Vol.43, No 3 (2010)

Viveca Asproth

ITM / Informatics, Mid Sweden University, 83125 ÖSTERSUND, Sweden

Stig C Holmberg

ITM / Informatics, Mid Sweden University, 83125 ÖSTERSUND, Sweden

Ulrica Löfstedt

ITM / Informatics, Mid Sweden University, 83125 ÖSTERSUND, Sweden

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The idea of decision analysis – and subsequent learning from the outcomes – is old within Operational Research. Here this approach to continuous improvement of decision outcomes is put one step further within the area of crisis and disaster man­agement. This is done by introducing multiactors making simultaneous decisions with just partial information about each other. Further, decision outcomes are achieved from a simulation model rather than from the real object system.

Davorin Kofjač

University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Kidričeva cesta 55a, SI-4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Andrej Knaflič

Mimovrste d.o.o., Spodnji plavž 24e, SI-4270 Jesenice, Slovenia

Miroljub Kljajić

University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Kidričeva cesta 55a, SI-4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Abstract

Background/Purpose: This article describes the development of a web-based dynamic job-shop scheduling system for small and medium enter­prises. In large enterprises, scheduling is mainly performed with appropriate technology by human experts; many small and medium enterprises lack the resources to implement such a task. The main objective was to develop a cost-effective, efficient solution for job-shop scheduling in small and medium enterprises with an emphasis on accessibility, platform independence and ease of use. For these reasons, we decided to develop a web-based solution with the main emphasis on the development of an intelligent and dynamic user interface. The solution is built upon modular programming principles and enables dynamic scheduling on the basis of artificial intelligence, i.e. genetic algorithms. The solution has been developed as a standalone information system, which allows the management of virtually all scheduling activities through an administration panel. In addition, the solution covers the five main functionalities that completely support the scheduling process, i.e. making an inventory of resources available in the company, using it in the process of production planning, collecting data on production activities, distribution of up-to-date information and insight over events in the system.

Chandra Sekhar Pedamallu

Currently working at New England Biolabs Inc., Ipswich, MA, USA; Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India

Linet Ozdamar

Yeditepe University, Dept. of Systems Engineering, Kayisdagi, 34755 Istanbul, Turkey

LS Ganesh

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India

Gerhard-Wilhelm Weber

Institute of Applied Mathematics, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The system dynamics approach is a holistic way of solving problems in real-time scenarios. This is a powerful methodology and computer simulation modeling technique for framing, analyzing, and discussing complex issues and problems. System dynamics modeling is often the background of a systemic thinking approach and has become a management and organiza­tional development paradigm. This paper proposes a system dynamics approach for studying the importance of infrastructure facilities on the quality of primary education system in a developing nation. The model is built using the Cross Impact Analysis (CIA) method of relating entities and attributes relevant to the primary education system in any given community. The CIA model enables us to predict the effects of infrastructural facilities on the community’s access of primary education. This may support policy makers to take more effective actions in campaigns that attempt to improve literacy.

Carlos A. Legna Verna

University of La Laguna, Department of Institutional Economics, Economics Statistics and Econometrics, 38071 La Laguna, Spain

Andrej Škraba

University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Laboratory of Cybernetics and Decision Support Systems, Kidričeva cesta 55a, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The design of strategies for social systems requires the use of qualitative information owing to the fact that quantitative infor­mation can be insufficient to solve the problems involved. The information that the specialists and the decision makers obtain is often incomplete and unreliable. Nevertheless, leaders have to make strategic decisions despite these deficiencies which should be based on the formal models (Kljajić et al. 2000; Škraba et al, 2003; Škraba et al 2007). This paper describes a methodology elaborated to design the strategy of the city of Santa Cruz (on the Canary Islands). It has two main sections: the elaboration of a qualitative model and the use of System Dynamics. We combine them in a way that allows mixing qualitative and quantitative information to achieve a better understanding of the structure of the region, to know the tendencies of the present scenario and to estimate of the effects of alternative strategic decisions. We have obtained these results working with scarce quantitative information. This methodology may be applied to any social systems with similar characteristics.

Ingvill C. Mochmann

GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Bachemer Str. 40, D-50931 Cologne, Germany

Dorien J. DeTombe

Chair Operational Research Euro Working Group Complex Societal problems, P.O. Box. 3286, 1001, AB Amsterdam, the Netherlands,

Abstract

Background/Purpose: During and after wars children are born where the father is a member of an occupation or peacekeeping force and the mother a local citizen. Securing the human rights of children born of war is often highly complex and involves researchers and practitioners from different disciplines. The Compram methodology on handling complex societal problems will be applied to analyse whether the methodology is suitable on this group of war-affected children. The Compram methodology is a multi disciplined, multi level, multi actor methodology based on the theory of societal complexity. The methodology gives guidelines to handle real life complex societal problems.