Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Reza Babazadeh Author-X-Name-First: Reza Author-X-Name-Last: Babazadeh Author-Name: Meisam Shamsi Author-X-Name-First: Meisam Author-X-Name-Last: Shamsi Author-Name: Fatemeh Shafipour Author-X-Name-First: Fatemeh Author-X-Name-Last: Shafipour Title: Optimum prediction and forecasting of wheat demand in Iran Abstract: Wheat is the staple food source in most countries and is grown in bad climatic conditions such as cold areas. Wheat contains about 55% carbohydrates and 20% calories. Optimum prediction of wheat demand would help policy makers to take optimum strategic decisions about the amount of domestic wheat production, import, and export for mid and long terms. In this study, firstly, the factors affecting demand for wheat are identified according to market analysis. Then, artificial neural network (ANN) method is employed for optimum forecasting of wheat demand in Iran. Different regression methods are used to justify the efficiency of the ANN model. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the ANN method is achieved equal to 4.64% which shows about 95% precision of the ANN method. According to acquired results, the ANN method could be efficiently applied for wheat demand prediction in order to take appropriate related strategic decisions. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 141-151 Issue: 2 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: wheat demand; forecasting; ANN; artificial neural network; regression models. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=116495 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:141-151 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R. Rajakumar Author-X-Name-First: R. Author-X-Name-Last: Rajakumar Author-Name: K. Dinesh Author-X-Name-First: K. Author-X-Name-Last: Dinesh Author-Name: T. Vengattaraman Author-X-Name-First: T. Author-X-Name-Last: Vengattaraman Title: An energy-efficient cluster formation in wireless sensor network using grey wolf optimisation Abstract: With the emerging technology, wireless sensor network (WSNs) plays a vital role in monitoring day-to-day life activities which suffers from various issues such as routing, intrusion, and topology control. However, to address these issues an energy-efficient cluster formation is quite important. Thus, the successive cluster formation improves the lifetime of the networks to reduce routing overheads. Our contribution in this work includes selecting energy-efficient cluster heads with the aid of the Grey Wolf Optimisation (GWO) algorithm. This algorithm attracts several researchers with its efficient leadership capability and hunting methodology but it lags in exploration and exploitation which leads to poor clustering in WSN when it is applied. The proposed methodology includes a tuning parameter for efficient exploration and exploitation later used to solve the issue which resides in WSN. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm provides better results over cluster head selection and minimised energy consumption in WSN. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 124-140 Issue: 2 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: WSN; wireless sensor network; clustering; GWO; grey wolf optimisation; swarm intelligence; exploration; exploitation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=116496 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:124-140 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Seema Author-X-Name-First: A. Author-X-Name-Last: Seema Title: Influence of organisational career management variables: mentoring on career success of faculty academics - an empirical study from an Indian perspective Abstract: The main purpose of the present study is to determine the influence and relationship between mentoring and career success of faculties. Career success is termed as the individual's subjective or intrinsic feelings of accomplishment and ultimate satisfaction pertaining to his or her career. This study also highlights on one of the organisational career management practices, that is, mentoring in bringing its importance and linkage with career success from an individual point of view in support with literature review. Descriptive research design has been adopted for the study. Stratified random sampling method followed by random sampling technique was used for the study. It was decided to conduct the data collection with 450 (around 59% proportionate) faculty members of selected 17 arts and science colleges at Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India. This present study has utilised structural equation modelling (SEM) through smart partial least square (PLS) 2.0 Version. The study outcomes show the significant influence and correlation between mentoring and career success in terms of career prospect, career commitment and career satisfaction. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 152-178 Issue: 2 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: career management; OCM; organisational career management; mentoring; career success; faculty; academics; Indian perspective. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=116497 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:152-178 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tariq Umar Author-X-Name-First: Tariq Author-X-Name-Last: Umar Author-Name: Charles Egbu Author-X-Name-First: Charles Author-X-Name-Last: Egbu Author-Name: George Ofori Author-X-Name-First: George Author-X-Name-Last: Ofori Author-Name: Mohamed Shaik Honnurvali Author-X-Name-First: Mohamed Shaik Author-X-Name-Last: Honnurvali Author-Name: Messaoud Saidani Author-X-Name-First: Messaoud Author-X-Name-Last: Saidani Author-Name: Alex Opoku Author-X-Name-First: Alex Author-X-Name-Last: Opoku Title: Exploring safety climate factors in construction Abstract: This paper aims to explore and to make explicit of the existing safety climate assessment tools and dimensions. The concept of safety climate is firstly discussed with a review of different safety climate factors from the published literature. A qualitative research method was employed to explore the safety climate factors through a systematic review using four databases and specific keywords. A total of 68 papers were selected for the screening process. The screening process allowed to select the final 18 safety climate assessment tools and papers consisting of 98 safety climate factors spanning over a period of 39 years (1980-2019). Construction organisations may consider these factors to assess the current maturity level of their safety climate and to develop plans to achieve the required level. It is recommended that the factors discussed in this paper may be validated first before they are incorporated in the assessment of safety climate. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 95-123 Issue: 2 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: health and safety; management; safety and hazards; safety climate; assessment; construction industry; qualitative and quantitative research methods; systematic review; safety in construction; safety climate factors. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=116500 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:95-123 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Dinesh K. Sharma Author-X-Name-First: Dinesh K. Author-X-Name-Last: Sharma Author-Name: S.K. Yadav Author-X-Name-First: S.K. Author-X-Name-Last: Yadav Author-Name: Hari Sharma Author-X-Name-First: Hari Author-X-Name-Last: Sharma Title: Advanced class for variance estimation utilising known quartiles of the auxiliary variable Abstract: Variance is a natural phenomenon among similar objects in nature and it is one of the measures of dispersion. Therefore, its estimation is of crucial importance for large populations to save time, money and manpower. In this paper, we propose an estimator for estimating population variance of the primary (study) variable using known quartiles of the secondary (auxiliary) variable and their functions. The optimum value of the scalar in the suggested estimator is acquired to ensure mean squared error (MSE) of the suggested estimator as a minimum. A comparison has been presented between suggested and the competing estimators, and the theoretical efficiency conditions are derived. For the verification of these efficiency conditions through the calculation of mean square errors of various estimators, a numerical study is performed. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 226-239 Issue: 3 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: main variable; auxiliary variable; variance estimator; bias; MSE; PRE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117437 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:226-239 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mehreen Memon Author-X-Name-First: Mehreen Author-X-Name-Last: Memon Author-Name: Muhammad Aqil Author-X-Name-First: Muhammad Author-X-Name-Last: Aqil Author-Name: Kamran Ahmed Soomro Author-X-Name-First: Kamran Ahmed Author-X-Name-Last: Soomro Author-Name: Ahmad Adeel Author-X-Name-First: Ahmad Author-X-Name-Last: Adeel Title: Perceived determinants and barriers of recruitment process outsourcing in service sector of Pakistan: a qualitative approach Abstract: This study aims at finding out the determinants for and barriers in recruitment process outsourcing. The study adopts qualitative approach and phenomenology has been used as research methodology. The study is based on in-depth interviews with HR professionals in ten organisations. The analysis is conducted through thematic analysis. The study finds out that diversified pool of candidates, bulk hiring, professional expertise, replacement option, focus on core HR responsibilities and promoting fair recruitment process are the major determinants for adopting RPO by organisations. The factors such as additional cost, RPO branding with non-management positions, incompatibility issues and emotional detachment are the major barriers in adopting RPO. The study suggests that the use of RPO in small size organisations as an emerging theme. Organisations can make decision of adopting RPO for management level positions according to the determinants highlighted in the study. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 200-225 Issue: 3 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: RPO; phenomenology; determinants; barriers; thematic analysis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117438 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:200-225 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S.K. Peer Author-X-Name-First: S.K. Author-X-Name-Last: Peer Author-Name: Dinesh K. Sharma Author-X-Name-First: Dinesh K. Author-X-Name-Last: Sharma Author-Name: B. Chakraborty Author-X-Name-First: B. Author-X-Name-Last: Chakraborty Author-Name: R.K. Jana Author-X-Name-First: R.K. Author-X-Name-Last: Jana Title: A shortest path problem in a stochastic network with exponential travel time Abstract: A shortest path problem in a stochastic network is studied in this paper. Assuming travel times between the nodes in the network as exponential random variables, a chance constrained programming formulation of the problem is obtained. Then the deterministic separable convex programming formulation of the problem is derived by using a proposed upper bound technique. The expected length and probability of the shortest path are obtained by solving the converted problem. Finally, the results obtained from the proposed approach are compared with Kulkarni's (1986) method as well as Peer and Sharma's (2007) method for a network of a practical application under consideration with exponential random variables. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 179-199 Issue: 3 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: chance constrained programming; separable convex programming; upper bound technique; stochastic network. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117439 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:179-199 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tran Thi Tham Author-X-Name-First: Tran Thi Author-X-Name-Last: Tham Author-Name: Diep Thi Hong Le Author-X-Name-First: Diep Thi Hong Author-X-Name-Last: Le Title: An integrated approach of fuzzy ELECTRE I for supplier selection Abstract: Supplier selection is a strategic decision and calls for serious attention in both academia and industry daily. It is the process of selecting suitable suppliers, who offer necessary products or services that match the needs of the organisations. Cooperating with the suitable suppliers will bring many benefits to the enterprises, helping businesses reduce costs, reduce risk, improve flexibility, customer service and competitiveness. This paper is aimed to present a fuzzy decision-making approach for supplier selection problem. In which, a set of 22 criteria are used and the Fuzzy ELECTRE method with trapezoidal membership function is applied to evaluate and select appropriate suppliers. A case study of plastic packaging company is given to illustrate the proposed methodology. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 240-274 Issue: 3 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: fuzzy theory; ELECTRE I; supplier selection; supplier evaluation; supply chain management. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=117440 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:240-274 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Siddharth Shriram Shimpi Author-X-Name-First: Siddharth Shriram Author-X-Name-Last: Shimpi Title: Impact of brand mascot in advertising on brand image among Indian consumers Abstract: Using brand mascot to promote products was once a creative concept. Today, brand mascot has become commonplace. The present study explained and explored the impact of brand mascot in advertising on brand image among Indian consumers. A structured and un-disguised questionnaire was developed and used to collect the primary data from 576 respondents. Conceptual model was investigated by using structural equation modelling. Study delivered detailed insight on various elements used for analysis and revealed that brand mascot's attractiveness and brand mascot's trustworthiness influenced brand credibility and brand image. Further, study confirmed mediating role of brand credibility between brand mascot's attractiveness and brand mascot's trustworthiness on brand image. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 322-338 Issue: 4 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: brand mascot; brand mascot's attractiveness; brand mascot's trustworthiness; brand credibility; brand image. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119747 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:322-338 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Roya Khayerzahed Author-X-Name-First: Roya Author-X-Name-Last: Khayerzahed Author-Name: Hadi Teimouri Author-X-Name-First: Hadi Author-X-Name-Last: Teimouri Author-Name: Ali Shaemi Barzoki Author-X-Name-First: Ali Shaemi Author-X-Name-Last: Barzoki Title: Designing a model of recruitment and selection system with talent management approach: the case of Iranian national tax administration Abstract: This study aimed to explore the effects of recruitment and selection on talent management in Iranian National Tax Administration (INTA). This study employed a mixed methods design involving both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. The qualitative data were gathered through thematic interviews. Using insights from 20 managers in this organisation and three academic experts, five broad levels of factors were identified for implementing talent management. These five dimensions included the organisation's macro policies and strategies, future attitude, merit orientation, value-orientation and comprehensiveness. In the quantitative stage, the impact of the recruitment and selection system on talent management implementation was examined. The quantitative data, in stratified random sampling, were gathered with questionnaires. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling in PLS software. The results of the quantitative phase indicated that the recruitment and selection system had a positive and significant impact on implementing talent management. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 302-321 Issue: 4 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: recruitment and selection; human resource management; talent management; mixed methods research; qualitative research; quantitative research. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119748 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:302-321 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Dahliana Kamener Author-X-Name-First: Dahliana Author-X-Name-Last: Kamener Author-Name: Norasekin Ab. Rashid Author-X-Name-First: Norasekin Ab. Author-X-Name-Last: Rashid Author-Name: Daniati Puttri Author-X-Name-First: Daniati Author-X-Name-Last: Puttri Title: Planning the next generation for family business: affecting factors on successes succession at Padang city Abstract: This study aimed to examine the role of strategic planning as a mediate in affecting succession planning, non-family leadership on the successful succession of family businesses. The population is the family businesses in the second or third generation. One hundred managers or CEOs of the family businesses were selected as samples using purposive and convenience sampling technique. Quantitative analysis methods are applied to analyse the data. The result showed that succession planning does not significantly affect the successful succession of family businesses. Nevertheless, the effect of succession planning is significant to strategic planning, and strategic planning was significant affected success succession. Therefore, succession planning is fully mediated by strategic planning through the success succession of family business. Furthermore, non-family management does not significantly and directly affect the successful succession, and neither, non-family management is mediated by strategic planning through the successful succession of the family business. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 339-358 Issue: 4 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: succession planning; non-family management; strategic planning; success succession. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119749 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:339-358 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yuhelmi Yuhelmi Author-X-Name-First: Yuhelmi Author-X-Name-Last: Yuhelmi Author-Name: Surya Dharma Author-X-Name-First: Surya Author-X-Name-Last: Dharma Author-Name: Mery Trianita Author-X-Name-First: Mery Author-X-Name-Last: Trianita Title: The difference of customer satisfaction and loyalty on the use of point of sale Abstract: The purpose of this study is to empirically test the differences in customer satisfaction and loyalty from the minimarket service in using a point of sale (POS) system application based on the level of system utilisation. From 243 respondents, the results showed that there were differences in satisfaction between the high level of POS utilisation and the low level, but there was no difference in customer loyalty. This proves that the use of POS can satisfy customers, but does not always make them loyal because customers prefer to shop at minimarkets that are close to their homes even though the POS utilisation level is still low. Future research is suggested to examine the influence of minimarket locations on customer loyalty. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 292-301 Issue: 4 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: point of sale; POS; loyalty; customer satisfaction. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119750 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:292-301 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Anzel Van Den Bergh Author-X-Name-First: Anzel Van Den Author-X-Name-Last: Bergh Author-Name: Sune Ferreira Author-X-Name-First: Sune Author-X-Name-Last: Ferreira Author-Name: Jean Dommisse Author-X-Name-First: Jean Author-X-Name-Last: Dommisse Author-Name: Zandri Dickason-Koekemoer Author-X-Name-First: Zandri Author-X-Name-Last: Dickason-Koekemoer Title: Establishing a relationship between risk tolerance and the investor lifecycle Abstract: The concept of risk tolerance has increasingly gained importance in the financial industry after the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2007/2008. Individual investors' risk perception and willingness to tolerate risk may vary during different phases of the investor lifecycle. However, it is important to analyse individual investors' risk tolerance during different phases of the investor lifecycle, as it will mainly influence their investment decisions. This paper aims to determine the influence of age, risk tolerance and risk perception on the investor lifecycle within a South African context and the deviation from theory during different phases of the investor lifecycle. The findings indicated that age is significant in predicting the probability of individual investors being categorised into one of the three phases in the investor lifecycle. Furthermore, the level of risk tolerance individual investors tolerate are not entirely according to theory and depends on individual investors' perceptions and attitudes towards risk. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 275-291 Issue: 4 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: age; risk tolerance; risk perception; individual investors; investor lifecycle; South Africa. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119751 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:275-291 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J.A. Badenhorst-Weiss Author-X-Name-First: J.A. Author-X-Name-Last: Badenhorst-Weiss Author-Name: A.S. Tolmay Author-X-Name-First: A.S. Author-X-Name-Last: Tolmay Title: Trust, commitment and business expansion in automotive supply chains in a developing country: a principal-agency perspective Abstract: The automotive industry is important for sustaining developing countries' economies. Literature states the South African automotive buyer-seller relationships are hampered by conflict where both parties reveal self-serving behaviour. This results in a decrease of trust and commitment, and increased supply chain uncertainty that is hampering business expansion. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the relationships between trust, commitment and business expansion through buyer-seller relationships. A quantitative study was conducted through a structured close-ended questionnaire among 114 managers from automotive component manufacturers. The empirical research found a strong presence of trust and commitment in automotive buyer-seller relationships. The influence of trust and commitment on possible business expansion was determined through a regression-based analysis. Findings revealed trust in a seller (agent) results in business expansion and commitment to a seller acts as a mediator between trust and business expansion. Action plans for both agents and principals (buyers) are recommended to sustain business. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 52-68 Issue: 1 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: automotive industry; supply chains; supply chain relationships; supply chain risk; social exchange theory; agency theory; trust; commitment; business expansion; South Africa; developing countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113368 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:1:p:52-68 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Daniel Solow Author-X-Name-First: Daniel Author-X-Name-Last: Solow Author-Name: Qiong Wu Author-X-Name-First: Qiong Author-X-Name-Last: Wu Author-Name: Dan Magri Author-X-Name-First: Dan Author-X-Name-Last: Magri Title: An application of integer programming to producing aircraft engine parts Abstract: Integer programming models are developed for optimising the production of a part used in aircraft engines. A real-world problem is solved to optimality; however, for some potentially large real-world problems, one of these models can require too much time, so appropriate heuristics are developed. These heuristics are shown computationally to be both effective and efficient using randomly generated data. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 1-14 Issue: 1 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: integer programming application; integer programming heuristic; aircraft manufacturing. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113369 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:1:p:1-14 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kamran S. Moghaddam Author-X-Name-First: Kamran S. Author-X-Name-Last: Moghaddam Title: Multi-objective hazardous materials routing and scheduling for balancing safety and travel time Abstract: This research develops a new multi-objective multi-period optimisation model to find optimal links and routes to maintain a balance between safe and fast distribution of hazmats between origins and destinations through the transport network. The transport network includes multiple origins and destinations along with multiple hazmat classes to better mimic the challenges faced by practitioners. We consider unknown probabilities for hazmat incidents along with a game-theoretic demon approach and formulate a link-based routing and scheduling hazmat shipment problem. The objective functions are defined to minimise both the probability of population exposure affected by hazmat transport risks and the total transportation time in the distribution network. This paper also proposes a solution method based on an integrated Monte Carlo simulation and fuzzy goal programming to obtain Pareto-optimal solutions. A numerical example is provided to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed mathematical model and the solution method in obtaining Pareto-optimal solutions. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 69-94 Issue: 1 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: transportation; vehicle routing; game theory; hazardous materials; multi-objective optimisation; fuzzy goal programming. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113370 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:1:p:69-94 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Zohreh Safa Author-X-Name-First: Zohreh Author-X-Name-Last: Safa Author-Name: Reza Maddahi Author-X-Name-First: Reza Author-X-Name-Last: Maddahi Title: A cost allocation model based on the combination of data envelopment analysis and Shannon entropy (case study: branches of the central post of Isfahan) Abstract: The method used for allocation of costs in this study has several stages. In stage 1, various types of data envelopment analysis (DEA) models were used to assess the efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs), including constant return to scale and variable return to scale with a variety of input and output types in radial and non-radial states. In stage 2, Shannon entropy method was used to combine the obtained efficiencies for each decision making unit. In stage 3, the allocation of costs was done based on the combined efficiency number for each unit obtained in phase 2. The proposed cost allocation model was then implemented in an example and its fairness was compared with similar methods using the Gini coefficient method. Finally, the proposed model was investigated in Central Post of Isfahan. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 37-51 Issue: 1 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: cost allocation; data envelopment analysis; DEA; Shannon entropy; Gini coefficient method. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113371 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:1:p:37-51 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. Dinesh Author-X-Name-First: K. Author-X-Name-Last: Dinesh Author-Name: R. Rajakumar Author-X-Name-First: R. Author-X-Name-Last: Rajakumar Author-Name: R. Subramanian Author-X-Name-First: R. Author-X-Name-Last: Subramanian Title: Self-organisation migration technique for enhancing the permutation coded genetic algorithm Abstract: Genetic algorithm (GA) is well-known optimisation algorithm for solving various kinds of the optimisation problems. GA is based on the evolutionary principles and effectively solves the large-scale problem. In addition, it incorporates the variety of hybrid techniques to achieve the best performance in complex problems. However, self-organisation is one of the popular model, which acquire global order from the local interaction among the individuals. The combined version of self-organisation and genetic algorithm are adopted to improve the performance in attaining the convergence. This paper proposes a bi-directional self-organisation migration technique for improving the genetic algorithm which achieves the convergence and well-balanced diversity in the population. The experimentation is conducted on the standard test-bed of travelling salesman problem and instances are obtained from TSPLIB. Thus, the proposed algorithm has shown its dominance with the existing classical GA in terms of various parameter metrics. Journal: Int. J. of Applied Management Science Pages: 15-36 Issue: 1 Volume: 13 Year: 2021 Keywords: genetic algorithm; self-organisation migration algorithm; hybrid genetic algorithm; travelling salesman problem; TSP; pattern replacement; combinatorial problem. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=113372 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:injams:v:13:y:2021:i:1:p:15-36