Vol.45, No 5 (2012)

Radovan Stojanović

University of Montenegro, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, George Washington st. bb., 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Andrej Škraba

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

Simon Berkowicz

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Arid Ecosystems Research Center, Edmond J. Safra Campus – Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904

Raffaele de Amicis

Fondazione GraphiTech, Via alla Cascata 56/C, 38123 Trento, Italy

Doron Elhanani

EMESCO, 11, Ha-Avoda St. POB 142, Rosh Ha-Ayin, 48017

Giuseppe Conti

Fondazione GraphiTech, Via alla Cascata 56/C, 38123 Trento

Davorin Kofjač

University of Maribor, Cybernetics and Decision Support Systems Laboratory, Faculty of Organizational Sciences

Marko Dragović

University of Montenegro, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, George Washington st. bb., 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Nedjeljko Lekić

University of Montenegro, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, George Washington st. bb., 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Gojko Nikolić

University of Montenegro, Faculty of Philosophy, Study Programme for Geography, Danilo Bojovic 3, 81400 Nikšić, Montenegro

Abstract

Background/Purpose: We describe a GIS-based real-time system for emergency response and management of air pollution accidents in an urban area. The system architecture emphasises the integration of meteorological, chemical and GIS data, dispersion modeling, decision-making and geo-spatial visualization. The threat zones, unsafe areas and safe traffic routes are obtained using an improved Gaussian plume model with a decision-making module and then exported to the Google Earth browser via “kml” file format. Several simulation scenarios were conducted and verified for notable industrial sites in Montenegro using recorded meteorological data. The results demonstrate that emergency response authorities can use the proposed methodology and system as a cost effective and accurate support tool in case of industrial or deliberate air pollution incidents.

Črtomir Rozman

University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia

Karmen Pažek

University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia

Jernej Prišenik

University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia

Andrej Škraba

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

Miroljub Kljajić

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

Abstract

Background/Purpose: This paper presents the system dynamics model of organic farming development in order to support decision making. The model seeks answers to strategic questions related to the level of organically utilized area, levels of production and crop selection in a long-term dynamic context. The model will be used for simulation of different policy scenarios for organic farming and their impact on economic and environmental parameters of organic production at an aggregate level. Using the model, several policy scenarios were performed.

Khalid Aboura

University of Technology Sydney, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering,15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia

Miroljub Kljajić

University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Kidričeva 55a, Kranj, Slovenia

Ali Eskandarian

The George Washington University, Department of Physics, 805 21st Street, NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC 20052, U.S.A

Abstract

Background/Purpose: We discuss the concept of simulation and its application in the resolution of problems in complex industrial systems. Most problems of serious scale, be it an inventory problem, a production and distribution problem, a management of resources or process improvement, all real world problems require a mix of generic, data algorithmic and Ad-hoc solutions making the best of available information. We describe two projects in which analytical solutions were applied or contemplated. The first case study uses linear programming in the optimal allocation of advertising resources by a major internet service provider. The second study, in a series of projects, analyses options for the expansion of the production and distribution network of mining products, as part of a sensitive strategic business review. Using the examples, we make the case for the need of simulation in complex industrial problems where analytical solutions may be attempted but where the size and complexity of the problem forces a Monte Carlo approach.

Fernando A. Crespo

Universidad de Valparaíso, Brigadier de la Cruz 1050, Santiago, Chile

Chandra Sekhar Pedamallu

Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, 02215 Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA

Linet Özdamar

Yeditepe University, Industrial and Systems Engineering, 26 Ağustos Yerleşimi Kayışdağı Cad., 34755 Kayışdağı, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Background/Purpose: A virtual organization is a community of people who interact together socially on a technical platform. These kinds of communities are built on a common interest, a common problem or a common task of its members that is pursued on the basis of implicit and explicit codes of behavior. The six dimensions that are normally used to analyze virtual organizations are the use of technologies, sense of belonging, success factors, level of trust from members, virtual community management, and contents of the virtual community. The virtual organizations defined in the literature are not defined separately for non-profit research virtual organization. Here we present analysis of non-profit research virtual organization, European Working Group on Operational Research for Development (EGW ORD). This paper provides a summary of achievements and challenges faced in building a virtual organization. This kind of analysis plays a vital role in establishing new non-profit virtual organizations to serve the research community in their field of interest. It is also helpful to the group in broadening its presence and involving more researchers, practitioners and students in the field of operational research.

Mirjana Kljajić Borštnar

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

Abstract

Background/Purpose:  Purpose of the study is to compare two different approaches to the collaborative problem solving one in a highly controlled laboratory experiment: Optimisation of business politics using business simulator at different experimental condition which reflect different feedback information structure and one in a collaborative environment of the social media, characterised by non-structured, rule-free and even chaotic feedback information. Comparative analyses of participant’s opinion who participate in experiments have been considered in order to find common characteristics relevant for group/collaborative problem solving. Based on these findings a general explanatory causal loop model of collaborative learning during problem solving was built.

Alireza Aslani

University of Vaasa, Faculty of Technology, Industrial Management Department, 65101, Vaasa, Finland and Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Engineering and Public Policy, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburg, PA 15213, USA

Feryal Aslani

University of Tehran, Faculty of Management, Information Technology Management Department, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The literature of organizational structure design is relatively rich along with conceptual and complex patterns. This complexity arising from the number of elements and numerous relations in addition to the nature of variables. Thereby, the lack of operational decision-making models is felt to propose adequate structural designs in practice. In this article, the researchers employ a fuzzy multi attribute decision making model (FMADM) to select the most suitable organizational structure based on expert’s judgments and by deploying contextual dimensions of the organization. Since the organizational changes especially in the structural levels are along with resistances among involved staffs, the implementation of this model is a supportive tool in addition to help the managers to make a qualified decision and change.

Miroljub Kljajić

Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za organizacijske vede

Gerhard-Wilhelm Weber

Middle East Technical University, Turkey

Jože Gričar