Abstract In both the quality improvement and the design of a product, primarily the engineering characteristics affecting product performance are identified and improved to optimize customer needs (CNs). Especially, the limited resources, increased market competition and product complexity require a customer-driven quality management and product development system to achieve higher customer satisfaction. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and its House of Quality (HOQ) are used as powerful tools for improving product design and quality, and procuring a customer-driven quality system. In this study, an integrated framework based on fuzzy-QFD and a goal programming model was proposed to determine the technical requirements (TRs) to be considered in designing a product. The coefficients of the mathematical model were obtained from a fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) approach. Furthermore, the proposed analytic procedure should take into account the multi-objective nature of the problem, and thus, incorporate other goals such as cost, extendibility, technological feasibility and competitiveness of TRs. Finally, the model, a zero–one goal programming methodology, includes the important levels of TRs deriven using the fuzzy ANP, cost budget, feasibility level, extendibility level , and competitiveness level as system constraints to determine the TRs to be considered in designing the product. An application for YEKTA washing machine powder in PAKNAM Company (Tehran, Iran) producing detergent products was presented to illustrate the proposed framework.

Abstract We can call “EFQM excellence model” as a transition from the great number of different models and approaches to unity in context of organizational improvement and excellence. Doing self-assessment to find areas for improvement (AFIs) is the most important application of this model. Those organizations which are on lower level of total quality management will encounter lots of AFIs. So finding key problems is an important challenge for them. Reviewing the literature shows that there is no specific and systematic model to solve this challenge. We intended to introduce a mathematical screening model in order to help organizations to find their key problems. The proposed model was designed in fuzzy context, because decision making situation of most of the organizations is in vague and ambiguity.

Abstract In this research, production planning for refinery production processes (multi-stage, multi-production) was modeled with two approaches: crisp and fuzzy. The purpose of this article was to answer this question that which approach (crisp or fuzzy) has a better answer for production planning. To answer this question, at first, one multi- stage multi- production crisp linear mathematical model for a 24-hour period was designed. Then its fuzzy model was organized and finally the models were tested in a research sample. The results from fuzzy and crisp models showed the improvement of optimal answer in fuzzy model rather than crisp model. Also it should be mentioned that the presented model in this research can be applied in other refinery production processes (multi-stage,multi-production).So it is recommended that for mathematical modeling of production planning, Corresponding vague and ambiguous factors should be measured through fuzzy logic and this kind of modeling should be used as a base for production planning. Disregarding this subject is the shortcoming of the previous models (which are mentioned in Introduction).

Abstract Today's organizations face a complex set of needs of their stakeholders. They cannot satisfy those needs in a good manner because of economical rationality or inability to prepare suitable equipments. So inter-organizational relationships have been choosen as a strategy which nowadays attract much attention. In fact, each organization has a set of interorganizational relationships voluntarily or involuntarily with other organizations which many organizational advantages and disadvantages have roots in such a inter-organizational relationships. Therefore, the Present research aimed at developing a simulation based model to study inter-organizational relationships. In this model, inter-organizational relationships are documented with process approach, and then. analyzed based on volume, time, human recourses, mutual dependency network and decision. According to the analysis results, "to-be" process is redesigned. These changes are suitability analyzed with simulation and implemented if they are confirmed. Finally this model has been implemented in Agriculture Industry Bureau of Jihad -Agriculture Ministry.

Abstract Inventories exist throughout the supply chain in various forms for various reasons. Since carrying these inventories can annually cost from 20 to 40% of their value, managing them in a scientific manner to maintain minimal levels makes economic sense. This paper presents a near-optimal (s, Q)-type inventory policy for a multi -echelon production /distribution network with multiple non - identical suppliers. The model is a synthesis of three components: (i) the inventory analysis at the retailers, (ii) the demand process at the warehouse, and (iii) the inventory analysis at the warehouse. The key contribution of the model is the seamless integration of the three components to analyze simple supply chains. The decisions in the model were made through a comprehensive distribution-based cost framework that includes the inventory, transportation and transit components of the supply chain.

Abstract Today, stock investment has become an important mean of national finance. Apparently, it is significant for investors to estimate the stock price and select the trading chance accurately in advance, which will bring high return to stockholders. In the past, long-term trading processes and many technical analysis methods for stock market were put forward. However, stock market is a nonlinear system, due to the political, economical and psychological impact factors. Thus, it is difficult for us to use traditional analysis tools to make stock transaction decision. With the developmenting of nonlinear methods such as neural networks and fuzzy neural networks, we can now use these methods for stock price forecasting. In this research, we presented three scenarios: 1) stock price forecasting with classical methods approach, 2) stock price forecasting with artificial intelligence methods approach, and 3) stock price forecasting with hybrid model. Therefore, first, we designed classical models such as exponential smoothing, trend analysis, and ARIMA, then artificial intelligent models such as neural networks and fuzzy neural networks were designed, next the third scenario i.e., hybrid model, was presented. Finally, the scenarios were measured. The experimental result showed that the hybrid model had more accuracy than the classical or artificial intelligent models. The hybrid model enjoyed also such properties as fast convergence, high precision and strong function approximation ability, there fore, it is suitable for real stock price forecasting.

Abstract Each of the performance assessment models is an instrument that after implementing it can give the decision makers different information. So it is inevitable to use these models to answer the questions and problems that has been arizen in decision makers’ mind. Therefore, in this article we want to explain the mathematic model of the suitable Data Envelopment Analysis, grading efficiency of instruction groups, the weak and strength points of each group and the situation of optimum use of accessible sources in the human sienceses faculty from the view point of DEA. Since the different models of DEA have been developed during last years to be used in different areas, one of the most important steps before evaluating surveyed units is choosing a model or models suitable with them. This article presents a collection of consecutive steps, in a conceptual framework in order to choose correctly a performance evaluation model. These stages should be performed one after the other, otherwise the credits of evaluation model can scrafeh due to the natural weak nesses of DEA method.

Abstract Reviewing literature of the international market attractiveness evaluation and operational practice in Iran demonstrates that two approaches for international market selection are proposed: expansion approack and systematic approach. In expansion approach, firms gradually enter low geographical and cuftural distance markets. But, in systematic approach, by considering some factors and models, firms systematically evaluate and select foreign market(s). The importance and need for systematically evaluating and selecting potential foreign markets has been stressed by many researchers and several models for selecting international markets had been propos. But, current models do not pass the test of reality, because they are not adapted with exporter decision making process and they are not considered important aspect of reality. So, in this paper, we introduce a comprehensive international market attractiveness model that include demand attractiveness, attainment attractiveness, adaptation attractiveness and competition attractiveness. At last, according to the tested model, a fuzzy decision support system is developed.

Abstract Because of information revolution, the whole pattern of human life has been changed. Trade is the one which is being affected the most. The new media (internet) has changed the way of transaction process, even buyer and seller behavior. Therefore marketing concept has changed and it has to be adapted to online situations. In this article, the authors are trying to design a conceptual framework for internet marketing mix. It is considered a new philosophy in marketing named relationship marketing. This model has factors that have impacts on the marketing mix. One of the factors is product life cycle and the other is customer maturity. Elements of the mix are combination of traditional and modern components that are: product, price, place, information gathering, communication, and branding. PLC has four stages and we define that customer maturity has three phases regarding to fuzzy logic. Therefore, in this model, we examine 12 boxes derived of multiplication of four and three. Consequently, the model was confirmed and found 10 integrated Marketing mixes regarding to different situations in product and customer maturity.

Abstract “Selecting right Person for the right job” in the organizations seems to be the most important managerial issue. Traditionally, this is realized through a “simple Job- Person Match”, which is an “Individual view”. This methodology, by some trends and paradigm shift in human resource management (i.e. Team Working), should be evolved to a “Group viwe”. In this study, “interpersonal interactions” is added to the traditional one. First, the suggested model for personnel selection and placement is formulated into a Quadratic mathematical form and then a Hopfield neural network has been used to solve it by using Matlab software, a well known and validated software for neural nets. The results show, there is a significant difference between the mean of solutions by traditional view (based on individual level) and the mean of solutions by the new suggensted one (based on group level): t(19) = - 10.966, P-Value=0.000.

Abstract Regarding necessity of performance evaluation an business excellence achievement, this paper is trying to present a business excellence model (BEM) through the combination of two qualitative and quantitative approach to evaluation which are the models taken from total quality management (TQM) and data envelopment analysis (DEA). The model discussed covers all the advantages of the two models and reduces the defficiencies as mach as possible. By reviewing BEMs, in this research, the appropriate crieria for performance evaluation and business excellence are identified and also applied in DEA, which by using tangible inputs and outputs evaluate the organzations.

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