Analysis on supply chain risks in Indian apparel retail chains and proposal of risk prioritization model using Interpretive structural modeling

Indian apparel retail industry is on a complete transformation journey and trying to evolve as an organized industry. It is very common to find the disruption factors in every business and the ways to mitigate and manage them is of current research interest. The paper discusses the selective risks associated with the apparel retail supply chains in India by structural analysis of the controllable risks that are identified. The work also reveals the use of Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) to establish the interdependencies between these risks spread across various supply chain functions of retail industry. The relationships are established based on expert opinions using Delphi technique followed by ISM modeling technique and Fuzzy MICMAC analysis. It also classifies the risk factors based on their driving and dependence power. ISM is proved to be a useful tool to help understand the impact of risks at stages of retail supply chain. Globalization, labor issues and security and safety of resources turns out to be the strong drivers of other supply chain uncertainties. The domino effect of these risks leads to financial crises for the organization.The paper also proposes a new model for the Risk Priority Number (RPN) calculation using ISM and Fuzzy MICMAC methodology for the applications in retail and various other domain risk studies. The sample size of experts is small and to remove the biasness of opinion, the model can be further validated using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in the future. The outcome would help practicing managers to analyze and to take actions for managing the factors by improving the bottom line of the organization by proper utilization of resources.     

How can Taiwan create a niche in Asia's cruise tourism industry?

Cruise tourism is a significant growth trend in Europe and America. However, in recent years, it has gradually gained popularity among tourists in Asia, showing great potential. Strategically located in Asia, Taiwan is an ideal place to develop cruise tourism. This study explores how Taiwan could build a niche in Asia's cruise tourism industry. It applies the Fuzzy Delphi and Fuzzy IPA methods. According to study results, Taiwan should prioritize on the following aspects: establishing a 24-h tourist service center, providing a complete cruise logistics service, inviting foreign cruise operators to inspect special resources in Taiwan, cooperating with other Asian countries, setting up a special government unit, as well as planning and developing unique tourism resources.     

Improving candy industry competitiveness: Retailers’ perception regarding customer satisfaction

This study aims to classify service quality elements in candy industry in order to determine their instrumentality to customer satisfaction. To address this purpose, a Fuzzy Kano questionnaire was distributed to 512 major retailers of candy products of four predominant candy companies in Iran. Subsequently, we calculated satisfaction increment index (SII) and dissatisfaction decrement index (DDI) for each of the quality elements. Brand name and quality are considered as must-be elements, while availability of credit purchases is considered as indifferent element by the majority of retailers. Eight out of 24 studied elements are found to be considered as attractive elements by majority of customers. Regular visits element ranks first in terms of satisfaction increment index (SII). This paper provides helpful insight for marketers to prioritize improvement of different quality elements. Therefore, this paper helps organizations to perceive their customers needs more thoroughly and improve their customer satisfaction policy.     

高校跨学科创新团队知识互动程度评价研究

知识互动程度评价对改善高校跨学科创新团队知识互动具有重要意义。在界定高校跨学科创新团队知识互动及知识互动程度内涵的基础上，创新性地从知识互动深度、互动广度、互动时间3个维度建立知识互动程度评价指标体系。进一步地，采用三角模糊权重、熵权和模糊积分相结合的方法，构建知识互动程度评价模型。最后，选取一所高校跨学科创新团队进行实例分析，验证评价模型的可操作性，可为高校跨学科创新团队知识互动程度评价提供一个新视角。     

南通市综合交通枢纽布局优化对策

为推进南通市交通运输转型发展,优化交通基础设施空间一体布局,在经济增长中发挥好支撑引领作用,在阐述南通市综合交通枢纽布局现状、发展定位和存在问题的基础上,从强化对外综合运输通道建设、畅通周边城市城际交通网络、提升市域集散网覆盖通达水平、大力发展多式联运系统和促进综合货运枢纽高效衔接5个方面提出南通市综合交通枢纽布局优化对策。综合交通枢纽的布局优化,有利于完善南通市的枢纽功能,进一步提升其在全国综合交通体系中的战略地位,发展枢纽经济,实现经济转型,加快打造成长三角北冀经济中心。     

鄂尔多斯铁路枢纽客运系统布局方案研究

为加强鄂尔多斯铁路枢纽建设,提高鄂尔多斯与外界联系通道的运输能力,完善铁路枢纽内客运系统布局,基于鄂尔多斯铁路枢纽现状分析,结合城市现状规划和枢纽客运预测,从铁路枢纽内线路走向、铁路枢纽内客运站布局、枢纽内高速铁路车站选址3个方面,对鄂尔多斯铁路枢纽客运系统布局方案进行研究。经综合比选分析,分别采用沿既有铁路通道的中线引入方案、高速铁路"两站"格局方案及新设东胜北站。在此基础上,提出鄂尔多斯铁路枢纽内客运站建设方案,不断提高鄂尔多斯与外界联系通道的运输能力。     

A fuzzy goal programming approach to analyse sustainable development goals of India

Energy policy, environmental planning and economic development play a key role in sustainable development. Sustainable development requires suitable and strategic policies satisfying multiple and conflicting objectives. Fuzzy goal programming (FGP) is a well-known approach in multi-criteria decision-making for its practical application. In this article, a FGP approach is proposed to analyse environmental, energy and sustainability goals of India by the year 2030 with reference to the key economic sectors of India. The presented model analyses the improvement opportunities, requirement of efforts and implementation of the sustainable development plans. Numerical illustration is also provided for validation and application of the proposed model.     

Balanced scorecard based performance measurement of European airlines using a hybrid multicriteria decision making approach under the fuzzy environment

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the European airlines, using a balanced scorecard perspective. Within this scope, a hybrid multi-criteria approach was used by combining the Fuzzy DEMATEL, Fuzzy ANP, and MOORA methods. The results demonstrate that customer dimensions and profit per customer are the most significant key factors in the balanced scorecard perspective. Additionally, the airline companies with the largest profit (per employee) and highest number of passengers and flights (per employee) had the best scores in the multidimensional performance results. Furthermore, the airline companies with the highest profitability and efficiency are more successful than other companies. Therefore, we recommend European airlines to focus on these aspects in order to improve their performance. This study makes an important contribution to literature by helping to solve a significant problem in the market with the proposed methodology.     

Quality of service and segmentation in the MICE industry: An approximation based on fuzzy logic

This article aims to evaluate the service quality experienced at academic conferences held at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja in Ecuador. Our approach is based on fuzzy logic and ideal solutions to calculate a global attendee satisfaction index for specific market segments: Gender, nationality, and age. Current literature on the service quality experienced by conference attendees is still scarce. Our results show that the analyzed segments experience varying levels of satisfaction, and that the more influential attributes to each of them are also different. Our results can be applied to improve the competitiveness of Loja and that of Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja.