Projects / Programmes
Decision Support Systems in Global Electronic Commerce
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.04.00 |
Social sciences |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
|
| 2.06.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Systems and cybernetics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S189 |
Social sciences |
Organizational science |
organizational systems, electronic business, multicriteria decision-making, group decision-making, modelling, simulation, management, information society, information technology, internet, competitiveness
Researchers (13)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
20764 |
PhD Uroš Breskvar |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Researcher |
2004 - 2005 |
0 |
| 2. |
02818 |
PhD Jože Gričar |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Researcher |
2004 - 2008 |
0 |
| 3. |
01851 |
PhD Miroljub Kljajić |
Systems and cybernetics |
Head |
2004 - 2008 |
0 |
| 4. |
22598 |
PhD Mirjana Kljajić Borštnar |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Researcher |
2004 - 2008 |
0 |
| 5. |
28418 |
MSc Andrej Knaflič |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Junior researcher |
2007 - 2008 |
0 |
| 6. |
23452 |
PhD Davorin Kofjač |
Computer science and informatics |
Researcher |
2004 - 2008 |
0 |
| 7. |
07112 |
PhD Robert Leskovar |
Computer science and informatics |
Researcher |
2005 - 2008 |
0 |
| 8. |
14558 |
PhD Mićo Mrkaić |
Economics |
Researcher |
2004 - 2005 |
0 |
| 9. |
29570 |
Mitja Obed |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Junior researcher |
2008 |
0 |
| 10. |
01074 |
PhD Vladislav Rajkovič |
Computer science and informatics |
Researcher |
2004 - 2008 |
2 |
| 11. |
20934 |
PhD Blaž Rodič |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Researcher |
2004 - 2006 |
0 |
| 12. |
15694 |
PhD Andrej Škraba |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Researcher |
2005 - 2008 |
0 |
| 13. |
20007 |
PhD Olga Šušteršič |
Public health (occupational safety) |
Researcher |
2004 - 2008 |
0 |
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The goal of the programme presented is to continue the development of a complete simulation system intended to support business decision-making and methodological research in the field of the business policy strategy of companies in which the conditions of global electronic commerce exist. This project is vital in the definition of the strategy of a business organizational system's behaviour. In the process of research we shall study the optimization of the supply chain in various structures and the modelling of SME network propagation. To this purpose, modern methods of evolutionary computing production scheduling algorithms and visual interactive modelling shall be used. Furthermore, software agents shall be developed to aid hybrid simulation and provide better control of complex modules. Focus will be given particularly to multi-party simulation-based business games.
Electronic business is a modern business methodology that aims to reduce organizational expenses while improving the quality of products and services by utilizing information technology. Electronic business enables us to reorganize the decision-making process and communications within the system and the environment. New business models are appearing, of both local and global scales. For these reasons, the decision-making methodology in companies must be efficient.
Our concept of a decision-making system is composed of three modules: the process representation module, the scenario design / formulation module and the simulation result analysis module.
The business process module, which is designed according to the principles of system dynamics, will be augmented with a production process model, designed according to the principles of event-based simulation. The fundamental idea of the integrated model is the complete grouping of production, financial, logistical, marketing and information flows. The model will be built according to the methodology of visual interactive modelling (VIM), which offers insight into the dynamic interaction among the model subsystems. It also allows managers to analyse the consequences of various business scenarios simulated in an unstable business environment.
We will study the procedure of the determination of important parameters in the preparation of business policy scenarios in the connection with selected criteria and goals according to the group decision making method and the analytical process hierarchy method (AHP).
The project is designed as a conflict resolution task, where we seek a suitable decision for a defined set of inputs, to satisfy the given criteria and preferences and then reach a set of goals. The simulation scenarios are divided into two subsets: the input subset, which anticipates the influence of the environment (exogenous scenarios) and the subset of management selections of alternatives (endogenous scenarios).
The evaluation criteria and business goals were determined with the help of a group decision support system methodology. GSS systems enable the participants to creatively, independently and anonymously evaluate the importance of decision variables. In this way the participants actively take part in the shaping of the business model and business policy. During the entire process the participants are able to participate in the creation of the business policy, the definition of business success criteria and their selection. The proposed concept includes soft and hard methodologies in the creation and selection of scenarios. The software solution will be supported with artificial intelligence methods: an expert system and automated learning procedures. The criteria will be presented along with main business success indicators.
Significance for science
The goal of the project in was focused on the development of the decision support systems in the global electronic business market. Important research activities were the following: 1.) In the field of the optimization of the supply chain the group has developed, with the collaboration of the industrial partner, ordering algorithms, which minimize multicriteria cost function at the determination of several limitations. Optimization process of ordering has been performed by the simulation methods and application of fuzzy logic. By the application of system dynamics the adaptive stochastic model of inventory control was developed, supported by the larger set of control algorithms. Fuzzy classificator was applied at the decision process of determination of best algorithm. Results of the research are transferred to practice. 2.) In the field of the development of group decision support systems the influence of group feedback information and the form of mediation to the participants on the learning was studied. Networked group simulation model was applied at mentioned task. Dynamical model of group learning was developed, which explains learning at different decision conditions. The results in this area benefit the development of more effective group decision support systems. 3.) By optimizing resource scheduling, the resource scheduling problem definition language was developed that enables definition of different scheduling problems regarding formal wholeness and usefulness of such a language. The developed methodology was applied in the field of production planning and human resource scheduling, thus being validated in real systems. Regarding implementation, adequate language elements for resource scheduling problem description in the form of Java classes were developed. 4.) The e-business model structure research for partner companies has been conducted in the area of e-invoicing. 5.) Further development of health information system and implementation of solutions in the framework of the project »Organizational and informational solution of health care documentation« contributes to interdisciplinary interconnection and methodological concepts interchange, especially in the field of decision support systems. 6) The system for self-searching of the probability of operator use and parameters for genetic algorithms was developed. 7) Support of distributed simulation with mobile agents and XML. 8) Development of the models for warranty claims prediction: Kaplan-Meier, MLE and an original method of hybrid control by the principle of 3D regression function. The development of solution by net implementation. 9) Collaboration with the project »The Development of a dynamic model of human resources transition between different ranks in Armed Forces«. This means development of a decision support system, based on methods of simulation and numeri optimization. The results will be of general use in the field of business systems. Most of the developed solutions enable a web implementation, that is, agent based simulations which are a basis for distributed group decision making. 10.) Widespread dissemination of scientific breakthroughs was made during Bled eConferences about e-commerce [http://www.bledconference.org/] with significant international participation. During the project, the group has published more than 50 papers, 7 of them within JCR. We have received 4 international “best paper awards” at international conferences. In recognition of his merits from the field of “Simulation driven decision making in business environments”, our member received distinguished international award of The International Institute for Advanced Studies.
Significance for the country
The research program "Decision systems in global electronic commerce" covers the advances in decision-making methodology in complex socio-technical systems. We have been developing Soft System Methodologies (SSM): a combination of System Dynamics and Systems Approach for holistic problem solving of the complex systems in the conditions of e-business environments, and its testing in industry, government, health care, and services. The results of the research are the developed procedures, methods and findings in the field of decision support systems. The quality of the scientific value is assessed by the publications in significant international scientific journals, the awards for the accomplishments at international conferences and the applications in industry, especially in medium and large enterprises. The quality and benefit of the research is seen in the development of new study programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels as well as newly graduated DSc. and MSc. From the beginning of the research program, the following projects of knowledge transfer to the industry and government administration have been carried out. 1) Financer: Iskra Avtoelektrika d.d. Type of knowledge transfer: Hybrid selection algorithms for scheduling with evolutionary computing - development of the model for inventory optimization and order scheduling. 2) Financer: Gorenje d. d. Type of knowledge transfer: Development of the system for forecasting product failure after warranty expiry. 3) Financer: Ministry of Health. Type of knowledge transfer: Development of the system for quality assurance on the basis of health care documentation. 4) Financer: Ministry of Health. Type of knowledge transfer: Development of the decision support system for the evaluation of information technology in the nursing systems. 5) Co-Financier: Ministry of Defence. Type of knowledge transfer: Modelling of defence segments with Markov chains. Project No.: M5-0175 6) Financer: B.T.C., MERKUR, SRC. Type of knowledge transfer: Cooperation in conducting the "e-Business" research and development project. Research programme contributed to the new curricula within University of Maribor and Ljubljana as well as to international curriculum such as the ALADIN consortia. Specifically, the group was involved in creating curriculum for masters' degree research program at the UMB Organization of the management information system. UM FOV, the so-called Bologna University program Organization and Management of Information Systems. Members of the groups contributed to the creation and realization of the curriculum of the Systems Dynamics and Theory of Systems at the Faculty for Agriculture UM in the graduate and postgraduate levels. We believe that we have fully accomplished the program, based on goals of the research group as we have opened new areas and research approaches deriving from the development of the information technology and organizational knowledge. Our achievements were successfully tested and partly transferred to industrial processes, e-government, health care and e-services. Within the research group, eight Junior researchers obtained DSc. degrees as well as six MSc. degrees.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
