Ahmad Makui
Iran University of Science & Technology, Industrial Engineering, Faculty Member
In this study, the multi-mode resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problems (MMRCMPSPs) considering supply management and sustainable approach in the construction industry under uncertain conditions have been investigated using... more
In this study, the multi-mode resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problems (MMRCMPSPs) considering supply management and sustainable approach in the construction industry under uncertain conditions have been investigated using evidence theory to mathematical modeling and solving by multi-objective optimization algorithms. In this regard, a multi-objective mathematical model has been proposed, in which the first objective function aims to maximize a weighted selection of projects based on economic, environmental, technical, social, organizational, and competitive factors; the second objective function is focused on maximizing profit, and the third objective function is aimed at minimizing the risk of supply management. Moreover, various components, such as interest rates, carbon penalties, and other implementation limitations and additional constraints, have also been considered in the modeling and mathematical relationships to improve the model’s performance and make it mo...
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Purpose: This study proposes a methodology for detecting tumor severity using data mining of databases relating to breast imaging modalities. In doing so, it proposes creating a software application that can serve as an efficient... more
Purpose: This study proposes a methodology for detecting tumor severity using data mining of databases relating to breast imaging modalities. In doing so, it proposes creating a software application that can serve as an efficient decision-making support system for medical practitioners, especially those in areas where there is a shortage of modern medical diagnostic devices or specialized practitioners, such as in developing countries.Method: we investigated the data of approximately 3754 screened women by using “BI-RADS” categories as a quality assessment tool to screening, measure, and identify the size and location of lesions, determine the number of lymph nodes, collect biopsy samples, determine final diagnoses, prognoses, and age which were all available from the screening registry. Result: The application of each algorithm on BI-RADS values 4 and 5 for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma lesions was assessed, and the following accuracy was acquired: CART: 84.71%. In order to get the bes...
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In this study, a cross-docking system is designed at strategic and tactical levels. For making the strategic decisions, a multi-objective nonlinear location allocation model for cross-docks is presented based on a distribution location... more
In this study, a cross-docking system is designed at strategic and tactical levels. For making the strategic decisions, a multi-objective nonlinear location allocation model for cross-docks is presented based on a distribution location allocation model by Andreas Klose and Andreas Drexl. The model is further developed to include the whole supply chain members and the objective functions are weighted by implementing AHP. A genetic algorithm solution is designed for sample cross-dock location allocation problems. In the tactical stage, model was further simulated under two different distribution strategies to decide on the tactical parameters. As an example, the performance of the model is verified.
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Supply planning for multi-period serial production systems under lead-time uncertainties is considered in this paper. The order policy is periodic order quantity (POQ) and objective is to find the planned lead-time and periodicity for the... more
Supply planning for multi-period serial production systems under lead-time uncertainties is considered in this paper. The order policy is periodic order quantity (POQ) and objective is to find the planned lead-time and periodicity for the total items in order to minimize the expected fixed ordering, holding and partial backlogging costs and to maximize the customer service level for the finished product. In this paper assumed a percentage of items at each stage are scraps. For this new problem, a new mathematical model is suggested and then finding the optimal solution for this model.
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Many portfolio optimization problems deal with allocation of assets which carry a relatively high market price. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the integer value of assets when we deal with portfolio optimization. In addition, one... more
Many portfolio optimization problems deal with allocation of assets which carry a relatively high market price. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the integer value of assets when we deal with portfolio optimization. In addition, one of the main concerns with most portfolio optimization is associated with the type of constraints considered in different models. In many cases, the resulted problem formulations do not yield in practical solutions. Therefore, it is necessary to apply some managerial decisions in order to make the results more practical. This paper presents a portfolio optimization based on an improved knapsack problem with the cardinality, floor and ceiling, budget, class, class limit and pre-assignment constraints for asset allocation. To handle the uncertainty associated with different parameters of the proposed model, we use robust optimization techniques. The model is also applied using some realistic data from US stock market. Genetic algorithm is also provide...
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This paper proposes an efficient performance measurement system to evaluate the excellence of e-learning centers of universities. The proposed system uses the analytic network process (ANP) as an effective multi-criteria decision making... more
This paper proposes an efficient performance measurement system to evaluate the excellence of e-learning centers of universities. The proposed system uses the analytic network process (ANP) as an effective multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method and its fuzzy mode to respond to uncertainties in judgements. This system also needs a targeted and systematic criteria set which is collected through comprehensive literature studies and experiences of faculty members.The performance of e-learning centers can then be systemically measured and managed by finding the relationship between these criteria, comparing the pairwise of criteria together and gaining their importance under uncertainty. In this paper, eight main criteria and twenty-five sub criteria is identified by a comprehensive survey on a statistical community consist of faculty members, staff and students of e-learning centers. Based on the results, the criteria for measuring university performance are mainly "student, ...
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This paper provides a method to numerically measure the quality of working life based on the reduction of human resource risks. It is conducted through the improved metaheuristic grasshopper optimization algorithm in two phases. First, a... more
This paper provides a method to numerically measure the quality of working life based on the reduction of human resource risks. It is conducted through the improved metaheuristic grasshopper optimization algorithm in two phases. First, a go-to study is carried out to identify the relationship between quality of working life and human resource risks in the capital market and to obtain the factors from quality of working life which reduce the risks. Then, a method is presented for the numerical measurement of these factors using a fuzzy inference system based on an adaptive neural network and a new hybrid method called the improved grasshopper optimization algorithm. This algorithm consists of the grasshopper optimization algorithm and the bees algorithm. It is found that the newly proposed method performs better and provides more accurate results than the conventional one.
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In practice, demands, costs, processing times, set-up times, routings, and other inputs to classical cellular manufacturing systems (CMS) problems may be highly uncertain, which can have a major impact on characteristics of manufacturing... more
In practice, demands, costs, processing times, set-up times, routings, and other inputs to classical cellular manufacturing systems (CMS) problems may be highly uncertain, which can have a major impact on characteristics of manufacturing system. So, development models for cell formation (CF) problem under uncertainty can be a suitable area for researchers and belongs to a relatively new class of CMS problems that not researched well in the literature. In this way, random parameters can be either continuous or described by discrete scenarios. If probability information is known, uncertainty is described using a (discrete or continuous) probability distribution on the parameters, otherwise, continuous parameters are normally limited to lie in some pre-determined intervals. This chapter introduces basic concepts about uncertainty themes associated with cellular manufacturing systems and briefly reviews literature survey for this type of problem. The chapter also discusses the character...
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This paper presents a competitive supply chain network design problem in which one, two, or three supply chains are planning to enter the price-dependent markets simultaneously in uncertain environments and decide to set the prices and... more
This paper presents a competitive supply chain network design problem in which one, two, or three supply chains are planning to enter the price-dependent markets simultaneously in uncertain environments and decide to set the prices and shape their networks. The chains produce competitive products either identical or highly substitutable. Fuzzy multi-level mixed integer programming is used to model the competition modes, and then the models are converted into an integrated bi-level one to be solved, in which the inner part sets the prices in dynamic competition and the outer part shapes the network cooperatively.Finally, a real-world problem is investigatedto illustrate how the bi-level model works and discuss how price, market share, total income, and supply chain network behave with respect to key marketing activities such as advertising, promotions, and brand loyalty.
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In this work, a new model is developed to determine optimum sustainable economic order quantity (EOQ) and economic production quantity (EPQ) values for multiple products of a supply chain with two echelons, consist of a retailer and a... more
In this work, a new model is developed to determine optimum sustainable economic order quantity (EOQ) and economic production quantity (EPQ) values for multiple products of a supply chain with two echelons, consist of a retailer and a supplier, considering product return policy. Based on a literature review on previous related works in sustainable inventory area, 17 different sustainability cost functions, in three types of economic, environmental and social, are defined to form the profit functions of the retailer and the supplier as the main members of the chain. We formulate the profit function of each members of the chain using direct accounting approach as a careful method, considering sustainability costs and return policy to produce and supply multiple products. Two different scenarios for product return are studied considering return amount as a variable or a given parameter. After a numerical example according to an Iranian supply chain that supplies various petrochemical products, a sensitivity analysis related to three parameters of the problem that imposed return functions of products has been conducted. The results show that the total profit amount of each members of the sustainable supply chain is sensitive on the return parameters with different rates.
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Abstract: A project portfolio is a crucial decision-making process used to prepare an optimum collection of vast alternative projects. In most of the previous modeling methods, the focus is directed towards maximizing project efficiency... more
Abstract: A project portfolio is a crucial decision-making process used to prepare an optimum collection of vast alternative projects. In most of the previous modeling methods, the focus is directed towards maximizing project efficiency and so, the role of risky aspects in selecting appropriate projects has been neglected. This paper presents an integrated multi-objective mathematical programming (MOMP) based on efficiency-risk for selecting a project portfolio using various techniques including data envelopment analysis (DEA), risk priority number (RPN) and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-ΙΙ). The proposed model can support both the capability to nominate mutually exclusive projects (conflicting projects that only one of them can be done) or any type of predecessor projects (doing a project depends on another project) and concurrent projects (need to be done at the same time) selection. Another advantage of the model is that the hyper heuristic solutions can be found ...
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Demand fluctuations in the supply chain lead to uncertainty in inventory policy and thereupon the inventory costs increase. This paper considers the impact of forecasting on the demand variation in a serial three-stage supply chain... more
Demand fluctuations in the supply chain lead to uncertainty in inventory policy and thereupon the inventory costs increase. This paper considers the impact of forecasting on the demand variation in a serial three-stage supply chain including a retailer, a manufacturer and a supplier. Four forecasting methods are considered and demand variations evaluated as bullwhip effect measure. We use analytical method to derive bullwhip effect to measure demand variations in second and third stage. Results show demand fluctuations increases as one move up supply chain. And the different forecasting methods lead to increasing the variations and the more previous data using leads to more precision.
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This paper discusses a problem in which decentralized supply chains enter the market simultaneously with no existing rival chains, shape the supply chains’ networks, and set wholesale and retail prices in a noncooperative manner. All the... more
This paper discusses a problem in which decentralized supply chains enter the market simultaneously with no existing rival chains, shape the supply chains’ networks, and set wholesale and retail prices in a noncooperative manner. All the chains produce either identical or highly substitutable products. Customer demand is elastic and price-dependent. A three-step algorithm is proposed to solve this problem. Step one considers the supply chains’ potential network structures. Step two is based on a finite-dimensional variational inequality formulation and is solved by a modified projection method to determine equilibrium prices. Step three selects the equilibrium locations to shape the chains’ equilibrium network structure with the help of the Wilson algorithm. Finally, this approach is applied to a real-world scenario, and the results are discussed. Moreover, sensitivity analyses are conducted.
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In today’s complex supply chains, intermediary organizations such as contract manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (GPO) are prevalent, and firms like original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) delegate their purchasing and... more
In today’s complex supply chains, intermediary organizations such as contract manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (GPO) are prevalent, and firms like original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) delegate their purchasing and procurement processes to such intermediaries. Because of their potential impact on supply chain efficiency, it is important to investigate the role of intermediaries in competitive supply chains. A prominent issue regarding intermediaries is whether an OEM should control components procurement or delegate this task to intermediary organizations. To answer this question, this paper studies the equilibrium component procurement strategies of two competing OEMs that produce substitutable products. Each OEM may either directly procure inputs from the component supplier or delegate procurement to a contract manufacturer. We analyze OEMs’ procurement game under two contracting power schemes in such a supply chain: supplier Stackelberg, where the component supplier acts as the Stackelberg leader, and OEM Stackelberg, where the OEMs are the first movers. We show that the smaller OEM always prefers to control its component procurement. This is because it would receive a lower component price if the component supplier is able to price discriminate the OEMs. By contrast, the larger OEM’s preference depends on the contracting power scheme. Under the supplier Stackelberg, the larger OEM never prefers direct procurement, while under the OEM Stackelberg it may have incentives to use direct procurement under some conditions. This implies that a shift of market power from the supplier to the OEMs may lead to more OEMs deviating from delegation towards direct control.
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This research analyzes the competition of two risk-neutral and risk-averse centralized financial chains (FCs) while the government regulates the market to prevent the disproportionately costly interest rates by eliminating unreasonable... more
This research analyzes the competition of two risk-neutral and risk-averse centralized financial chains (FCs) while the government regulates the market to prevent the disproportionately costly interest rates by eliminating unreasonable arbitration of transactions. Each FC consists of an investor and a broker, helping to fund the financial needs of the capital-constrained firms. Utilizing the Stackelberg game theory method, we formulate two-level and three-level optimization models for four potential scenarios and create an integrative structure for evaluating scenarios through the perspectives of both FCs’ risk orientations (i.e. risk-neutral and risk-averse) and two policies of the government (i.e., deregulation and regulation to mitigate the effect of arbitration). We found that under the government’s regulation policy, risk-averse FCs cause a lower amount of arbitration than risk-neutral FCs. We also realized that the increased volume of risk-free interest rate results in less ar...
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For an industry to develop, occupational safety is a key factor in protecting the worker's health, achieving organizational goals, and increasing productivity. Therefore, research is required to investigate those factors affecting... more
For an industry to develop, occupational safety is a key factor in protecting the worker's health, achieving organizational goals, and increasing productivity. Therefore, research is required to investigate those factors affecting occupational safety. Based on the information gathered from the paint halts of an industrial unit in Tehran, this research uses data mining technique to identify significant factors. First, based on a literature review up to 2018, an insight into existing approaches and new ideas were obtained. Then, with significant 5600 units of data, the results of the charts, association rules, and K-means algorithm were used to extract the latent knowledge with the least error without human intervention by a six-step Crisp methodology. The results of charts, association rules, and K-means algorithm for clustering are in line and have been successful in determining effective factors such as important age groups and education and identifying important events and the...
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Mortality decrease due to immunizing is the achievement of vaccination. Immunizing faces challenges: Immunogenicity level, cost and extra-immunization. To overcome these a multi-objective Maximizing Immunogenicity, minimizing Cost and... more
Mortality decrease due to immunizing is the achievement of vaccination. Immunizing faces challenges: Immunogenicity level, cost and extra-immunization. To overcome these a multi-objective Maximizing Immunogenicity, minimizing Cost and Extra-immunization model with Different Vaccine Formulary (ICEDVF) is introduced. Usually, Costs and budget lead to incomplete immunizing. Providing concept of immunogenicity under a fixed budget, the ICEDVF model seeks vaccines maximize immunogenicity and minimize both cost and extra immunization. The augmented e-constraint method is applied to solve ICEDVF and the results are presented for the U.S.
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Due to limited organizational budget, priority and performance of suitable technology strategies to eliminate or reduce technology gaps has got high importance. Ranking and proper choice of present and newfangled technologies needed by an... more
Due to limited organizational budget, priority and performance of suitable technology strategies to eliminate or reduce technology gaps has got high importance. Ranking and proper choice of present and newfangled technologies needed by an organization for performance will elevate competitive privileges of the organization. In common methods first specific strategies, then all are ranked and executed according to the limitations of organization resources. In that case it is possible to choose homogeneous strategies which will raise unbalanced growth of the organization. In this paper, firstly the condition of present technology of organization is evaluated through CAPTECH method and proper strategies are defined. Contrary to common methods, introducing and using a novel heuristic method, strategies are classified in several clusters. Secondly, strategies within each cluster are ranked by TOPSIS method and at the time of execution a top strategy is chosen from each cluster. Thereupon,...
This paper aims to conduct a research on the labor-management negotiation in chicken evolutionary game models through catastrophe theory. The both players can compromise or not during the negotiation. The "no compromise"... more
This paper aims to conduct a research on the labor-management negotiation in chicken evolutionary game models through catastrophe theory. The both players can compromise or not during the negotiation. The "no compromise" strategy for labor means threat to strike and for management is ignoring labors' demands. Since the model of this research is chicken game, if on player decides to dig in, the optimum decision for other is to compromise, however it is costly to be calling a chicken by the rivals. In the process of evolution, players reevaluate their options to update the payoffs in case of gradual and continuous changes which may happen in effective variables of strategy selection. The continuous changes could cause a catastrophic change in system’s state and its collapse by a strike or lockout. ESS analysis and determining catastrophe threshold in the chicken evolutionary game will be done with the aim of giving managerial insights that help the players to prevent mak...
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One of the most important strategic decisions in Research-Development projects is network design. It needs to be optimized for the long-term efficient operation. This paper aims at designing the network of Supply Chain for R&D projects.... more
One of the most important strategic decisions in Research-Development projects is network design. It needs to be optimized for the long-term efficient operation. This paper aims at designing the network of Supply Chain for R&D projects. Accordingly, it proposes a Goal programming model for solving a Project-oriented Supply Chain Management problem. The proposed model is developed to determine the optimal combination of the main contractors, executers, and various alternatives for project implementation. The model optimizes time, cost and reliability in the whole lifecycle for the R&D projects. A case study is presented to validate and illustrate the proposed model. The main reason for the high cost and time in the case study was due to the incorrect choice of the network of suppliers and consultants. The model has been tested by the numerical data, revealing that the model could have a significant contribution to the productivity of project-oriented organization. This model could se...
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Purpose This study aims to analyze the competition of two financial chains (FCs) when the government intervenes in the financial market to prohibit the excessively high-interest rate by minimizing the arbitrages caused by speculative... more
Purpose This study aims to analyze the competition of two financial chains (FCs) when the government intervenes in the financial market to prohibit the excessively high-interest rate by minimizing the arbitrages caused by speculative transactions. Each FC comprises an investor and one intermediary, attempts to finance the capital-constrained firms in financing needs. Design/methodology/approach Using a Stackelberg game theoretic framework and formulating two- and three-level optimization problems for six possible scenarios, the authors establish an integrative framework to evaluate the scenarios through the lens of the two main decision-making structures of the FCs (i.e. centralized and decentralized) and three policies of the government (i.e. speculation minimizing, revenue gaining and utility maximizing). Findings Solving the problem results in optimal values for tariffs, which guarantee a stable competitive market. Consequently, policymaking by the government influences the decis...
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This study introduces a systematic model of decision-making based on reliability and risk of the system. First, a model of systematic decision-making has been introduced, and then it has been applied for risk conditions. The reliability... more
This study introduces a systematic model of decision-making based on reliability and risk of the system. First, a model of systematic decision-making has been introduced, and then it has been applied for risk conditions. The reliability index is used for predicting the future under uncertain conditions. However, the value of a system’s reliability cannot be exactly known as reliability is a probable index. Therefore, the reliability of a system, when deviation from prediction value leads to significant costs, does not offer a perfect criterion for decision-making, and the process of system design should be formulated systematically, and the risk of failure should be calculated. This means that reliability always does not lead to less expenditure; but the risk of a system’s failure should be also calculated. Employing an effective strategy for improving the reliability should be taken place through a systematic process. The systematic process and its members and relations are discussed hereafter, and a pattern has been offered for calculation of the reliability of process and risk assessment. Finally, the researcher has tested this decision-making model in an industrial factory.