Bor-Wen Cheng

Prediction model building with clustering-launched classification and support vector machines in credit scoring

Recently, credit scoring has become a very important task as credit cards are now widely used by customers. A method that can accurately predict credit scoring is greatly needed and good prediction techniques can help to predict credit more accurately. One powerful classifier, the support vector machine (SVM), was successfully applied to a wide range of domains. In recent years, researchers have applied the SVM-based in the prediction of credit scoring, and the results have been shown it to be effective. In this study, two real world credit datasets in the University of California Irvine Machine Learning Repository were selected. SVM and a new classifier, clustering-launched classification (CLC), were employed to predict the accuracy of credit scoring. The advantages of using CLC are that it can classify data efficiently and only need one parameter needs to be decided. In substance, the results show that CLC is better than SVM. Therefore, CLC is an effective tool to predict credit scoring.

A STUDY ON FLOWSHOP SCHEDULING PROBLEM COMBINING TAGUCHI EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND GENETIC ALGORITHM

Abstract As genetic algorithm parameters vary depending on different problem types when applying genetic algorithm to reach global optimum, appropriate design value selection has significant impact on the efficiency of genetic algorithm. However, most users adjust parameters manually based on the reference values of previous literature. Such trial-and-error method is time-consuming, ineffective, and often it could not locate the optimal combination. Therefore, in flowshop scheduling problems, this research anticipates to complete optimal parameter combination design in genetic algorithm using Taguchi experimental design. According to the research results, different ways of producing initial solution have significant influence on this research topic. Consequently, confirmation experiment is conducted using the optimal parameter combination obtained from the research results. It is found that the predicted value of signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) and its actual value exists deviation of 0.238%, indicating repetitiveness and robustness of the obtained parameter combination. Hence, this research method can effectively reduce time spent on parameter design using genetic algorithm and increase efficiency of algorithm.

Using case-based reasoning to establish a continuing care information system of discharge planning

As family structure changes, population is aging and disease styles tend to be chronic, long-term care in Taiwan becomes problematic, needs to be addressed, and requires immediate solution. Presently, many medical care institutions in the country have assisted patients in discharge planning; however, the lack of a standard evaluation procedure in the process of discharge planning is disturbing for each hospital. Without it, there might be huge differences in the evaluation results. Moreover, the lack of support and the uncertainty of case eligibility standard in these institutions further affect the performance of continuing care services. This research adopted Case-Based Reasoning to establish a continuing care information system of discharge planning. With previously evaluated information of past cases, the similarity index is compared among new cases. In coordinate with Analytic Hierarchy Process, index weight is calculated to reason an old case that is most closely related to the condition of the new case. This information system can assist discharge-planning staff in accurately formulating a plan of action based on previous case-assessment experience and in obtaining valuable information that helps make decision. Through the implementation of the system, accumulation on knowledge and experience of continuing care models will help staff evaluate process of discharge planning to achieve a reasonable, standardized, and simplified procedure as a whole. This research will transform the evaluating experience of discharge-planning professionals into an assessment method with the application of computer reasoning to make the evaluation process of discharge planning convenient as well as to save more time for discharge-planning professionals to further understand the actual conditions of each case. On the other hand, this information system will provide discharge-planning staff with a set of recommendations as references for making individual discharge plan. It is expected through this research that each hospital be provided with a blue print of improvement in case evaluation process and management.

Effects of using a portable navigation system and paper map in real driving

Navigation systems are very useful tools because they display a users location and guide them to a destination using graphics, text and voice information. Recent work has revealed that millions of consumers received driving directions using their cell phone or PDA. This present work aimed to explore whether the efficiency to destination and driver behavior were distinguishable when using a portable navigation system compared to a paper map. Thirty-two subjects were paid to participate in this research, with field experiments being carried out in both urban and rural environments. A smart phone was adopted as the portable navigation system in the study. The results revealed that the drivers performed better when using a portable navigation system compared to those using a paper map, in terms of efficiency to destination and driving performance. In addition, drivers could save time and gasoline using a portable navigation system when in an unfamiliar region, and driving performance may be safer, despite the fact that the display screen of the phone is small.

Two-dimensional Quality Function Deployment: An Application for Deciding Quality Strategy Using Fuzzy Logic

Abstract A traditional Quality Function Deployment (QFD) has two shortcomings that are seldom considered. First, the relation in a traditional QFD matrix is frequently regarded only as a positive one. Therefore, the negative effect, which may be hidden in the blank cell (the category of ‘No relation’) of the QFD matrix, is neglected when computing the absolute importance of some design parameters, thus undermining the precision. Second, how to decide quality strategy, in view of limited resources, is not considered. The proposed method, called two-dimensional quality function deployment (2D-QFD), is developed from the ideas of Kanos model and fuzzy logic. The relation in the QFD matrix is distinguished through a questionnaire that consists of a pair of positive and negative questions. Furthermore, the qualitative relation, according to Kanos two-dimensional quality classification, in the QFD matrix is quantified by fuzzy logic. The negative relation in the QFD matrix may be derived when the membership function of fuzzy set ‘R (reverse attribute defined in Kanos model)’ is located in the negative score range. Under the consideration of limited resources, 2D-QFD is employed to decide quality strategy as basic type, competitive type or attractive type, by adjusting the membership functions of fuzzy sets in the output variable. This study finds that 2D-QFD is more precise and flexible than a traditional QFD.

Applying the ISO 9001 process approach and service blueprint to hospital management systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to integrate the ISO 9001:2008 and blueprints by using a process approach, to have systematic regulation in hospital quality management.Design/methodology/approach – This study promotes a process approach when developing, implementing, and improving the effectiveness of hospital service quality to enhance patients’ satisfaction by meeting their requirements. This study completes the hospital’s blueprints with the process approach by using case study research methods such as in‐depth interviews with relevant personnel, on‐site observations, and experts’ advice.Findings – The results of hospital blueprints described in this study comprise five‐plane lines to have systematic regulations. The ISO 9001:2008 process approach and service blueprint are not merely a technological application for medical healthcare services, but rather a fully patient‐driven, technologically integrated, and diligently implemented programme.Practical limitations – Because of organisational fina...

Applying cluster analysis to build a patient-centric healthcare service strategy for elderly patients

Cluster analysis can be viewed as a cornerstone for customer-centred services since it contributes to classification and segmentation of customers. The proposed six-step approach is based on a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) perspective and hence enables both patient segmentation by cluster analysis and development of customised services. The six steps are selection, preprocessing, transformation, data mining, evaluation and integration. Therefore, the proposed approach is a procedure to support knowledge management for strategic decision making. In the empirical study, we show how to deploy the proposed approach to build a customised service strategy for elderly patients. This procedure can also be applied to other data sets.

Field Comparison of Driving Performance Using a Portable Navigation System

Recent work has revealed that increasing numbers of drivers now receive driving instructions using a portable navigation system. A 2 × 2 × 2 (position x display decrease mode x voice) factorial experiment was executed to compare driving performance when using a portable navigation system (PNS). Thirty-two subjects were paid to participate in this field study, and a smart phone was adopted as the portable navigation device. The results indicated that drivers using the PNS under the conditions up positiou and with voice instruction performed better in terms of trip duration, mean speed, and the standard deviation of speed.

Implementation Methodology of Evidence-Based Medicine based on technological diffusion approach: a case of system establishment within the hospital industry

The potential of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) is to support medical research, improve medical quality and promote competitive advantage in the hospital industry. Due to a growing body of medical knowledge, the implementation of EBM is mainly focused on the implementation of knowledge management systems. Thus, a technological diffusion approach is a promising solution to implementation of EBM systems. The proposed implementation framework consists of the following six stages: initiation, adoption, adaptation, acceptance, routinisation and infusion. In this empirical study, we share our experience in assisting a district teaching hospital in central Taiwan to implement an EBM system based on the proposed framework.

A case study in solving customer complaints based on the 8Ds method and Kano model

Service economics is growing in importance, and satisfying customers is a major objective of enterprises. Product or service quality involves knowing what the customers’ needs are and how to fulfill those needs to meet their expectations and requirements, especially when customer complaints appear. In this study, the Kano model is used to distinguish various product and service satisfaction or dissatisfaction types, based on customers’ opinions. The 8 disciplines (8Ds) problem-solving method is a corrective action procedure used to identify and correct causes of non-conformance and is adopted in this article when the customer complains about a product or service. A case study in this article is based on the 8Ds method and Kano model, which provides a structured and flexible framework for a customer-oriented management system to drive the improvement of business performance. By way of different histogram comparisons, a paired t test, and Cpk estimations, a control model is established to identify what the quality level is. After completing the corrective actions and excluding the variation of sheet metal hardness factor, the defect rate decreased from 28% to 0.5%, and this improvement resulted in gains of at least 22 million New Taiwan dollars.