Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Angeliki N. Loli Author-X-Name-First: Angeliki N. Author-X-Name-Last: Loli Author-Name: Nikolaos A. Panayiotou Author-X-Name-First: Nikolaos A. Author-X-Name-Last: Panayiotou Title: Analysis of the commercial performance of the IT industry in Greece during crisis Abstract: This paper attempts to evaluate the performance of the IT industry in Greece in the period from 2010 to 2015 based on commercial criteria. This period was extremely difficult for the country with financial depression that led to irrevocable credibility, trust and reliability problems. Recognising the importance that ICT can have to the economy of a whole country, it was decided to analyse the impact the financial crisis can have to the commercial performance of this important industry. The analysis was carried out for the 16 listed companies in the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) and included a strategic evaluation of the macro and micro business environment and the determination of commercial performance based on both the reported financial results of the companies and the views of experienced practitioners of the industry. The analysis performed revealed that the IT industry experienced crisis in all sectors (hardware, software and services) but despite the unfavourable conditions and the general negative climate, it has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The companies that survived during the crisis period learned from the problematic practices of the past, improved their operating business models, focused on more profitable initiatives and demonstrated extroversion, leading to an optimistic forecast for the future performance of the sector. Journal: Int. J. of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management Pages: 11-31 Issue: 1/2 Volume: 10 Year: 2021 Keywords: IT industry; commercial performance; market analysis; crisis; Greece; hardware; software; Hellenic economy; performance indicators; profitability ratios; growth rate; net profit margin; NPM; gross profit margin; GPM; return on equity; ROE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117552 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdsrm:v:10:y:2021:i:1/2:p:11-31 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Elham Shadkam Author-X-Name-First: Elham Author-X-Name-Last: Shadkam Author-Name: Samane Safari Author-X-Name-First: Samane Author-X-Name-Last: Safari Author-Name: Saba Saberi Abdollahzadeh Author-X-Name-First: Saba Saberi Author-X-Name-Last: Abdollahzadeh Title: Finally, which meta-heuristic algorithm is the best one? Abstract: This paper is conducted to rank the six meta-heuristic algorithms such as the genetic, ant colony optimisation, tabu search, particle swarm optimisation, imperialist competitive, and simulated annealing algorithm and choose the most efficient algorithm among them, concerning collected information. Accordingly, three multi-criteria decision-making methods, including the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), TOPSIS, and AHP-TOPSIS methods are used. Criteria for comparing algorithms are selected based on the capability of each algorithm and the issues that are necessary to solve each problem. The result of the TOPSIS method indicates the superiority and efficiency of the tabu search algorithm. However, the analytical hierarchy process presents the ant colony algorithm as the best algorithm. Also, in the AHP-TOPSIS method, the best meta-heuristic algorithm is genetic. Finally, according to the results obtained from all three methods and the use of the combined compromise solution method (CoCoSo), the genetic algorithm is selected as the best algorithm. Journal: Int. J. of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management Pages: 32-50 Issue: 1/2 Volume: 10 Year: 2021 Keywords: meta-heuristic algorithms; TOPSIS; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; multi-criteria decision-making; combined compromise solution method; CoCoSo. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117555 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdsrm:v:10:y:2021:i:1/2:p:32-50 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Loukas K. Tsironis Author-X-Name-First: Loukas K. Author-X-Name-Last: Tsironis Title: Educational websites quality assessment framework Abstract: The quality of services provided in educational organisations relies heavily on the success of their websites which support the interaction and communication with students. As a result, quality assessment of educational websites has emerged as a topic of high importance. Although many researches focused on developing website quality assessment models, only a few tried to apply these models on educational websites and surprisingly, hardly any of them finalised a prioritisation list of the criteria included in the models. This paper develops a new quality evaluation model designed exclusively for educational websites and provides a final prioritisation list of its criteria. Findings indicate that users of educational websites are more interested in the essence than aesthetics. Journal: Int. J. of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management Pages: 51-77 Issue: 1/2 Volume: 10 Year: 2021 Keywords: website quality assessment; types of websites; educational website quality framework; prioritisation of quality criteria; analytical hierarchy process; AHP. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117558 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdsrm:v:10:y:2021:i:1/2:p:51-77 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Billy B. Archer Author-X-Name-First: Billy B. Author-X-Name-Last: Archer Author-Name: Akyene Tetteh Author-X-Name-First: Akyene Author-X-Name-Last: Tetteh Title: Can entropy and TOPSIS be used to analyse personnel effectiveness appraisal scheme in an organisation? Abstract: Many organisations have developed various appraisal schemes to assess the performance of their employees and address other competency requirements. However, undertaking these appraisal exercises costs a lot of money and sometimes they become mere historical or academic repositories of information gathering. The data gathered cannot be properly interpreted to benefit the individual assessed and achieve the organisation's purpose. In light of these difficulties, the application of entropy analysis and TOPSIS in analysing appraisal schemes can provide a lot of interpretations. The results suggested each worker's areas of strength and weakness and help to reveal problems which may be restricting progress and causing inefficient work practices. Journal: Int. J. of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management Pages: 78-92 Issue: 1/2 Volume: 10 Year: 2021 Keywords: entropy analysis; TOPSIS; multi-criteria decision making; MCDM; personnel effectiveness; behavioural anchored rating scale. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117562 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdsrm:v:10:y:2021:i:1/2:p:78-92 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Katerina Lyroudi Author-X-Name-First: Katerina Author-X-Name-Last: Lyroudi Author-Name: Monika Bolek Author-X-Name-First: Monika Author-X-Name-Last: Bolek Author-Name: Anna Pluskota Author-X-Name-First: Anna Author-X-Name-Last: Pluskota Title: Systematic risk and innovativeness influencing the market rate of return on the alternative exchanges in Poland and the UK: a comparative study Abstract: This paper investigates whether systematic risk, measured by the beta coefficient, has any significant impact along with the intangible assets and other related factors on the market rate of return of companies listed on the alternative exchanges NewConnect, and AIM for the period 2007-2019. After Brexit, the Polish exchange remains the largest alternative platform in the EU, replacing the UK's AIM market. The former represents the developing markets and the latter the developed ones in Europe. We use correlation, OLS and GMM analysis to achieve our objectives. The empirical results indicated that for both alternative markets the intangible assets, representing innovativeness, systematic risk and company size, are positively and significantly influencing the market rate of return. On the other hand, for both markets, the innovativeness and risk have no linear relation in contrast to what we expected. Finally, comparing these two markets, we found that there are significant differences, so the NewConnect cannot replace totally the AIM in the after Brexit era. Journal: Int. J. of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management Pages: 93-118 Issue: 1/2 Volume: 10 Year: 2021 Keywords: market rate of return; intangible assets; systematic risk; UK; Poland. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117563 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdsrm:v:10:y:2021:i:1/2:p:93-118 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Feixiong Ma Author-X-Name-First: Feixiong Author-X-Name-Last: Ma Author-Name: Yueqian Hu Author-X-Name-First: Yueqian Author-X-Name-Last: Hu Title: Game analysis of food safety supervision and non-compliance in the food market of Chinese mainland Abstract: Based on the game theory, this paper establishes the dynamic system of games between food market regulators and participants with incomplete information, and analyses the illegal production behaviours in the process of government supervision. Meanwhile, it discusses the evolution and stability of the system under different circumstances. The research shows that, under the condition of incomplete information, the participants will have opportunistic behaviours. Market participants (producers or sellers) continuously observe the regulator's results of investigation and punishment of past non-compliances, continuously revise the judge's judgment on their credibility, and speculate on how regulators will investigate and punish future non-compliances. Then there is a learning mechanism to make a decision on whether to violate the rules. Journal: Int. J. of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management Pages: 119-130 Issue: 1/2 Volume: 10 Year: 2021 Keywords: game theory; market supervision; non-compliance; demonstration effect; learning mechanism. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117564 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdsrm:v:10:y:2021:i:1/2:p:119-130 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vasiliki Kipourou Author-X-Name-First: Vasiliki Author-X-Name-Last: Kipourou Author-Name: Persefoni Polychronidou Author-X-Name-First: Persefoni Author-X-Name-Last: Polychronidou Title: The effect of advertising on OTC painkillers consumption: a statistical analysis in the regional unit of Florina, Greece Abstract: Advertising is considered as an integral part of pharmaceutical marketing, especially today in the world of the huge development of OTC drug market. This study tested the impact of advertising on OTC painkillers consumption in the regional unit of Florina. Self-managing with pain was focused and the tool of the survey was a structured questionnaire. Analysis has shown that OTC painkillers advertising makes the consumers aware of the drug rather than convinces them to purchase it. Doctors' and pharmacists' recommendations and the trust in the OTC analgesic are the main reasons that influence their decision making process. Also, most consumers have moderate attitude about OTC painkillers advertisements and this is reinforced by their moderate level of involvement with these drugs. As a conclusion, advertising cannot be excluded from pharmaceutical marketing, but it should be used as a piece of the great strategic marketing plan. Journal: Int. J. of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management Pages: 1-10 Issue: 1/2 Volume: 10 Year: 2021 Keywords: OTC painkillers; OTCA; advertising effect; consumers' preferences; pharmaceutical marketing; Greece. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117566 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdsrm:v:10:y:2021:i:1/2:p:1-10 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Pengyu Zhu Author-X-Name-First: Pengyu Author-X-Name-Last: Zhu Author-Name: Jayantha P. Liyanage Author-X-Name-First: Jayantha P. Author-X-Name-Last: Liyanage Author-Name: Rajesh Kumar Author-X-Name-First: Rajesh Author-X-Name-Last: Kumar Author-Name: Sukhvir Singh Panesar Author-X-Name-First: Sukhvir Singh Author-X-Name-Last: Panesar Title: Decision quality related to emergency shutdown system in the oil and gas industry: influences from data and information Abstract: In today's industrial contexts more and more datasets are collected and stored under various conditions, contributing to the growing challenge for identifying truly valuable data and information to improve decision quality, particularly in relation to safety related risk. From that perspective, this paper studies emergency shutdown (ESD) systems aiming at identifying how data and information affect decision quality around the ESD system, for the purpose of improving current maintenance and inspection practice. The study was performed in close collaboration with industrial partners. The paper elaborates on a novel approach challenging the traditional practice related to safety-critical systems in industrial assets. The framework developed can be adopted by asset operators, equipment suppliers, as well as technology and service providers who can capitalise on the unexplored potential of data and information in traditional decision regimes related to ESD systems. Journal: Int. J. of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management Pages: 131-159 Issue: 1/2 Volume: 10 Year: 2021 Keywords: offshore oil and gas; ESD system; information value; data management; decision-making; asset management. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117568 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdsrm:v:10:y:2021:i:1/2:p:131-159