Search results for "Management information systems"
showing 10 items of 291 documents
Improving demand forecasting accuracy using nonlinear programming software
2006
We address the problem of forecasting real time series with a proportion of zero values and a great variability among the nonzero values. In order to calculate forecasts for a time series, the model coefficients must be estimated. The appropriate choice of values for the smoothing parameters in exponential smoothing methods relies on the minimization of the fitting errors of historical data. We adapt the generalized Holt–Winters formulation so that it can consider the starting values of the local components of level, trend and seasonality as decision variables of the nonlinear programming problem associated with this forecasting procedure. A spreadsheet model is used to solve the problems o…
Constructing Good Solutions for the Spanish School Timetabling Problem
1996
In the school timetabling problem a set of lessons (combinations of classes, teachers, subjects and rooms) has to be scheduled within the school week. Considering classes, teachers and rooms as resources for the lessons, the problem may be viewed as the scheduling of a project subject to resource constraints. We have developed an algorithm with three phases. In Phase I an initial solution is built by using the scheme of parallel heuristic algorithm with priority rules, but imbedding at each period the construction of a maximum cardinality independent set on a resource graph. In Phase II a tabu search procedure starts from the solution of Phase I and obtains a feasible solution to the proble…
Tabu search algorithms for an industrial multi-product and multi-objective assembly line balancing problem, with reduction of the task dispersion
2002
This paper presents a real-world industrial application of the multi-product and multi-objective assembly line balancing problem, for a company involved in the production of four models of a white goods product. The problem solved is a GALBP-2, with 10 workstations and multiple objectives (to maximize the production rate in order to deal with an increase of the demand forecasted, to reach an equal cycle time of all the models and an equal workload of the different workstations, and finally, to minimize the dispersion of worker tasks on each one of the different models-the common tasks of the different models at the same workstation). The paper presents an integrated approach based on four h…
A conjoint analysis of customers' preferences for e-banking channels
2021
Internet has transformed the manner in which banks interact with the customers. The purpose of the paper is to measure customers' preferences towards different channel attributes namely: internet banking, mobile banking and payment portals at a composite level that reflect the relative importance of usage attributes, i.e., payment type, transaction size, motivation to use and rate of urgency. Conjoint analysis was applied to estimate utilities for these attributes and to determine the existence of consumer groups with similar preference profiles. Furthermore, our study shows that the most preferred combination of utilities are customers preference to use payment portal, for 'paying bills' o…
Heuristic solutions to the problem of routing school buses with multiple objectives
2002
In this paper we address the problem of routing school buses in a rural area. We approach this problem with a node routing model with multiple objectives that arise from conflicting viewpoints. From the point of view of cost, it is desirable to minimise the number of buses used to transport students from their homes to school and back. From the point of view of service, it is desirable to minimise the time that a given student spends en route. The current literature deals primarily with single-objective problems and the models with multiple objectives typically employ a weighted function to combine the objectives into a single one. We develop a solution procedure that considers each objecti…
A Decision Model for the Multiple Criteria Group Secretary Problem: Theoretical Considerations
1996
A decision model is developed for solving the discrete multiple criteria group secretary problem. The model extends the single decision-maker progressive algorithm by Korhonen, Moskowitz and Wallenius to group contexts. As the original progressive algorithm, it relaxes the usual assumption of a fixed set of available decision alternatives and complete knowledge of a decision-maker's preference structure (value function). The decision-makers are requested to settle on a compromise, if possible. The model then proceeds with determining the likelihood of finding possibly/surely better settlements (compromises). Linear value functions, linear prospect theory-type value functions, and quasiconca…
Labour Scheduling at an Airport Refuelling Installation
1999
We have developed an automatic assignment procedure for labour scheduling at a continously operating airport refuelling installation. Different types of workers are subject to different conditions on the shifts they can do (morning, evening or night), shift lengths, days-off, holidays, terms of contract and working hours. The scheduling process is carried out on a weekly basis, but there are mid-term and long-term conditions and objectives which link each week with the preceding and following weeks. Our package uses firstly a tabu search algorithm to find the best schemes of shifts/days-off to be used to cover the requirements. Secondly, an assignment problem is solved to match the schemes …
Cross-cultural Differences in Movie Selection. Decision-making of German, U.S., and Singaporean Media Users for Video-on-Demand Movies
2017
ABSTRACTThis article investigates the process of individual decision-making for movies on video-on-demand platforms from a cross-cultural perspective. Models of decision-making and movie selection act as theoretical underpinning. The article focuses on the information search phase and examines media consumers' information use during movie selection. Empirically the article relies on an online survey among N = 694 German, the U.S., and Singaporean students. Results indicate that participants considered only a limited amount of information before carrying out their choice. Participants shared a preference for product-related cues over crowd-related cues signaling previous user-experiences. Wi…
The Role of Roots in the Perception of a Destination: an Exploratory Study on Sicily
2004
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the effect of ancestry on perception of Sicily as a tourist destination. Central Florida students' perception of Sicily was explored using a combination of qualitative and quantitative design with a sample of 276 students. While all respondents perceived Sicily as a tourist destination rich in scenery, culture and sun, sand and sea opportunities, those students with Italian ancestors had a statistically more significant positive image of Sicily.
Conversion rate determinants in e-commerce websites. What about moderation effects?
2018
Online retailers invest significant resource to improve conversion rates, defined as the proportion of website visitors that make a purchase. Using 1,184 observations from six e-commerce websites, this paper aims to analyse conversion rate determinants, also considering moderation effects of seasonality and webpage speed of load. Results show that free shipping and discounts policy have a positive effect on the conversion rate, moderated by seasonality and load speed. These finding could be useful guidelines for e-commerce managers in order to allocate their limited resources to the most relevant factor to increase online sales.