Muhammad Kashif Javed

Risk-Oriented Assessment Model for Project Bidding Selection in Construction Industry of Pakistan Based on Fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS Methods

Risk management for the selection of complex multiple projects during the bidding process is one of the most significant problem in construction industries all over the world. This article develops an evaluation model based on fuzzy set theory, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods. The criteria weight is achieved by adopting Fuzzy set theory and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Then, with the minimized risk as the objective, the technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is applied to determine the final ranking level of the bidding projects according to their closeness coefficient. Finally, a real world application of National Construction Limited (NCL), a largest government oriented company of Pakistan, is conducted to demonstrate the utilization of the proposed model. The results indicate that the proposed model is feasible for risk assessment of project bidding selection in construction industry.

Factors Which Affect the Sustainable Production of Cotton in Pakistan: A Detailed Case Study from Bahawalpur District

Pakistan is one of the most important cotton producing and consuming country in the World. The present study purpose is to explore the important factors affecting cotton production in Pakistan. A sample of cotton growing respondents was randomly selected from different villages of Punjab province. Some production function was employed to assess the effects of education, land fertilization, weather, land preparation, seed, irrigation, etc. On the productivity of cotton. Education, plant protection measures, fertilizer and land preparation were contributing towards higher cotton yield on the sampled respondents farms. So, there is a great need to educate the farmers on priority basis for adopting recommended practices. The extension staff can play a highly positive role in this regard. At the end, a detailed discussion is proposed to show the efficiency of the proposed model.

A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Group Decision Making Model for Measuring Risks in a Supply Chain Using Extended VIKOR Method

In this paper, we quantify risks in a supply chain process from an aviation’s perspective. Due to globalization, supply chains are getting more and more risky than before. As risk is inherent and uncertain activity, if it occurs then all of the supply chain partners will be impacted with a significant loss. To deal with this problem, a comprehensive risk evaluation index system has been proposed, which captures the level of risk faced by a supply chain in a given situation. For measuring risks in a supply chain we formulated a fuzzy multi-criteria group decision making model based on extended VIKOR method to determine the best feasible solution according to the selected risk parameters. A practical case study is conducted to test the applicability of the proposed methodology. Finally, we discuss the effectiveness of the proposed framework and rank the risk alternatives in descending order.

Multiple Criteria Group Decision Making Problem Based on VIKOR Method Under Hesitant Fuzzy Environment

All multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods are depends on an aggregation representing by closeness to the ideal which is generated by compromise methods. The VIKOR method of compromise ranking determines a compromise solution. It is an effective tool in multiple criteria decision making, especially in a situation where the decision makers are not able to express his or her preference. And the hesitant fuzzy set is also very useful tool to deal with uncertainty and hesitancy. It can be described in terms of the opinions of decision makers. In this paper we develop the traditional VIKOR method to solve the multiple criteria group decision making problem under hesitant fuzzy environment. Firstly, hesitant fuzzy set information and corresponding concepts are described, and the traditional VIKOR method is introduced. Then the problem of group decision making is described and also proposed the steps of extended VIKOR method. A numerical example of energy project selection is proposed as an application of VIKOR. In the end conclusion and discussions are made.

Role of Web in an Online Setting: Consumers Perceived Risk Toward Online Purchase Intention

Consumer trust plays an important role in any type of business deal specifically in an online setting. Though, there are hypothetical reasons to assume that the perceived risk acts as a fence to consumer trust. Likewise, existing literature suggest that consumers trust is a significant predictor of purchase intention. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the role of consumer trust in an online setting in the relationships among components of perceived risk (such as performance risk, online payment, and delivery risk) and purchase intention. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the hypothetical relationship in this context. While probing the total effect, the findings shown that performance, online payment, and delivery risks have a significant negative effect on purchase intention. This research also accomplishes that efforts, made by an online store, to diminish certain types of risk will first increase consumer trust, and then finally, increases consumers intention to purchase online. The managerial implications of the outcomes are also discussed.

The Impact of Consumer Perceived Ethical Value on Trust and Brand Loyalty: Personality as Moderation Variable

The purpose of this study is to examine the significance of perceived ethical value on trust and brand loyalty as well as to examine personality as moderation variable between perceived ethical value and trust on brand loyalty. A theoretical framework with hypothesized relationships is developed and tested in order to answer the research question. To test the research models, Cho-test sub-group moderation variable is use. Hypotheses which were suggested within the framework of the research model were tested with structural equation modeling. In this regard, data were collected for the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG). The results showed that perceived ethical value have positive impact on trust, perceived ethical value and trust have positive impact on brand loyalty. Personality is not moderated the relationship between perceived ethical value and trust to brand loyalty.

Research on Factors Influencing the Sugarcane Production in Pakistan: A Case Study of Punjab

Sugarcane is the one of the most important cash crop and industry of Pakistan and it is an important sugarcane producing countries in the world but, the Punjab province of Pakistan has highest share in sugarcane production. Like growers of other crops, sugarcane growers of the Punjab province are also facing economic, technical and social problems, but high rate of inputs are the primary problems of sugarcane growers. The efficacy checked by using Cobb-Douglas production function, Marginal value of product and allocated efficacy are calculated. The results show that the coefficient of multiple determination indicated that 93 % variation in the cost of inputs is explained by all variables and the regression model is well fitted. For this purpose, Data were collected during the period 2009–2010. Data were collected from 400 sugarcane growers from 5 districts of Punjab province. The purpose of this study is to explore and mechanisms for a progression to sustainable development of agriculture sector in Pakistan.

Supplier Evaluation and Selection Using Restricting Weights Method in Fuzzy Environment

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a method for supplier selection. Weight restrictions allow for the integration of managerial preferences in terms of relative importance levels of various inputs and outputs. In some situations there are some factors which play both input and output roles as well. The purpose of this research is to propose a method for selecting the best suppliers in the presence of weight restrictions and dual-role factors. This study shows the supplier selection process through a DEA model, while allowing for the incorporation of decision makers preferences and considers multiple factors which simultaneously play both input and output roles. The proposed model does not demand exact weights from the decision maker. This study presents a robust model to solve the multiple-criteria problem. A numerical example certifies the application of the proposed method.