Using Fuzzy Delphi and Generalized Fuzzy TOPSIS to Evaluate Technological Service Flexibility Dimensions of Internet Malls

The expanding development of technology and availability of the internet is leading a consumer shift from offline to online activity. This shifting behavior shows positive signs for the growth of the e-commerce market but also increases the challenges for the online service provider to provide satisfaction and loyalty to consumers when there is no personal interaction between buyer and seller. In these circumstances, quality, in terms of technology services i.e. web/transaction, can play a significant role for the service provider, especially for internet shopping malls. But there is little material available in current literature to build a theoretical model for web/transaction flexibility dimensions and to rank internet shopping malls on their provision of services to customers. The vagueness of the available information can be tackled by fuzzy theory by employing a Fuzzy Delphi method to finalize technological service dimensions and lead to development of a research model. The final ranking of internet malls has been achieved by utilizing Generalized Fuzzy TOPSIS. The findings of this study can be useful for internet shopping malls in devising strategies to provide a better quality of web/transaction service to customers.N/

Performance Efficiency Measurement of Airports: A Comparative Analysis of Airports Authority of India and Public Private Partnership

This article describes how to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the aviation sector and also to source extra funding, the Government of India has paved the way for private investors through to a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model since the 1980s. This liberalization step in the Indian aviation market has minimized the institutional barriers which have hindered the freedom and flexibility of air transport operations among private investors. Now, competition within the aviation sector has become fiercer; the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Indian airports are not only providing varied services, but also attracting consumers with new infrastructure and full modern facilities. The importance of this article is because after privatization, no studies have been conducted to examine the efficiency of Indian airports by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). An output-oriented DEA model is employed to determine the efficiency score of airports by taking a sample of 15 airports, including airports run by PPP, for comparison. Output-oriented DEA calculates the efficiency by maximizing the outputs for a given level of inputs. Therefore, this article contributes to the existing literature on Indian airports. Based on available data, three variables - length of runways, terminal size and number of check-in counters, are used as inputs and two variables - passenger movement and aircraft movement, are used as outputs.N

Using entropy and AHP-TOPSIS for comprehensive evaluation of internet shopping malls and solution optimality

Consumers are switching from offline to online to buy everything due to this reason nowadays Internet shopping malls (ISMs) are setting up a very crucial role in the economy. For assessment and ranking are basically a critical work which could be exploitation of Internet shopping malls information resources when consider in a scientific way, there are many methods for the evaluation and ranking of e-commerce sites. Taking into consideration Traffic Rank, Inbound Links, Competition, Speed, and Keyword Statistics, in literature Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods are rarely used by the researchers to find the rank of Internet Shopping Malls (ISMs) on the basis of primary/secondary data of these influencing factors. This study, therefore, is unique to narrow down the gap in literature by employing MCDM methods i.e. Entropy and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to collect the weight of influencing factors and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal (TOPSIS) to find the rank of Internet Shopping Malls (ISMs). After finding out the rank of selected criteria, solution optimality needs to be done to find the average ideal solution matrix. Conclusion and managerial implications of the study are also discussed.N/

Investigating the role of social media in polio prevention in India: a Delphi-DEMATEL approach

Abstract Purpose- This study aims to evaluate the role of social media (SM) tools in the polio prevention in an Indian context, using a hybrid Delphi-DEMATEL approach. Design/methodology/approach- A preliminary list of suitable evaluation criteria was derived from an extensive literature review. Ten experts were then contacted to collect data and finalize the most prominent criteria using the Delphi method. To establish cause-effect relationships among the criteria, further data were collected from twenty-one experts. The decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was applied to process and interpret the data collected. Findings- The analysis grouped criteria into two sets, i.e. cause and effect. The results show that awareness of social cause and government utilization of resources fall into the cause group; these elements are critical since both directly affect the remaining criteria. These outcomes can help government and businesses to utilize SM for public health surveillance, e.g. to promote schemes/initiatives through sites concerning polio or related health issues. Practical implications- The findings of this research are useful for governments and individual companies to conceive their marketing initiatives akin to polio prevention issues using SM. Originality/value- Despite the emergence of SM, there has been little discussion in existing literature on their role for polio prevention; however, measuring such role could be useful in practice, to help decision makers (DMs) exploiting the potential of SM in the healthcare context. To fill this gap, this study aims to measure the role of SM in polio prevention in the Indian context and to create a cause-effect evaluation model. Using an integrated Delphi-DEMATEL framework for decision-making in the healthcare context is another novelty of this study.N

Construction of capital procurement decision making model to optimize supplier selection using Fuzzy Delphi and AHP-DEMATEL

Purpose – Supplier selection for capital procurement is a major strategic decision for any automobile company. The decision determines the success of the company and must be taken systematically with the utmost transparency. Therefore, the aim of this study is the construction of capital procurement decision making models to optimize supplier selection in the Indian automobile industry. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the stated objective, a combined approach of fuzzy theory and AHP-DEMATEL is applied. Evaluation parameters are identified through an extensive literature review and criteria validation has been introduced through a Fuzzy Delphi method by using fuzzy linguistic scales to handle the vagueness of information. AHP is employed to find the priority weight of criteria although an inter-relationship map among criteria is not possible through AHP alone since it considers all criteria as independent. To overcome this, DEMATEL is used to establish cause-effect relationships among criteria. Findings – The results show that the total cost of ownership is the first weighted criterion in supplier selection for capital procurement, followed by manufacturing flexibility and maintainability, then conformity with requirement. The cause-effect model shows that supplier profile, total cost of ownership, service support and conformity with requirement are in the cause group and are considered to be the most critical factors in selecting the supplier. Originality/value – The study’s outcome can help the automobile industry to optimize their selection process in selecting their suppliers for capital procurement; the proposed model can provide guidelines and direction in this regard.N

PERIODICAL DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL FERMENTED AYURVEDA FORMULATION LOHASAVA

Ayurveda comprises of a range of medicines including the fermented forms specifically Arishtas (fermented decoctions) and Asavas (fermented infusions). Lohasava are derivatives of primitive form of processing of iron i.e. Ayaskriti. The resemblance between the constituents of Lohasava shows the progressive development of Lauhakalpa basing upon fundamental principles of Rasashastra. In this paper details about Lohasava, their different pharmaceutical variations apart from other relevant information have been highlighted. This paper covers all the essential details of Asavarista (classification of Sandhana kalpana, Indication of Sandhana prakriya, S.O.P. For form of Iron to be used etc.) physicians to prescribe and a teacher to educate his pupils about Lohasava

PERIODICAL ANALYSIS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AYURVEDIC HERBOMINERAL FORMULATIONS PUSHPADHANWA RASA

The literature available from past to modern times clearly signifies that the property of Pushpadhanwa rasa was used for Vrisya (aphrodisiac), Vajikarana (Increased sexual power), Vandhyatwa (sterility in both male and female). It was a preparation that can be used for male infertility due to oligospermia and female infertility due to Ovarin cyst. It firstly came into existence around 9th century depicted by Acharya Bahata followed by literatures like Rasa Ratna Sammuchaya, Yoga Tarangini, Bruhat Yoga Tarangini, Yogaratnakar, Rasa Tarangini, Bhaishjya Ratnavali etc was practicing these formulations to their patients. In this paper the developmental sequence of Pushpadhanwa rasa was deeply studied. An honest attempt has made to establish the periodical revolution of Pushpadhanwa rasa in the field of Vajikarana Chikistha. In this paper a good collection of Pushpdhanwa Rasa which could be utilized to prepare as per the need and use it clinically

METHODOLOGICAL INSIGHTS IN THE PREPARATION OF NAGA BHASMA

In the present research paper an attempt has been made to introduce standard operating procedure (SOP) for preparation of Naga Bhasma described in Ayurvedic formulary of India (AFI) using traditional Puta method. A total 60 Putas were given, out which first 50 Puta were Ardha gajaputa, followed by last 10 Puta as Gajaputa. In this method Manahshila and Kanji were taken as media. Arddha Gaja Puta (burnt with 4 kg Cow dung cake) was given for first 50 puta and the last ten Putas was given Gajaputa (burnt with 8 kg cow dung cake). The percentage increase in the Naga bhasma prepared after 60 Puta was 12%. Upto 50 Puta the increase in weight of Naga was 208%, while in last 10 Putas the percentage of decrease in weight was 63.66%. The average percentage purity of Naga decreased from 93.18% to 81.44% after Shodhana. The percentage of (Pb) Lead in Naga Bhasma 50 Puta and 60 Puta were 14.118% and 14.872 % respectively. Chemically Naga Bhasma was found in the form of PbS form