Thesis (MComm (Logistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mobile phone networks form an integral part of economic and social development globally. Mobile phones have become an everyday part of life and it is hard to imagine a competitive economy without the availability of mobile communications. Emerging markets benefit most from the implementation of mobile technology and growth trends are outperforming earlier predictions. The most popular and sustainable payment model used by mobile phone networks in emerging markets is the pre paid mechanism used for the distribution of airtime. This mechanism brings about unique challenges for networks in emerging markets. In this thesis the importance of the mobile phone network pre paid value channel is introduced through an analysis of pre paid revenue. A brief introduction is given to the systems and products that contribute to the functioning of the pre paid value channel. The revenue generation process is described with regards to the pre paid sector of the market and an in-depth explanation of the importance of deferred revenue is given, how it is recorded and what role it fulfils in the generation of revenue. The complexity of the network environment, both technical and operational makes the use of a business automation and support system (BSS) a necessary tool for effective execution of tasks and processes within the network environment. These systems record information from a wide spectrum of available technical network resources and use this information to automate the flow of network products. The use of such a system for the calculation of deferred revenue is suggested. Saaty‟s Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) algorithm and the Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality (ELECTRE) method are used to compare the newly proposed method for the calculation of deferred revenue using a BSS. Using Saaty's algorithm to estimate the effectiveness of deferred revenue as reported through the use of a BSS yields favourable results for the proposed method. This helps to bridge the gap in the poorly researched mobile telecommunications industry. ELECTRE is used to substantiate the findings of the model using AHP and meaningful tests are done to motivate correctness and accuracy of the results obtained throughout. Most importantly, the findings were shared with academic and industry experts, adding meaningful resemblance to the goals set out to achieve. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mobiele foon netwerke is wêreldwyd 'n onlosmaakbare deel van ekonomiese en sosiale ontwikkeling. Mobiele fone is deel van ons alledaagse lewe en dit is moeilik om 'n kompeterende ekonomie te bedink sonder die beskikbaarheid van mobiele kommunikasie. Ontluikende markte trek die meeste voordeel uit die implementering van mobiele tegnologie en groeitendense vertoon beter as wat vroeër voorspel is. Die mees gewilde en volhoubare betaalmetode wat deur mobiele foon netwerke in ontluikende markte gebruik word, is die voorafbetalingsmeganisme wat vir die verspreiding van lugtyd gebruik word. Hierdie meganisme bring unieke uitdagings vorendag in ontluikende markte. Die tesis beskryf die belangrikheid van die mobiele foon netwerk voorafbetalingswaardekanaal deur 'n analise te maak van vooruitbetalingsinkomste. 'n Kort oorsig oor die sisteme en produkte wat bydra tot die funksionering van die vooruitbetalingswaardekanaal word verskaf. 'n Beskrywing van die inkomste-genereringsproses vir die vooruitbetaling-sektor van die mark word verskaf en 'n in-diepte verduideliking van die belangrikheid van uitgestelde inkomste, hoe dit vasgelê word en watter rol dit speel in die generering van inkomste word verduidelik. Die kompleksiteit van die netwerkomgewing, beide op 'n tegniese en operasionele vlak, maak die gebruik van 'n besigheidsoutomatisering en ondersteuningsisteem (BSS) 'n noodsaaklike instrument vir die effektiewe uitvoer van take en prosesse binne die netwerkomgewing. Hierdie sisteme stoor informasie vanuit 'n wye spektrum van beskikbare tegniese netwerkbronne en gebruik die inligting om die vloei van netwerkprodukte te outomatiseer. Die gebruik van sodanige sisteem word voorgestel vir die berekening van uitgestelde inkomste. Saaty se Analitiese Hierargie Proses-algoritme (AHP) en die Eliminasie en Realiteit-Deur-Keuse Uitdrukkingsmetode (ELECTRE) word gebruik vir die vergelyking van die voorgestelde metode vir die berekening van uitgestelde inkomste deur middel van 'n BSS. Die gebruik van Saaty se algoritme om die effektiwiteit te bereken van uitgestelde inkomste soos gemeld deur die gebruik van 'n BSS, lewer gunstige resultate vir die voorgestelde metode. Dit vul 'n leemte in die swak nagevorsde mobiele telekommunikasie industrie. ELECTRE word gebruik om die bevindinge van die AHP-model te substansieer en betekenisvolle toetse word deurentyd gedoen om die korrektheid en akkuraatheid van die resultate te motiveer. Die belangrikste aspek van die navorsing is dat die bevindinge gedeel is met kenners binne die akademie sowel as die industrie, wat nou aansluit by die doelstellings wat aanvanklik beoog is.

Change from a regulated to deregulated structure means that, the centralized maintenance system is not valid any more. In the surveyed published literature, there is not a single model which incorporates all maintenance cost components to analyze the effect of different maintenance strategies for generator companies (GENCOs). The work enclosed in this thesis demonstrates that there is a considerable requirement for accurately modelling cost components of the maintenance model, to be used in maintenance scheduling for deregulated power system, in order to attain a superior schedule with major financial and operational impact. This research investigates and models most cost factors that affect the maintenance activities of the deregulated GENCOs, and demonstrates the utilization of the developed cost models in maintenance scheduling. It also presents the data gathering process for the developed maintenance cost model. A generator maintenance scheduling model that considers direct and indirect maintenance costs, opportunity costs (i.e. loss of customer goodwill), effective maintenance strategies, failures, and interruptions is developed. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) based approach is employed to achieve maintenance schedules to various generators maintenance scenarios. An Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach is proposed for modelling customer goodwill. The maintenance model was redeveloped under the Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) strategy to analyze the effect of a maintenance strategy on maintenance costs. Case studies are presented to demonstrate the utilisation of the developed models.The investigation shows that the market prices, opportunity costs and maintenance strategy have an effect on the final maintenance schedule. The research demonstrates that the cost components are critical factors to achieve an effective maintenance schedule, and they must be considered and carefully modelled in order to reflect more realistic situation for maintenance scheduling of generator units in deregulation environment.

The increased demand for biofuels is expected to put additional strain on the available agricultural resources while at the same time causing environmental degradation. Hence, new energy policies need to be formulated and implemented in order to meet global energy needs while reducing the impact of biofuels farming and production. This research focuses on proving a decision support system which can aid the formulation of policies for the sustainable biofuel production. The system seeks to address policy formulation that requires reconciliation of the qualitative aspects of decision making (such as stakeholder’s viewpoints) with quantitative data, which often may be imprecise. To allow this, based on: Fuzzy logic and Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) in the form of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Using these concepts, three software functionalities, “Options vs. Fuzzy Criteria Matrix”, “Analytical Hierarchy Process” and “Fuzzy AHP” were developed. These were added within the framework of pre-existing base software, Compendium (developed by the Open University, UK). A number of case study based models have been investigated using the software. These models made use of data from the Philippines and India in order to pinpoint suitable land and crop options for these countries. The models based on AHP and Fuzzy AHP were very successful in identifying suitable crop options for India by capturing both the stakeholder viewpoints and quantitative data. The software functionalities are very effective in scenario planning and selection of policies that would be beneficial in achieving a desired future scenario. The models further revealed that the newly developed software correctly identified many of the important issues in a consistent manner.

Submitted by ADRIANO MARTINS JUNQUEIRA null (adriano@geopx.com.br) on 2017-03-11T20:17:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Mestrado - Adriano Martins Junqueira - 2017.pdf: 8109678 bytes, checksum: d1e6cf6e83e8eac0c87d3eb5b494f810 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-03-16T20:19:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 junqueira_am_me_guara.pdf: 8109678 bytes, checksum: d1e6cf6e83e8eac0c87d3eb5b494f810 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-16T20:19:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 junqueira_am_me_guara.pdf: 8109678 bytes, checksum: d1e6cf6e83e8eac0c87d3eb5b494f810 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-18 / A maioria dos empreendimentos do setor elétrico brasileiro não apresentam uma avaliação sistemática espaço-temporal de suas estruturas para identificar vulnerabilidades ambientais nos empreendimentos. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a susceptibilidade de movimento de massa em linhas de transmissão, na região da Serra da Mantiqueira, sujeitas aos efeitos de chuvas tropicais e operacionalizar uma plataforma dinâmica de análise e alerta nas áreas de maior criticidade. Para este trabalho, foram levantados dados estáticos e dinâmicos na região a partir de fontes de acesso público e privado. A seguir, foram definidos os múltiplos critérios através do processo de análise hierárquica (AHP). Utilizando Sistemas de Informações Geográficas (SIG) e álgebra de mapas, foi possível determinar o mapa de susceptibilidade em cinco classes e operacionalizar a plataforma de monitoramento, análise e alerta a riscos ambientais baseando-se nas áreas identificadas e nos dados dinâmicos meteorológicos e hidrológicos. Como resultado, foi gerado um banco de dados geográfico com abrangência regional (14.000 km²), que envolveu 7 critérios: declividade, distância das linhas de transmissão, densidade de drenagem, uso do solo, tipo do solo, densidade de fraturas e falhas, e precipitação. A distribuição das classes de susceptibilidade encontradas na região de estudo foram: muito baixa (1,5%), baixa (12%), média (34,9%), alta (45,3%) e muito alta (6,2%). Foi possível ainda, identificar diferentes movimentos de massa em áreas próximas à linhas de transmissão, quanto próximas aos outros elementos de risco, como moradias, estradas, bordas de reservatórios e torres de telecomunicações. A plataforma de monitoramento operacionalizada possibilitou o estabelecimento de análises dinâmicas sobre a ocorrência de eventos naturais extremos, através do envio de notificações e acesso WEB com o mapa das áreas afetadas. Assim, este estudo pode se tornar um instrumento de avaliação, acompanhamento e gerenciamento para a gestão pública e agências reguladoras do setor elétrico. / Most of the Brazilian electric sector enterprises do not present a systematic space-time evaluation of their structures to identify environmental vulnerabilities in the projects. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the susceptibility of mass movement in transmission lines, in the Serra da Mantiqueira region, subject to the effects of tropical rains and to operationalize a dynamic platform of analysis and alertness in the most critical areas. For this work, static and dynamic data were collected in the region from public and private sources. Next, the multiple criteria were defined through the hierarchical analysis process (AHP). Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and map algebra, it was possible to determine the susceptibility map in five classes and to operationalize the monitoring platform for monitoring, analysis and alert to environmental risks based on identified areas and dynamic meteorological and hydrological data. As a result, a geographic database with a regional coverage (14.000 km²) was generated, involving 7 criteria: slope, distance of transmission lines, drainage density, soil use, soil type, fracture and failure density, and precipitation. The distribution of susceptibility classes found in the study region were very low (1.5%), low (12%), average (34.9%), high (45.3%) and very high (6, 2%). It was also possible to identify different mass movements in areas close to the transmission lines, as well as to other risk elements such as dwellings, roads, reservoir borders and telecommunications towers. The operationalized monitoring platform allowed the establishment of dynamic analyzes on the occurrence of extreme natural events, by sending notifications and WEB access with the map of the affected areas. Thus, this study can become an instrument of evaluation, monitoring and management for the public management and regulatory agencies of the electric sector.

Oil companies in Alberta, Canada, invested $32 billion on new oil sands projects in 2013. Despite the size of this investment, there is a demonstrable deficiency in the uniformity and understanding of environmental legislation requirements that manifest into increased project compliance risks. This descriptive study developed 2 prioritized lists of environmental regulatory compliance risks and mitigation strategies and used multi-criteria decision theory for its theoretical framework. Information from compiled lists of environmental compliance risks and mitigation strategies was used to generate a specialized pairwise survey, which was piloted by 5 subject matter experts (SMEs). The survey was validated by a sample of 16 SMEs, after which the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to rank a total of 33 compliance risks and 12 mitigation strategy criteria. A key finding was that the AHP is a suitable tool for ranking of compliance risks and mitigation strategies. Several working hypotheses were also tested regarding how SMEs prioritized 1 compliance risk or mitigation strategy compared to another. The AHP showed that regulatory compliance, company reputation, environmental compliance, and economics ranked the highest and that a multi criteria mitigation strategy for environmental compliance ranked the highest. The study results will inform Alberta oil sands industry leaders about the ranking and utility of specific compliance risks and mitigations strategies, enabling them to focus on actions that will generate legislative and public trust. Oil sands leaders implementing a risk management program using the risks and mitigation strategies identified in this study will contribute to environmental conservation, economic growth, and positive social change.

金融資訊科技的發展及未來社會走向資訊化的必然趨勢下，自1960年至1970年間建置的銀行業大主機架構，多己到達設備投資轉換及軟體效率不足、系統發展週期過長及維護成本過大之瓶頸。由於核心銀行作業系統的複雜性及重要性，系統轉型的龐大投資計畫失敗時可能對銀行產生相當大的影響，系統廠商的評估選擇非常重要。本研究主要提出資訊系統整合廠商評量模式之形成及應用方式，針對核心銀行系統進行評估及選擇適當的系統整合廠商。 經由文獻探討及針對國內某商業銀行的個案研究，我們先建立一個初步的模型，定義出考量層級及涵蓋因素。之後，配合分析層級法(Analytical Hierarchy Process)設計問卷，收集國內各型銀行的資訊主管及業務主管針對「資訊系統整合廠商評量模式考量因素」進行兩兩比較所回應的相對重要性認知，經AHP運算建立層級因素間的權重分派，之後再依受測者所屬銀行類別及職務類別進行統計分析，作為評估廠商時參考的對象。決策者可根據各自銀行狀況再作權重調整，以此標準評量廠商資料，計算最後評比結果，AHP可在評量模式形成時，彙整產業認知資訊計算出考量因素之權重分配；也可在評量模式應用時彙整參與決策者意見，調整考量因素之權重分配，甚至在廠商評選時彙整參與決策者意見，如同計算權重分配一樣，計算出各合作廠商之優先次序。本研究可用來探討資訊系統整合廠合評量的主要考量因素，思考新的資訊科技可能所帶來的危機或轉機，而加以因應或利用；所發展的評量模式可以提供實務使用，期能協助銀行業，在核心銀行系統轉換需求過程中，建立一個對合作廠商評估與選擇的考量模式，在參考產業認知及層級分析的運算作業下，縮短系統轉型之時程，提高成功機率。 / Facing the technology advancement, it is about the time to upgrade the core banking systems built during 1960s and 1970s. The massive variety of banking operation requirements and the IT dependency of critical banking services make the system upgrade transition an enormous burden. This study aims to establish an evaluation model to be used for selecting appropriate system integration vendor of core banking systems. We review the literature and establish an initial model by identifying a group of consideration categories and their included factors. These factors are conformed to real world situations through a case study on a commercial bank at Taiwan. In the following survey, the weight allocation for these consideration factors is to be investigated from the banking community at Taiwan. A questionnaire based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to collect the comparative perceptions for the importance of the consideration factors. Through the AHP, the aggregated evaluation weights can be calculated. Based on the perception difference among bank types and manager types, a statistical analysis will be conducted later. The decision-makers may adjust the evaluation weights based on the ad-hoc needs for their banks. The comparative scoring of the evaluated vendors is then calculated based on the evaluation weights. The study contributes to investigate the important consideration factors for core banking systems and establish an evaluation model based on the industry perception. The similar approach can be extended to other information systems evaluation in the future.

This study explores the application of wireless local area network (WLAN) in mobile learning. Although still in its infancy, Taiwan¡¦s government has devoted much resource on mobile learning as the extention of e-Taiwan project. National museums are among the key projects where the effectiveness of mobile learning can be soundly demonstrated. Taking national museums as observing objects, this study examines whether museum visitors appreciate WLAN environment within which personal digital assistants (PDA) operate as mobile educational tools. It further explores the key success factors that leads to successful deployment of mobile learning system. The researcher conducted a two-wave survey, firstly on museum visiters then on museum and e-learning experts for data gathering. Using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) as the research method, this study filters out the priority setting of those six categories as follows according to their significance: learning content, network connection, interface design, mareking and promotion, and business model. It also shows that the priority setting might change as a matter of time. As far as implication for education is concerned, the study suggests that, in the learning space of museum, PDA equipped with WLAN proves to be an appropriate mobile learning tool, notably useful in conducting blending learning and self-directed learning. Such finding should contribute to the understanding and further deployment of mobile learning activities in the context of museums. Keywords: wireless local area network (WLAN), mobile learning, blending learning, self-directed learning, personal digital assistant (PDA), fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), key success factors, museum

In the current pluralistic societies, public policy-makings had to take into account various stakeholders as well as the social values. The research, based on the integrated public affairs management¡]PAM¡^ framework (Wang et al., 2004a) and place marketing strategy (Kotler, 1999), defined the applicable operational variables which includes three major factors of economical, social and political, and government, and nine derivative attributes, two situations of direct three-links between Taiwan and Mainland China, and status quo are used as the scenario. Altogether they will influence the stakeholders as decision-makers while deciding if they should invest, live, or work in Kaohsiung. For research design, we employed three major multiple-attribute theories or methods for individual stakeholders¡¦information processing and integration, Information Integration Theory¡]IIT¡^, Analytical Hierarchy Process¡]AHP¡^, Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique¡]SMART¡^, and Rating. In particular, the way the information is integrated cognitively is empirically examined instead of assumed with the averaging model of the IIT (Anderson, 1991a), and the scale values (equivalent to the utility component in MAUT or AHP) and the weights are concurrently separated and measured as results of the examination. Such separation rendered measurement of the psychological weights with theoretical validity possible, and could be used as the standard so that weights measured with the other three methods are evaluated and compared. Findings of the research are as follow, in the aspect of multiple-attribute weight measurement methods applied in the place marketing of Kaohsiung¡G 1. Among the three major factors, the most important is ¡§economic development¡¨, the second is ¡§government function¡¨, and then the third is ¡§social and political development¡¨. 2. For economic development, under the situation of maintain status quo, the most crucial derivative attribute is¡§ the level of economic globalization of Kaohsiung¡¨. The second one is ¡§the industrial structure of Kaohsiung city¡¨. The last one is ¡§the competitiveness of Kaohsiung Port and Airport project¡¨¡FUnder the situation of opening for three direct-links, the most crucial derivative attribute is still ¡§the level of economic globalization of Kaohsiung¡¨. The second one is ¡§the competitiveness of Kaohsiung Port and Airport project¡¨. The last one is ¡§the industrial structure of Kaohsiung city¡¨. 3. For the factor of social and political development, the most important attribute is ¡§the level of citizen participation in public affairs and the extent they influence public policies¡¨, the second is ¡§the public values and culture¡¨, the last is ¡§the operational mechanism of politics and election¡¨. 4. As for government function, the most essential attribute is ¡§the provision of public infrastructures¡¨. The second is ¡§the elected officials¡¦ perception of place marketing and capabilities of policy planning¡¨. The third is¡§the career officials¡¦ identifications for the elected officials¡¦ ambitions and abilities to carry out the place marketing policies¡¨. 5. The second group examinees think that direct-links has positive effects on the developments of Kaohsiung and most of them approve of the policy of three direct-links¡Fthe first group examinees have diverse opinions on it. 6. Based on PAM framework, we will sum up the problems of place marketing of Kaohsiung and brings out policy suggestions for Kaohsiung city. In the aspect of Multiple-attribute weight measurement methods theory¡G 1. Take the weight parameters derived from IIT¡¦s averaging model as the standard, weights from rating¡BAHP and SMART are all theoretically valid. The theoretical validity of rating outperforms that of AHP, AHP outperforms that of SMART. Among the convergence validity or consistence of four methods, between rating and AHP with IIT¡¦s averaging model fit better in convergence validity, between SMART and IIT¡¦s averaging model don¡¦t. 2. All three models had fairly high predictability and notable for subjects¡¦ holistic judgments. The predictability of IIT is the a little bit higher than SMART, the third one is AHP, and the last one is rating. 3. For convergence, measured with accumulative weights derived from subjects selected 15-20 examinees randomly, IIT was better than SMART, and SMART was better than AHP. 4. In terms of perceived performance, degree of operational easiness and fondness, the three models are not significantly different. As for the degree of confidence, IIT outperformed AHP, and AHP outperformed SMART.

Our country is a risky position in terms of natural disasters. In the long run, preferentially settlement areas were selected to ensure maximum benefits in terms of both economic and security aspects, other criteria is not taken account when selection of sites. The main purpose of this study is to examine and compare the properties of settlement location based on natural hazard and environmental constraints to be able to understand the interaction between the settlements and natural conditions at the regional scale of YeSilirmak Basin. A MCDA was set up with 10 different data layers in two data domains (environmental and natural hazards domains), are evaluated. The results of the MCDA scores are then transferred to settlement databases in order to evaluate the number of existing settlements in different environmental and natural hazard related suitability classes. It is found that almost 29% of YeSilirmak catchment is environmentally favorable for settlement, and in coherence with that 41% of all existing settlements are located in this zone, indicating a clear preference among the perception of environmentally better places to be settled in. On the other hand with respect to the natural hazards dataset, the locations of the settlements fail to create any preference, as 73,32% of the area is used by 73,50% of existing settlements, which indicates that the perception of natural hazards are low and do not effect settlement criteria, while the acceptable risk of community is high.

Η αξιολόγηση και επιλογή προμηθευτών αποτελεί μια απαραίτητη επιχειρησιακή λειτουργία για την επίτευξη βέλτιστων δυνατών προμηθειών. Λόγω της φύσης του προβλήματος αυτού, οι μέθοδοι Πολυκριτηριακής Ανάλυσης μπορούν να παίξουν αποφασιστικό ρόλο στην επίλυσή του. Η εργασία αυτή μελετά και παρουσιάζει τα πιο συνηθισμένα κριτήρια καθώς και τις πιο διαδεδομένες μεθόδους της Πολυκριτηριακής Ανάλυσης για την αξιολόγηση και επιλογή προμηθευτών των επιχειρήσεων. Στο πρώτο μέρος της εργασίας αυτής, παρουσιάζεται το θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο, όπου γίνεται αναφορά στις έρευνες προηγούμενων μελετητών του προβλήματος της αξιολόγησης και επιλογής προμηθευτών, ομαδοποιώντας μια σειρά από τους σημαντικότερους παράγοντες για την επιλογή προμηθευτών. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζονται οι πλέον χρηστικές μέθοδοι Πολυκριτηριακής Ανάλυσης στην αξιολόγηση προμηθευτών με αντίστοιχα παραδείγματα. Στο δεύτερο μέρος γίνεται εφαρμογή της μεθόδου της Αναλυτικής Διαδικασίας Ιεράρχησης (ΑΗΡ) συνδυάζοντάς την με Γραμμικό Προγραμματισμό, επί των πραγματικών δεδομένων της μικρομεσαίας επιχείρησης επεξεργασίας νερού Health Affair, για αξιολόγηση και επιλογή των προμηθευτών της. / Vendor selection and evaluation is a very important process for all kinds of firms. Due to the nature of the vendor selection problem, Multicriteria methods can play a decisive role to its solution. This work examines and presents the most commonly used criteria and the most widespread Multicriteria methods for vendor selection and evaluation. In the first part of the project, the Theoretical Framework is presented, where the work of previous researchers is mentioned, by grouping some of the most vital criteria in vendor selection process. Moreover, the most useful Multicriteria methods in vendor selection are analyzed into their corresponding examples. In the second part of the project, the method of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in combination with Linear Programming is implemented on the real data of a Greek water treatment SME.