Management decision making by the analytic hierarchy process: A proposed modification for large-scale problems

Frequently, management decision making problems involve multiple criteria/objectives/attributes. Over the years, many quantitative methods have been developed to facilitate making rational decisions involving multiple criteria. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is, in general, regarded as one of the most successful techniques to solve decision making problems involving multiple criteria. In AHP, the decision maker starts by constructing the overall hierarchy of the decision problem. The hierarchy consists of criteria, subcriteria and alternatives of the decision making problem. A number of pairwise comparison matrices are formed in order to derive weights of the criteria and the local weights of the alternatives. Subsequently, the principle of hierarchical composition is used to determine the global weights of the alternatives. The alternative with the highest global weight is selected as the best alternative. The drawback of the traditional AHP is that it requires a large number of pairwaise comparisons, especially in the presence of a large number of criteria. The present empirical study attempts to investigate the possibility of eliminating insignificant criteria in order to reduce AHP computational time. Using the Expert Choice software, findings confirm that criteria that carry comparatively lesser weights can be excluded from the hierarchy and thereby the total time required for making the pairwise comparisons can be reduced drastically. To solve large-scale enterprise multi-criteria decision making problems (that involve large number of criteria) by AHP, it is proposed that at the very outset, decision makers can apply nominal group technique to identify the insignificant criteria. These criteria can be dropped from subsequent analysis and this exclusion will not affect the final decision significantly. This proposed methodology is expected to enhance the applicability of AHP in solving various kinds of larger sized multi-criteria decision making problems in any enterprise.Multiple criteria decision making, Analytic hierarchy process, Nominal group technique, Large-scale problems, International business

Reverse engineering of B-pillar with 3D optical scanning for manufacturing of non-uniform thickness part

This paper presents reverse engineering (RE) of a complex automobile structural part, B-pillar. As a major part of the automobile body-in white (BiW), B-pillar has substantial opportunity for weight reduction by introducing variable thickness across its sections. To leverage such potential, an existing B-pillar was reverse engineered with a 3D optical scanner and computer aided design (CAD) application. First, digital data (i.e. in meshes) of exiting B-pillar was obtained by the scanner, and subsequently, this information was utilized in developing a complete 3D CAD model. CATIA V5 was used in the modeling where some of the essential work benches were ‘’Digitized Shape Editor’’, ‘’Quick Surface Reconstruction’’, ‘’Wireframe and Surface Design’’, ‘’Freestyle’’, ‘’Generation Shape Design’’ and “Part design”. In the final CAD design, five different thicknesses were incorporated successfully in order to get a B-pillar with non-uniform sections. This research opened opportunities for thickness optimization and mold tooling design in real time manufacturing

Community based management and sustainable livelihood of island fishers of Bangladesh

This book investigates the impact of community based fisheries management (CBFM) project on household’s welfare in Bangladesh by investigating how the various types of assets contribute to household income. This book describes about the traditional fisheries management approach that exploited the poor fishers. Following this, the book highlights the important factor that contribute to household’s income of poor fisher by utilizing sustainable livehoods approach. This book concludes with policy recommendations for sustainable development of commmunity based approach in the island fisheries of Bangladesh to achieve development goals of poverty alleviation and human development in Bangladesh

Management of Innovative Activities of Small Entrepreneurial Manufacturing Workshops in Bangladesh

Volume 32, N0. 1 & 2 January & April, pp. 1-2

Impacts of job performance level on nurses in public sector hospitals

Job performance refers to how effective employees are in accomplishing their tasks and responsibilities related to direct patient care. Improving the performance of employees has been a topic of great interest to practitioners as well as researchers.The aim of the study is to analysis the impacts of job performance level on nurses’ performance working in public hospitals.In order to achieve the study objective, a survey conducted.Questionnaires distributed to the public sector hospital’s manager in Saudi Arabia.The findings of the study turn out to be true; the study will contribute to both theory and practice. Through the present study, the researcher expects the findings to shed light on the research conducted regression to analysis the impacts of job performance level on nurses’ in public sector hospitals in Saudi Arabia