In this paper, a subjective and objective fuzzy-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model is proposed. The model which is based on a newly defined evaluation matrix replaces the fuzzy comparison matrix (FCM) in the traditional fuzzy AHP model, which has been found ineffective and time-consuming when criteria/alternatives are increased. The main advantage of the new model is that it is straightforward and completely eliminates the repetitive adjustment of data that is common with the FCM in traditional AHP model. The model reduces the complete dependen-cy on human judgment in prioritization assessment since the weights values are solved automati-cally using the evaluation matrix and the modified priority weight formula in the proposed mod-el. By virtue of a numerical case study, the model is successfully applied in the determination of the implementation priorities of lean practices for a product development environment and com-pared with similar computational methods in the literature.

In this article, we present an acceptance sampling plan for machine replacement problem based on the backward dynamic programming model. Discount dynamic programming is used to solve a two-state machine replacement problem. We plan to design a model for maintenance by consid-ering the quality of the item produced. The purpose of the proposed model is to determine the optimal threshold policy for maintenance in a finite time horizon. We create a decision tree based on a sequential sampling including renew, repair and do nothing and wish to achieve an optimal threshold for making decisions including renew, repair and continue the production in order to minimize the expected cost. Results show that the optimal policy is sensitive to the data, for the probability of defective machines and parameters defined in the model. This can be clearly demonstrated by a sensitivity analysis technique.

The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the impact of critical success factors (CSFs) impacting technology implementation in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) supply chain. The study has used existing literature to identify CSFs and then questionnaire-based survey and Ex-ploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to group CSFs. The paper has revealed that “Inter-Organizational”, “Organizational”, “CPG Sector Specific”, “Human” and “Program Manage-ment” CSFs impact successful technology implementation in CPG supply chain. The paper fills the gap in existing literature by studying the impact of CSFs on successful technology imple-mentation in CPG supply chain and providing guidance to practitioners working in CPG sector.

This study investigates the impact of human resources (HR) practices, recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and benefits, on employee’s job satisfaction in fertilizer sector of Pakistan. A pre-tested questionnaire was distributed and two hundred respondents pro-vided useable information. The result of the study shows a positive relationship between HR practices and job performance, which indicates fair recruitment and selection, better training and development opportunities and attractive compensation and benefit packages increase the level of satisfaction of employees.

The objective of this research is to investigate employee satisfaction in one of Indonesian busi-ness firms named BM*. The study also tries to identify different factors influencing on employee satisfaction in the firm and to give appropriate suggestion for performance improvement. Meth-odology of this research is based on a survey and a questionnaire based on Human Resource In-dex (HRI) with measure 15 is used for the assessment. The results show that employee satisfac-tion of BM* was relatively high. However, some of the attributes show the HRI were low. The study gives some insight to improve the customer satisfaction.

Six Sigma is a statistics-based approach focusing on minimizing defects and variations in prod-ucts and processes. Although it is used generally in production-based businesses, Six Sigma has been used in service sector businesses in the recent years as well. The aim of this study is to de-termine healthcare and banking sector managers’ perceptions related to Six Sigma, and compare healthcare managers and banking managers in terms of their opinions about six sigma. The study was done between February 2016 and October 2016 in private healthcare organizations and pri-vate banks operating in Turkey. The intended population of the study involves the managers working in these organizations. To compare perceptions of healthcare sector managers and bank-ing sector managers, Mann Whitney-U test was used. According to the statistical tests per-formed, there is not any statistically significant difference between healthcare sector managers and banking sector managers in terms of their view about Six Sigma. However, managers from the both sectors noted that Six Sigma could provide important advantages to their organizations. This result was considered as important because it indicates that Six Sigma can offer benefits for different and distinct parts of service sector, such as banking and healthcare.

Selection of optimum methods which have appropriate speed and precision for planning and de-cision-making has always been a challenge for investors and managers. One the most important concerns for them is investment planning and optimization for acquisition of desirable wealth under controlled risk with the best return. This paper proposes a model based on Markowitz the-orem by considering the aforementioned limitations in order to help effective decisions-making for portfolio selection. Then, the model is investigated by fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms, for the optimization of the portfolio in selected active companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange over the period 2012-2016 and the results of the above models are discussed. The results show that the two studied models had functional differences in portfolio optimization, its tools and the possibility of supplementing each other and their selection.

Although mediating variables are of importance in the HPWS-Performance nexus, identification of the fitting intervening variable(s) that mediates between the nexuses is a crucial issue, and the number of the mediating variable(s) which would unravel the so called “black box” remains un-resolved and the most burning theoretical and empirical challenge in the Strategic HRM research field. Likewise, moderating variables do have impacts on the HPWS-Performance nexus since the context within which firm operates and the strategic orientations of firms have bearing on the application of HR practices and its effect on the firm’s performance. Given this, this work pro-posed a model which is theorized based on the far-reaching survey of the extant literature. The model theorizes the mediating role of employee creativity and potential moderating role of man-agement philosophy in the HPWS-performance nexus via extensive theoretical and logical argu-ment and exposition. Also, as established by the extant research, HPWS measurement in the context of SME should be employee-oriented, therefore, this work measured HPWS with eight employee-oriented HR architectures, and performance is measured with financial and non-financial performance, for being a widespread adopted measurement in many fields of study.

E-learning websites evaluation and selection is extremely important for the establishment of ef-fective E-learning. The E-learning website selection has crucial importance for the educational sector. The selection of E-learning website problem is generally considered as a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem which mainly consists of both qualitative and quantitative criteria. The development of an E-learning website mainly depends on the success of the E-learning website selection along with various alternatives. So, for the effective evaluation and se-lection of E-learning websites, a set of selection criteria should be obtained. This paper consists of two steps, the first step is the identification of E-learning website selection criteria, second step provides the linguistic variables against the selection criteria and then fuzzy set theory (FST) is adopted for the calculation of the priority weights of each selection criteria. To show the rela-tive importance of each selection criteria, they ranked according to their global weights.

Consumer’s values, Cultural values, Emotional Values and Word of mouth expressiveness, are good predictors for their buying decision satisfaction. In current study sample of 500 was taken to assess the consumer’s buying decision satisfaction in relation to the importance of their values associated with those decisions. This study also reveals how gender influences buying decision satisfaction. Consumer values have a positive and significant impact on buying decision satisfac-tion. While evaluation on the basis of gender and females have more emotional and word of mouth linkages than males, on the contrary to this, males are more concerned with cultural val-ues, and are less expressive and have a tendency to suppress their emotions while making buy-ing decisions.