Hussein Saber

This paper proposes a new hypothesis in relation to developing a technology transfer (TT) model. The international transfer of technology is modelled in competitive general dynamic framework in which we first build a simple model for technology growth, generalise it to TT and finally develop a specific dynamic model to incorporate certain function governing the transfer of technology. The new

This paper presents an efficient and reliable method called the partitioning gradient based (PGB) algorithm for solving nonlinear goal programming (NLGP) problems. The PGB algorithm uses the partitioning technique developed for linear GP problems and the generalized reduced gradient (GRG) method to solve nonlinear programming problems. The PGB algorithm is tested against the modified pattern search (MPS) method, currently available for solving NLGP problems. The results indicate that the PGB algorithm always outperforms the MPS method except for some small problems. In addition, the PGB method found the optimal solution for all test problems proving its robustness and reliability, while the MPS method failed in more than half of the test problems by converging to a nonoptimal point.

This paper is concerned with understanding supply c hain dynamics using a multi-echelon inventory and order based production control system. The mode l uses the control theoretic concepts of variables, flows and feedback processes and is implemented using the iThink software package. The impact of information sharing is measured for both the bullwhip effect an d inventory variances. Previous similar studies hav e focused on investigating the impact of information sharing on bullwhip effect. However, little research has be en carried out to explore the impact of information sharing fo r both bullwhip effect and inventory variances. Thr ough simulation experiments, information sharing has bee n found more helpful for reducing the inventory var iances in a multi-echelon supply chain. It has been shown that in a four tier supply chain information sharin g can reduce the demand amplification from 20:1 to 8:1 an d inventory variances from 300:1 to 120:1. Further, it has been observed that...

Inventory management and coordination among different echelons are some of the primary factors for the success of any supply chain. The classical economic order quantity (EOQ) model endeavours to achieve optimisation in the field of inventory management across supply chains. Most of the literature on supply chains ignores the role of quality, human factors and variability in lead-time-demand, while trying to improve its performance. The objective of this paper is to study the combined effect of defective items, inspection errors and stochastic lead time demand on the optimal cost of a two level (vendor-buyer) supply chain. A simple solution procedure along with a numerical example is presented to determine the optimal solution to this model. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to illustrate the significance of different parameters. Finally, a discussion on management insights is presented to complement the model and results.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the underlying dimensional structure of project management practices to identify key factors that underpin the successful completion of projects. Design/methodology/approach It employs exploratory factor analyses to investigate the interrelationships of the survey items synthesized from the literature by retaining and reorganizing the important information from the original data while redundant information is removed. Findings The nine theoretical constructs comprising 64 items were coalesced onto five latent constructs comprising 50 items while explaining 50.914 percent of the total variance. The extracted five constructs that describe the best project management practices have been labelled risk management, organizational culture, stakeholder approach, management approach, and project leadership. Practical implications The study results benefit both practitioners and the academic community as five broad categories of best project management practices are identified and their interdependencies are established. Project management professionals can use the latent factors as the critical factors for project success, whereas the research community can use the authors’ results to build higher order structural models and to test hypotheses by linking the latent variables with project performance measures. Originality/value The study contributes to the discourse on project management by identifying critical practices that contribute to the successful completion of projects.

Abstract Whilst information sharing is frequently cited as being the key to reducing supply chain cost, one may wonder if this claim holds true for sustainable supply chains. This paper addresses this gap in the literature by introducing information sharing in a two level sustainable supply chain model. Two dimensions of sustainable practices (environmental and social cost) have been quantified in the inventory model of this supply chain. An optimal shipment size and buyer's price are determined mathematically for the case of with- and without-sharing-information. It was observed that information sharing results in better annual profit with a drop in buyer's price. A sensitivity analysis of environmental costs to this enhancement in profit/price is carried out and some important managerial implications are outlined.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify attributes of knowledge management (KM) for large and small manufacturing companies in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to propose a process to evaluate the competitive priorities of these companies. Design/methodology/approach – This research is designed by composing multi criteria decision making of KM attributes in order to identify competitive priorities of large and small manufacturing companies to achieve better customer focus. To deal with this complexity of multi criteria decision-making process, Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method has been used in this research. Findings – Results show that large manufacturing companies are putting more emphasis on “Know-Why” knowledge attribute in all four competitive priorities for achieving customer focus. While, small size manufacturing companies put higher weight on “Know-What” knowledge attribute by focussing on two competitive priorities (flexibility and quality). Research lim...

This study attempts to empirically investigate the marketing practices of the small- and medium-sized hotels in the United Arab Emirates, which has not been extensively researched in the context of the accommodation sector in Arab region. Findings from the survey and semi-structured interviews with owners–operators of small- and medium-sized hotels revealed that, to remain competitive in the hotel businesses, small- and medium-sized hotels owners–operators undertaken various marketing practices in terms of positioning, product, price setting, and promotional strategies. The research reported in this paper seeks to make a contribution to the understanding of marketing strategies in small- and medium-sized hotels specifically and, more generally, to the area of small- and medium-sized enterprises or entrepreneurial marketing.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of market orientation that exists in the Islamic financial institutions. The study further aims at identifying the antecedents and consequences of such market orientation. Design/methodology/approach – Considering the explorative nature, the study uses qualitative research approach, collecting data in words using in-depth interview technique, drawing sample from Islamic financial institutions of both Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates. Data were coded and categorized using inductive reasoning method and similar responses were identified from a prepared data matrix. The results were presented in a narrative way using simple frequency for the agreements and disagreements of respondents considering “street language” without being mediating the meaning of the responses. Findings – A different nature of market orientation called Islamic market orientation has been identified by the results of the study. The study identifies fi...

This paper quantifies the impact of different causes of the bullwhip effect in a model of a multi-echelon supply chain with batching and information sharing. System dynamics simulation, using iThink software, has been initially used to explore the impact of various batch sizes on the bullwhip effect. It has been observed that the relationship between batch size and demand amplification

We address here the problem of assigning undergraduate students to academic major areas at a Middle-Eastern business school, which is quite different from what one usually faces in the West. Our formulation considers the student's preference in the light of his/her performance in certain bellwether courses and various practical constraints in arriving at an initial solution. We present a linear

PurposeTo develop a methodology for faculty salary adjustment through market adjustment based on market demand for business PhDs and merit adjustment based on faculty members' performance levels in the areas of teaching, research and service.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is composed of two models: one for market adjustment and the other for merit adjustment. The market adjustment is handled through goal programming and the merit adjustment through data envelopment analysis (DEA).FindingsThe approach when applied to a sample of faculty salaries shows that the adjusted salary of each faculty member is higher than his/her current actual salary, and each faculty member in the particular discipline deserves a salary increase that reflects market demand and merit factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe DEA model used in this research does not impose restrictions on the weights. Realistically, one may impose bounds on the weights and exclude unreasonable solutions fro...

We describe an exercise in trying to adjust faculty salaries at a national university in the Arabian Gulf region in order to attract and retain quality faculty. The problem is strongly constrained by policy and budget considerations and leads to two loosely related sub-problems: market adjustment and merit adjustment, which are to be achieved by means of specially sanctioned funds and available discretionary funds, respectively. We propose a methodology that addresses the former through goal programming and the latter through data envelopment analysis. We illustrate, with a small set of real data, how this approach works.