Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mahdi Ranjbar Author-X-Name-First: Mahdi Author-X-Name-Last: Ranjbar Author-Name: Ali Vahidian Kamyad Author-X-Name-First: Ali Vahidian Author-X-Name-Last: Kamyad Author-Name: Sohrab Effati Author-X-Name-First: Sohrab Author-X-Name-Last: Effati Title: Fuzzy classification as a decision making problem in hesitant environments Abstract: This paper presents a new approach for fuzzy classification in the hesitant environments (FCHE) by decision making process. Our intention of the hesitant environments is situations, which there are different evaluations of experts for one problem. In this paper, we focus on cases that a classifier can be designed by knowledge of experts while each expert can classify data with a feature, independently, by linguistic terms. In this paper, we assume the classification task as a decision making problem in which, each feature as an attribute, each class as an alternative and each expert as a decision maker are considered. In the new classifier, we can use different score functions and aggregation operators in hesitant fuzzy sets for fuzzy classification in various viewpoints. Finally, our new approach is applied to a practical problem in economics, then for validation of the proposed model, we use iris data from the UCI repository. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 22-35 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: decision making problem; fuzzy classification; hesitant fuzzy set; HFS; aggregation operator; score function. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96625 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:22-35 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ahmed Mostafa Khalil Author-X-Name-First: Ahmed Mostafa Author-X-Name-Last: Khalil Author-Name: Nasruddin Hassan Author-X-Name-First: Nasruddin Author-X-Name-Last: Hassan Title: Inverse fuzzy soft set and its application in decision making Abstract: Molodtsov introduced the theory of soft sets, which can be seen as a new mathematical approach to vagueness. In this paper, we introduce a new soft set called an inverse fuzzy soft set, along with its properties, characteristics, and operations. Then we construct an algorithm using max-min and min-max decision of inverse fuzzy soft set for a fuzzy decision-making problem. Finally, we apply the algorithm to two decision-making problems to illustrate its applicability. It is shown that our proposed approach is viable and provides decision makers a more mathematical insight before making decisions on their options. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 73-92 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: algorithm; decision making; inverse soft set; inverse fuzzy soft set. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96630 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:73-92 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Farhad Panahifar Author-X-Name-First: Farhad Author-X-Name-Last: Panahifar Author-Name: Sajjad Shokouhyar Author-X-Name-First: Sajjad Author-X-Name-Last: Shokouhyar Title: An interpretive structural modelling of enablers for collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment implementation in high-tech industries Abstract: The collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) initiative is an increasingly popular approach that helps firms better collaborate with others within supply chain and coordinate activities to serve customers with improved service level and precise demand forecasting. It is highlighted in the literature that firms for successful CPFR implementation need to identify its critical factors (CF) consisting of enablers and barriers. Thus, the aim of this paper is to identify effective enablers and their relationships which enable firms to successful implementation of CPFR through the development of a structural model. To complete this task, ISM approach is applied by following a set of structured steps with a group of CPFR experts from industry/academia and Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée àun Classement (MICMAC) analysis to identify the driving and dependence powers. Enablers of successful CPFR implementation are identified and classified as managerial, technological, environmental, implementation process, organisational and cultural, 13 of which are identified to be important. A structural model is finally developed based on the most dominant enablers. The enablers identified in this research can serve as a roadmap to CPFR implementation in high-tech industries. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 55-72 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: collaborative planning' forecasting and replenishment; CPFR; implementation enablers; supply chain management; collaboration; high-tech industries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96631 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:55-72 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Cheryl K. Stenmark Author-X-Name-First: Cheryl K. Author-X-Name-Last: Stenmark Author-Name: Crystal Mata Kreitler Author-X-Name-First: Crystal Mata Author-X-Name-Last: Kreitler Title: Pressure and ethical decision-making Abstract: Performance pressure degrades performance on many types of tasks. Mounting evidence, however, suggests that pressure may not affect ethical decision-making. For the present study, participants analysed an ethical dilemma using a cognitive tool (ACED IT), expressive writing, or a control task, and their decisions were compared for participants in high and low pressure conditions. Perceptions of moral intensity were also measured. The current project found that the ACED IT map appears to be an effective cognitive tool for aiding ethical decision-making. The ACED IT group performed better on ethical decision-making (EDM) indices than did participants in the other groups. Pressure did not have an impact with regard to the cognitive processes involved in EDM. Pressure did, however, have a significant effect on perceptions of the problem. Implications of this pattern of results are discussed. It is important to determine whether pressure impacts EDM, so that training interventions can address pressure effectively. The present study suggests that, while pressure may not have an impact on ethical decision-making, pressure does seem to impact perceptions regarding ethical decision-making. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 1-21 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: ethical decision-making; EDM; cognitive tool; ACED IT; pressure; moral intensity. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96632 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:1-21 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tayfun Arar Author-X-Name-First: Tayfun Author-X-Name-Last: Arar Author-Name: Serhat Karaoğlan Author-X-Name-First: Serhat Author-X-Name-Last: Karaoğlan Author-Name: Ceren Dirik Author-X-Name-First: Ceren Author-X-Name-Last: Dirik Title: Office location selection by fuzzy AHP and VIKOR Abstract: In a globalised business world, reaching the basic goal of companies which is profit maximisation has become such competitive for both manufacturing and service firms. While reaching this basic goal, increasing income is not sufficient, but also minimising the costs is required. One of the long-term cost decisions, location selection, needs to be considered in detailed by business firms. Especially for a firm in service sector, there are other goals and responsibilities such as satisfying permanently changing needs and expectations of customers. As the wedding sector has a growing share in the economy, the choice of office location for companies operating in this sector has gained great importance. In the light of this purpose, there are some criteria determined in location selection decision for a business firm which operates in the wedding sector. In this research, the criteria used in office location selection have been chosen by literature review and experts' views. These criteria are weighted by fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Then, using the weighted criteria, the best option among the alternative offices from different locations is chosen by Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) technique. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 36-54 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: office selection; location selection; wedding sector; fuzzy AHP; Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje; VIKOR. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96645 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:36-54 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Moncef Abbas Author-X-Name-First: Moncef Author-X-Name-Last: Abbas Author-Name: Zhor Chergui Author-X-Name-First: Zhor Author-X-Name-Last: Chergui Title: The impact of using new significant reference point with TOPSIS methods: study and application Abstract: In this paper, the impact of Pareto optimality concept on revised TOPSIS method is studied. In particular, we study theoretically the cases in which a preference relation changes when delimiting the choice of the best alternative(s) in an efficient restrictive area. In order to define the most reliable approach a comparative study is established. On this basis, an accurate new method called TOPSIS Nadir is introduced. Furthermore, an adaptation for interval data area is carried out in which we discuss some forms of normalisation. By following the same steps of the TOPSIS methods for group decision makers, we develop and compare two new procedures. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 95-115 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: group decision makers; GDM; TOPSIS methods; reference points; crisp data and interval data; forms of normalisation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101139 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:95-115 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Md. Maruf Mortula Author-X-Name-First: Md. Maruf Author-X-Name-Last: Mortula Author-Name: Kazi Parvez Fattah Author-X-Name-First: Kazi Parvez Author-X-Name-Last: Fattah Author-Name: Tarig A. Ali Author-X-Name-First: Tarig A. Author-X-Name-Last: Ali Author-Name: Alaeldin Idris Author-X-Name-First: Alaeldin Author-X-Name-Last: Idris Author-Name: Mayyada Bardan Author-X-Name-First: Mayyada Author-X-Name-Last: Bardan Title: Spatiotemporal assessment of water quality in the distribution network of City of Sharjah, UAE Abstract: Maintaining a healthy water distribution network (WDN) is key to providing good quality services to the consumers in a sustainable manner. WDN in the City of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), has more than 3,000 km of pipeline and receives water from different sources. Understanding the variation of water quality over time is critical to appropriate management. The objective of this paper was to assess the variability of the water quality in Sharjah WDN. Monitoring data for residual chlorine, iron, and fluoride were collected from 46 different locations throughout the distribution system. Graphical and GIS-based analyses were conducted to understand the temporal (for three source waters and three locations in the WDN) and spatial variability (all locations) of water quality throughout the distribution network. Temporal variations indicated seasonal water quality variations throughout the three-year period (2012-2014). The spatial variability indicated that the old part of the city was susceptible to water quality degradation. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 116-128 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: water distribution network; WDN; water quality; infrastructure integrity; geographic information system; GIS; spatial variability; infrastructure management; United Arab Emirates; UAE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101140 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:116-128 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ghassan Abu-Lebdeh Author-X-Name-First: Ghassan Author-X-Name-Last: Abu-Lebdeh Author-Name: Kenan Hazirbaba Author-X-Name-First: Kenan Author-X-Name-Last: Hazirbaba Author-Name: Omar Mughieda Author-X-Name-First: Omar Author-X-Name-Last: Mughieda Author-Name: Bassant Abdelrahman Author-X-Name-First: Bassant Author-X-Name-Last: Abdelrahman Title: Modelling time complexity of micro-genetic algorithms for online traffic control decisions Abstract: This paper describes an experimental approach to test the suitability of micro-genetic algorithms (m-GAs) to solve large combinatorial traffic control problems and establishes relationships between time to convergence and problem size. A discrete time dynamical traffic control problem with different sizes and levels of complexity was used as a test-bed. Results showed that m-GAs can tackle computationally demanding problems. Upon appropriately sizing the m-GA population, the m-GA converged to a near-optimal solution in a number of generations equal to the string length. Results also demonstrated that with the selection of appropriate number of generations, it is possible to get most of the worth of the theoretically optimal solution but with only a fraction of the computation cost. Results showed that as the size of the optimisation problem grew exponentially, the time requirements of m-GA grew only linearly thus making m-GAs especially suited for optimising large-scale and combinatorial problems for online optimisation. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 141-162 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: online traffic control decisions; genetic algorithms; sustainable transport; genetic algorithms convergence. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101141 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:141-162 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Majed Bouchahma Author-X-Name-First: Majed Author-X-Name-Last: Bouchahma Author-Name: Mohsin Al-Balushi Author-X-Name-First: Mohsin Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Balushi Author-Name: Sheikha Al-Hosni Author-X-Name-First: Sheikha Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Hosni Author-Name: Hamood Al Wardi Author-X-Name-First: Hamood Al Author-X-Name-Last: Wardi Title: Decision aid system for Omani medical herb leaves recognition using computer vision and artificial intelligence Abstract: Herbs have been widely used in food preparation, medicine and cosmetic industry. Knowing which herbs to be used would be very critical in these applications. This research aims to define a method to classify the herbs plants based on their leaves colours and shapes. An open source decision aid system is designed and developed especially for helping scientist. The proposed system employs artificial and image processing techniques to perform recognition on a number of Omani species of medical herbs. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 129-140 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: decision aid system; DAS; medical herbs; computer vision; artificial intelligence; speeded up robust features; SURF. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101142 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:129-140 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ali Ben Abbes Author-X-Name-First: Ali Ben Author-X-Name-Last: Abbes Author-Name: Mohamed Farah Author-X-Name-First: Mohamed Author-X-Name-Last: Farah Author-Name: Imed Riadh Farah Author-X-Name-First: Imed Riadh Author-X-Name-Last: Farah Author-Name: Vincent Barra Author-X-Name-First: Vincent Author-X-Name-Last: Barra Title: A non-stationary NDVI time series modelling using triplet Markov chain Abstract: Nowadays, vegetation monitoring using remotely sensed data is an important far-reaching real-world issue. The main purpose of this study is to build a triplet Markov chain (TMC) to model and analyse vegetation dynamics on large-scales using non-stationary normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series. TMC is a generalisation of hidden Markov models (HMMs), which have been widely used to represent satellite time series images but which they proved to be inefficient for non-stationary data. The TMC model proposed in this paper overcomes this limit by adding an auxiliary process which allows modelling non-stationarity. In order to assess the performance of the proposed model, experimentation is carried out using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) NDVI time series of the north-western region of Tunisia. The TMC model is compared to standard HMM and seasonal auto regressive integrated moving average model (SARIMA) and proved to achieve the best performance with an overall accuracy prediction rate of 92.8% and a kappa coefficient of 0.885. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 163-179 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: NDVI time series; vegetation dynamics; triplet Markov chain; TMC; hidden Markov model; HMM; non-stationarity; remote sensing. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101143 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:163-179 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Asma Maziz Author-X-Name-First: Asma Author-X-Name-Last: Maziz Author-Name: Nacereddine Zarour Author-X-Name-First: Nacereddine Author-X-Name-Last: Zarour Title: A novel architecture based on fuzzy cognitive maps and holonic systems for decision making in a cooperative context Abstract: Ensuring consistency and good decision making is one of the most topical problems in an information system; it becomes more difficult in a cooperative context. In this paper, we propose an architecture based on fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) tool and holonic multi-agent paradigm that enhance the decision making process in cooperative information system (CIS). Furthermore, the concept of ontolgy is used for semantically enrich our architecture. We modelled each sub-CIS by a holonic agents where everyone used a FCM for a more precise analysis of complex dynamic system decisions. This group will try to make a collective decision to solve any given distributed problem. To put our approach into practice, we considered road safety field to see how to educate people in order to reduce the fatal accidents number. Finally, we validated our proposition through experiments to show how it improves the decision making process in a cooperative context. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 181-208 Issue: 3 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: decision support; cooperative information systems; CIS; fuzzy cognitive maps; FCM; multi-agent systems; holonic systems; ontology; road safety. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101992 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:181-208 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Archana Chougule Author-X-Name-First: Archana Author-X-Name-Last: Chougule Author-Name: Vijay Kumar Jha Author-X-Name-First: Vijay Kumar Author-X-Name-Last: Jha Author-Name: Debajyoti Mukhopadhyay Author-X-Name-First: Debajyoti Author-X-Name-Last: Mukhopadhyay Title: Decision support for nutrition management of grapes using ontology based on decision trees Abstract: For any decision support system, having meaningful, up-to-date, interoperable and consistent knowledge base is important. Ontologies can be used for representing knowledge semantics and knowledge sharing. Hence ontologies are getting more importance these days as heterogeneous integrated systems are used in almost all areas. Ontology gets evolved with increase in domain knowledge of experts. Change management of ontology is must to keep consistency of knowledge base. This paper demonstrates use of decision tree for ontology building and evolution. Detail algorithm for extending ontology from decision tree is discussed in the paper. For decision support using knowledge stored in ontology, ontology reasoning is used. Semantic web rule language is the technique used for ontology reasoning. Accuracy of decision support depends on strength and correctness of inference logic. Paper describes how accuracy of decision support improves with semi-automated construction of SWRL rules. The approach is validated with example of nutrition management system for grapes. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 234-255 Issue: 3 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: decision support; ontology evolution; decision tree; semantic web rule language; SWRL; grapes; nutrition management. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101993 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:234-255 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Duangruthai Voramontri Author-X-Name-First: Duangruthai Author-X-Name-Last: Voramontri Author-Name: Leslie Klieb Author-X-Name-First: Leslie Author-X-Name-Last: Klieb Title: Impact of social media on consumer behaviour Abstract: The goal of this paper is to research empirically the role of social media in consumers' decision-making process for complex purchases - those characterised by significant brand differences, high consumer involvement and risk, and which are expensive and infrequent. The model uses the information search, alternative evaluation, and purchase decision stages from the classical EBM model. A quantitative survey investigates up to what degree experiences are altered by the use of social media. Results show that social media usage influences consumer satisfaction in the stages of information search and alternative evaluation, with satisfaction getting amplified as the consumer moves along the process towards the final purchase decision and post-purchase evaluation. The research was done among internet-savvy consumers in South-East Asia, and only considered purchases that were actually made by consumers, not including searches that were abandoned. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 209-233 Issue: 3 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: social media; consumer decision-making; EBM model; EKB model; information search; complex purchase; online consumer behaviour; consumer satisfaction. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101994 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Open Access Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:209-233 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Havva Alizadeh Noughabi Author-X-Name-First: Havva Alizadeh Author-X-Name-Last: Noughabi Author-Name: Jalil Jarrahiferiz Author-X-Name-First: Jalil Author-X-Name-Last: Jarrahiferiz Title: Informational energy-based goodness-of-fit test for Laplace distribution Abstract: In this paper, a goodness-of-fit test for the Laplace distribution based on the informational energy is proposed. Consistency and other properties of the proposed test are shown. It is shown that the distribution of the proposed test statistic does not depend on the location and scale parameters. Using a simulation study, critical values of the test statistic are obtained. A Monte Carlo study for the power of the proposed test is carried out against symmetric and asymmetric alternatives. The power values of the proposed test are compared with power values of some well-known competing tests. Finally, two illustrative examples are presented and analysed. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 256-267 Issue: 3 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: informational energy; goodness-of-fit test; Laplace distribution; Monte Carlo simulation; test power. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102022 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:256-267 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Elyas Abbasi Jannatabadi Author-X-Name-First: Elyas Abbasi Author-X-Name-Last: Jannatabadi Author-Name: Masoud Goharimanesh Author-X-Name-First: Masoud Author-X-Name-Last: Goharimanesh Author-Name: Ali Jahan Author-X-Name-First: Ali Author-X-Name-Last: Jahan Author-Name: Aliakbar Akbari Author-X-Name-First: Aliakbar Author-X-Name-Last: Akbari Title: A decision-making methodology for material selection using genetic algorithm Abstract: Material selection is a challenging task for designers due to the immense number of different materials available today. Choosing the right materials plays an important role in numerous engineering applications because an inappropriate selection of materials can significantly affect the performance of the final product. As a result, a number of techniques have been proposed to select materials in the engineering design process. However, most of the proposed systems are knowledge intensive and cannot deal with the situation where the information of weight criteria is incomplete or unknown. So, in this paper a logical approach is presented for choosing an optimal material by employing the genetic algorithm. The proposed material selection procedure reduces the personal bias for assigning the weight of different attributes. Seven examples are included to demonstrate the applicability of the suggested approach. The findings of this work provide the insights for further researches on more complicated design problems such as simultaneous material selection and geometry optimisation. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 269-299 Issue: 4 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: materials selection; genetic algorithm; multiple criteria analysis; multi criteria decision making; weighting factors; ranking. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103351 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:4:p:269-299 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kashif Zia Author-X-Name-First: Kashif Author-X-Name-Last: Zia Author-Name: Dinesh Kumar Saini Author-X-Name-First: Dinesh Kumar Author-X-Name-Last: Saini Author-Name: Arshad Muhammad Author-X-Name-First: Arshad Author-X-Name-Last: Muhammad Title: Efficient evacuation in a multi-exit environment: an agent-based decision support model Abstract: A majority of research work carried out in crowd evacuation rely on simulation due to non-availability of real and realistic trial data. In this paper, an agent-based simulation study of an evacuating crowd is presented. The model is based on the microscopic behavioural rules formulated through small-scale empirical evidence in conjunction with crowd behavioural theories. In particular, the study focuses on the possibility of efficient evacuation from the environment with limited perceptions. Extending Moore's neighbourhood model, local congestion avoidance mechanism capable of detecting the relative displacement and orientation of the all the individuals in its neighbourhood is considered. Other strategies based on exit capacity and exit population are also modelled and tested. A probabilistic exit selection strategy is also designed that considers a sensitivity of an exit as a deciding factor. The simulation results show that the enhanced exit selection strategies make the proposed system more robust and increase the evacuation efficiency substantially. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 355-375 Issue: 4 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: crowd evacuation; decision support model; multi-exit efficiency; agent-based modelling; Netlogo simulation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103352 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:4:p:355-375 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vishal A. Bhosale Author-X-Name-First: Vishal A. Author-X-Name-Last: Bhosale Author-Name: Ravi Kant Author-X-Name-First: Ravi Author-X-Name-Last: Kant Title: An integrated fuzzy Delphi and fuzzy inference system for ranking the solutions to overcome the supply chain knowledge flow barriers Abstract: Supply chain (SC) is assumed as a leading operations strategy in both manufacturing and service organisations. Knowledge is recognised as an important source of competitive advantage in SC. However, evidence suggests that there are several SC knowledge flow barriers (SCKFBs) which obstruct knowledge flow in SC. The purpose of this research is to identify SCKFBs and propose solutions to overcome the SCKFBs. The weight of major SCKFBs is calculated by fuzzy Delphi (FD) method and ranking of the solutions of SCKFBs is evaluated using the fuzzy inference system (FIS) method. To overcome SCKFBs, the top rank solutions obtained are visible technologies that offer real-time customer and demand knowledge, building strategic relationships with SC partners and induce mutual trust with SC partners. This study may be one of the first to bring together a large range of SCKFBs on the same platform, and an attempt to give solutions for SCKFBs. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 320-354 Issue: 4 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: supply chain; knowledge flow; fuzzy Delphi; fuzzy inference system; FIS. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103353 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:4:p:320-354 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Carolina Ribeiro Xavier Author-X-Name-First: Carolina Ribeiro Author-X-Name-Last: Xavier Author-Name: Vinícius Da Fonseca Vieira Author-X-Name-First: Vinícius Da Fonseca Author-X-Name-Last: Vieira Author-Name: Alexandre Gonçalves Evsukoff Author-X-Name-First: Alexandre Gonçalves Author-X-Name-Last: Evsukoff Title: Studying the effect of community structure for seed selection in an influence model Abstract: This paper presents a study of influence spreading in real complex networks which shows that community structure in networks can be used to guide the selection of seed nodes to spread information and ideas over the network. The results obtained by the application of the methodology to a set of benchmark networks suggest that the distribution of seeds among the central nodes of the network's communities can increase the range of information spreading when compared to other common methods using central nodes as seeds considering only the global context of the network. Journal: Int. J. of Information and Decision Sciences Pages: 300-319 Issue: 4 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: influence; communities; modularity; spreading activation model; SPA. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103355 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijidsc:v:11:y:2019:i:4:p:300-319