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Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-164). Also available via the Internet.

Includes bibliography. / The aim of this study was the design and implementation of an interactive decision support system, assisting a single decision maker in reaching a satisfactory decision when faced by a multicriteria decision making problem. There are clearly two components involved in designing such a system, namely the concept of decision support systems (DSS) and the area of multicriteria decision making (MCDM). The multicriteria decision making environment as well as the definitions of the multicriteria decision making concepts used, are discussed in chapter 1. Chapter 2 gives a brief historical review on MCDM, highlighting the origins of some of the more well-known methods for solving MCDM problems. A detailed discussion of interactive decision making is also given. Chapter 3 is concerned with the DSS concept, including a historical review thereof, a framework for the design of a DSS, various development approaches as well as the components constituting a decision support system. In chapter 4, the possibility of integrating the two concepts, MCDM and DSS, are discussed. A detailed discussion of various methodologies for solving MCDM problems is given in chapter 5. Specific attention is given to identifying the methodologies to be implemented in the DSS. Chapter 6 can be seen as a theoretical description of the system developed, while Chapter 7 is concerned with the evaluation procedures used for testing the system. A final summary and concluding remarks are given in Chapter 8.

In the construction industry, the adoption of concurrent engineering principles requires the development of effective enabling IT tools. Such tools need to address specific areas of need in the implementation of concurrent engineering in construction. Collaborative decision-making is an important area in this regard. A review of existing works has shown that none of the existing approaches to collaborative decision-making adequately addresses the needs of distributed construction project teams. The review also reveals that fuzzy logic offers great potential for application to collaborative decision-making. This thesis describes a Web-based collaborative decision-making system for construction project teams using fuzzy logic. Fuzzy logic is applied to tackle uncertainties and imprecision during the decision-making process. The prototype system is designed as Web-based to cope with the difficulty in the case where project team members are geographically distributed and physical meetings are inconvenient/or expensive. The prototype was developed into a Web-based software using Java and allows a virtual meeting to be held within a construction project team via a client-server system. The prototype system also supports objectivity in group decision-making and the approach encapsulated in the prototype system can be used for generic decision-making scenarios. The system implementation revealed that collaborative decision-making within a virtual construction project team can be significantly enhanced by the use of a fuzzybased approach. A generic scenario and a construction scenario were used to evaluate the system and the evaluation confirmed that the system does proffer many benefits in facilitating collaborative decision-making in construction. It is concluded that the prototype decision-making system represents a unique and innovative approach to collaborative decision-making in construction project teams. It not only contributes to the implementation of concurrent engineering in construction, but also it represents a substantial advance over existing approaches.

O Sistema Proteu Fuzzy é um sistema de tomada de decisão para compra e venda de ativos financeiros que visa auxiliar a figura do analista técnico (de modo imparcial e racional), informando quando existe uma boa oportunidade para se comprar ou vender um determinado ativo (e.g. ações). Utilizaram-se, como base para as suas decisões, técnicas de inteligência artificial (Lógica Fuzzy) e indicadores técnicos (Médias Móveis, MACD e RSI). As simulações mostram que o sistema conseguiu gerar resultados de forma consistente e com menor volatilidade que o mercado para alguns ativos. / The Proteu Fuzzy System is a decision-making system with the purpose of supporting a technical analyst issuing (impartial and rational) buy and sell signals for a financial asset. The system use, for the decision-making process, an inference engine based on Fuzzy Logic and technical indicators (e.g. Moving Averages, MACD and RSI). The simulation shows that the system is able to generate profits in a consistent manner and with a lower volatility then the market for some assets.

Escolher dentre dezenas ou centenas de alternativas, àquelas que deverão compor a carteira de projetos de uma organização e com qual prioridade, é um problema de decisão multicritério complexo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal propor um modelo de gestão de portfólio de projetos utilizando-se os métodos AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) e programação inteira, integrados. Pretendeu-se ainda, validar e avaliar a importância e utilidade desse modelo no auxílio à tomada de decisões relacionadas à seleção e priorização de projetos. Assim, tal modelo foi aplicado para selecionar e priorizar os projetos de uma empresa do setor químico, escolhida como unidade de análise e, os diferentes cenários obtidos com o modelo de decisão proposto foram comparados com o cenário real da organização. Para a realização deste estudo utilizou-se o método de pesquisa-ação, visto que o autor não foi apenas um observador, mas interagiu no processo decisório da empresa. Pôde-se observar que o uso do modelo contribui para o alinhamento estratégico, permitindo a troca de conhecimento entre os representantes da empresa; possibilita a simulação de cenários estratégicos em tempo real e a verificação do impacto na carteira de projetos em execução; prioriza os projetos de forma justificável e estruturada através de um modelo matemático consagrado; permite a alocação de recursos baseada em prioridades e possibilita a introdução de um ciclo de melhoria contínua no processo decisório da empresa, dado que todos os passos da implantação do modelo, definições e critérios de decisão são documentados. O uso do modelo demonstrou ser mais eficaz que o resultado real da empresa na alocação dos recursos financeiros. Este trabalho apresenta ainda sugestões para estudos futuros complementares. / Choosing among dozens or hundreds of alternatives for those which shall compound the portfolio of projects of an organization and with such a priority, it is a complex multicriteria decision matter. This work has aimed mainly at proposing a management model of portfolio of projects, utilizing the method AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and integer program being both integrated. It has also. It has also had as a purpose to validate and evaluate the importance and utility of that model on helping the decision-making related to the selection and prioritization of projects. Thus, such a model has been applied to select and prioritize the projects of an enterprise in the chemical sector, chosen as the unit of analysis. The different scenarios obtained from the decision-making model proposed were compared to the real scenario of the company. Since the author interacted in the enterprise decision-making not just as an observer, to carry out the study it was chosen the research-action method, for being the most adequate to the case. It could be noticed that the use of the model contributed first, to the strategic alignment of the projects permitting the exchange of knowledge between the enterprise representatives; secondly, it allows the simulation of strategic scenarios in real time and as well as the verification of the impact of the portfolio of projects being carried out; thirdly, it prioritizes the projects in a justifiable and structural like way through an established mathematical model; finally, it enables o allocate the resources based on priorities and it allows the introduction of a continuous improvement cycle in the enterprise decision-making process, once every step of the implementation of the model, definitions and decision-making criteria are validated. The use of the model has proven to be more efficacious than the enterprise real result in allocating the financial resources. The work also suggests further complementary studies.

O Sistema Proteu Fuzzy é um sistema de tomada de decisão para compra e venda de ativos financeiros que visa auxiliar a figura do analista técnico (de modo imparcial e racional), informando quando existe uma boa oportunidade para se comprar ou vender um determinado ativo (e.g. ações). Utilizaram-se, como base para as suas decisões, técnicas de inteligência artificial (Lógica Fuzzy) e indicadores técnicos (Médias Móveis, MACD e RSI). As simulações mostram que o sistema conseguiu gerar resultados de forma consistente e com menor volatilidade que o mercado para alguns ativos. / The Proteu Fuzzy System is a decision-making system with the purpose of supporting a technical analyst issuing (impartial and rational) buy and sell signals for a financial asset. The system use, for the decision-making process, an inference engine based on Fuzzy Logic and technical indicators (e.g. Moving Averages, MACD and RSI). The simulation shows that the system is able to generate profits in a consistent manner and with a lower volatility then the market for some assets.

Thesis (Ph. D. - Systems Engineering)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references.

Escolher dentre dezenas ou centenas de alternativas, àquelas que deverão compor a carteira de projetos de uma organização e com qual prioridade, é um problema de decisão multicritério complexo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal propor um modelo de gestão de portfólio de projetos utilizando-se os métodos AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) e programação inteira, integrados. Pretendeu-se ainda, validar e avaliar a importância e utilidade desse modelo no auxílio à tomada de decisões relacionadas à seleção e priorização de projetos. Assim, tal modelo foi aplicado para selecionar e priorizar os projetos de uma empresa do setor químico, escolhida como unidade de análise e, os diferentes cenários obtidos com o modelo de decisão proposto foram comparados com o cenário real da organização. Para a realização deste estudo utilizou-se o método de pesquisa-ação, visto que o autor não foi apenas um observador, mas interagiu no processo decisório da empresa. Pôde-se observar que o uso do modelo contribui para o alinhamento estratégico, permitindo a troca de conhecimento entre os representantes da empresa; possibilita a simulação de cenários estratégicos em tempo real e a verificação do impacto na carteira de projetos em execução; prioriza os projetos de forma justificável e estruturada através de um modelo matemático consagrado; permite a alocação de recursos baseada em prioridades e possibilita a introdução de um ciclo de melhoria contínua no processo decisório da empresa, dado que todos os passos da implantação do modelo, definições e critérios de decisão são documentados. O uso do modelo demonstrou ser mais eficaz que o resultado real da empresa na alocação dos recursos financeiros. Este trabalho apresenta ainda sugestões para estudos futuros complementares. / Choosing among dozens or hundreds of alternatives for those which shall compound the portfolio of projects of an organization and with such a priority, it is a complex multicriteria decision matter. This work has aimed mainly at proposing a management model of portfolio of projects, utilizing the method AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and integer program being both integrated. It has also. It has also had as a purpose to validate and evaluate the importance and utility of that model on helping the decision-making related to the selection and prioritization of projects. Thus, such a model has been applied to select and prioritize the projects of an enterprise in the chemical sector, chosen as the unit of analysis. The different scenarios obtained from the decision-making model proposed were compared to the real scenario of the company. Since the author interacted in the enterprise decision-making not just as an observer, to carry out the study it was chosen the research-action method, for being the most adequate to the case. It could be noticed that the use of the model contributed first, to the strategic alignment of the projects permitting the exchange of knowledge between the enterprise representatives; secondly, it allows the simulation of strategic scenarios in real time and as well as the verification of the impact of the portfolio of projects being carried out; thirdly, it prioritizes the projects in a justifiable and structural like way through an established mathematical model; finally, it enables o allocate the resources based on priorities and it allows the introduction of a continuous improvement cycle in the enterprise decision-making process, once every step of the implementation of the model, definitions and decision-making criteria are validated. The use of the model has proven to be more efficacious than the enterprise real result in allocating the financial resources. The work also suggests further complementary studies.

Thesis (MTech (Cost and Management Accounting))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa play a pivotal role in the economy. However, sustainability and operational problems are hindering these business entities, and researchers continue to report extremely high rates of business failure. Arguably, not making adequate use of management accounting practices (MAPs) could be a contributory factor to this status quo. These MAPs are a set of established accounting tools and techniques that have been developed through practice to provide timeous, accurate and relevant information for decision making in a firm. In this regard, MAPs can be used to aid operational efficiency and improve the overall performance of the business. This study sought to determine the extent of MAPs utilisation and the relationship with perceived organisational performance in manufacturing SMEs located in Cape Town. A quantitative approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire to collect data. Through a stratified random sampling technique using sub-industries in the manufacturing sector as the basis for stratification, a total of 104 usable responses were obtained. This data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The results showed that the mostly utilised MAPs were costing, budgeting and performance measurement techniques. Decision support systems were used to a lower extent, and strategic management accounting techniques were rarely used. The intensity in competition and rising costs of productions were cited as the most influential factors in the adoption of MAPs. These results implied that manufacturing SMEs relied on basic MAPs and did not fully utilise the more sophisticated ones. Using the Spearman’s rank of the correlation coefficient, the associative relationship between MAPs utilisation and perceived organisational performance was tested. Results showed a moderate positive significant relationship between costing, budgeting and performance measurement techniques utilisation and increasing operating profits. A weaker positive significant relationship was found between decision making support, strategic management accounting techniques and increasing operational profits. These results implied that there was a positive relationship between MAPs utilisation and perceived organisational performance represented by operational profits. This study extends the current knowledge of MAPs utilisation and performance links in SMEs particularly in developing economies. Also, this research is vital to SME owners in considering adoption of MAPs, and it is recommended that they take the initiative to explore these tools. Furthermore, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) can incorporate strategic MAPs in their training materials. Lastly, accounting advisory firms need to expand their services rendered to the SMEs to include the utilisation of relevant MAPs.