INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT SHARIF (SHARIF: ENGINEERING)
Year:2009 | Volume:24 | Issue:45|Papers Count:16

In this paper, a metahevristic algorithm, based on the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) method, is presented for solving stochastic assignment problems. In a stochastic assignment problem, it is assumed that agents will arrive with a known distribution function and the working time of each agent is also a stochastic variable and can be determined by a normal distribution function. Furthermore, it is also assumed that the proficiency of each agent is a stochastic variable. After modeling the problem, an ACO algorithm is developed to solve the model. Furthermore, in an evaluation phase of the objective function, a simulation algorithm is also presented. Finally, the convergence of the proposed algorithm is shown on some randomly generated test problems. Computational results show the efficiency of this algorithm in comparison to the other techniques for solving stochastic assignment problems.

A tandem automated guided vehicle (AGV) system deals with grouping workstations to some non-overlapping areas and assigning them to each area, exactly one AGV. In such a system, problems of grouping workstations, locating transitions stations and the like should be well addressed before designing an efficient system. This paper tackles the problem of assigning machines to loops. It also presents a novel, non-linear integer mathematical model to group n machines into N loops to minimize both inter and intra-loop flow simultaneously, based on balanced-loops strategy and inter-machine flows taken from ideas of cellular manufacturing systems. Due to computational complexity of exact methods in solving the proposed model, a simulated annealing (SA) algorithmic proposed. A number of test problems are generated at random and then solved by the proposed SA to show its efficiency.

Project scheduling methods that presented till now usually are time oriented which their objective is minimizing the project makespan without considering activities cash flow. In this paper, we propose a heuristic algorithm with unconstrained resources assumption in order to maximize the net present value which can solve problems with large number of nodes. It also gives an almost efficient answer in the suitable time. Proposed algorithm was compared with one of the exact algorithm in much aspect especially in number of project nodes, project deadline time. Network Complexity Coefficient and required time for solving the problem. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm is more efficient.

To assemble a variety of products, a multi single assembly line, mixed model assembly line or a flexible assembly system (FAS) may be used. Past studies were concerned with the modeling, investigation and comparison of single and mixed model assembly systems, where the main transportation system was a continuous conveyor. According to new market demands, it is required to consider FAS, utilizing AGVs as the main automatic transportation system. In this research, traditional and flexible assembly systems are reviewed and compared. To compare these system criteria, such as stability to demand changes and balance of station workloads, the efficiency of material handling and the whole assembly system are considered. The assembly of two kinds of motorcycle is used as a sample case study. The result shows that a stable system (with little variation in terms of number of stations) having good performance measure values, is achieved when a flexible assembly system is employed.

Undoubtedly, in the last decades, the asset pricing model is one of most important and, at the same time, attractive, finance areas. CAPM has been the dominant model in this section for more than 40 years. One reason is its strong base, which has been derived from the portfolio theory. and the other reason is its easiness. However in the last decade, the Fama & French 3 factor model has been proposed and has challenged the validity and importance of CAPM. In this paper, these 2 models are compared with the methodology of mimicking a portfolio regression analysis. Results showed that, along with many equity markets in the world, the Fama & French model also outperforms CAPM in the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). The direct and positive relationship between book to market value and stock return and the negative relationship between size and stock return proves that the size and book to market value effects in TSE are similar to other markets; although different in strength.

In this paper, a new methodology is proposed to detect the magnitudes of shift in the mean of some correlated quality characteristics in multivariate-multistage production processes. The proposed methodology is able to consider not only the cascade property of the production stages, but also, the inherent correlation structure of the variables in one stage. It is also able to visualize the movements of the process mean during monitoring time. The proposed method consists of two parts; a self-organizing map (SOM) neural network to detect the mean shifts and a fuzzy inference system to judge the exact magnitudes of the mean shifts. In-control average run lengths, out-of-control average run lengths, and average run lengths to detect the correct class of the proposed method, are investigated by a simulation study of a 2-variate 3-stage process. The results of the simulation are encouraging.

A fundamental question in strategic management is how certain firms achieve and sustain a competitive advantage (SCA). This challenge leads to a Resource Based View (RBV) theory. Furthermore, in the strategic marketing area, learning from the market has emerged as a key source of innovation and sustainable competitive advantage in the literature on the market driven firm paradigm. A Market-Driven firm is an organization that creates superior customer value by the leveraging of distinctive capability. Leveraging this capability is a key part of developing a Market-Driven organization. Market learning capability, as a distinctive capability of a Market-Driven organization, is discussed in this research. This capability is explored from an integration of the Market-Driven and Resource-Based View (RBV) in the field of organizational survival. It is worth mentioning that, evaluating the role of Information Technology (IT) as a resource for Market Learning Capability building is the future of research in the competitive era. This study aims to assess the role played by IT in a Market Learning Capability. The influences of IT on this capability are determined in this research. These relationships have been tested via an empirical analysis carried out with a sample of 206 experts and managers of banking industries in Iran. During these studies, 2 new research models are introduced. In the first model, the relationship between IT and the Market Learning Capability is determined. The second model considers the relationship between IT and the dimensions of the Market Learning Capability. The Market Learning Capability consists of 3 components: market sensing, sense making and systematic evaluation of the outcomes. The findings allow one to confirm that IT acts as an enabler of the Market Learning process.

This article analyzes the possibility of natural gas substitution instead of petroleum products (gasoline, kerosene, gas oil. fuel oil, LPG) in Iran, by modeling in two different frames and in three economic sectors (residential - commercial, industrial and transport). In the first frame, by using the panel analysis, different models for the demand of natural gas and petroleum products are estimated. Then, the demand of natural gas and petroleum products and the trend of substitution in economic sectors for the period 2006-2017 are forecasted and analyzed. In the second frame, by using the previous data, the modeling of Translog functions, with seemingly unrelated regressions, in two economic sectors (residential, commercial and industrial), which are the main natural gas consumers, is performed. The earned price elasticities of demand show the substitution between natural gas and oil products in the past and current years, but, due to low elasticities, the trend of this substitution is slow.

Nowadays, new information societies are the result of Information Technology (IT) effects on different aspects of human need. IT causes changes in building architecture and in the construction industry too. Intelligent building is one of the main products of the effects of information technology on the construction industry. Based on a review of recent literature, this paper has identified eight major factors of intelligent building, has discussed various perspectives from the point of view of both architecture and information technology and provided a model for intelligence assessment. This model has been applied in an Iranian building complex as a case study and the results have been analyzed by surveys. This study provides an integrated perspective of critical issues for intelligence assessment in the construction industry. It gives valuable information and guidelines that, hopefully, will help the constructors, on one hand, and the leaders, on the other hand, to construct intelligent buildings in an effective way.

In order that organizations be precisely aware of their performance levels and be able to take the necessary steps for improvement, the first step to be taken is to measure their performance levels as precisely as possible. There are different models for measuring organizational performance such as: the Sink and Tuttle framework, the Balanced Scorecard, the Performance Pyramid, the Performance Prism, the Performance Measurement Matrix, the Business Excellence Models and etc.In this research, at the same time as focusing on the assessment of conceptual performance measurement frameworks, the latest ideas and theories on performance measurement, using the opinions of well-educated experts of IMIDRO as a sample poll, an appropriate and suitable model was proposed.It is well known that any model which may prove to be appropriate for a specific organization could have an adverse effect on another. Furthermore, models that have been used for a long period of time may also prove to be inapplicable, due to changes in situations and the conditions of changing times.Thus, the proposal model could be employed merely as a basic prototype or a general framework from which each organization could design its own suitable model.

This manuscript presents the methodology of constructing an e-readiness assessment model in Iran. In this methodology, an objective model was utilized to measure the degree of Iran's e-readiness. In order to select the effective indicators on e-readiness, the knowledge and experience gained from valid e-readiness assessment models were put to good use. The proposed methodology follows a four-step process. To model and correct the model in different methodology stages, Entropy and Screed test methods were used. In the design of this model, the experience of other countries, the development level of national information and communication technology (ICT), national policies and strategies in ICT development, as well as experts' opinion, have been taken into consideration. The result achieved in this methodology is an Iran e-readiness assessment model, which is easy to implement, practical and provides a comparison between Iran situation in different ICT sectors and other countries.

In recent decades, economic liberalization, together with the enhancement of technology, ICT activities, transportation and telecommunications, has led trade and international capital flow to expand drastically in the era of globalization. The motivation of this paper is to focus upon the relationship between financial liberalization and international capital mobility, particularly in selected developing countries.By running panel unit root results on the variables, the data for which is from countries for the period from 1980- 2003, the paper finalizes empirical results arising from estimating the specified F-H model by random effects, using Eviews5 and Stata 9.2. The results indicate that liberalizations enable countries to have easier access to international financial markets for further capital mobility.

In this article, after a short review on the role of Iran in the future of the global oil and gas industries, the necessity of a systematic approach to effective parameters for the successful performance of projects, has been emphasized.The stages of systematic formulation (mathematical modeling), based on the DEMATEL approach, in the construction of succession structures and the challenges that Iranian companies engaged on in oil and gas projects, are undergoing, have been explained. The ranking of challenges has been done, according to the judgment of experts in these fields, who are familiar with the concepts of oil and gas projects, by using a graphs theory. For the first time in Iran, a mathematical model of challenges on a strategic level, based on the interrelation of challenge creating parameters, state and intensity of making a good and bad impression, in direct and indirect ways, has been founded. An explanation of the final model with more than a thousand direct relations between parameters, is beyond the scope of this article, but a short analysis of the constructed model has been carried out and some of the pronounced concepts have been interpreted. This model almost coincides with the former conceptual model. According to the obtained results, for the establishment of favorable grounds for development of the private sector /or companies, the acclimatization of transmitted experiences, as utilized in some oil and gas hosting countries, during the developing stage, is advised.

The concept of Business Models has been used in strategic planning and Business Plan development. This paper reviews various definitions and applications of Business Models and extends their application to Organization Design, with particular attention to value-chain and cost-revenue models. Industries are categorized into long-linked production, intensive service, and mediating service. For each category, an appropriate business model is presented. Value creation and profitability are included in the models.