extended AHP-based approach

Global supplier development is a multi-criterion decision problem which includes both qualitative and quantitative factors. The global supplier selection problem is more complex than domestic one and it needs more critical analysis. The aim of this paper is to identify and discuss some of the important and critical decision criteria including risk factors for the development of an efficient system for global supplier selection. Fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process (FEAHP) based methodology will be discussed to tackle the different decision criteria like cost, quality, service performance and supplier's profile including the risk factors involved in the selection of global supplier in the current business scenario. FEAHP is an efficient tool to handle the fuzziness of the data involved in deciding the preferences of different decision variables. The linguistic level of comparisons produced by the customers and experts for each comparison are tapped in the form triangular fuzzy numbers to construct fuzzy pair-wise comparison matrices. The implementation of the system is demonstrated by a problem having four stages of hierarchy which contains different criteria and attributes at wider perspective. The proposed model can provide not only a framework for the organization to select the global supplier but also has the capability to deploy the organization's strategy to its supplier.