Chih-Ming Liu

A Performance Evaluation Model Based on AHP and DEA

This research uses the concept of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and fuzzy set theory to modify the CCR model of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to develop a more effective performance evaluation method which can be used to evaluate the performance of a smaller number of business units, which is usually prohibited in the traditional DEA method. The proposed method maintains all the important features of the original DEA method like the objectivity by using data to analyze an evaluation problem and the ability to suggest the improvement directions for each business unit under evaluation. In order to prove the applicability of the proposed method, a case study for the selection of suppliers for the key component of a LCD manufacturing company is given. The result shows that it can be used to choose among a small number of suppliers in a very efficient way and also can provide improvement suggestions for each supplier.

An object-oriented analysis and design method for shop floor control systems

An object-oriented analysis and design method is proposed here for the modelling of shop floor control systems. The major idea is to convert the static structure and the dynamic behaviour of a controlled system into the functional specification of a controlling system by using some modelling techniques. Then the shop floor control logic is translated into the language of the G2 expert system. In this way, it is easier to achieve the computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) at the shop floor level. The proposed method is different from the procedure-oriented method, which is based on the functional decomposition of a system, and has the potential to be applied to more complex systems. During the modelling process, its modularity and reusability can dramatically reduce the complexity in system analysis and provides more flexibility for system development. The design of the shop floor control system of a mould-filling shop is used to illustrate the proposed method.

Design and implementation of time-delay switch triggered by inertia load

This study extends the concept of capillary valve to realize a micro time-delay switch for safety and arming application. The presented device consists of working fluid (Glycerol), micro capillary valve with required time-delay mechanism design, and sensing electrodes. Thus, the delay time could be easily changed by (1) varying the geometry design of valve angle β and the neck-width w, and (2) selecting the working fluid. The design could also be easily changed for applications of different inertia force. Simulation shows the time-delay of m-second to few seconds can be easily achieved and adjusted by the presented design. This study has successfully fabricated the proposed time-delay switch. Measurements show the switch with Glycerol working fluid have 4.1 to 10.9 seconds delay time by varying the design parameters from β = 30° and w = 1000 μm to β = 60° and w = 500 μm.

CONSTRUCTING WEB-BASED HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

ABSTRACT With the development of information technology, the decision makers have to deal with massive information and obtain the useful information in time for supporting their decisions and maintaining the competitive advantages of their organizations. Therefore, developing Executive Information System (EIS) has become an important issue for both research and practical needs. However, few studies have been done to apply EIS in the hospital management. This study proposes a framework for constructing a Hospital Executive Information System (HEIS) based on the methodologies including system engineering, EIS, decision analysis, and key performance indexes. Furthermore, using a hospital as an empirical study, we construct a web-based HEIS with three functional modules including: i) an information preparation and visualization module; ii) an information retrieval and decision support module; and iii) a knowledge management module. The results of the empirical study show that HEIS can help managers to grasp important information before making decisions and thus improve the quality of their decisions.

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF AN INTEGRATED BUSINESS PROCESS REENGINEERING METHODOLOGY—AN EXAMPLE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ERP SYSTEM

ABSTRACT Since business process is the core of all the business activities, this research developed a methodology for business process reengineering from an integrated viewpoint, and a case study was also conducted to investigate the reengineering of a company through the introduction of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The emphases of this research are: (1) the construction and application of the business knowledge database; (2) the establishment of the conceptual model, the evaluation model and the process model; (3) the analysis of the content of ERP and its modules; (4) the development of the procedure for the introduction of a business process reengineering project and its risk management. The purpose is to provide a useful tool to assist managers in analyzing the current business situation and in planning the future business model, and to maintain a competitive status through the introduction of information technology and the conduction of business process reengineering to fulfill the business goals.

ALIGNING THE BUSINESS ROADMAP TO TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP FOR MANAGING THE NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The new product development (NPD) project has been considered a challenging task in management practice. In project planning, the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is one of the fundamental tools, but the terms ”product” and ”activity” are frequently confused and results in inefficiency in the support of project management tasks. By clarifying the nature of project planning and execution, an integrated method for WBS planning has been developed in this research. It includes the product-oriented WBS (P-WBS), the activity-oriented WBS (A-WBS), and the contract-out WBS (C-WBS). The technology roadmap is used to transform the P-WBS into the A-WBS. Using the proposed integrated WBS planning model as the basis, a Project Management Strategic Alignment Model (PMSAM) has been constructed to align strategic management to project management. Finally, the successful application of this methodology to develop a project for the re-host of a full scope training simulator of a nuclear power plant in Taiwan is illustrated.

THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ACTIVITY-BASED COSTING

ABSTRACT This research is based on the Activity-based Costing (ABC) methodology and the object-oriented technology to analyze, design, and implement cost objects, such as resource, activity, and database, in the manufacturing systems for the construction of a rudiment of a cost database. Then, a Decision Support System (DSS) based on the object-orient database is built to computerize the calculating procedure of ABC and to show the manufacturing cost structure of different products. The DSS can be divided into various cost management modules to assist decision making of different manufacturing alternatives. The Value Engineering module is built into the DSS to illustrate the comparison of alternative system operation policies for the continuous improvement of the manufacturing system. The application of the DSS to a semi-conductor test plant is used to demonstrate its capability.