Abstract: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is essentially a commercial software package that enables the integration of transaction - oriented data and business processes throughout an organization. In order to remain competitive in this global business scenario, the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) are opting for ERP implementation. In Indian SME sector, the adoption of ERP is rapidly increasing. Literature shows many instances where organizations, even after implementing such novel information systems like ERP, are unable to derive the benefits of integration. It is, therefore, not surprising that implementation of enterprise information systems in general is quite difficult due to their size, scope and complexity. Therefore, there is a need to identify some issues that would lead to positive outcome for the implementation of ERP systems in the context of Indian SME sector. This paper thus attempts to identify and to prioritize the factors influencing proper implementation of ERP systems in a business organization particularly for Indian small and medium businesses (SMBs). The research presented here is specifically targeted the Indian SMEs, which have already completed the process of implementing ERP system.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2011.01.003
Keywords: ERP implementation, SME, India, Factor analysis, MSME

Abstract: During the past few decades, many organizations have attempted to increase their productivity through outsourcing parts of their responsibilities. Outsourcing helps firms reduce their low value added activities and focus on their high value added activities. It also helps organization save their time and energy which leads to more efficient units. The idea of outsourcing is more important for project based organizations where the nature of works is different from a particular project to another one. This paper presents an integrated balanced score card system with an adaptation of ELECTER III method to select suitable resources for outsourcing. The proposed model of the paper is implemented for a case study of subway system in Iran and the results are discussed.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2011.01.004
Keywords: ELECTRE III, BSC, Outsourcing, Balanced score card, MCDM

Abstract: This paper proposes the social network analysis (SNA), to study interaction among various activities in a product development process (PDP). The implementation of SNA helps to measure the properties of information flow and indentifies PDP activities and limitations. The findings of an exploratory research project which explores the potential of SNA, as an improve tool for visually mapping and analyzing the stakeholders relationships found across the IC substrates design/manufacturing’s PDP of the Unimicron Technology Corp. From the findings, the authors prescribe the necessary SNA recommendations to improve the social conditions within the PDP.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2010.03.008
Keywords: Social network analysis, Stakeholder analysis, Product development process, SNA, PDP

Abstract: In this paper, a bi-objective mathematical model for emergency services location-allocation problem on a tree network considering maximum distance constraint is presented. The first objective function called centdian is a weighted mean of a minisum and a minimax criterion and the second one is a maximal covering criterion. For the solution of the bi-objective optimization problem, the problem is split in two sub problems: the selection of the best set of locations, and a demand assignment problem to evaluate each selection of locations. We propose a heuristic algorithm to characterize the efficient location point set on the network. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2010.03.006
Keywords: Centdian, Maximal covering, Capacity constraint, Maximum distance constraint

Abstract: One of the most important issues on quality of building structure is its resistance against earthquake. Earthquake, as one of natural disasters, has been one of the main reasons of fatal incidents in developing countries. Any attempt to increase the quality of building structure could reduce any possible damages an earthquake could cause on society. This paper presents a system dynamic model to study the importance and behavior of the factors which affect the construction quality of buildings' structures. The proposed model of this paper is analyzed for a case study and the results are discussed. The paper also uses DEMATEL technique to compare the results of the proposed method. The paper concludes that among the whole factors which affect the construction quality of buildings' structures, the "performance of related organizations and institutions" is of the most important ones.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2011.01.001
Keywords: Dependence and feedback, Decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), System dynamic, Construction building, construction management, construction quality

Abstract: One of the primary issues on marketing planning is to know the customer's behavioral trends. A customer's purchasing interest may fluctuate for different reasons and it is important to find the declining or increasing trends whenever they happen. It is important to study these fluctuations to improve customer relationships. There are different methods to increase the customer's willingness such as planning good promotions, an increase on advertisement, etc. This paper proposes a new methodology to measure customer's behavioral trends called customer electrocardiogram. The proposed model of this paper uses K-means clustering method with RFM analysis to study customer's fluctuations over different time frames. We also apply the proposed electrocardiogram methodology for a real-world case study of food industry and the results are discussed in details.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2010.03.009
Keywords: Customer relationship management Clustering Behavioral trends RFM Electrocardiogram

Abstract: Supply chain management (SCM) is becoming critical as firms recognize that competition is shifting from company versus company to supply chain versus supply chain. In the present competitive scenario, the fierce competition has driven most companies to seek for means of enhancing performance beyond their four wall boundaries. The firm’s ability in collaborating with its upstream and downstream partners determines its success in attaining better performance with supply chain collaboration; a firm is able to serve fragmented markets in which end customers require more product varieties and availability with shorter product life cycle and, at the same time, lower supply chain costs. This paper introduces the framework of continuous supply chain collaboration (CSCC), which extends the traditional frame of reference in strategic sourcing from a supplier centric to a supply-chain-scope as continuous improvement efforts to enhance the customer satisfaction. CSCC practices are rather exceptional, yet CSCC is believed to be the single most comprehensive framework for attaining operational excellence.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2010.03.007
Keywords: Continuous supply chain collaboration (CSCC), Supply chain management, Continuous improvement, Operational excellence, Supply Chain Management

Abstract: In today’s turbulent and competitive world, strategic planning plays an important role for the success of firms. Despite the fact that there are literally numerous models proposed for different companies in various states and structures, the possibility of using strategic planning for startups has never been seriously considered. In this paper, we present a survey by asking experts to find out whether strategic planning is suitable for startups. We also propose a model for strategic planning in startups based on the strategic planning models for small businesses and entrepreneurship concepts. The model is similar to other models and what differentiates this models form other approaches is the methodology used for internal and external analysis and the parameters taken into consideration. The proposed model is examined on an Iranian food packaging industry for validation. The preliminary results indicate that the success of startups depends on two sets of parameters: “entrepreneurial opportunities” and “competitive advantages and entrepreneurial characteristics”.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2010.03.005
Keywords: Strategic planning Planning, Entrepreneurship, Startup, Food packaging, Small business

Abstract: In this paper, we present machining tests by turning En-31 steel alloy with tungsten carbide inserts using soluble oil-water mixture lubricant under different machining conditions. First-order and second-order cutting force prediction models were developed by using the experimental data by applying response surface methodology combined with factorial design of experiments. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is also employed to check the adequacy of the developed models. The established equations show that feed rate and depth of cut are the main influencing factors on the cutting force followed by tool nose radius and cutting velocity. It increases with increase in the feed rate, depth of cut and tool nose radius but decreases with an increase in the cutting velocity. The predicted cutting force values of the samples have been found to lie close to that of the experimentally observed values with 95% confident levels. Moreover, the surface response counters have been generated from the model equations. Desirability function is used for single response optimization.

Abstract: Personality is a stable set of characteristics and tendencies, which specifies similarities, and differences of people' psychological behavior. Personality is normally a permanent behavior through time and may not be comprehended easily or recognized as immediate or direct situations due to some environmental and social stresses. In this paper, we study the relationship between employees' personality and ability types. The paper indentifies that there are some relationships between employees' personality type and their ability. There is also a relationship between introvert, extrovert, sensitive, emotive, thoughtful, considerate and judging personality type and employees' ability.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2010.03.003
Keywords: Personality type, employee ability, empowerment, big fives

Abstract: The new millennium must be called the century to compete for survival. The increase interaction among international organizations has changed the world into a global village and firms have no choice but to develop a variety of instruments and equipments to compete with each other. Value engineering (VE) is one of the new techniques of management science emerged in using the power of organizational creativity and entrepreneurship programs. VE modifies the organizational activities, removes the non value-added activities and increases the current values of organizations. VE has been successfully implemented in many areas of management such as quality, productivity, project management, etc. The success of a VE program depends on many organizational factors such as the availability of resources, the strategy and the organization structure, the senior management support, the organizational culture and the communication and information systems. In this study, we indentify and prioritize organization factors affecting the implementation of VE using ELECTRE III method.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2010.03.001
Keywords: ELECTRE III, Value engineering, Multiple criteria, Organizational factors, Strategic planning

Abstract: This paper presents an empirical study on measuring relative efficiencies of test drive educational organizations using data envelopment analysis. The study uses a Delphi method to determine the most important input/output factors and then gathers the actual data for all units located in an Iranian province called Zanjan. The results of the implementation of the DEA method are compared for different periods of the recent year and they are analyzed. We perform the DEA implementation for two separate regions, one for the units located inside the city and the other for the units located in the rural area. The output results of both methods are compared and the results are discussed in details.

Abstract: We consider a capacitated facility location problem (CFLP) which contains a production facility and distribution centers (DCs) supplying retailers' demand. The primary purpose is to locate distribution centres in the network and the objective is the minimization of the sum of fixed facility location, pipeline inventory, safety stock and lost sales. We use Greedy randomized adaptive search procedures (GRASP) to solve the model. The preliminary results indicate that the proposed method of this paper could provide competitive results in reasonable amount time.

Abstract: During the past two decades, there have been tremendous efforts on developing efficient business excellence models to improve the quality of organizations. A typical business excellence model proposes several alternatives with different budget and the primary objective is to use the best ones. In this paper, we present a robust LINMAP method for measuring the relative importance of various alternatives in an EFQM self assessment. The presented robust model is capable of handling uncertainty as part of the problem formulation. The proposed model of this paper is implemented for a case-study of energy sector in Iran with various alternatives. The orderings of the alternatives are measured using data from multiple experts through applying the proposed model of this paper.

Abstract: One of the most important strategic issues for any enterprise is to create and deliver superior value for its customers and provide enough evidences to convince them not to choose another competitive. In this study, we study the effects of customer value, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty on customer retention. The results indicate that all aspects of the customer value have positive relationships with customer satisfaction but only emotional value has a positive and direct relationship with customer loyalty. The study confirms that while none of customer value aspects has direct and positive relationship with customer retention, both customer satisfaction and customer loyalty positively and directly affect customer retention.
DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2010.02.002
Keywords: Customer value, Customer satisfaction, Customer loyalty, Customer retention, Banking industry