The most cost efficient automotive vendor with price uncertainty: A new DEA approach

Vendor’s performance evaluation is an important subject which has strategic implications for managing an efficient company. However, there are many important criteria for prospering company. These criteria may contradict together. In other words, while a criterion is improved, the other may worsen. Indeed, similar to manufacturing manager in global market, purchasing manager who has significant practical implications deals with this issue. The vendor selection problem (VSP) is obviously affected by the complexity and uncertainty due to the lack of information associated with related business environment of countries in a global market. On the other hand, in the automotive industry which plays an important role in the worldwide market, these decisions will be exacerbated by increasing the outsourcing and opportunities. There are varieties of techniques, from simple weighted scoring methods to complex mathematical programming, for handling VSP.In this study, we propose a new cost efficiency data envelopment analysis (CE–DEA) approach with price uncertainty for finding the most cost efficient unit. Potential uses are then illustrated with an application to automotive industry involving 73 vendors in Turkey.     

An exploration of green supply chain practices and performances in an automotive industry

During recent years, the natural environment has become a challenging topic that business organizations must consider due to the economic and ecological impacts and increasing awareness of environment protection. Globalization and the increased number of countries entering the World Trade Organization (WTO) have promoted green supply chain management (GSCM) practices in manufacturing organizations. GSCM has emerged as an important organizational philosophy and a proactive approach to reduce environmental risks. Increasing pressures such as stricter regulations, increased community, and consumer pressures, and the developing country’s aim to enter the WTO have caused automotive supply chain managers to consider and to implement GSCM practices to improve both their economic and environmental performances. This paper explores the practices and performances of the GSCM based on the GSCM literature, and it considers the relationship between green supply chain practices (initiatives) and performance outcomes. In this paper, two questionnaires were developed and a survey conducted to assess the importance of GSCM practices and performances in an automotive company in a developing country using a fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making method. The result of this paper presents practical guidance for managers in performing GSCM practices by ranking GSCM practices according to their importance which leads to improving GSCM performances.     

Integrated supply chain design using multi-criteria optimization

Supply chain management (SCM) presents significant opportunities for improving profit margins and reducing cost. It encompasses functional and geographical integration as well as integration of tactical and operational decisions. The functional integration aspects involve purchasing, manufacturing, and logistics within the company and across the supply chain. A supply chain design framework has been developed including linear/mixed integer multi-criteria optimization models for determining the identified supply chain design parameters. The selection of suppliers, determination of production quantities, inventory locations and sizes, selection of transportation method and transported quantities in a multi-stage, multi-level supply chain are investigated. Additional criteria including first-time quality (FTQ) and suppliers on-time delivery risk with and without allowing splitting of customer demand between suppliers are considered. An example of typical automotive power train supply chain design and decision issues is used to illustrate the effect of various factors.     

Functional testing of measurement-based control systems: An application to automotive

The number of measurement-based embedded systems increases continuously in automotive, avionic, defense, and communication industries. In order to ensure the system’s compliance with requirements, adequate solutions for functional testing are needed. The paper describes an original approach for the functional validation of measurement-based complex control systems. The main focus is on the automatic generation of realistic continuous data sets (test stimuli) within the operational ranges of the measurement system under test, by applying enhanced statistical techniques, which are able to reproduce both timing and data dependencies. A thorough case study using an air fuel ratio control system from the automotive domain is performed to assess the approach. Results indicate that the proposed method is suitable for automated functional testing of embedded control systems within a Software-in-the-Loop test environment.     

Torsional vibration analysis of a planetary gear type antiresonant vibration isolator using transfer matrix method,Part II: Application to automotive powertrain

In this research, an analytical modeling and analysis approach called the transfer matrix method is applied to study a planetary gear type dynamic antiresonant vibration isolator (PG-DAVI) for complex rotational systems. In this part 2 of series papers, the transfer matrix method is applied to an automotive powertrain system with an embedded PG-DAVI to characterize torsional vibration attenuation. First, the internal configuration of an automotive powertrain system is described as a baseline system, and its modal characteristics and harmonic responses are calculated. Then, two additional powertrain systems modified with a PG-DAVI and a classical dynamic absorber are presented. Finally, the effectiveness of vibration suppression in the powertrain system using a PG-DAVI is investigated by comparing the modal characteristics, harmonic responses, and time responses of the three powertrain configurations using the transfer matrix method as well as conventional analytical and numerical methods.     

Direct and Indirect Effects of Product Mix Characteristics on Capacity Management Decisions and Operating Performance

Studies of the performance effects of product mix complexity typically treat plant capacity utilization and machine scheduling (for example, setup frequency) as exogenous factors associated with technology choices, economies of scale, and the level of market demand. However, capacity utilization and machine scheduling also reflect tactical operating decisions taken by local managers to maximize short-run performance. If managers rationally anticipate a negative relation between performance and product mix complexity, we expect tactical operating decisions to be used to mitigate performance degradation. Previous empirical studies that ignore this simultaneity provide an incomplete assessment of the performance effects of product mix complexity. This paper uses path analysis to examine the combined impact of product mix on capacity management decisions and operating performance in three textile manufacturing plants. The results support the hypothesis that product mix acts through capacity management decisions to reduce performance from the level implied by direct effects alone. The evidence also supports the behavioral proposition that managers use capacity management decisions strategically—creating production slack when product mix is anticipated to most affect performance. However, although managers use discretionary capacity management intensively when the product mix is composed of complex, heterogeneous products, they are unable or unwilling to use these decisions to fully offset the performance impact of product mix.     

Supplier evaluation and selection via Taguchi loss functions and an AHP

The purchasing function directly affects the competitive ability of a firm. Purchasing managers need to periodically evaluate supplier performance in order to retain those suppliers who meet their requirements. The importance of incorporating multiple attributes such as quality, on-time delivery, price and service, into vendor evaluation are well established in the literature. This report provides a more accurate and easier method for quantifying the supplier’s attributes to quality-loss using a Taguchi loss function, and these quality losses are also transferred into a variable for decision-making by an analytical hierarchy process (AHP). An example for supplier evaluation and selection is also presented to demonstrate the functional application of the model.     

An integrated approach to the design and management of a supply chain system

In the modern competitive business environment, the design and management of supply chains is one of the most important and critical problems facing managers of multinational companies operating worldwide. There are three levels of decisions in a supply chain: strategic, tactical, and operational levels. The literature generally treats these decisions separately. This study defines a conceptual framework for the development of new modeling approaches for the Production Distribution Logistic System Design (PDSD) problem. In particular, the authors introduce the initial basis for the development of an innovative decision support systems platform capable of integrating the design, management, control, and optimization activities for a supply chain system.     

过程方法在汽车零部件采购活动中的应用研究

在经济全球化的背景下,汽车行业已经成为全球采购、销售的巨大市场.随着市场竞争不断加剧,有效控制产品质量则成为竞争取胜的重要因素.整车质量在很大程度上取决于零部件质量的高低,而汽车整车企业大部分零部件又以采购为主,因此完善的采购流程,有效的采购质量控制,成为汽车整车企业的核心竞争力.基于IS09001:2008质量管理体系中的过程方法,研究汽车零部件采购过程中的质量控制问题,重点介绍采购过程的策划(P)和PDCA循环的应用.     

An acoustic–structural interaction modelling for the evaluation of a gearbox-radiated noise

Gearbox power transmissions are widely used in the automotive industry. They have a complex vibro-acoustic behaviour that is influenced by the various acoustic–structural interaction mechanisms. This paper concentrates on modelling these systems using a three-dimensional finite-element (FE) approach for the structure combined with a Rayleigh integral (RI) method for the acoustic radiation process. A modal analysis method is used to evaluate the elasto-acoustic modal characteristics for the coupled system. Effect of the fluid inside the gearbox on the vibration response is discussed. The combined use of this FE/RI model enables evaluation of the acoustic response. A case study of a simplified gearbox internally excited with gear mesh stiffness fluctuation is presented. Vibratory analysis allows concluding that the vibro-acoustic coupling between elastic housing, air-cavity and free acoustic field have not to be neglected.     

The assessment of vision re-creation indices for the automotive industry in Taiwan: A hybrid fuzzy model approach

This study aims to provide a clear direction towards successful future vision re-creation for top managers of the Taiwanese Automotive industry by assessing vision re-creation indices. In accordance with mainstream literature regarding vision creation, this study initially summarized several evaluation indices. Using the pre-test, which involved consulting 32 experts by sending out expert questionnaires, a hierarchical structure with two levels (evaluation dimensions and evaluation criteria) containing 15 indices total was developed. Furthermore, to provide a practical guide for the beginning of vision re-creation for top managers, in-depth interviews with 16 related background experts are carried out, and the three leading methods are generated from these interviews. Then, a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) is adopted to explore the weights of vision re-creation indices, and grey relational analysis (GRA) is utilized to rank the three leading methods. The results of this study produce the critical vision re-creation indices on which top managers ought to put more effort and provide the best leading method for starting and future proceeding of vision re-creation.     

A fuzzy expert system to increase accuracy and precision in measurement system analysis

In this paper, we have presented the first proposal to apply measurement system analysis (MSA) in fuzzy environment. Nowadays, because the quality control techniques are applied a lot in manufacturing, research and development environments, many decisions are made in processes and equipment evaluation, control, and improvement. Besides, the philosophy of measurement system analysis (MSA) depends on measurement error which hides true process capability; therefore, it must be implemented prior to any process improvement activities to minimize the measurement errors. Since the capability of each quality system is related to the accuracy of its measurement system, this research develops a novel methodology to increase precision and accuracy of MSA. To do so analyzing measurement systems under fuzziness of indices are investigated to make the environment more realistic. In this article, not only fuzzy measurement system analysis with gauge repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R) index as a triangular fuzzy number is proposed, but a fuzzy measurement system analysis a fuzzy expert system is presented to make more reliable and appropriate decisions. At the end, the applicability of the proposed methodology has been demonstrated within a case study in automotive parts industry to show impact of uncertainty in the reality.     

基于业务流程再造设计汽车整车厂电子采购管理系统

论述通过采购业务流程再造,依托IT技术,尝试建立汽车整车厂电子采购管理系统,从而实现零部件采购业务在成本、质量、速度等方面的明显改善,使国内整车厂进一步降低整车产品的成本,提高企业产品的市场竞争力,并获取更大的利润.     

Configuration of manufacturing strategy decision areas in line production system: five case studies

The objective of this research is to study the configuration of decisions in manufacturing decision areas for a line production system. A case study approach is used by analyzing the decision choices selected by five case companies that satisfy characteristics of line production system. The paper identifies decision choices specific to line shop as well as decisions that are influenced by non-process specific factors such as competitive priorities (order winner), strategic orientation of manufacturing (stages in H–W model), top management decisions, and size of the company. Findings on several decision choices are new to manufacturing literature. These research findings should be helpful to practitioners and researchers.     

Modeling Method of Automotive Body CAN/LIN Nets Application Protocol Based on Object-oriented Colored Petri Net

Recently automotive nets are adopted to solve increasing problems in automotive electronic systems.Technologies of automotive local area network from CAN and LIN can solve the problems of the increasing of wire bunch weight and lack in module installation space.However,the multilayer automotive nets software becomes more and more complex,and the development expense is difficult to predict and to keep in check.In this paper,the modeling method of hierarchical automotive nets and the substitution operation based on object-oriented colored Petri net(OOCPN) are proposed.The OOCPN model which analyzes the software structure and validates the collision mechanism of CAN/LIN bus can speed the automobile system development.First,the subsystems are divided and modeled by object-oriented Petri net(OOPN).According to the sets of message sharing relations,the message ports among them are set and the communication gate transitions are defined.Second,the OOPN model is substituted step by step until the inner objects in the automotive body control modules(BCM) are indivisible and colored by colored Petri net(CPN).And the color subsets mark the node messages for the collision mechanism.Third,the OOCPN model of the automotive body CAN/LIN nets is assembled,which keeps the message sets and the system can be expanded.The proposed model is used to analyze features of information sharing among the objects,and it is also used to describe each subsystem real-time behavior of processing messages and implemental device controllers operating,and puts forward a reasonable software framework for the automotive body control subsystem.The research can help to design the communication model in the automotive body system effectively and provide a convenient and rapid way for developing the logical hierarchy software.     

客户价值分析及其在产品竞争力评价中的应用

对传统客户价值概念进行了扩展，提出客户价值度量函数模型，系统分析了客户价值的主要驱动因素和特点。在客户价值扩展模型的基础上，提出了大规模定制竞争环境下基于客户价值的产品竞争力量化分析与动态评价方法，并结合汽车行业进行了具体应用，证明模型有效、实用。     

韩力让东风贝洱成为一个有价值的企业

合资企业由于各方的文化差异而导致企业内部激烈碰撞的例子并不鲜见.许多来到中国的跨国公司也常常感叹"中国的事情难办,合资企业难搞",东风贝洱热系统有限公司(以下简称"东风贝洱")当然也无法回避这个问题. 东风贝洱的前身为东风散热器有限公司(之前又名"二汽水箱厂"),从1969年成立到90年代初一直作为东风汽车公司(第二汽车制造厂)内置工厂,承担着散热器生产的任务,在这里曾经生产制造出第一台东风车所装散热器.随着公司化体制的建立及事业发展的需要,原东风散热器有限公司逐步溶入市场经济的大潮并暂露头角.     

Integration of the fish bone diagram, brainstorming, and AHP method for problem solving and decision making—a case study

Decision making is one of the management’s elements and using suitable methods in proportion with decisions, plays an effective role in any organizations success. By recognizing the value of group decision making methods in organizations, managers are seeking for recognizing their organizations problems in one process of group problem solving methods, and finding a suitable approach for it. In one case study performed in a soap production line, namely Tage Co., the problem of redoing and as a result increasing the wastes during production is a large-sized problem. By selecting a proper method in a brainstorming meeting, the effective factors in this regard are identified. Furthermore, by using a fish bone (or cause-and-effect) diagram, the cause-and-effect relationships between the problem’s phenomena become apparent. Finally, by using the analytical hierarchy process analysis and determining the priority for the possible solutions, an efficient decision is made and performed. An application of the above-mentioned decision is presented the promising and valuable results.     

基于改进NSGA-Ⅱ的网络采购供应商采购份额分配研究

研究网络采购模式下具有刚性约束的供应商采购份额分配的问题。建立3个决策目标及多目标决策供应商采购份额分配决策模型,提出一种NSGA-Ⅱ算法种群初始化方法,引入三角函数对算法初始化进行改进,解决种群的随机性与刚性约束之间的矛盾,使算法可应用于求解存在刚性约束的问题,为实现采购平台的推荐功能提供了思路。