Over the last century, there has been growing interest in changing the approach to maintenance management. The current practice for selecting critical equipment and making a decision on the most appropriate maintenance strategy is perceived to have serious limitations, principally because it lacks decision analysis. Due to the complex nature of decision-making in maintenance management, different models have been developed for selecting critical equipment. However, many of these models considered maintenance management as operational concern and ignored the strategic concerns of maintenance management. This thesis builds upon earlier works on decision-making for selecting critical equipment and maintenance strategy. It sets out to construct three hypotheses by introducing evidence from a comprehensive literature review, case study analysis and in-depth interviews. The thesis focuses on artificial intelligence and multi-criteria decision-making techniques (i.e. Fuzzy Logic and Analytical Hierarchy Process) to bridge this gap. It proposes a strategic decision-making model in maintenance and asset management for selecting critical equipment and deciding on a maintenance strategy. The novelty of model is to propose an approach in which maintenance strategy can be applied based on the equipment criticality while not making a trade-off between safety and cost but rather to combine the concern of safety with financial, operational and technical perspectives. The model provides an opportunity to consider safety as the first priority. The research output suggests that existing criticality assessment methods for optimising maintenance delivery have limited value and are suffering from a lack of strategic decision analysis. Multi-criteria decision-making tools could be used to improve decision-making of criticality assessment methods and hence maintenance strategy implementation. The validity of the proposed strategic decision-making model was tested through case study analysis and in-depth interviews. The results suggest that a strategic decision-making model could have a significant impact on improving safety, reliability and operational availability. The strategic decision-making model would enable asset managers to track the consequences of their decisions whilst dealing with maintenance. It is also an effective tool in the hands of a maintenance department to convince their asset managers to make a maintenance investment.

A Reserva Biológica (REBIO) de São Donato é uma Unidade de Conservação localizada na fronteira oeste do Rio Grande do Sul, no trecho médio da bacia do rio Uruguai, no bioma Pampa. A área da REBIO é constituída por uma área úmida – banhado – característico do Pampa. Entretanto, desde o seu decreto em 1975, o banhado vem sofrendo impactos da rizicultura, essa região é a maior produtora do estado. Assim, o objetivo geral dessa dissertação é analisar a dinâmica e a fragilidade ambiental da Reserva Biológica de São Donato, a partir de geoprocessamento. Para atingir esse objetivo foram utilizados: dados de precipitação diários e imagens orbitais, de 1984 a 2016, que indicassem inundação no banhado e sua sub-região hidrográfica; reconhecimento de campo; análise de uso e cobertura do solo do raio de amortecimento da REBIO; análise da fragilidade ambiental a partir da metodologia do Processo Analítico Hierárquico (AHP). Os resultados de análise da inundação do banhado e sua sub-região hidrográfica indicaram três padrões: um padrão regional, que afeta grande parte do trecho médio e alto da bacia do rio Uruguai; um padrão de inundação sub-regional, que compreende a sub-região hidrográfica dos rios Butuí-Icamaquã; um padrão que afeta a área local que compreende o banhado da REBIO de São Donato. As análises do uso e cobertura do solo e da fragilidade ambiental indicaram que as áreas mais frágeis da REBIO correspondem ao banhado e sua vegetação adaptada a umidade, e áreas de planícies de inundação. A avaliação do AHP para a análise da Fragilidade Ambiental se mostrou coesa, confirmando observações realizadas principalmente com relação ao impacto ambiental gerado pelo cultivo de arroz. Espera-se que as informações possam contribuir para estudos futuros de planejamento e gestão da área, e como base para a elaboração do Plano de Manejo da REBIO de São Donato. / The San Donato Biological Reserve (REBIO) is a Conservation Unit located on the western border of Rio Grande do Sul, in the middle stretch of the Uruguay River basin, in the Pampa biome. The area of the REBIO is constituted by a wetland - marsh - characteristic of the Pampa. However, since its decree in 1975, the marsh has been suffering from the impacts of rice cultivation, this region is the largest in the state. Thus, the general objective of this dissertation is to analyze the dynamics and environmental fragility of the San Donato Biological Reserve, based on geoprocessing. To achieve this objective, daily precipitation data and orbital images from 1984 to 2016 were used to indicate flooding in the marsh and its sub-river basin; Field recognition; Use analysis and soil cover of the REBIO Damping Ray; Analysis of the environmental fragility from the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. The results of flood analysis of the marsh and its hydrographic sub-region indicated three patterns: a regional pattern, which affects much of the middle and upper reaches of the Uruguay River basin; A subregional flood pattern comprising the sub-river basin of the Butuí-Icamaquã rivers; A pattern that affects the local area comprising the marsh of San Donato Biological Reserve. The analyzes of soil use and cover and environmental fragility indicated that the most fragile areas of REBIO correspond to the wetland and its vegetation adapted to humidity and floodplain areas. The evaluation of the AHP for the analysis of the Environmental Fragility showed to be cohesive, confirming observations made mainly in relation to the environmental impact generated by rice cultivation. It is hoped that the information may contribute to future planning and management studies of the area, and as a basis for the elaboration of the São Donato REBIO Management Plan.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2017-03-17T12:29:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandro Augusto Martins Bittencourt_.pdf: 2499816 bytes, checksum: 0956055e2fde2467515deaf1ac232b30 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-17T12:29:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandro Augusto Martins Bittencourt_.pdf: 2499816 bytes, checksum: 0956055e2fde2467515deaf1ac232b30 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-12 / Nenhuma / O objetivo desta tese foi construir um modelo de mensuração de desempenho aplicável a cadeias de suprimentos da indústria automotiva. A concepção do modelo foi baseada nos cinco processos SCOR: planejar, fornecer, produzir, distribuir e retornar, sob o enfoque das principais dimensões competitivas em estratégias de produção: custo, flexibilidade, entrega, qualidade e serviços. O método de pesquisa foi a modelagem. O modelo proposto foi aplicado em três semestres consecutivos da operação de uma cadeia de suprimentos composta por uma empresa focal, três fornecedores e três distribuidores. Pela realização de grupos focais com os gestores da cadeia, foram identificados os processos SCOR e as dimensões competitivas prioritárias, com o auxílio do método multicriterial Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Com a elaboração do quadro de indicadores foi possível capturar os desempenhos obtidos pelos elos da cadeia nos três períodos analisados. Para as comparações e totalização dos resultados, os índices obtidos foram relativizados em função dos objetivos de desempenho atribuídos às empresas da cadeia. Por fim, foi desenvolvido um comparativo temporal com os desempenhos globais, onde foram discutidos os comportamentos e lacunas de cada processo SCOR e de cada dimensão competitiva. Os resultados finais proporcionaram a estruturação de um modelo conceitual de mensuração de desempenho, que aplicado em uma cadeia de suprimentos da indústria automotiva apontou os seguintes resultados: no segundo semestre de 2014 o desempenho da cadeia foi 65,49 %, com uma lacuna de 35,41 pp., neste período, os melhores desempenhos foram verificados no processo planejar e na dimensão competitiva qualidade; no primeiro semestre de 2015 o desempenho da cadeia foi 68,79 %, com uma lacuna de 31,21 pp., onde os melhores desempenhos foram verificados no processo planejar e na dimensão competitiva custo; no segundo semestre de 2015 o desempenho da cadeia foi 73,37 %, com uma lacuna de 23,63 pp., e os melhores desempenhos foram verificados no processo planejar e na dimensão competitiva custo. / The objective of this thesis was to construct a model of performance measurement applicable to supply chains of the automotive industry. The design of the model was based on the five SCOR processes: planning, supplying, producing, distributing and returning, on the focus of the main competitive dimensions in production strategies: cost, flexibility, delivery, quality and services. The research method was modeling. The proposed model was applied in three consecutive semesters of the supply chain operation composed of a focal company, three suppliers and three distributors. The achievement of focus group discussions with chain managers identified the SCOR processes and the priority competitive dimensions, with the help of the multicriteria Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). With the elaboration of the indicator tables, it was possible to capture the performances obtained by the chain links in the three periods analyzed. For the comparisons and totalisation of the results, the indices obtained were relativized in function of the performance objectives attributed to the chain companies. Finally, a temporal comparison with the global performances was developed, where the behaviors and gaps of each SCOR process and of each competitive dimension were discussed. The final results provided the structuring of a conceptual model of performance measurement, which applied in an automotive supply chain pointed the following results: in the second semester of 2014 the performance of the chain was 65.49%, with a gap of 35.41 pp., During this period, the best performances were verified in the process planning and in the competitive dimension quality; the first semester of 2015 chain performance was 68.79%, with a gap of 31.21 pp., wh the best performances were verified in the process planning and at the competitive dimension cost; in the second semester of 2015 chain performance was 73.37% with a gap of 23.63 pp., and the best performances were verified in the planning process planning and the competitive dimension cost.

<p><strong>Purpose</strong> – The purpose of our thesis is to introduce a new approach to help small and medium third party logistics service providers (3PLs) to develop and improve their Reverse logistics.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach</strong> – A case study was adopted, and a qualitative questionnaire and face-to-face interview were used to collect the fundamental data. In addition, the multi-criteria decision-making tool-AHP and the Reverse Logistics audit model were used to analyze the case and to solve the problem of 3PLs in Reverse Logistics improvement.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Findings</strong> – Under the fierce competition and in today’s volatile market, the Reverse Logistics is considered as a new competitive advantage to many 3PLs. However, the effective solutions in instructing 3PLs how to develop and improve their Reverse Logistics competence are still very scarce. Based on these, a new approach will be presented in this thesis to help 3PLs to solve problem.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Limitations – </strong>There are two main limitations in our paper, which emerge in the two models we adopted. Regarding the Reverse Logistics audit model, we need more data of the case company to support our research. For the AHP method, the limitation is:  the fact that general assumptions were used to provide correlative data in computation, and complex computation was simplified in order to show calculative processes clearly.<strong></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Practical implications – </strong>FLB, the case company will be researched to verify the practical implication of our new approach. We believe through our approach, lots of small and medium size 3PLs will find it easier to get a holistic view of their RL competence, and know how to develop or improve it.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Originality/value</strong> – How to evaluate and assess the RL competence will be presented separately from inside view of 3PLs and outside view of their customers. AHP and self-made RL audit model will be used to achieve then respectively.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Keywords</strong> Reverse logistics, Analytic hierarchy process, Assessment tool, and 3PLs </p><p> </p><p><strong>Paper type</strong> Case study/ Research paper</p>

<p>There are a number of decision making problems in which Geographical Information System (GIS) has employed to organize and facilitate the procedure of analyzing the problem. These GIS-based decision problems which typically include a number of different criteria and alternatives are generally analyzed by Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA).Different locations within a geographical area represent the alternatives by which the overall goal of the project is achieved. The quality of achieving the goal is evaluated by a set of criteria which should be considered in the work. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) which is a powerful method of MCDA generally can organize spatial problems and decides which alternatives are most suitable for the defined problems. However due to some intrinsic uncertainty in the method, a number of authors suggest fuzzifying the method while others are against fuzzification of the AHP.</p><p>The debate over fuzzifying AHP is going on and attempt for finding that was mostly in theory, and little, if any; practical comparison between the AHP and fuzzified AHP has done. This work presents a practical comparison of AHP and fuzzy AHP in a GIS-based problem, case study, for locating a dam in Costa Rica, considering different criteria. In order to perform the AHP and fuzzy AHP in the GIS-based problem and calculating weights of the criteria by the methods, some computer codes have written and developed in MATLAB.</p><p>The comparisons between the AHP and fuzzy AHP methods are done on result weights and on the result final maps. The comparison between the weights is repeated on different levels of uncertainty in fuzzy AHP then all the results are compared with the result of AHP method. Also this study for checking the effect of fuzzification on results is suggested Chi-Square test as a suitable tool.</p><p>Comparisons between the resulting weights of the AHP and fuzzy AHP methods show some differences between the methods. Furthermore, the Chi-Square test shows that the higher level of uncertainty in the fuzzy AHP, the greater the difference in results between the AHP and fuzzy AHP methods.</p>

This research aims to explore the application of video blog (vlog) in web based learning. The advancement of teaching technology is one of the key elements in education reform. The swift deployment of information technology, the circulation of Internet services and the proliferation of multimedia content have broaden the horizon of learning activity. Digital and video technologies have contributed to the rise of video blog services such as YouTube and the like. As the bandwidth for transmission broadens and the video service expands, everyone with a digital camera can become content generator. User-generated content makes video blog possible. Can video blog be applicable to teaching and learning activities? By conducting a thorough literature review of learning theories and information theories, this study aggregated seven dimensions comprising forty three elements. Through analytic hierarchical procedure (AHP) method, the researcher conducted the first-wave questionnaire survey to students at the Feng Chia University then selected first half elements for evaluation. The second-wave questionnaire, complemented by interview, was aimed at experts in the field, which resulted in a priority list of the elements. The research result suggests that video blog can be applicable to teaching activity indeed. When using video blog appropriately, teaching can become more lively and interesting. The most important factor still lies in how a teacher design the curriculum. Interface of design, putting in the second place in terms of importance, should be convenient, simple and easy for search. Those with higher information literacy, in the third place of importance, are more likely to use Internet for learning. The fourth important dimension is related to content formats including sound clearness, graph size and layout. This study should contribute to the education circle and curriculum production industry when considering how with which priority-setting video blog can be applied.

This research explores the application of new information and communications technology in political marketing. As a representative of Web2.0, blog has changed the way of interaction between the media and users as well as that between media users. Blog makes it possible for information receivers transmit messages and express views from bottom-up. As blog develops globally with its users increased, it has become an increasingly important issue regarding how it can be used for political marketing. It is common that Taiwan¡¦s politicians are increasingly interested in developing their own blogs for marketing themselves and providing constituency service. This study aims to examine how mayor candidates take advantage of blog for campaign marketing. It tries to understand and describe the intention of political bloggers. It also explores the key success factors regarding how political candidates conduct campaign marketing using blog. By a literature review of the Internet development and evolution, digital democracy, political marketing and blogs, the author found out six dimensions and 35sub-dimensions for evaluation: content expression, interactivity, marketing and promotion, business model and friendliness of using. Through analytic hierarchy process (AHP) , the first-wave survey for bloggers results in the first-half sub-dimensions. The second-wave interview was conducted to seven experts in the field of political marketing, which results in the priority-setting of the sub-dimension factors. The result shows that political marketing using blog targets mainly on young and well-educated electorates. The reasons for their using blog include fast accumulation of political information, interaction with candidates, and support from others. It shows that friendliness of access, interaction, and business model are the top three concerns when establishing a campaign blog. They are followed by marketing and promotion, interface design, and content expression. This study will contribute to the understanding of using blog for political marketing both at theoretical and practicallevels.

Coastal zone become the object which is used to develop when the economy developed quickly and population increase. As a result of coastal zone is a region which involves economy, environment, ecology, and engineering. We must integrated many factors and coordinated related groups. Then we can achieve the goal of sustainable development. The research involved the knowledge and experiences from Europe, American, and Japan. Except they used a construct of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) to think the questions, they combined ecology, water conservancy engineering, social economic activities, and environmental protection. Then they used DSR framework as the foundation to establish the system which evaluated sustainable development of the coastal zone, and they can develop the system dynamic model analyzing the coastal management in many conditions. Land subsidence is a potential crisis, it grows obviously with the time and has the impact to the environment., When typhoon occurs in the west part of Taiwan coastal area, draining which is unable to operate may cause flood, mole avalanche, seawater intrusion and soil salinization. First we must understand the origin and the management of land subsidence, then we can make the effective strategies by researching different background and geography characteristic of the region. As a result of land subsidence involves economy, environment, ecology and engineering, the process of land subsidence is a complex problem which has multiple causes. This problem usually involves time-delay and long-term effect. System dynamics is an approach that is used to describe, explore and analyze the procedure, information and the boundary of organizations in complex systems. Such model is good for solving dynamic complex problems with non-linearity, causal circulation, information feedback and time-delay as long as the estimative parameter fall in its confidence level. The object of the research is to inspect land subsidence in the Pingtung plain. Therefore, this study proposes to find strategies which is suitable to solve interested problems according to integrate social-economic and ecologic-environment development. The framework of the research is based on the DSR (Driving forces-State-Response) index, and it makes evaluated factor from collecting domestic and foreign literature. Then we selected the important factors and its weight value by using the method of AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) to visit the expert and the scholar. According to above, we developed the model of system dynamics and build confidence in the model. In addition, the result of the simulation can provide good supporting information for decision makers by using the model for several strategies simulation and making the index to represent the performance of simulation analysis.

In terms of global TFT-LCD industry, the most important competitors for Taiwan TFT-LCD industry are Korean Samsung & LG Philips (LPL) at present. To compete with them, it becomes one of the important strategies to work with Mainland China as working partners. The development of ¡§strategy of heading west to China¡¨ becomes the most direct way to reduce cost & maintain business. When managers prudently evaluate industry¡¦s heading west to China, how to reduce the conflict faced by the enterprise & employees is becoming one of the important issues for experts & enterprises recently. Referring to the interimportance & the interdependence of the criteria items that the experts selected in evaluation of the inclination to detain for oversea dispatching staff, AHP was applied to compare the interimportance of the clusters, and then ANP was applied to compare the interdependence of the clusters, and the expert questionnaires were collected. The interimportance of the questionnaires was calculated through AHP, and the interdependence was calculated through ANP in order to construct the weighting system of the inclination to detain for oversea dispatching staff, as the reference to the policy of oversea dispatch for the subject company. It can increase the scientific factors for human decisions. Data of C Company was analyzed through ANP & the findings were as follows. 1. The weight of all the criteria items for the effect of the policy of heading west to China on the inclination to detain for oversea dispatching staff. Criteria Item Weight Individual Factor Working Pressure 9.54% 59.82% Career Development 28.13% Individual Inclination 22.15% Organizational Factor Leadership 12.27% 40.18% Dispatch System 10.73% Supporting System 13.36% Organizational Culture 3.81% Total 100.00% 2. The Company should put primary stress on employees¡¦ career development. 3. In terms of increase in individual inclination, it becomes the primary consideration for supporting the policy of oversea dispatch that the company assists the employee family.

Virtual Enterprise (VE) is an organizational business concept. Its key ingredients are collaboration among a set of member companies and integration of their competencies, which are needed for developing a new product or service. This concept is in response to the ever-increasing demand on the manufacturing enterprise to react quickly to changes in the market conditions and become agile enterprises. This thesis presents a quantitative study on the life cycle of Virtual Enterprises. Specifically, it covers the design and management phases. These two phases are modeled using system engineering as a foundation. This has led to the development of two new methods for designing and managing Virtual Enterprises. The design method uses Axiomatic Design Theory and a methodology for complex large systems. The management method is based on the Robust Design principles.