Sustainability Modeling In Engineering: A Multi-criteria Perspective


Book Description

Given the increasing need to optimize resources sustainably, decision-makers face challenges in analyzing and considering the numerous factors involved. This book makes an effort to present and concentrate on the challenges in decision-making processes for green and sustainable engineering. Through a collection of case studies such as evaluation of waste assessment and drainage system, sustainable building assessment, renewable energy selection, materials and manufacturing process optimization, and crop pattern influence in environmental and economic conditions, readers can learn how to apply cutting-edge Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods in addressing complexities involved in the decision-making process.




Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes


Book Description

The success of any activity and process depends fundamentally on the possibility of balancing (symmetry) needs and their satisfaction. That is, the ability to properly define a set of success indicators. The application of the developed new multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods can be eliminated or decreased by decision-makers’ subjectivity, which leads to consistency or symmetry in the weight values of the criteria. In this Special Issue, 40 research papers and one review study co-authored by 137 researchers from 23 different countries explore aspects of multi-criteria modeling and optimization in crisp or uncertain environments. The papers propose new approaches and elaborate case studies in the following areas of application: MCDM optimization in sustainable engineering, environmental sustainability in engineering processes, sustainable multi-criteria production and logistics processes planning, integrated approaches for modeling processes in engineering, new trends in the multi-criteria evaluation of sustainable processes, and multi-criteria decision-making in strategic management based on sustainable criteria.




Application of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis in Environmental and Civil Engineering


Book Description

The use of a multi-criteria, decision-making theory was first studied in the 1970s. Its application in civil and environmental engineering is a new approach which can be enormously helpful for manufacturing companies, students, managers, engineers, etc. The purpose of this book is to provide a resource for students and researchers that includes current application of a multi-criteria, decision-making theory in various fields such as: environment, healthcare and engineering. In addition, practical application are shown for students manually. In real life problems there are many critical parameters (criteria) that can directly or indirectly affect the consequences of different decisions. Application of a multi-criteria, decision-making theory is basically the use of computational methods that incorporate several criteria and order of preference in evaluating and selecting the best option among many alternatives based on the desired outcome.




Soft Computing Approach for Mathematical Modeling of Engineering Problems


Book Description

This book describes different mathematical modeling and soft computing techniques used to solve practical engineering problems. It gives an overview of the current state of soft computing techniques and describes the advantages and disadvantages of soft computing compared to traditional hard computing techniques. Through examples and case studies, the editors demonstrate and describe how problems with inherent uncertainty can be addressed and eventually solved through the aid of numerical models and methods. The chapters address several applications and examples in bioengineering science, drug delivery, solving inventory issues, Industry 4.0, augmented reality and weather forecasting. Other examples include solving fuzzy-shortest-path problems by introducing a new distance and ranking functions. Because, in practice, problems arise with uncertain data and most of them cannot be solved exactly and easily, the main objective is to develop models that deliver solutions with the aid of numerical methods. This is the reason behind investigating soft numerical computing in dynamic systems. Having this in mind, the authors and editors have considered error of approximation and have discussed several common types of errors and their propagations. Moreover, they have explained the numerical methods, along with convergence and consistence properties and characteristics, as the main objectives behind this book involve considering, discussing and proving related theorems within the setting of soft computing. This book examines dynamic models, and how time is fundamental to the structure of the model and data as well as the understanding of how a process unfolds • Discusses mathematical modeling with soft computing and the implementations of uncertain mathematical models • Examines how uncertain dynamic systems models include uncertain state, uncertain state space and uncertain state’s transition functions • Assists readers to become familiar with many soft numerical methods to simulate the solution function’s behavior This book is intended for system specialists who are interested in dynamic systems that operate at different time scales. The book can be used by engineering students, researchers and professionals in control and finite element fields as well as all engineering, applied mathematics, economics and computer science interested in dynamic and uncertain systems. Ali Ahmadian is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of IR 4.0, The National University of Malaysia. Soheil Salahshour is an associate professor at Bahcesehir University.




Multi-Criteria Decision Modelling


Book Description

This book examines Multi-Criteria Decision Modelling (MCDM) methodologies and facilitates diverse ways for strategic decision-making in a variety of practical applications. This book also provides a pragmatic foundation for solving real-life problems in different scenarios of emerging global markets. Multi-Criteria Decision Modelling: Applicational Techniques and Case Studies depicts the use of sensitivity analysis and modelling and includes case studies to understand and illustrate challenging concepts. It also offers step-by-step comprehensive methodologies for the utilization of MCDM to a variety of situations. The book deliberates ways for companies to use these methods to their advantage in order to achieve sustainability. Furthermore, it also presents an overview of the major streams of thought and provides a holistic view of the latest research and development trends in modelling and optimization. FEATURES Offers a stepwise comprehensive methodology for the application of MCDM to a variety of situations Presents an overview of the major streams of thought present in the MCDM technique Provides a holistic view of the latest research and development trends in the emerging markets in terms of modelling and optimization using MCDM for different industrial sectors Illuminates a practical foundation in order to provide a guide to address the problems of emerging markets Enlightens the ways for companies to use these methods to their advantage to be able to achieve sustainability This book is a guide for those performing decision analysis for academic purposes as well as for researchers aspiring to expand their knowledge on MCDM problem solving.




Sustainable Design and Manufacturing 2016


Book Description

This volumes consists of 59 peer-reviewed papers, presented at the International Conference on Sustainable Design and Manufacturing (SDM-16) held in Chania, Crete Greece in April 2016. Leading-edge research into sustainable design and manufacturing aims to enable the manufacturing industry to grow by adopting more advanced technologies, and at the same time improve its sustainability by reducing its environmental impact. SDM-16 covers a wide range of topics from sustainable product design and service innovation, sustainable process and technology for the manufacturing of sustainable products, sustainable manufacturing systems and enterprises, decision support for sustainability, and the study of societal impact of sustainability including research for circular economy. Application areas are wide and varied. The book will provide an excellent overview of the latest research and development in the area of Sustainable Design and Manufacturing.




Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques


Book Description

Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques introduces the reader to the basic principles of multicriteria analysis (MCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques. The use of these tools is rapidly becoming essential in any feasibility study for comparing different solutions, selecting the most suitable ones, and for analyzing the interface of economy and environment. The main feature of Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques is the application of a new approach to the analysis of energy balance and environmental impact of agro-industrial production chains. It gives detailed descriptions of a number of food and non-food agro-industrial applications of MCA and LCA, thereby providing the reader with practical examples of the implementation of these tools in the field of agro-industry. Multicriteria Analysis and LCA Techniques represents a subsidiary reference book for both undergraduate and graduate students, and can also be used for basic or applied academic research.




Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Business


Book Description

This volume brings together contributions from women business scholars from a range of disciplines and countries. The starting point was a collaborative research meeting organised by Daughters of Themis: International Network of Female Business Scholars in June 2017. The volume highlights the difficulties and the possibilities that lie in working together across disciplines with the aim of achieving corporate sustainability. The volume is written from the perspective of women business scholars, thereby offering outside viewpoints in fields that still are very much dominated by men, and fresh insights and innovate ideas. In three main parts, the authors address the need for interdisciplinarity in research to identify ways to ensure the contribution of business to sustainability, showcasing a number of theoretical and applied approaches for researching sustainable business. The volume ‘s introductory chapter situates the volume in discourses of sustainability and corporate sustainability. It presents the Daughters of Themis Network and provides a short description of the successive eleven chapters. In Part I, Reflections, contributors discuss the significance of interdisciplinary research, how to work across disciplines, as well as the challenges of doing so. In Part II, Theory, contributors discuss theoretical and methodological aspects of interdisciplinary research. Part III presents the Practice of interdisciplinary research. In the introductory chapter, the editors reflect on the insights that can be drawn out of the contributions, and discuss the potential for future developments of interdisciplinary research for sustainability, as well as how interdisciplinary research can be communicated. The book is intended for business scholars, and will particularly appeal to those working in law, accountancy and finance, management, and organization studies.




Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis


Book Description

Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) includes methods and tools for modeling and solving complex problems. MCDM has become popular in the production and service sectors to improve the quality of service, reduce costs, and make people more prosperous. This book illustrates applications through case studies focused on disaster management. With a presentation of both Multi-Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) and Multi-Objective Decision-Making (MODM) models, this is the first book to merge these methods and tools with disaster management. This book raises awareness for society and decision-makers on how to measure readiness and what necessary preventive measures need to be taken. It offers models and case studies that can be easily adapted to solve complex problems and find solutions in other fields. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: Case Studies in Disaster Management will offer new insights to researchers working in the areas of industrial engineering, systems engineering, healthcare systems, operations research, mathematics, business, computer science, and disaster management, and, hopefully, the book will also stimulate further work in MCDM.




Sustainability Assessment


Book Description

Currently the writing on the subject is limited and comprises, for the most part, guidance documents and completed assessments.