Search

Metaverse has made sense for organizations regarding new opportunities it is likely to offer, and studies on Metaverse-related subjects in different areas have increased incredibly. Advertising is an area where Metaverse-related studies are few. For the first time, this paper prioritizes Metaverse ad appeals and performs the Parsimonious Best-worst method (BWM-P) for this purpose. BWMP, an improved version of the BWM method, allows consistent results to be achieved quickly by reducing the number of pairwise comparisons. Regarding the findings, Metaverse experience is the paramount Metaverse ad appeal, followed by product familiarity and NFT of advertisement, respectively. Further, standardization and Metaverse bonuses are the other significant Metaverse ad appeals. The present research contributes to existing knowledge by analyzing ad appeals to ensure the effectiveness of advertising strategies in the Metaverse world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing score functions of Fermatean fuzzy number (FFN) show some defects. In addition, the evaluation information given by decision-makers in real decision-making processes may be several discrete values rather than single value, which cannot be represented by the classical Fermatean fuzzy set (FFS). The combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method can get a compromise solution by incorporating multi-aggregation strategy; however, the final aggregation operator adopted in the CoCoSo method may cause irrational results. To bridge the above gaps, in this study, we first determine a new score function of FFNs. Then, we define the hesitant Fermatean fuzzy sets based on hesitant fuzzy sets and FFSs to process uncertain information flexibly. Next, we develop an ensemble ranking approach to overcome the limitation of the original CoCoSo method regarding aggregation bias. Afterwards, we propose a hesitant Fermatean fuzzy CoCoSo method for multiple criteria group decision-making. Last, we verify its effectiveness and practicability through a case study on the selection of blockchain platform. At the same time, we perform sensitivity analysis to check the robustness of the method, and emphasize its advantages through comparative analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Process portfolio selection is an initial step organization take toward becoming process oriented. Usually, selecting a process as a subject of improvement is a multi-criteria problem. While there is a planetary of methods for process portfolio selection, in the current study, an extended hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria model is proposed. The main novelty of the proposed method is consideration of the effects of processes on sustainability and the strength of relationship among them. Paying attention to the principles of sustainable development and considering social and environmental criteria along with economic criteria will lead to the selection of a sustainable process portfolio. Therefore, criteria for selecting the process portfolio based on three pillars of sustainability, i.e., economic, social and environmental, were identified. Since the selection process can be considered as a complex and uncertain problem, after identification of process evaluation criteria, the magnitude of interrelationship among processes is determined by fuzzy Decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). Then, using a fuzzy inference system, a rule base is developed for evaluating the process importance considering its statues in a set of criteria. The proposed hybrid methodology is applied in a real-word case. The main contribution of the proposed methodology is to consider the interrelationship among process along with their impact on sustainability dimensions in a comprehensive framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although in line with the resource-based view (RBV), the impact of different HPWS practices on the innovation success of SMEs has been approved by researchers, investigating the previous studies indicates that the relation between these two areas has been more widely considered and less attention has been paid to the impact mechanism. Lack of real data and focus of analysis on respondents' opinions, lack of process perspective and focus on innovation output criteria, lack of attention to uncertainty in the impact chain, and most importantly lack of a method to prioritize HPWS practices are among the most important constraints identified. So, this study proposes a framework for prioritizing innovation-oriented high-performance human resource practices by combining fuzzy DEA and fuzzy ARAS methods. This paper also presents an objective approach to investigate the impact of High-Performance Work system (HPWS) practices on innovation performance of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) by considering organizational innovation as a process. After preparing the list of HPWS practices and innovation performance criteria through reviewing the literature and obtaining expert opinions, the fuzzy DEA method was used to model the innovation process performance and calculate the weight of each innovation input criteria. Then, considering the impact of HPWS practices on these input criteria, HPWS practices were ranked using the fuzzy ARAS method. The results of applying this framework to SMEs in the field of nanotechnology in Iran show that top management support is the most important input criteria and the financial results of innovation are the most important output of organizational innovation criteria. In addition, based on the results of this study, the most important effective HPWS practices for SME innovation can be considered as: employee training and development, information sharing and employee participation. The consistency of final ranking of practices and criteria importance with the findings of previous research, the results of sensitivity analysis and comparison of the results of proposed framework and four other multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) methods show the robustness and reliability of the findings of this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pairwise relations are accepted ways to compare a finite set of elements. Some researchers believe that human mind acts the same when choosing among different elements. Another feature of human judgments that must be considered in these comparisons is their uncertainty in expressing the preference of elements. Combining these two features of human mind, a method is developed for pairwise comparisons, using trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. In this paper, decision-makers are allowed to express their preferences and then determine their beliefs and hesitancy regarding these judgments. The application of the proposed method is demonstrated by a real world case about choosing strategic priorities of chain stores. Decision-makers can increase their ability to specify the preferences of elements under their internal uncertainty by this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baltic Journal of Road and Bridge Engineering is a multidisciplinary journal, which provides a forum for a broad range of road and bridge engineering research. The topics such as the road and bridge research and design, the construction materials and technologies of roads and bridges, the construction financing and environmental issues, and the assessment management are included in the scope of the Baltic Journal of Road and Bridge Engineering investigation. Due to the reason that various road and bridge engineering related research directions are involved in this journal, it has become the first one that deals with the issues as mentioned above in Baltic countries. Therefore, it is believed that investigating the publications in the Baltic Journal of Road and Bridge Engineering assists researchers in great learning the development of road and bridge engineering research in Baltic countries. By analysing the annual publication distribution, the citation structure, the co-citation and cooperation networks, and the significant contributors in terms of countries and regions, institutions, cited journals and authors, the status of Baltic Journal of Road and Bridge Engineering is comprehensively presented. In addition, the emerging trends are revealed through the analyses of timeline view and burst detection. This study makes the contribution to the aspect of visualizing the complex and significant results based on objective and quantitative data. It provides readers with access to understand the development of Baltic Journal of Road and Bridge Engineering and helps researchers learn the hot issues in this journal clearly and directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the undeniable role of websites in the success of interactions between citizens and governments, evaluating e-government web sites is a worthwhile topic. This research has developed a multi-attribute-decision-making technique rely on Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis and hesitant fuzzy weighted geometric Heronian mean decision-making methods, for evaluating e-government websites. Proposed framework overcome the limitations of previous investigations such as the possibility of aggregation of expert opinions using group decision-making and modeling the hesitancy of the experts (due to the incompleteness of their knowledge or their doubts in evaluating different aspects of the model) through hesitant fuzzy sets. The designed framework was used in Iran to evaluate e-government websites. In this regard, after a careful and systematic review of previous researches, a list of dimensions and evaluation criteria was presented in the form of a comprehensive model. Then, an expert-based process was proposed to localize the model according to the conditions of the case study. The results of the research show that the final rankings of the decision-making method used in the hesitant environment rarely changed for different operators. So as the experts have confirmed, the model used in this study has acceptable stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Crime statistics can't be used as the single measure to estimate public park safety. • Environmental design and the socio-economical context influence urban park safety. • The proposed methodology ranks urban public parks considering their safety level. • Safety of six small urban public parks located in Vilnius (Lithuania) was compared. • Low population and high real-estate prices were detected near the safest urban park. Proximity to green areas makes a positive impact on citizens' life quality. Sustainability principles generally govern modern urban public park design. This paper proposes a novel Safety Evaluation Methodology of Urban Public Parks (SEMUPP) which includes a multi-criteria solution to rank a set of urban public parks according to their safety level. Eleven groups of Urban Public Park (UPP) safety factors and seventeen quantifiable criteria are proposed as the basis for UPP safety assessment. Modification of Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) technique is applied to solve the constructed multi-criteria decision-making problem (MCDM). Six urban public parks located in Vilnius (Lithuania) are estimated to test the effectiveness of the SEMUPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Concentrated solar power (CSP) technology has shown considerable long-term growth with varying levels of peak development and stall phases over the years. More and more countries are finding CSP technology attractive for the production of electricity and other applications. CSP offers a variety of applications where solar power can be used appropriately, although the debate about which CSP technology has a better future perspective is still ongoing. This technology sector has seen a multitude of advancements and technological innovations. These improvements are primarily concerned with the design of the collectors and the related materials they are made from, the heat transfer processes, and the production and accumulation of energy. In order to assess these CSP technologies, in this paper we propose a fuzzy multi-criteria method. Then, Solar tower (ST), Parabolic solar trough (PST), Compact linear Fresnel reflector (CLFR), and Dish Stirling (DS) are evaluated using a modified intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS with a trigonometric entropy vector weight. Highlights • Market and economics of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies • Sustainability of energy systems • Technological assessment using intuitionistic fuzzy multicriteria • Fuzzy entropy and vector weights [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of this paper is to propose a new hybridized framework for analyzing the performance issues of a chemical process plant by utilizing uncertain, imprecise and vague information. In the proposed framework, Fuzzy Lambda–Tau (FLT) approach has been used for computing reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM) parameters of the considered system. Further, for enhancing the RAM characteristics of the system, improved Fuzzy Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) approach is adopted. Under improved Fuzzy FMEA approach, defined Fuzzy linguistic rating values in the form of triangular and trapezoidal Fuzzy numbers have been assigned by the experts to each risk factor of the listed failure causes. The proposed framework is demonstrated with an industrial application in a chlorine production plant of a chemical process industry. The results show decreasing trend for system availability and deposition of solid Nacl, mechanical failure, corrosion due to wet chlorine, scanty lubrication, improper adsorption and valve malfunctioning are identified as the most critical failure causes for the considered system. A comparative performance analysis between the proposed framework, Fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (Fuzzy TOPSIS), Fuzzy evaluation based on distance from average solution (Fuzzy EDAS) and Fuzzy Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (Fuzzy VIKOR) are then carried out to show the competence of the proposed framework. It is expected that the analytical results would be highly useful in formulating an optimal maintenance policy for such complex systems and may also be used for improving performance of similar plants. Graphical abstract Highlights • A new hybridized framework for performance analysis has been proposed. • The proposed framework is tested in a Chlorine production plant. • Failure and repair time data for RAM analysis is used. • Risky components were identified for improving system's RAM parameters. • Comparative performance analysis has been done for testing the stability of proposed framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research 7 parametric classes of normalization functions depending on 1 or 2 parameters proposed for MCDM problem solution. Monte Carlo experiments carried out to perform comparative statistical analysis and find optimal parameter values for the case of Gaussian distribution of decision making matrix elements. Optimal parameter values were ascertained for each normalization method. Normalization formulas were compared with each other in the sense of their efficiency. Logarithmic and Max normalization formulas demonstrated highest values of the best alternative identification. The proposed methodology of determining optimal parameter values of normalization formulas could be applied by approximation of real data with appropriate probability distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These days many works analyse air pollution, sources of air pollution, the impact of air pollution on human health, and ways to reduce air pollution. Since air pollution is affected by many factors, this paper presents a multi-attribute decision-making approach to assess air pollution. The proposed approach comprises four steps: selecting the attributes for the assessment, applying the TOPSIS-F method (the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution with fuzzy sets) in the evaluation, measuring the selected attributes of air pollution in Vilnius, Lithuania, and evaluating air pollution levels. The TOPSIS-F method was applied to assess, from the above perspective, ten areas in Vilnius, outside several houses in Antakalnio Street and Žirmūnų Street. The experiment shows that House 5(35) in Žirmūnų Street and House 8(28) in Antakalnio Street exposed to the lowest levels of air pollution, compared to other selected houses. Air pollution dramatically depends on the distance from the main road and the presence of a barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Websites are one of the most widely distributed information resources. Educational institutions use this resource to ensure that the best quality of information transmission is achieved. As such, academic sites have become a very important aspect of academic institutions, one that affects their overall quality. Bearing in mind the importance of university websites’ quality, the authors of this paper presented a multi-criteria model for evaluating the quality of university websites. This paper presents the hybrid IR-AHP-MABAC (Interval Rough Analytic Hierarchy Process - MultiAttributive Border Approximation Area Comparison) model. The model is adapted to group decision making as based on the application of a new approach to treating uncertainties through the use of interval rough numbers (IRN). The modified IR-AHP method was used to determine the weight coefficients of the criteria in the group decision-making process. The results of the IR-AHP model are compared with results provided by the traditional AHP method and the fuzzy AHP approach. The IR-MABAC model was used for the evaluation of university websites. In order to verify the results of the IRN based approach, the IR-MABAC model was compared to the F-TOPSIS (Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), F-VIKOR (Fuzzy MultiCriterion Optimization and Compromise Solution), F-COPRAS (Fuzzy COmpressed PRoportional ASsessment), F-MAIRCA (Fuzzy MultiAtributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis), and F-TODIM (an acronym of Interactive and Multi Criteria Decision Making in Portuguese) models. The credibility of the IR-AHP-MABAC model was demonstrated by comparing the results of different multi-criteria techniques and analyzing viability. The results of the IRN approach and fuzzy comparison have shown that the new approach to dealing with imprecision yields credible, reputable ranks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is first defined as development that satisfies the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy theirs. Sustainable development is possible if conditions of respect for the environment, preventing the exhaustion of natural resources and preserving the overall balance, are fulfilled. The necessity of the development and maintenance of habitats also emphasized. Construction processes have important role in creation of built environment and their impacts have to be measured as construction contributes to air pollution, land use and contamination, usage of resources, water and materials depletion, water pollution, impacts on human health, and climate change. Previous (own) research revealed, that the key categories of Web of Science, which encompass the research on the sustainable built environment, cover construction and building technologies, environmental science and studies, and civil engineering. The article presents a review of the literature on efforts to harmonize the construction processes, which was made on the basis of the Web of Science Core Collection database. The analysis of the number of publications was made according to years of publication and research areas. To honour the contribution made by Prof Oleg Kapliński in the field of Sustainable Development and Decision-Making, and to commemorate his 75th anniversary, this article also highlights his academic career and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the evaluation of the construction market performance in three Baltic States, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, based on using structural statistical criteria. The evaluation covers various periods of time, embracing the time before the economic crisis, in 2007, during the economic crisis, in 2009, and after the economic crisis, in 2013. For assessing the efficiency of their construction sectors’ performance, the investigated countries are arranged in the order of preference according to this indicator by using three multiple-criteria decision making methods (MCDM), such as SAW, TOPSIS and COPRAS. These evaluation methods are based on determining the weights of the structural criteria used. For this purpose, three various methods, including the entropy, the method of the criteria impact loss (CILOS) and a new method of determining the objective criteria weights (IDOCRIW) suggested by the authors. The results obtained allowed the researchers to assess the construction market performance in the considered states in various periods of time, to compare them with other countries and to rank them based on this parameter. Therefore, the suggested method of market performance evaluation may be used as an effective supplementary aid for determining the priorities in the future business development, as well as for studying the competitive markets or directing the cash flows of an enterprise to the appropriate areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of airlines based on service quality criteria can help to improve the processes of airlines, and also can give guidance to travel agencies to provide better choices for passengers and tourists. In this study, a hybrid simulation-based assignment approach is proposed to deal with multi-criteria decision-making problems with a group of decision-makers. A probability distribution is used to model decision-makers’ opinions and constructing a stochastic decision matrix. Then some efficient multi-criteria decision-making methods are utilized for evaluating alternatives in a simulation process. The proposed approach is applied to a problem of evaluation of five airlines with respect to opinions of 58 experts on 28 criteria. The results show the efficiency of the proposed to handle decision-making problems with a large number of experts. Moreover, the evaluation results are more reliable than the other decision-making approaches because of simulating decision-makers’ opinions, using multiple methods and evaluating based on aggregative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, the real estate asset assessment is performed by experienced valuators, who take into account its economic, social, physical and locational aspects. Nowadays, the construction industry is becoming more and more influenced by the sustainability requirements. Therefore, the inclusion of the sustainability evaluation into real estate asset valuation is of utmost importance. The Neutrosophic Multi-Attribute Market Value Assessment (MAMVA) method developed by the authors of this article handles market value calculations by solving multiple criteria assessment problems, and the initial information vagueness is modelled explicitly. The supplementary novelty of the present paper is the inclusion of the sustainability aspects into the real estate market valuation. The sustainable market valuation of Croydon University Hospital (Emergency Department) is performed as the case study to present numerical capabilities of the proposed approach. Our research findings suggest that neutrosophic MAMVA is a rational approach for calculations of property market valuation and might be suitable for application worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper tackles a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model related to supply chain management, problems, and the supplier selection problem. Modern management of materials and products requires continuous evaluation of numerous complex social, ecological, and economic factors. A group decision process using Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP) approach presented to find the criteria weights. Measurement of conflict among criteria and decision makers presented with illustration and numerical example. Firstly, eight evaluation criteria, including cost, quality, distance, and delivery, reliability, reputation, and technology level, compatibility, and development ability identified. Later, the ARAS and the Multiplicative Utility function adopted for ranking and selecting suppliers. Criteria values normalized according to Hovanov method. The ARAS method with this normalisation method named as a hybrid original model INMUARAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When facing a strategic leadership problem, a decision maker must choose an appropriate reasoning strategy for a given situation. Complex strategic choices sets focus upon providing deliberate and methodical support for decision- makers engaged in strategic decision making. The increasing interest in the subject of leadership reflects the considerable importance of this phenomenon. This study in short presents methods of strategic leadership selection in construction. There could to be separated five levels of a decision maker: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient and expert. Each of them acts in different way. While working in complex environments, the human decision makers can always face situations where time constraints, high stakes, multiple players, ill-structured problems and situations are presenting strategic decision making the information is used to make high-risk decisions. There exists wide range of methods, which could to be applied to the leadership strategy selection. Based on literature overview, a LEVI 3.0 program based strategy selection model is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europe's residents spend more than 90% of their time in an enclosed environment. Hence generating conditions for a healthy lifestyle and bettering the quality of life in enclosed facilities take on special meaning because these can increase the work productivity of the residents, improve their quality of life, lower the rates of illnesses and save on expenses designated for medical treatments. The above-mentioned issues are related to a built environment's air pollution, the premise's microclimate, health and safety effects, climate change, real estate market value and the like. However, the Housing Health and Safety Decision Support System with Augmented Reality (HUSSAR) can analyse the above factors in an integrated way. The following models of HUSSAR are aimed to perform this function: Pollution Assessment and Recommender Model, Housing Health and Safety Analysis Model, Advisory Model, Augmented Reality Model and Healthy Homes Living Spaces Certification Model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An Intelligent Decision Support System for Leadership Analysis (IDSS-LA) was offered as an example for demonstrating the integration of advisory, negotiation and decision support systems. Development of the IDSS-LA database was by providing a comprehensive assessment of alternative versions from economic, legal/regulatory, technical, technological, organizational, managerial, quality of life, social, cultural, political, ethical, psychological and other perspectives. IDSS-LA enables a user to analyze alternatives quantitatively (by a system of criteria, units of measure, values and weights) and conceptually (textually, by a formula, scheme, graph, diagram, video tapes). The Case Study presented illustrates the efficiency of this System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction processes planning and effective management are extremely important for success in construction business. The paper deals with an effective model of professional qualification construction engineering industry. Professional Engineer (PE) qualification in construction industry belong to different characteristics are considered to be more or less important for the effective construction industry results. The model of Professional Engineer (PE) qualification based on the requirements of: academic and professional skills in civil engineering area. Identification and definition the requirements of offered a professional qualification and job position in construction industry. The model of Lithuania case study is presented in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now a day, earthquake engineers follow subjects such as structural health monitoring, warning announcement and prediction rather safe-making in the field of structure. In this regard, these three choices are of great goals of Iran in direction of many studies concentrated on. This research is centralized on real time health monitoring system of Iran bridges. In this regard, to evaluate smart real time health monitoring sensors, first all different types were determined using the library resources, and then all the important indices in evaluating these sensors were derived by interviewing experts in construction management fields. After that, to continue the survey, questionnaires were given to 18 experts to weight the effective indices. Through a decision-making method using new hybrid methodology based on SWARA and WASPAS, existential necessity degree of all indices and sensors were obtained and eventually the following result captured: applying piezoelectric sensors is optimal in smart health monitoring to be used in Iran bridges and optical fiber sensor was recognized as the second optimum option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different methods are proposed in the framework of multi attribute utility theory for multi criteria decision making. Among the proposed methods, weighted sum and weighted product models (WSM and WPM) are well known and widely accepted. To improve the accuracy of WSM and WPM, the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method was proposed which used an aggregation operator on WSM and WPM. In this paper, an extended version of WASPAS method is proposed which can be applied in uncertain decision making environment. In the proposed WASPAS-IVIF method, the uncertainty of decision maker(s) in stating their judgments and evaluations regard to criteria importance and/or alternatives performance on criteria are expressed by interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. Two numerical examples of ranking derelict buildings’ redevelopment decisions and investment alternatives are presented. The results are then compared with the rankings provided by other methods such as TOPSIS-IVIF, COPRAS-IVIF and IFOWA. Combining the strengths of IVIFS in handling uncertainty with the enhanced accuracy of WASPAS makes the proposed method as a desirable method for multi criteria decision making in real world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]