bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS methodology to evaluate 3PL in a supply chain
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Singh Rajesh K. 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the use of an integrated approach of fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) and TOPSIS in evaluating the performance of global third party logistics service providers for effective supply chain management.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the integration of fuzzy AHP with TOPSIS is proposed in determining the relative importance (weight) of criteria and then ranking of 3PLs.FindingsFindings show that the logistics cost and service quality are two most important criteria for performance rating of 3PLs. Deciding the relative importance of various criteria for 3PLs evaluation is a complex task. The superiority of one criterion over the other varies from person to person and firm to firm. Therefore, to capture the variability in decision fuzzy extended AHP is very useful tool. Finally, the preference raking of alternatives are found using TOPSIS.Research limitations/implicationsFuzzy AHP is a complex methodology and requires more numerical calculations than the traditional AHP and hence it increases the effort. But in this paper single stage fuzzy AHP is used to simplify the process. Fuzzy AHP is integrated with TOPSIS for preference ranking of 3PL, which provides a good methodology to rank 3PLs.Originality/valueThere is a lack of research in the literature to deal directly with the uncertainty of human decisions in evaluating the relative importance of multiple criteria. Therefore, fuzzy AHP is an appropriate methodology to find the relative importance of the criteria to rank the 3PLs using TOPSIS.
Bi‐objective optimization of distribution scheduling using MOPSO optimizer
Authors: Latha Shankar B. , Basavarajappa S. , Kadadevaramath Rajeshwar S. 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe paper aims at the bi‐objective optimization of a two‐echelon distribution network model for facility location and capacity allocation where in a set of customer locations with demands and a set of candidate facility locations will be known in advance. The problem is to find the locations of the facilities and the shipment pattern between the facilities and the distribution centers (DCs) to minimize the combined facility location and shipment costs subject to a requirement that maximum customer demands be met.Design/methodology/approachTo optimize the two objectives simultaneously, the location and distribution two‐echelon network model is mathematically represented in this paper considering the associated constraints, capacity, production and shipment costs and solved using hybrid multi‐objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm.FindingsThis paper shows that the heuristic based hybrid MOPSO algorithm can be used as an optimizer for characterizing the Pareto optimal front by computing well‐distributed non‐dominated solutions. These aolutions represent trade‐off solutions out of which an appropriate solution can be chosen according to industrial requirement.Originality/valueVery few applications of hybrid MOPSO are mentioned in literature in the area of supply chain management. This paper addresses one of such applications.
Confidence and supply chain disruptions
Authors: Lorentz Harri , Hilmola Olli‐Pekka 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThis conceptual paper aims to shed light on the nature and determinants of managerial behaviour when affected by supply chain disruptions. It aims to argue that the managerial decision‐making process is an important component in determining the eventual long‐term impact of a supply chain disruption.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces a continuous simulation model that is based on a Bayesian robot decision‐maker. Using the system dynamics approach, it illustrates the process of evaluating competing hypotheses of functional vs dysfunctional supply chain design in a disruption scenario. Model validity is assessed by means of a case study based on secondary data.FindingsThe model provides insight into the drivers of decision‐maker confidence dynamics that are used when evaluating the competing hypotheses. Furthermore, it identifies the psychological distortions that make actual managerial inference processes different from the Bayesian robot and incorporate these adjustments into the system dynamics model. Several propositions about the nature and determinants of decision‐maker confidence are stated.Practical implicationsFor policy makers, the paper clarifies the important moderating role of confidence in the realisation of wider implications of supply chain disruptions, especially from the perspective of industrial development, and trade and transport facilitation.Originality/valueThe research enhances understanding of the wider implications of supply chain disruptions, contributing to behavioural research in logistics and supply chain management.
Innovation within green service supply chains for a value creation
Authors: Shamah Rania A.M. 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThis research aims to provide guidance for management of green service supply chains to improve the likelihood and extent of innovation and joint productivity performance for value creation, with regard to coupling the potential role of the customer to increase supply chains performance. It is the purpose of this study to address the impact of green innovation privileged on service supply chains, then to address the prerequisite factors for enhancing the entire chain value creation.Design/methodology/approachA survey of extant research was undertaken for Egyptian hotels. It involved one type of questionnaire, provided across all managerial levels: top, senior, and executive managers. This questionnaire is divided into four main sections: the first section considers value creation, since the second section is related to trust; the third section is related to sharing knowledge; and the latest section is related to joint productivity.FindingsThe paper finds that it is possible to assist managers in thinking about adding value for supply chains.Research limitations/implicationsThe study period interval in data collection may have influenced the variance in responses and therefore should be considered a limitation.Practical implicationsThe ability to customize the simulator's parameters to represent value creation makes it a powerful tool for managers when deciding to rely on service supply chain.Originality/valueThis paper presents main elements required for enhancing value creation for all supply chain parties.
Microfinance institution costs: effects of gender, subsidies and technology
Authors: Caudill Steven B. , Gropper Daniel M. , Hartarska Valentina 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a statistical examination of the factors affecting the performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) operating in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.Design/methodology/approachData on MFIs operating in Eastern Europe and Central Asia during the period 1999‐2004 were used in this study. A statistical analysis of the performance of these MFIs was conducted utilizing a cost function approach, which was estimated using seemingly unrelated regressions.FindingsDuring the study time period, MFIs involved in the provision of group loans and with a higher percentage of loans to women had lower costs. The presence of subsidies is also found to be associated with higher MFI costs.Social implicationsProviding financial services to women, and use of group loans was associated with lower costs in Eastern Europe and central Asian microfinance institutions in the early 2000s.Originality/valueThis study focuses exclusively on efficiency of MFIs operating in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and the first to explicitly measure outreach efficiency when output is measured by number of active clients, rather than the value of the overall MFI lending portfolio.
Government intervention in Russian bourse: a case of financial contagion
Authors: Khan Salman , Batteau Pierre 
Published: October 2012

PurposeIn September‐October 2008 the Russian stock markets came under severe strain amidst the global financial crisis. During this time the Russian government intervened several times to halt the trade to impede the continuous slide. The government justified its actions owing to the argument that the crisis was due to a trickledown effect from the financial crisis in the USA and the other developed markets. The purpose of this paper is to put to test the government's claim by exploring the level of integration between Russia and the USA and European equity markets.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs Markov Regime Switching Model for tracking structural breaks in the time series. This method divides the data into three periods, i.e. pre crisis, during crisis and post crisis. Next the Multivariate GARCH‐DCC model technique is used to establish the time varying linkages in order to verify the contagion effect. In the final step the Markowitz mean‐variance framework is used to position each individual index portfolio with respect to the efficient frontier to analyze the impact of crisis as well as Russian government intervention.FindingsThe findings suggest that the Russian equity market is weakly integrated with US and strongly integrated with European markets. The results correspond to the underlying financial and economic linkages between Russia, the US and Europe. When examined in a portfolio setup, the results show sudden fall in correlation among the Russian, US and European equity markets suggesting weak linkages among these markets. Finally, the Markowitz Efficient frontier indicates dramatic rise in volatility on the day intervention began and ended which signifies the increased uncertainty among the investors owing to Russian government ad hoc interventions.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to examine the Russian government intervention in the backdrop of financial crisis 2008 and concludes that the government intervention essentially increased the uncertainty in the local as well as international markets. Therefore, it is essential that the government should avoid direct intervention in its stock market.
Establishing green supplier appraisement platform using grey concepts
Authors: Sahu Nitin Kumar , Datta Saurav , Sankar Mahapatra Siba 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to develop an efficient measurement index evaluation system towards assessing suppliers' green performance practices. Apart from estimating overall performance index, the paper also aims to highlight application of decision‐support tools for selection of appropriate candidate supplier in green supply chain management context.Design/methodology/approachIn order to tackle incompleteness and imprecision arising from assigning appropriateness rating as well as priority weights against subjective performance criteria‐attributes, use of grey numbers was proposed. An efficient grey‐based supplier appraisement platform was established. Application of Grey‐Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and COPRAS‐G method were reported to solve the supplier selection decision‐making problem. The theory of grey numbers was utilized here to facilitate such decision modeling.FindingsOver the last two decades, growing concerns about ecosystem quality have stimulated to a renewed interest in environmentalism. Purchasing professionals should also be concerned and need to rethink purchasing strategies which have traditionally neglected environmental impacts. The “green” purchasing‐packaging in reducing and eliminating waste is a major concern in recent days. In order to help foster environmentally concerned purchasing strategies, this paper presents the findings of supplier evaluation strategy in an enterprise with enhanced degree of awareness and frequent applications of “green” purchasing. Environmental factors are identified that may reshape supplier evaluation decisions. The concept of grey numbers set has been adopted in this work. A case study reflects effectiveness of exploring grey relation theory in the context of green supplier evaluation.Originality/valueThe major contributions of this work have been summarized as follows: development and implementation of an efficient decision‐making tool to support green supplier evaluation; an overall green performance index evaluation platform has been introduced; concept of grey numbers has been efficiently explored to facilitate this decision‐making; the appraisement index system has been extended with the capability to search ill‐performing areas which require future progress; and the proposed appraisement system is capable of reducing the number of green attributes towards computing grey appropriateness index thereby transforming into lesser number of green capabilities, thus, facilitating applying decision‐making tools like grey‐TOPSIS and COPRAS‐grey method for appropriate supplier selection from a set of candidate suppliers.
The development model of new energy vehicle in Henan Province based on the weighted grey target decision
Authors: Luo Dang , Zhang Jing 
Published: October 2012

PurposeAccording to the nature and source of alternative energy, types of new energy vehicle include hybrid electric vehicle, pure electric vehicle, fuel cell vehicles, natural gas vehicle, coal‐to‐alcohol vehicle, bio‐fuel vehicle, clean diesel vehicle and so on. At present, all kinds of new energy vehicle are flourishing, but in the near future it is not sure what kind of new energy vehicle that national policies will support, so the risk of new energy vehicle project is large. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachGrey target decision‐making mainly was used in the choice of programs. First, the decision‐making matrix and the index weight are determined after establishing the decision‐making index system; then the positive clout and the negative clout are determined; the distance to the positive clout and the negative clout for every decision‐making program are calculated; finally, the composite distance to clout is obtained and programs sorted in light of the size of composite distance to target centre.FindingsThis paper analyzed the operating conditions of new energy vehicle in Zhengzhou and Xinxiang; and then elaborated the modelling steps of weighted grey target decision with both the positive clout and the negative clout, and used in recent decision‐making the new energy vehicle in Henan Province. It not only makes more comprehensive and rational decision‐making, but also extends the application of the grey target decision model in practice.Practical implicationsIn the recent two years of formulating national and local relevant preferential policies, the enthusiasm of enterprises to participate and the level of consumer awareness are further improved; as an international trend, the development of a new energy vehicle is inevitable.Social implicationsIt helps to make scientific decision‐making. The study proposes a theoretical guidance to carry out the new energy vehicle project in Henan Province.Originality/valueThis paper elaborates the modelling steps of weighted grey target decision‐making based on positive clout and negative clout, and established the model of grey target decision‐making according to the selected index; finally, it analyzes the recent development route of a new energy vehicle in Henan Province and puts forward some suggestions.
Biodegradation of ivory (natural apatite): possible involvement of fungal activity in biodeterioration of theLewisChessmen
Authors: Pinzari Flavia , Tate James , Bicchieri Marina , Rhee Young Joon , Gadd Geoffrey Michael 
Published: October 2012

SummaryFungal biodeterioration of ivory was investigated within vitroinoculation of samples obtained from boar and walrus tusks with the fungiAspergillus nigerandSerpula himantioides, species of known geoactive abilities. A combination of light and scanning electron microscopy together with associated analytical techniques was used to characterize fungal interactions with the ivory, including changes in ivory composition, dissolution and tunnelling, and the formation of new biominerals. The research was aimed at providing further understanding of the potential roles of fungi in the colonization and deterioration of ivory in terrestrial environments, but also contributes to our knowledge regarding the possible origins of the surface damage observed on early medieval sculptures made largely from walrus tusks, referred to as ‘theLewis hoard of gaming pieces’, that were presumably produced for playing chess. The experiments have shown that the possibility of damage to ivory being caused by fungi is realistic. Scanning electron microscopy revealed penetration of fungal hyphae within cracks in the walrus tusk that showed also widespread tunnelling by fungal hyphae as well as ‘fungal footprints’ where the surface was etched as a consequence of mycelial colonization. Similar phenomena were observed with boar tusk ivory, while production of metabolites could lead to complete dissolution of the sample. Colonization of ivory and/or exposure to fungal activity lead to extensive secondary biomineral formation, and this was identified as calcium oxalate, mainly as the monohydrate, whewellite.
Enhanced antibiotic multi‐resistance in nasal and faecal bacteria after agricultural use of streptomycin
Authors: Scherer Alexandre , Vogt Hans‐Rudolf , Vilei Edy M. , Frey Joachim , Perreten Vincent 
Published: October 2012

SummaryStreptomycin is used in arboriculture to control fire blight. Using sheep as a model, multidrug‐resistant bacteria in mammals were found to be selected after the intentional release of streptomycin into the environment. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. were isolated from the faeces and nasal cavities, respectively, of sheep grazing on a field sprayed with streptomycin at concentrations used in orchards (test group) and on a field without streptomycin (control group). Before the application of streptomycin, the percentage of streptomycin‐resistant E. coli isolates in faeces was 15.8% in the control group and 14.7% in the test group. After the application of streptomycin, the overall number of streptomycin‐resistant E. coli isolates was significantly higher in the test group (39.9%) than in the control group (22.3%). Streptomycin‐resistant Staphylococcus isolates were only detected after the application of streptomycin. Streptomycin resistance was frequently associated with resistance to sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol and less frequently to cefotaxime in E. coli, and to tetracycline, fusidic acid and tiamulin in Staphylococcus spp. This study shows that the application of low concentrations of streptomycin on grass, as occurs during the spraying of orchards, selects for multidrug‐resistant nasal and enteric bacterial flora, including extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing E. coli.
Fungal oxidative dissolution of the Mn(II)‐bearing mineral rhodochrosite and the role of metabolites in manganese oxide formation
Authors: Tang Yuanzhi , Zeiner Carolyn A. , Santelli Cara M. , Hansel Colleen M. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryMicrobially mediated oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn(III/IV) oxides influences the cycling of metals and remineralization of carbon. Despite the prevalence of Mn(II)‐bearing minerals in nature, little is known regarding the ability of microbes to oxidize mineral‐hosted Mn(II). Here, we explored oxidation of the Mn(II)‐bearing mineral rhodochrosite (MnCO3) and characteristics of ensuing Mn oxides by six Mn(II)‐oxidizing Ascomycete fungi. All fungal species substantially enhanced rhodochrosite dissolution and surface modification. Mineral‐hosted Mn(II) was oxidized resulting in formation of Mn(III/IV) oxides that were all similar to δ‐MnO2 but varied in morphology and distribution in relation to cellular structures and the MnCO3 surface. For four fungi, Mn(II) oxidation occurred along hyphae, likely mediated by cell wall‐associated proteins. For two species, Mn(II) oxidation occurred via reaction with fungal‐derived superoxide produced at hyphal tips. This pathway ultimately resulted in structurally unique Mn oxide clusters formed at substantial distances from any cellular structure. Taken together, findings for these two fungi strongly point to a role for fungal‐derived organic molecules in Mn(III) complexation and Mn oxide templation. Overall, this study illustrates the importance of fungi in rhodochrosite dissolution, extends the relevance of biogenic superoxide‐based Mn(II) oxidation and highlights the potential role of mycogenic exudates in directing mineral precipitation.
Lower Mortality for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in High‐Volume Hospitals Is Contingent upon Nurse Staffing
Authors: Wiltse Nicely Kelly L. , Sloane Douglas M. , Aiken Linda H. 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveTo determine whether and to what extent the lower mortality rates for patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in high‐volume hospitals is explained by better nursing.Data SourcesState hospital discharge data, Multi‐State Nursing Care and Patient Safety Survey, and hospital characteristics from the AHA Annual Survey.Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis of linked patient outcomes for individuals undergoing AAA repair in four states.Data CollectionSecondary data sources.Principal FindingsFavorable nursing practice environments and higher hospital volumes of AAA repair are associated with lower mortality and fewer failures‐to‐rescue in main‐effects models. Furthermore, nurse staffing interacts with volume such that there is no mortality advantage observed in high‐volume hospitals with poor nurse staffing. When hospitals have good nurse staffing, patients in low‐volume hospitals are 3.4 times as likely to die and 2.6 times as likely to die from complications as patients in high‐volume hospitals (p < .001).ConclusionsNursing is part of the explanation for lower mortality after AAA repair in high‐volume hospitals. Importantly, lower mortality is not found in high‐volume hospitals if nurse staffing is poor.
Favorable Selection, Risk Adjustment, and the Medicare Advantage Program
Authors: Morrisey Michael A. , Kilgore Meredith L. , Becker David J. , Smith Wilson , Delzell Elizabeth 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo examine the effects of changes in payment and risk adjustment on (1) the annual enrollment and switching behavior of Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries, and (2) the relative costliness of MA enrollees and disenrollees.DataFrom 1999 through 2008 national Medicare claims data from the 5 percent longitudinal sample of Parts A and B expenditures.Study DesignRetrospective, fixed effects regression analysis of July enrollment and year‐long switching into and out of MA. Similar regression analysis of the costliness of those switching into (out of) MA in the 6 months prior to enrollment (after disenrollment) relative to nonswitchers in the same county over the same period.FindingsPayment generosity and more sophisticated risk adjustment were associated with substantial increases in MA enrollment and decreases in disenrollment. Claims experience of those newly switching into MA was not affected by any of the policy reforms, but disenrollment became increasingly concentrated among high‐cost beneficiaries.ConclusionsEnrollment is very sensitive to payment levels. The use of more sophisticated risk adjustment did not alter favorable selection into MA, but it did affect the costliness of disenrollees.