Arben Asllani

Using genetic algorithm for dynamic and multiple criteria web-site optimizations

In today’s competitive electronic marketplace, companies try to create long-lasting relations with their online customers. Log files and registration forms generate millions of online transactions. Companies use new techniques to ‘‘mine’’ these data and establish optimal online storefronts to maximize their web presence. Several criteria, such as minimization of download time, maximization of web-site visualization and product association level, can be used for the optimization of virtual storefronts. This paper introduces a genetic algorithm, to be used in a model-driven decision-support system for web-site optimizations. The algorithm ensures multiple criteria web-site optimizations, and the genetic search provides dynamic and timely solutions independent of the number of objects to be arranged. � 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

TQM and BPR: symbiosis and a new approach for integration

Total quality management (TQM) and business process re‐engineering (BPR) are two management approaches designed to improve organizational performance and quality. Because of the pace, time required, and initiatives for change, TQM and BPR are regarded as two completely different improvement programmes. They also share common features, which create the basis for a possible integration of TQM and BPR under the endless quality improvement concept. Organizations that can effectively combine TQM and BPR would be very successful in gaining a sustainable competitive advantage. In the context of the system approach, introduces a BPR life cycle model. Answers two main questions: when should a re‐engineering programme be undertaken?; and how long should the period of gradual improvement last before a new re‐engineering programme is implemented? Provides an implementation example of this model through a real organization.

What knowledge managers really do: an empirical and comparative analysis

The advent of information technology has generated not only interest in how to acquire, store and “mine” data, but also how to manage knowledge. Yet, there is still considerable confusion and a lack of understanding of what today’s knowledge managers really do. Continuing a stream of previous research on the behavior activities of traditional managers, this study investigated the relative amount of time today’s knowledge managers (N=307) spend on traditional management functions, communications, human resources and networking. Besides identifying what knowledge managers really do, this study examined what successful knowledge managers do. Comparisons are then made with managers in the 1980s. Finally, the role that information technology plays in knowledge managers carrying out their managerial activities was assessed. The implications of some surprising findings and conclusions end the paper.

Quality cost management support system: an effective tool for organisational performance improvement

The purpose of this study was to bring into focus the relationship between the cost of quality (COQ) and performance-improvement measurements, and to suggest that the total COQ be used as an overall measure of organisational performance. Previous research has examined quality costs and different cost minimisation methods, and introduced a variety of methods for measuring the performance of organisations. With a clear understanding of the importance of these two areas of research, the present study links quality costs to operational processes. The authors introduce a prototype management support system that helps measure, monitor, and improve quality costs associated with operational processes. The results of the pilot study conducted in this research show that the quality cost model can be used to measure the overall performance of organisations. In addition, the study links this management support system to the requirements of quality standards such as ISO 9001 and quality awards such as Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and European Foundation of Quality Management.

An object-oriented approach for designing service scheduling support systems

The focus of this paper is to provide practical guidelines for designing service scheduling support systems based on the Object-Orientation Approach (OOA). The advantages of OOA include providing greater flexibility to the process of system design and implementation, simplifying the decision making process and empowering decision-makers at the operational level. The application domain of this paper is healthcare where patient scheduling has always been a major challenge due to the high degree of system complexity and uncertainty. A real-world application of the object-oriented patient scheduling system at a regional healthcare centre is presented.

Sharing knowledge with conversational technologies: web logs versus discussion boards

Knowledge has become an important resource for organisations in their quest to achieve competitive advantage. In order to efficiently manage such a resource, organisations are using information technology to acquire, store and communicate data, information, and knowledge. Both traditional and modern conversational technologies were originally developed for other purposes, and later were adopted for knowledge management. This paper compares web logs (blogs) to discussion boards, as two alternative conversational technologies in the process of knowledge sharing and retention. The results of an experimental study show that blogs are more successful technologies when used to communicate tacit knowledge and when they are intended for a general audience. On the other hand, discussion boards can be used more efficiently to communicate specific, explicit knowledge to a specialised audience. Our findings suggest that knowledge communication and retention rates can increase when the above two conversational technologies are combined with traditional face-to-face communication methods.

A simulation‐based apheresis platelet inventory management model

The primary goals of apheresis platelet (AP) inventory management are to meet demand and minimize waste. AP inventory management is complicated by unpredictable demand for a product with a shelf life of only a few days and by hospital requests for APs that match the ABO types of patients identically.

A Generic Simulation Model to Manage a Vaccination Program

The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a computer model can be used as a decision making tool regarding vaccination programs. These programs include vaccination against traditional influenza, avian influenza, H1N1 (swine flu), or other diseases. Specifically, the proposed simulation model is used to investigate the impact of herd immunity, to estimate the vaccination rate for which a given disease is placed into an endemic state, and to calculate the overall cost of a vaccination program from a societal perspective. In addition, the tool can help to define an optimal vaccination rate which will result in the minimum overall cost for a vaccination program. The paper demonstrates several advantages of simulation over other decision making methods. Simulation is used to “mimic” the behavior of the disease, test a range of alternative solutions for different scenarios, and to finely adjust the model and reflect possible vaccination scenarios.

Using online technology to enhance problem-solving skills: an experimental study

The explosive growth of the internet and information technology has redefined the concept of distance learning. Today, colleges and universities around the world are offering online courses and degrees in an attempt to reach more students, reduce the cost of education and increase the level of satisfaction for both the students and faculty. Yet, there is still considerable confusion and a lack of understanding among scholars and practitioners of how effective online education is, especially when it comes to providing the students with the necessary problem-solving skills. This study compares the degree of problem-solving skills attained by students when using these two different methods: online and face-to-face. The implications of some surprising findings and conclusions end the paper.

The effect of human pattern-recognition abilities in improving DSS performance

In this paper, the function of a data-centred decision-support system (DSS) is simulated to investigate whether the incorporation of human pattern-recognition abilities significantly improves the performance of a system. Two decision making scenarios are considered. In one scenario, there is no human interaction, whereas the other scenario uses the pattern-recognition capabilities of humans. The simulation is performed by mining 10,000 records in 980 replications. The DSS has the ability to take corrective actions with the purpose of keeping the incoming data records within a given set of upper and lower boundaries. The results indicate that incorporating pattern-recognition ability in a DSS significantly improves the systems performance. However, the impact of human input is not linear with respect to system performance. Our study shows that a moderate degree of human intervention will usually provide the greatest positive impact on the systems performance.