Iwona Łapuńka

Fuzzy logic-decision-making system dedicated to evaluation of logistics project effectiveness

Background: Project effectiveness is synonymous with project s uccess. It is measured or assessed in terms of the degree to which project objectives are chieved. This paper presents an approach to evalu ating the effectiveness of logistics projects. The starting p oint is the analysis of the current state of knowle dge in the area of assessing project effectiveness, including logistic s projects. The purpose of the study was to identif y the critical factors determining the success of logistics projects and d evelop a model of logistics project effectiveness. Methods: The paper is based on the available recent scientif ic-theoretical research and publications and on pra ctical studies in 25 enterprises seated in Poland. The stu dy carried out by the authors had the form of quest ionnaires. The authors used a case study to validate the model of fuzzy decision-making system dedicated to estimate the level of logistics project effectiveness. Results: Based on a literature review and research findings, the authors propose the key success factors for lo gistics project effectiveness. In the paper the authors pro pose an approach to measure the level of logistics project effectiveness using their model based on fuzzy logic. This model laid the foundations for a fuzzy decision-making sy stem in MATLAB environmental. The paper describes the implementati o of the model via a case study. Conclusions: This approach allows for a more detailed descripti on of logistics project effectiveness. The proposed mo el may be implemented by logisticians in an enterprise and/or supply chain. The approach can be useful to assess the level to which logistics project objectives are achieved logistics project effectiveness.

Transportation Services as Specific Logistics Projects for Oversized Cargo in Poland

Market observation demonstrates that the transportation-freight forwarding-logistics sector carries out diverse projects based on clients’ orders. The majority of those orders are unique and project related. Recently, the project approach to logistics has gained significance. Logistics project management is a relatively new area of knowledge about logistics and supply chains. The paper presents the essence and characteristics of transportation services as a specific logistics project. The authors characterize the transportation-freight forwarding-logistics sector, with particular focus on the sector of oversized cargo transportation. The demand for such services depends on the industry, energy, infrastructure development, investment projects in particular countries, as well as on economic policies. The paper identifies key factors that need to be taken under consideration when planning oversized cargo transportation services, i.e., specific characteristics, conditions, technology, tools, techniques, and methods, for example, a method of transportation service cost estimations. The proposed method uses fuzzy set theory. It can be implemented into the practice of transportation-freight forwarding-logistics enterprises, facilitating the modeling of uncertainties typical in such undertakings. A practical example of a transportation service is presented.

Knowledge Management in the Project Life Cycle - Initial Research on Polish Smes

Abstract Contemporary organizations run their activities in an environment, which might be defined as fully uncertain and turbulent. Due to variations that occur in the surrounding environment, an increased attention of management practitioners and theoreticians is paid to new management concepts frequently in an integrated version. The authors express a deep belief that consolidation of approaches to project management and knowledge management constitutes a response to challenge for modern organizations. Research into the issue was based on an attempt to determine significance of the knowledge management issue in a life of projects performed by Polish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Systemizing of desired knowledge management results in a project, from the point of view of its crucial success factors, is essentially substantiated in providing success of projects performed. Preliminary research included SMEs in construction engineering industry. The enterprises perform project- driven orders or apply a project approach in economic activities that they execute. Research conducted by the authors so far, implies, that the SME sector is characterized by a particularly low efficiency in project management. Hypothetic assumptions indicate that one of the main reasons of reaching an unsatisfactory level of project proficiency shaped mainly by processes of synchronizing and coordination of project activities, is an insufficient level of development of social, organization and technological systems and methods of capitalization, as well as transmission of useful project management knowledge. Essential function is performed by a group of selected respondents - 25 enterprises from the group of SMEs, including 5 micro enterprises, 12 small enterprises, and 8 medium-sized enterprises. Analyses performed so far, take into consideration the economic situation of SMEs in Poland.