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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
281

Évaluation de la vulnérabilité des fermes productrices de maïs-grain du Québec aux variabilités et changements climatiques : les cas de Montérégie-Ouest et du Lac-Saint-Jean-Est

Délusca, Kénel 02 1900 (has links)
Réalisées aux échelles internationales et nationales, les études de vulnérabilité aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques sont peu pertinentes dans un processus de prise de décisions à des échelles géographiques plus petites qui représentent les lieux d’implantation des stratégies de réponses envisagées. Les études de vulnérabilité aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques à des échelles géographiques relativement petites dans le secteur agricole sont généralement rares, voire inexistantes au Canada, notamment au Québec. Dans le souci de combler ce vide et de favoriser un processus décisionnel plus éclairé à l’échelle de la ferme, cette étude cherchait principalement à dresser un portrait de l’évolution de la vulnérabilité des fermes productrices de maïs-grain des régions de Montérégie-Ouest et du Lac-St-Jean-Est aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques dans un contexte de multiples sources de pression. Une méthodologie générale constituée d'une évaluation de la vulnérabilité globale à partir d’une combinaison de profils de vulnérabilité aux conditions climatiques et socio-économiques a été adoptée. Pour la période de référence (1985-2005), les profils de vulnérabilité ont été dressés à l’aide d’analyses des coefficients de variation des séries temporelles de rendements et de superficies en maïs-grain. Au moyen de méthodes ethnographiques associées à une technique d’analyse multicritère, le Processus d’analyse hiérarchique (PAH), des scénarios d’indicateurs de capacité adaptative du secteur agricole susmentionné ont été développés pour la période de référence. Ceux-ci ont ensuite servi de point de départ dans l’élaboration des indicateurs de capacité de réponses des producteurs agricoles pour la période future 2010-2039. Pour celle-ci, les deux profils de vulnérabilité sont issus d’une simplification du cadre théorique de « Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change » (IPCC) relatif aux principales composantes du concept de vulnérabilité. Pour la dimension « sensibilité » du secteur des fermes productrices de maïs-grain des deux régions agricoles aux conditions climatiques, une série de données de rendements a été simulée pour la période future. Ces simulations ont été réalisées à l’aide d’un couplage de cinq scénarios climatiques et du modèle de culture CERES-Maize de « Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer » (DSSAT), version 4.0.2.0. En ce qui concerne l’évaluation de la « capacité adaptative » au cours de la période future, la construction des scénarios d’indicateurs de cette composante a été effectuée selon l’influence potentielle des grandes orientations économiques et environnementales considérées dans l’élaboration des lignes directrices des deux familles d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) A2 et A1B. L’application de la démarche méthodologique préalablement mentionnée a conduit aux principaux résultats suivants. Au cours de la période de référence, la région agricole du Lac-St-Jean-Est semblait être plus vulnérable aux conditions climatiques que celle de Montérégie-Ouest. En effet, le coefficient de variation des rendements du maïs-grain pour la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est était évalué à 0,35; tandis que celui pour la région de Montérégie-Ouest n’était que de 0,23. Toutefois, par rapport aux conditions socio-économiques, la région de Montérégie-Ouest affichait une vulnérabilité plus élevée que celle du Lac-St-Jean-Est. Les valeurs des coefficients de variation pour les superficies en maïs-grain au cours de la période de référence pour la Montérégie-Ouest et le Lac-St-Jean-Est étaient de 0,66 et 0,48, respectivement. Au cours de la période future 2010-2039, la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est serait, dans l’ensemble, toujours plus vulnérable aux conditions climatiques que celle de Montérégie-Ouest. Les valeurs moyennes des coefficients de variation pour les rendements agricoles anticipés fluctuent entre 0,21 et 0,25 pour la région de Montérégie-Ouest et entre 0,31 et 0,50 pour la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est. Néanmoins, en matière de vulnérabilité future aux conditions socio-économiques, la position relative des deux régions serait fonction du scénario de capacité adaptative considéré. Avec les orientations économiques et environnementales considérées dans l’élaboration des lignes directrices de la famille d’émission de GES A2, les indicateurs de capacité adaptative du secteur à l’étude seraient respectivement de 0,13 et 0,08 pour la Montérégie-Ouest et le Lac-St-Jean-Est. D’autre part, en considérant les lignes directrices de la famille d’émission de GES A1B, la région agricole du Lac-St-Jean-Est aurait une capacité adaptative légèrement supérieure (0,07) à celle de la Montérégie-Ouest (0,06). De façon générale, au cours de la période future, la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est devrait posséder une vulnérabilité globale plus élevée que la région de Montérégie-Ouest. Cette situation s’expliquerait principalement par une plus grande vulnérabilité de la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est aux conditions climatiques. Les résultats de cette étude doivent être appréciés dans le contexte des postulats considérés, de la méthodologie suivie et des spécificités des deux régions agricoles examinées. Essentiellement, avec l’adoption d’une démarche méthodologique simple, cette étude a révélé les caractéristiques « dynamique et relative » du concept de vulnérabilité, l’importance de l’échelle géographique et de la prise en compte d’autres sources de pression et surtout de la considération d’une approche contraire à celle du « agriculteur réfractaire aux changements » dans les travaux d’évaluation de ce concept dans le secteur agricole. Finalement, elle a aussi présenté plusieurs pistes de recherche susceptibles de contribuer à une meilleure évaluation de la vulnérabilité des agriculteurs aux changements climatiques dans un contexte de multiples sources de pression. / The undertaking of vulnerability studies in relation to climatic change and vulnerability at the international and national levels renders them less relevant to a decision-making process at smaller spatial scales where specific response strategies are implemented. Vulnerability studies to climatic change and variability at relatively small geographic scales within the agriculture sector are rare in general, and even nonexistent in Canada, including Quebec. In order to fill in this gap and to contribute to a better decision-making process at the farm level, this study aimed at presenting a description and analysis of the evolution of grain corn growers’ vulnerability to climatic change and variability and other stressors within the Montérégie-Ouest and Lac-St-Jean-Est regions. A general methodology consisting of an assessment of farmers’ overall vulnerability by combining vulnerability profiles to climate and socio-economic conditions has been considered. For the reference period (1985-2005), vulnerability profiles were constructed by analyzing the variation coefficients of grain corn yields and crop area data. By means of ethnographic methods associated with a multicriteria analysis technique, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), adaptive capacity indices of the agriculture sector have been elaborated upon for the reference period. These indices have then been used as a starting point in the construction of scenario indices of future adaptive capacity of farmers for the future period 2010-2039. For this future period (2010-2039), vulnerability profiles for both regions have been created using a simplified version of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conceptual framework on the components of vulnerability. For the « sensitivity » component of grain corn growers to climate conditions within the selected agricultural regions, a set of grain corn yields has been simulated using five climate scenarios coupled with CERES-Maize, one of the crop models embedded in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT 4.0.2.0 version) software. In regards to the evaluation of the « adaptive capacity » for the future period (2010-2039), the elaboration of indices for this component has been undertaken by considering the potential influence of the main economic and environmental drivers used in the development of the storylines for two greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenarios families, namely the A2 and A1B families. The application of the methodological approach mentioned above produced the following key results. For the reference period, the Lac-St-Jean-Est region appeared to be more vulnerable to climate conditions than Montérégie-Ouest region. The coefficient of variation for grain corn yields within the Lac-St-Jean-Est region was evaluated to be 0,35, while the value for the Montérégie-Ouest region was only 0,23. However, with respect to the socio-economic conditions, the Montérégie-Ouest region showed greater vulnerability than the Lac-St-Jean-Est region. The values of the coefficient of variation for the areas under grain corn during the reference period (1985-2005) within Montérégie-Ouest and Lac-St-Jean-Est were 0,66 and 0,48 respectively. For the future period (2010-2039), the Lac-St-Jean-Est region, once again, would seem to be more vulnerable to climate conditions than the Montérégie-Ouest region. The average values of the coefficient of variation for the simulated grain corn yields fluctuate between 0,21 and 0,25 for the Montérégie-Ouest region and between 0,31 and 0,50 for Lac-St-St-Jean-Est region. However, from a socio-economic perspective, the relative vulnerability status of both regions would seem to vary according to the scenario of adaptive capacity considered. With the economic and environmental drivers considered in the storylines of the A2 GHG emissions scenario family, the adaptive capacity indices for the sector under study would be 0,13 and 0,08 for Montérégie-Ouest and Lac-St-Jean-Est, respectively. On the other hand, by considering the economic and environmental drivers considered for the A1B GHG emissions scenario family, the Lac-St-Jean-Est agricultural region would appear to have an adaptive capacity slightly higher (0,07) than that of the Montérégie-Ouest region (0,06). In general, for the future period, the Lac-St-Jean-Est region would appear to have greater overall vulnerability than the Montérégie-Ouest. This situation can be explained mainly by a greater vulnerability of Lac-St-Jean-Est region to climate conditions. The results of this study have to be interpreted within the context of the assumptions considered, the methodology used, and the characteristics of the two regions under study. In general, using a simple methodological approach, this study revealed the « dynamic and relative » characteristics of the vulnerability concept, the importance of spatial scale and consideration of multiple stressors and the integration of an approach different to the commonly used« dumb-farmer » approach for the evaluation of this concept of vulnerability within the agriculture sector. Finally, this study has also identified some new research pathways likely to contribute to a better evaluation of farmers’ vulnerability to climate change in the context of multiple stressors.
282

AMI創新政策關鍵因素之權重評估 / Weighting Assessment on Key Factors of Advanced Metering Infrastructure Innovation Policy

梁玉琦, Liang, Yu Chi Unknown Date (has links)
如何永續發展已成為人類面臨的重大議題,依據先進國外之經驗,透過智慧電網之相關技術,可以有效的提升能源效率與達成節能減碳之目的。在國外建置智慧電網的過程中,往往從先進讀表基礎建設(Advanced Metering Infrastructure, AMI)切入,AMI對往後智慧電網的延伸發展有很大的影響。 因此,本研究旨在探討我國未來發展AMI創新政策之關鍵因素和其優先排序。首先藉由蒐集次級資料瞭解主要先進國家的AMI相關發展經驗,以及目前我國AMI的發展現況,再透過文獻探討國家創新政策,並以Rothwell &Zegveld之國家創新政策理論作為基礎架構,建立層級結構,運用模糊層級分析法(Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process, FAHP ),針對國內AMI之相關產官學人員進行專家問卷調查,並整理出各項政策因素的權重排序,求出影響台灣發展AMI之創新政策關鍵因素。 從本研究實證結果顯示主層級之三項政策構面中相對權重最重的是「環境面」,在次層級十二項政策工具中,「公共服務」、「資訊服務」、「法規管制」的相對總權重最重,其為目前台灣發展AMI創新政策中最急需政府優先考量的關鍵因素。 / The sustainable development has become major issue for human. According to the experience of foreign advanced countries, it can achieve the purpose effectively of improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions through the related technologies of smart grid. In the process of building smart grid abroad, it often cuts into the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). AMI has a great influence on the future extending development of the smart grid. Therefore, the study explores the key factors and precedence of AMI innovation policy in future development of our country. First, understanding the relative development experience of AMI in major advanced countries through collecting the secondary data and the current development situation of AMI in our country. Second, exploring country innovation policy through literature review, and taking theory of Rothwell & Zegveld as infrastructure to build up hierarchical structure, and using FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) method to conduct experts survey for relative persons of industry - government - academy of domestic AMI. Then, collating the sort weights for various policy factors. Finally, finding out key factors that affect development of Taiwan’s AMI innovation policy. From the empirical results of the research shows that the most important relative weights in three main policy dimensions of the hierarchy is the “environmental surface”. The relative total weights of “public service”, “information service” ,“regulation control” and “political strategic policies” are the highest among twelve policies. They are key factor of most urgent priority for government to consider among developing AMI innovation policies in current Taiwan.
283

De l'Isoarchie pour le Pilotage des Systèmes de Production

Pujo, Patrick 02 December 2009 (has links) (PDF)
Dans un environnement international extrêmement concurrentiel, piloter avec efficience son Système de Production est un point fondamental pour une entreprise. Les méthodes traditionnelles de gestion et de pilotage montrent toutes leurs limites respectives face à l'inflation des contraintes de production, et il devient incontournable d'explorer de nouvelles approches de pilotage, plutôt en rupture avec les approches généralement utilisées à l'heure actuelle pour effectuer les prises de décision. Parmi ces champs exploratoires, le paradigme holonique offre un cadre conceptuel au sein duquel la communauté HMS (Holonic Manufacturing System) propose diverses solutions, selon des approches combinant à des degrés divers hiérarchisation et distribution de la prise de décision. Après un panorama du travail de ces équipes, nous étudions une architecture pour le pilotage des systèmes de production ne présentant plus aucune dimension hiérarchique dans la prise de décision. Pour cela, nous proposons le concept d'isoarchie, résultant du parti pris de pousser le raisonnement de la distribution à ses limites. Au delà du travail de ces équipes, nous proposons une architecture pour le pilotage des systèmes de production ne présentant plus aucune dimension hiérarchique dans la prise de décision. Pour cela, nous définisons le concept d'isoarchie, résultant du parti pris de pousser à ses limites ce raisonnement. Nous présentons donc notre vision de la prise isoarchique de décision dans le contexte d'un ensemble d'entités holoniques en interaction. Différentes applications montrant différents aspects des performances obtenues et de la mise en oeuvre de tels systèmes seront détaillées.
284

An Innovative Model Integrating Spatial And Statistical Analyses For A Comprehensive Traffic Accident Study

Sener, Ipek Nese 01 June 2005 (has links) (PDF)
The negative social and economic results of traffic accidents are the most serious problems within the concept of traffic safety. Every year, unfortunately, a huge number of traffic accidents result in destructive losses. Especially, when the holiness of human life is concerned, traffic safety has an invaluable role for the traffic improvement strategies. In this manner, Turkey places one of the highest ranks regarding the growing rate and severity of traffic accidents that should be immediately taken under control. In this study, an innovative model that constructs a hybrid between the spatial and statistical analyses is developed in order to examine the importance of enhancing statistical analysis with georeferenced data and so location-based studies in traffic accident analysis. Meanwhile, the effects of road characteristic and environment are considered for exploring the integral role of roadway factor to the occurrence of accidents, and consequently for emphasizing easily applicable and controllable engineering safety measures. Because of the rare and random distribution of traffic accident data, logistic regression is used for the statistical part of the study in order to find the pairwise risk factors among the roadway and environmental parameters. After unifying these relative risk factors with the logic of Analytic Hierarchy Process, the finalized accident risk factors are attached to the digitized road characteristics map through Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The abilities of GIS in mapping, displaying and overlaying different data sets ensure to visualize high risked accident areas with their corresponding potential causal factors. The integration of statistical and spatial analyses is essential for developing appropriate and effective precautions in addition to its easily understandable, applicable and modifiable structure. Finally, the model is proven to be appropriate for both interpreting the existing traffic accident problem or potential future accidents and also developing comprehensive and reliable location-based safety studies.
285

Methodology Development For Small And Medium Sized Enterpise Sme) Based Virtual Enterprises

Sari, Burak 01 June 2006 (has links) (PDF)
This dissertation presents the results of a Ph.D. research entitled as methodology development for SME based virtual enterprises. The research addresses the preparation and set up of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. A virtual enterprise (VE) can be perceived as a customer solution delivery system created by a temporary and re-configurable information and communications technology (ICT) enabled aggregation of competencies. The main achievements of the research include: &amp / #8226 / Clarification and definition of the concept for virtual enterprises and enterprise networks including preparation of these. o A fast and efficient setup of virtual enterprises can be enabled through the establishment of an enterprise network in which an appropriate type and degree of work preparation can be established prior to the set up of virtual enterprises. &amp / #8226 / Development of a framework and a reference architecture for virtual enterprises named as Structured Methodology and ICT Reference Architecture respectively. o Structured Methodology structures the body of knowledge related to preparation, set up and operation of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. o ICT reference architecture consists of three levels with seven layers to portray in a diagrammatic fashion how different enterprises may exchange and use information between their respective organizations&amp / #8217 / specific proprietary systems and a central server. &amp / #8226 / Development of a methodology for virtual enterprise named as Virtual Enterprise Methodology (VEM) o VEM consists of a set of guidelines, which systematically describes activities that enterprises should consider in relation to set up and preparation of own enterprise networks with the aim to set up virtual enterprises. &amp / #8226 / Testing and validation of the developed VEM with the realization of a virtual case study and establishment of a validation platform respectively. o Virtual case study demonstrates the application of the developed VE methodology with the illustration of the key activities related to setting up breeding environment, setting up &amp / operating VE and dissolution of VE. o The findings in the research can be validated through the various activities as meetings, conferences, presentations and publication of journals.
286

運用層級分析法於平衡計分卡指標權重之設定─以某醫院之護理部門為例

陳淑玲 Unknown Date (has links)
本研究以某醫院為例,探討議題如下: (一)個案醫院導入平衡計分卡之需求、過程以及所遭遇之問題。 (二)將層級分析法(Analytic Hierarchy Process, AHP)與平衡計分卡指標權重設定相結合,以釐清多重指標之下,各個指標之相對權重關係,避免過多指標對指標管理造成混淆的抵銷影響。 分析結果顯示:個案醫院護理部門平衡計分卡五大構面中以學習與成長構面為最重要,顯示個案醫院護理部門對專業知識的重視。此外,平衡計分卡各構面之策略性衡量指標以顧客構面之住院病人整體滿意度策略性衡量指標權重最高,其次依序為學習與成長構面之舉辦護理使命共識營參與人數、內部流程構面之病房危機應變作業完成率、社會承諾構面之安寧照護推廣活動、財務構面之未達使用件年限之財產報銷金額占總報銷金額之比率。 / This study uses a medical center in Taiwan as a case study subject, and discusses the following issues: 1. Understanding why and how the subject hospital uses balanced scorecard at the organization and divisional levels. 2. Integrating Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with balanced scorecard to clarify the relative weighting relationship among different strategic measures. The balanced scorecard performance measurement system of the subject hospital includes twenty-four strategic measures. The study adopts Analytic Hierarchy Process approach to solve the measurement problems from the nursing department of the subject hospital. The results show that the learning and growth dimension was the most important factors to achieve the strategic goal of the subject nursing department. Besides, customer satisfaction measure received a weight of 8.940% out of the twenty-four measures, which means that the nursing department members consider the customer satisfaction measure as the most important measure, so the strategic action plan for the customer satisfaction should be implemented first.
287

Determinant attributes of customer choice of banks, supplying mortgage products

Kotykhov, Mikhail Unknown Date (has links)
The following research study attempts to identify the determinant factors, affecting the customer choice among alternative suppliers of mortgage products. The other objective of the study is to evaluate the role of bank brand in the customer choice of mortgage provider. The Analytic Hierarchy Process is employed as the research methodology. Research results suggest that cost-related factors (interest rate, borrowing limit and application costs), and one service-related factor (speed of decision) are determinant for the choice among alternative mortgage providers. However, brand-related factors, such as bank reputation and recommendations, are not found to have a significant effect on the customer choice. The method of brand value calculation, developed in the study requires further research to explain the role of brand in customer decision-making.
288

Comparing the Outcomes of Two Decision Support Models: The Analytical Hierarchy Process and Pugh Matrix Analysis : Using an actual multi-criteria decision-making situation / Jämförande av två beslutsstödjande modellers utfall: den Analytiska hierarkiska processen och Pughs matris analys : Med hjälp av en verklig multikriteriebeslutsfattande situation

Thorén, Lina, Burgren, Madeleine January 2015 (has links)
Since businesses are constantly changing, making right decisions is a critical factor in order to achieve good results. In the thesis, two different decision support models are tested and the outcome is compared. This is done in cooperation with a company, Åmotfors Energi, who is facing a decision on how they can make use of their 30 GWh heat which they today do not have a paying customer for. Nine alternatives are used in the models and evaluated with seventeen different criteria. The purpose of this study is to compare and interpret the outcomes of two decision support models: the Analytical Hierarchy Process and Pugh Matrix Analysis. The purpose is also to investigate the main factors that influence the outcome of the models. The main research strategy was to use experimental design where three experts with various technical skills have scored the alternatives in both models. The alternatives have been carefully developed through an idea generation and idea selection phase. The results show that the models give different result when it comes to ranking the alternatives, both between the models and between the different experts. The empirical findings establish that the outcome from the models should be interpreted that the lowest scored alternatives can be eliminated for further research. The alternatives with the highest score should be further investigated before a decision could be made. Furthermore, what mainly affects the result is based on human factors. / Företag står inför ständiga förändringar och att fatta rätt beslut ses som en kritisk faktor för att uppnå goda resultat. I denna uppsats testas två beslutsstödjande modeller där utfallet av dem jämförs. Detta görs med hjälp av företaget Åmotfors Energi som står inför ett beslut om hur de kan använda deras 30 GWh värme som de i dagsläget inte har någon betalande kund för. Nio alternativ används i modellerna och utvärderas med sjutton uppsatta kriterier. Syftet med denna studie är att testa, jämföra och tolka resultatet från två beslutsstödjande modeller, den Analytiska Hierarkiska Processen och Pughs Matris Analys. Syftet är också att utreda vilka huvudfaktorer som påverkar utfallet av modellerna. Den huvudsakliga forskningsstrategin var ett experiment tre experter med olika tekniska färdigheter har poängsatt de olika alternativen i modellerna. Alternativen är omsorgsfullt framtagna genom en idégenereringsfas och en idéurvalsfas. Resultaten visar att modellerna ger olika resultat när det kommer till att rangordna alternativen, både vid jämförelsen mellan modellerna men även mellan experterna. Den empiriska studien visar att resultatet från modellerna bör tolkas som att de lägst rankade alternativen kan uteslutas, och de högst rankade alternativen bör utvärderas vidare innan ett besluta kan tas. Det som huvudsakligen påverkar resultatet baseras på mänskliga faktorer.
289

Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Wind Power Community Benefit Schemes

Leach, Christopher January 2018 (has links)
Community benefit schemes in the context of wind power are increasingly provisioned by developers as a means of generating local socio-economic and environmental value, fostering social relations and strengthening acceptance. Determining an appropriate and effective benefit scheme can prove challenging, given the variation of exposed stakeholders, diversity in schemes and the lack of decision making guidance. A multi-criteria decision aid framework for identifying the most appropriate scheme(s) for a hypothetical wind power project is developed. The framework is based on AHP and PROMETHEE II decision support tool, where six (6) alternative schemes are assessed using the preferences of five (5) stakeholders and their relevant criteria. The framework was applied to a fictitious development on the island of Gotland. Results from the applied example indicate that the most locally suited outcome was the ownership based models. It is anticipated that the methodological framework can help identify the scheme(s) that respond to the needs and preferences of the locality. Moreover, a decision making platform of this nature can provide practical support to developers, communities and local authorities, and contribute to a more effective and efficient development and negotiation process surrounding community benefit schemes.
290

The design and development of a knowledge-based lean six sigma maintenance system for sustainable buildings : the design and development of a hybrid Knowledge-Based (KB)/Gauging Absence of Pre-requisites (GAP)/Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model for implementing lean six sigma maintenance system in sustainable buildings' environment

Al Dairi, Jasim S. S. January 2017 (has links)
The complexity of sustainable building maintenance environment requires managers to define and implement appropriate quality benchmark system suitable for this function. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is one of the most effective process improvement and optimization philosophy that maintenance organisations can implement in their environment. However, literature review has shown that 90% of failures in LSS implementations are due to lack of readiness to change, the unawareness of the required benchmark organisation capabilities, and improper control of priorities. The contribution of the current research approach is in developing a hybrid Knowledge-Based (KB)/GAP/AHP System, consisting of three stages (Planning, Designing and Implementation) and containing over 2500 KB rules. The KB System can assist the decision-makers in identifying the obstacles behind the organisation readiness to change into a benchmark LSS maintenance environment. Thus the KB System will be used to achieve benchmark standards by determining the gap existing between the current environment and the benchmark goal, and then suggest a detailed plan to overcome these hurdles in a prioritised and structured manner, thus achieving cost benefits. To ensure its consistency and reliability, the KB System was validated in three Oman-based maintenance organisations, and one published case study for a UK-based organisation. The results from the validation were positive with the System output suggesting list of top priorities and action plans for achieving benchmark LSS standards for these organisations. The research concludes that the developed KB System is a consistent and reliable methodology for assisting decision-makers in designing, planning, and implementing LSS for benchmark sustainable building maintenance.

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