A Fuzzy Network DEA Approach to the Selection of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

Abstract

The selection of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) is an essential yet complex decision that requires careful consideration of various performance criteria. In real-world applications, there are cases that observations are difficult to measure precisely, observations are represented as linguistic terms, or the data need to be estimated. Since the growth of engineering sciences has been the key reason for the increased utilization of AMTs, this paper develops a fuzzy network data envelopment analysis (DEA) to the selection of AMT alternatives considering multiple decision-makers (DMs) and weight restrictions when the input and output data are represented as fuzzy numbers. By viewing the multiple DMs as a network one, the data provided by each DM can then be taken into account in evaluating the overall performances of AMT alternatives. In the solution process, we obtain the overall and DMs efficiency scores of each AMT alternative at the same time, and a relationship in which the former is a weighted average of the latter is also derived. Since the final evaluation results of AMTs are fuzzy numbers, a ranking procedure is employed to determine the most preferred one. An example is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed methodology.

New and Renewed Manufacturing Paradigms for Sustainable Production

“…In this new era of transformation, whether it is implemented in large companies or small-or medium-sized enterprises, technological innovation assumes a decisive and determining role [26], especially in the current situation influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and characterized by the need to operate remotely to maintain safety while still improving operational efficiency [21]. By adopting specific smart tools and techniques [19], various technological advances leading to more sustainable production can then be implemented, such as the smart manufacturing execution system presented in [22] and the virtual engineering approach described in [23]. Nevertheless, regardless of which of these new or renewed manufacturing paradigms is implemented, some general advice emerges: The future appears bright and promising for those who are able to think lean and use technology to achieve the triple bottom line of sustainable production.…”

“…Firstly, Lu [19] develops a fuzzy network data envelopment analysis for the selection of alternative Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMTs) considering multiple decisionmakers and weight restrictions when input and output data are represented as fuzzy numbers. The author suggests that since the adoption of AMTs can offer significant sustainability and efficiency improvements in manufacturing, this approach provides a practical decision aid for selecting relevant AMTs; this will help companies to realize new manufacturing paradigms of sustainable manufacturing.…”

Assessment of the potential for sustainable development of electric power enterprises: approaches, models, technologies

“…The question that a holistic view of the synergetic effect of the «evolving behavior of man, the economy and the environment» is increasingly being discussed [3]. Modern approaches to sustainable development are based on new production paradigms, such as digitalization and intellectualization of production, contributing to achieving a more sustainable future with respect to production and consumption processes [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. Digital industry 4.0. implies the introduction of cyber-physical systems, which leads to a growing interest in conducting research in the field of sustainable development of energy sector enterprises [28][29][30].…”