Ahmet Beskese

Total quality management and corporate culture: constructs of organisational excellence

There is a need for an appropriate culture to support the scope of Total Quality Management (TQM). Customer focus, systems approach, teamwork, involved management and continuous improvement are the aspects of TQM that facilitate improved organisational success, growth, and competitiveness. Many companies are now complementing continuous improvement with innovation, which is seen as the successful exploitation of new ideas. A clear synergy appears between these two corporate success factors as they are often integrated under an appropriate corporate culture for exploitation. The results of this can support substantial improvements in business performance and competitiveness of the company. With this in mind, this paper discusses the concept of corporate culture, places this social construct within the arena of TQM, and highlights the relationships that exist among culture, quality, and competitiveness using a case study.  2002 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantification of flexibility in advanced manufacturing systems using fuzzy concept

Abstract Unlike classical logic which requires a deep understanding of a system, exact equations, and precise numeric values, fuzzy logic incorporates an alternative way of thinking, which allows modeling complex systems using a higher level of abstraction originating from our knowledge and experience. To obtain a sensible result in quantifying the manufacturing flexibility, this paper proposes some fuzzy models based on fuzzy present worth and fuzzy mathematical programming. The fuzzy models based on present worth are basically engineering economics decision models in which the uncertain cash flows and discount rates are specified as triangular fuzzy numbers. Fuzzy present worth formulae of the manufacturing flexibility elements are formed. Using these formulae, more reliable results can be obtained especially for such a concept like flexibility that is described in many intangible dimensions. The fuzzy models based on fuzzy mathematical programming allow decision-makers use upper and lower bounds for the attainment of the objectives and soft constraints. These models allow experts’ linguistic predicates about advanced manufacturing systems.

Selection among ERP outsourcing alternatives using a fuzzy multi-criteria decision making methodology

Outsourcing can be seen as a strategic way to align technology initiatives and business goals, as a strategy for managing technology operations in todays difficult business environment, and as a way to reduce operating costs. Often, companies begin the process by outsourcing non-core business operations, which may include applications, assets, people and other resources. The outsourcing decision is important since the correct selection can dramatically increase a firms performance. When companies outsource a significant part of their business and become more dependent on outsourcers, the consequences of poor decision making becomes more severe. Since enterprise resource planning (ERP) is one of the vital systems, if not the one, that integrates all functions including planning, manufacturing, distribution, and accounting into a single system, its outsourcing is a very important multi-attribute decision problem for the firms. In the literature, outsourcing decisions are often based on multi-criteria approaches. In this paper, a fuzzy multi-criteria decision making methodology is suggested for the selection among ERP outsourcing alternatives. The methodology is based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) under fuzziness. It allows decision-makers to express their evaluations in linguistic expressions, crisp or fuzzy numbers. In the application of the proposed methodology, an automotive firm selects the best alternative among three ERP outsourcing firms.

Landfill site selection using fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS: a case study for Istanbul

Landfill site selection is a multi-attribute decision problem, through which factors like available land area, soil conditions, climatological conditions, and economic considerations are investigated in detail. Frequently, it is a challenge to come up with “the one” solution while tackling such complex systems. Therefore, use of tools such as fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) and fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (fuzzy TOPSIS) should be preferred in order to emphasize pros and cons for each of the studied options. In this study, three possible landfill sites for the city of Istanbul are evaluated through expert opinion and by facilitating fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS. Initially, the landfill site selection problem is presented in the framework of a model and then the model is mathematically solved by calculating the individual criterion weights. In conclusion, considering the rapid rate of urbanization for the city of Istanbul, the possible landfill sites convey similar overall results, but differ in specific criteria.

Total quality management and ISO 9000 applications in Turkey

The literature includes many success and failure stories of the firms adopting total quality management (TQM). As many firms in Turkey try to adopt this philosophy, there is a need to clarify quality concepts and comment on applications. This paper attempts a broad review of the current status of TQM and ISO 9000 in Turkey. It considers the extent to which ISO 9000 and TQM are being successfully implemented. It also presents the reasons for obtaining an ISO 9000 certificate, difficulties faced during the registration process, improvements achieved and disappointments experienced after being certified. The findings of this study are compared with those from other countries.

An approach to the evaluation of quality performance of the companies in Turkey

This paper aims to create a fuzzy set perception of some quality characteristics in order to prepare a basis for further evaluation. It cites industries that have good quality characteristics as examples. A large amount of data about company characteristics and various factors pertaining to the implementation of total quality management and ISO 9000 was collected through a survey and its results and implications are discussed. In conclusion this paper provides a guide for companies in Turkey in their quest for quality and prepares a basis for a more general evaluation tool for developing countries.

Fuzzy Regression Approaches and Applications

Summary: Fuzzy regression is a fuzzy variation of classical regression analysis. It has been studied and applied to various areas. Two types of fuzzy regression models are Tanaka’s linear programming approach and the fuzzy least-squares approach. In this chapter, a wide literature review including both theoretical and application papers on fuzzy regression has been given. Fuzzy regression models for nonfuzzy input/nonfuzzy output, nonfuzzy input/fuzzy output, and possibilistic regression model have been summarized. An illustrative example has been given. Fuzzy hypothesis testing for the coefficients of a linear regression function has been explained with two numerical examples.

A hybrid decision-support model for self-managed career

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a self-managed career model, in which protean and boundaryless careers were used. Design/methodology/approach – A hybrid methodology is proposed where Buckley’s fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) method was used for prioritization of these criteria, sub-criteria, and indicators, and fuzzy TOPSIS method was used to select the most appropriate career path for a given individual. Findings – The hybrid model for self-managed career was tested with a real numerical example. Findings were congruent with the example’s current career and future career aspirations. Research limitations/implications – The model was tested with one numerical example. The model could be applied to individuals from various cultures, age groups and backgrounds to further discuss its validity. Originality/value – Career decisions are affected from individuals’ values and perceptions. New career orientations like Protean and Boundaryless Career are built upon this fact to include sub...