This thesis is a critical investigation into the development, application and evaluation of ant colony optimisation metaheuristics, with a view to solving a class of capacitated facility location problems. The study is comprised of three phases. The first sets the scene and motivation for research, which includes; key concepts of ant colony optimisation, a review of published academic materials and a research philosophy which provides a justification for a deductive empirical mode of study. This phase reveals that published results for existing facility location metaheuristics are often ambiguous or incomplete and there is no clear evidence of a dominant method. This clearly represents a gap in the current knowledge base and provides a rationale for a study that will contribute to existing knowledge, by determining if ant colony optimisation is a suitable solution technique for solving capacitated facility location problems. The second phase is concerned with the research, development and application of a variety of ant colony optimisation algorithms. Solution methods presented include combinations of approximate and exact techniques. The study identifies a previously untried ant hybrid scheme, which incorporates an exact method within it, as the most promising of techniques that were tested. Also a novel local search initialisation which relies on memory is presented. These hybridisations successfully solve all of the capacitated facility location test problems available in the OR-Library. The third phase of this study conducts an extensive series of run-time analyses, to determine the prowess of the derived ant colony optimisation algorithms against a contemporary cross-entropy technique. This type of analysis for measuring metaheuristic performance for the capacitated facility location problem is not evident within published materials. Analyses of empirical run-time distributions reveal that ant colony optimisation is superior to its contemporary opponent. All three phases of this thesis provide their own individual contributions to existing knowledge bases: the production of a series of run-time distributions will be a valuable resource for future researchers; results demonstrate that hybridisation of metaheuristics with exact solution methods is an area not to be ignored; the hybrid methods employed in this study ten years ago would have been impractical or infeasible; ant colony optimisation is shown to be a very flexible metaheuristic that can easily be adapted to solving mixed integer problems using hybridisation techniques.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Business Information Systems)

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Carleton University, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-106). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

The aim of this research is to investigate whether and how Strategic Quality Management (SQM) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can have an effect on each other. The fulfilment of this aim was by investigating the different aspects of the relationship between SQM and CSR to find the common ground for the integration and studying how the integration would be perceived by certain Saudi Arabian organisations, in terms of levels, natures and methods of the integration. In addition, this research will study the benefits, barriers, opportunities and motivations of the integration from the point of view of Saudi Arabian organisations within the dominant Islamic culture. To realise this aim and objectives, this author applied a multi qualitative multiple-cases study. The researcher conducted interviews and documentary analysis with some Saudi Arabian organisations as well as conducting a focus group with the experts in this domain in Saudi Arabia. The methodology of this study required special considerations in order to ensure its validity and reliability. The sampling of the cases that were selected for this research was according to the recognition of the Saudi Arabian Responsible Competitiveness Index, which were also awarded the King Khalid Responsible Competitiveness Award for their responsible practices and CSR applications. The final sample of this research consisted of organisations from the healthcare, manufacturing, petrochemical and service sectors. The findings showed that SQM and CSR have significant similarities in theory and major overlaps in practice. More importantly, the results strongly suggested that the integration between SQM and CSR could be viable in general and, more specifically, for Saudi Arabian organisations. Moreover, there were some indications of a cultural readiness to accept this integration to be applied in Saudi Arabia that is consistent with the Islamic teachings. Therefore the major contribution to knowledge of this research is the development of a framework and model that can be applied by Saudi Arabian organisations to integrate their SQM and CSR. The framework and model were developed upon several criteria and considerations that would make the integration appropriate for this specific context. Based on the research results and the development of the integration framework and model, some recommendations are made that would widen this effort at three levels for organisations, governments or authorities, and for further research.

The main aim of this study is to investigate the provision and use of industrial information in Saudi Arabia, to compare it with corresponding patterns in the UK, and to examine what conclusions follow from this comparison for the information infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. To achieve this aim four main objectives have been established: (1) to determine what major information services are available to Saudi and British industry; (2) to examine the level of service and relevance of the information provided; (3) to investigate how aware industries are of information services and to what extent they use them; (4) to look for differences in the use of information services as a function of the type of firm concerned. The major focus of the work is on provision and use of this information in Saudi Arabia. It is not intended as a comprehensive overview of all business information in the UK. The first stage of the methodology involved a questionnaire survey distributed to Saudi manufacturing firnls in the building, chemical and metals industries. For the UK, the same industries were selected, and the size and distribution of the sample surveyed were chosen so as to parallel the Saudi sample. The second stage of the methodology involved a series of interviews carried out in both Saudi Arabia and the UK with the main information providers cited by the respondents. The main findings of this study show that Saudi firms tap a greater number of government information sources than Britishfirms do, but the latter use more non-government sources. This difference reflects the stronger emphasis on information provision by the government in Saudi Arabia, as compared with government provision in the UK.

M.Inf. / In an environment of uncertainty, information has a potential competitive advantage for enterprises. South African enterprises, in metropolitan areas operate in a global market and must withstand the competitive pressure from other producers and from new alternative technologies and products. Managers therefore need an input of competitive information and must manage and utilise this information. This empirical study therefore investigates the extent to which small- and medium-sized enterprises in Acornhoek make use of business information for sustainable competitive advantage. An extensive literature review determining the information needs of business managers as well as how managers use and handle information in business enterprises is conducted. Based on the literature review, a survey method using pre-structured questionnaire is used. The study provides recommendations on how small- and medium-sized enterprises in Acornhoek should make use of business information to survive in a competitive environment. Finally, areas for further investigation on the subject of information as an economic resource for small– and medium–sized enterprises are provided.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2007. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-211).

Thesis ( M. Phil (Informatics)) -- University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78 - 87).

The objects of this research are large, medium and small export/ import firms. This investigation represents an attempt to understand information-seeking behaviour in the IT export/import business in Britain and Saudi Arabia. Quantitative and qualitative research methods have been used in analysing the structure of the various IT export/import information provisions. The strengths and weaknesses of various forms of information provision are examined in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency. A structured analysis of various information sources (such as magazines and IT trade fairs) has also been made.

This study was conducted on the premise that if quality business information is provided to business enterprises, socio-economic transformation could be achieved. The study emanated from the documented problem where business enterprises in northern Uganda were found to depend on "word of mouth" rather than any meaningful formal mechanism for accessing information efficiently. The aim of the study was, therefore, to design an information system for northern Uganda business enterprises. The study makes use of document analysis, questionnaires and interviews. The Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs), information providers and business policy-makers in northern Uganda constituted the population of the study. The data which was collected was edited and analysed to produce graphs, charts and percentages. The main findings indicate that business activities in northern Uganda are diverse - covering almost the entire sector of the economy. The SMEs need information on finance/capital/loans, local markets, business management skills, appropriate technologies, business competitors and security. They are lagging behind in using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). There is a lack of familiarity with changing technology - especially the Internet. Although the SMEs are making a fundamental contribution to Uganda's economy, they face serious challenges, such as insecurity, inadequate electricity, lack of trained information professionals and appropriate technology to access electronic information. The findings further indicate that respondents want business information to be selective to address their needs. The study concludes that the SMEs need an efficient, effective mechanism to provide the required business information. Hence, it is recommended that a business information system (BIS) design be implemented to address their needs. The BIS should provide business information in terms of legal, technical and economic information as well as contact information and management skills. Information should be processed by means of radio broadcasts, the telephone, short text messages, posters, online and CD-ROM formats - as required by the SMEs managers. To facilitate access, BIS should have telephone services; Internet-based services; online small business workshops; business start up assistant; and Talk to BIS services. BIS should have a flexible interface. / INFORMATION SCIENCE / DLITT ET PHIL (INF SCIENCE)