We investigated a facility relocation problem for the mid-Atlantic region of the American Red Cross (ARC) in Norfolk, Virginia. The ARC was concerned with the feasibility and effect of a proposed facility relocation on its blood collection and distribution. We developed optimization models to provide insights into its current scheduling of blood collections and distributions as well as the changes imposed by this proposed relocation. As a result of our analysis and recommendations, ARC decided to postpone its facility relocation and to optimize the operations of its existing facilities.
If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information.
About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation.Abstract This article presents the design and application of a Modified Sociotechnical Systems (MoSTS) methodology for holistic analysis of complex technical processes. Successes and failures of process redesign initiatives have demonstrated the strong influence of human elements on outcomes. (Sociotechnical Systems) STS provides a foundation for structured analysis and redesign of complex processes which emphasizes human aspects in process redesign. The MoSTS methodology is developed from STS research and practice and applied to analyze a complex technical process in the research and development sector. MoSTS is shown to be an effective methodology to facilitate analysis for process redesign, particularly where human influences may have a significant impact on success. The article concludes with limitations and implications for process analysis based on the MoSTS methodology application.The research register for this journal is available at
Decision science methods can be effective tools for enhancing organizational participation during strategic and complex decision processes. This involvement promotes development of group consensus for issues as difficult as relating organizational goals and the best methods to achieve them. In an academic context, such a process supports and enhances collegial participation. This paper describes an application of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) decision model to prioritize both courses and course content based on degree of impact on program objectives. The model was developed to quantify curricular decisions involved in restructuring a Masters of Engineering Management degree program. QFD supports selection of the courses and the curricular content that has the highest impact on program goals. The model provides a practical and quantitative methodology for developing faculty consensus in the selection of curricular topics based on a strategic program focus.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.