Papers by Mohammad Dehghanimohammadabadi
This paper focuses on optimizing patient scheduling at a breast cancer center for two types of pa... more This paper focuses on optimizing patient scheduling at a breast cancer center for two types of patients: follow up and consult patients. Follow up and consult patients have different service times and follow different care pathways. The objective of this paper is to sequence the patients such that minimum average flow time is achieved for each patient type. A simheuristic framework is developed by integrating MATLAB, Simio, and Excel. Unlike existing simulation-optimization (SO) approaches that target the simulation model controls, this framework tries to optimize a data table in the simulation environment. This simulation evaluation (SE) approach could iteratively input patients arrival table into the simulation model, and obtains the expected performance of the system as a reference to generate the next solution. The obtained results from this framework are further analyzed by comparing five heuristic appointment scheduling methods.
In this paper, a unique Iterative Optimization-based Simulation (IOS) framework is presented, whi... more In this paper, a unique Iterative Optimization-based Simulation (IOS) framework is presented, which includes a threefold integration of simulation, optimization and database managers. With this IOS model, optimization occurs frequently at the operational level in order to optimize system variables during the simulation run. In other words, a trigger event momentarily pauses the simulation and signals the optimization manager to optimize the status of the system. Meanwhile, a snapshot of the system, which includes the system status parameters, is transferred to a database. The optimization manager uses this data as an input to the analytical modeling and solves the problem optimally by considering the pre-defined objectives, constraints and updated state of the system. The framework automatically re-formulates the mathematical model using updated parameters, and then, the optimization manager finds a solution in a reasonable amount of time. The database manager is then updated based on the current optimal solution and simulation continues from this point in time. This cycle is repeated for each trigger event in the system and lasts until simulation reaches its timespan. Deploying this promising IOS model enables practitioners to take advantage of long-term simulation runs of their system, while it has been optimized multiple times according to the occurrence of any predefined incidents. The performance of the proposed IOS framework is evaluated using a manufacturing case study, and its results are compared with Simulation-Based Optimization (SBO).
Discrete-event simulation is a decision support tool which enables practitioners to model and ana... more Discrete-event simulation is a decision support tool which enables practitioners to model and analyze their own system behavior. Although simulation packages are capable of mimicking most tasks in a real-world system, there are some decision-making activities, which are beyond the reach of simulation packages. The Application Programmers Interface (API) of SIMIO provides a wide range of opportunities for researchers to develop their own logic and apply it during the simulation run. This paper illustrates how to deploy MAT-LAB, as a computational tool coupled with SIMIO, as a simulation package by using a new user-defined step instance named " CallMATLAB ". A manufacturing system case study is introduced where the CallMATLAB step instance is used to create an Iterative Optimization-based Simulation (IOS) model. This model is created to evaluate the performance of different optimizers. The benefits of this hybridization for other industries, including healthcare systems, supply chain management systems, and project management problems are discussed.
The National Quality Award (NQA) can be widely applied to different industries, i.e. manufacturin... more The National Quality Award (NQA) can be widely applied to different industries, i.e. manufacturing, service industry, health-care and education. NQA enables a firm to deploy TQM principles and provide a framework to assess their achieved status of the business excellence which in return, inspires them to attain excellence awards. Few studies address the validity of the NQA measurement criteria, while others, examine the impact of NQA on enterprise performance, e.g. customer satisfaction and employee commitment. This article explores how NQA receives leadership buy-in. A standard questionnaire was sent to 77 Iranian organizations that had applied for the Iranian National Productivity and Excellence Award (INPE award). The results illustrate Iranian leaders' attitudes in strategy, excellence, self-management, people management, external relations and people development. Further analysis indicates that the longer the years of familiarity with the model, mangers perception of the INPE model is improved.
This paper applies multiple Multi-Criteria Decision Management (MCDM) methods as a mechanism for ... more This paper applies multiple Multi-Criteria Decision Management (MCDM) methods as a mechanism for identifying
international markets for a producing nation’s food production. The specific application presented in this paper is
for export markets of Iranian Pistachios; however, the model could be applicable across multiple food products and
nations. Quantitative and qualitative criteria for market assessment were identified via a literature review. These
include: 1) Regulation criterion, 2) Cultural criterion, 3) Transportation distance criterion, 4) Economy criterion, 5)
Market potential criterion, 6) Politics criterion, 7) Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA). Shannon’s Entropy
method was applied to weight criteria based upon the context-dependent concept of informational importance. The
application of multiple MCDM techniques allows for a comparative assessment of the methods and results. These
included: Simple Additive Weights (SAW), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution
(TOPSIS), and VIKOR. This paper concludes with the observation that results, and ultimately investment dollars
spent, are highly sensitive to model characteristics selected arbitrarily by the modeler. And if a different modeler
made different arbitrary choices in criteria selection and criteria weighting methods, results would be fundamentally
altered. This is the case for each of the MCDM methodologies employed.
From the rapid development of technology has emerged a novel banking service called internet bank... more From the rapid development of technology has emerged a novel banking service called internet banking or e-banking.
Since E-banking enables customers to communicate with their banks and bank accounts via the internet, a wide range of
services can be provided to customers. These capabilities turn e-banking as one the crucial factors for competitive
success in banking. Therefore, banks are increasingly investing in customer-centric analytical tools in order to
investigate the better client buying and channel usage patterns, which can help build and improve customer
relationships. However, banks need to seek how to reduce costs while they are trying to improve customer demands
and business success. Thus, banks aim to focus on customer-centric factors and at the same time, cost-centric factors
to survive in this competitive business world. This paper aims to identify the main e-banking aspects which can
influence the customer satisfaction positively and reduce costs. These factors are derived from the literature and are
analyzed via a fuzzy AHP method in order to highlight the crucial criteria of E-banking.
In recent decades, information has become a critical asset to various organizations, hence identi... more In recent decades, information has become a critical asset to various organizations, hence identifying and preventing the loss of information are becoming competitive advantages for firms. Many international standards have been developed to help organizations to maintain their competitiveness by applying risk assessment and information security management system and keep risk level as low as possible. This study aims to propose a new quantitative risk analysis and assessment methodology which is based on AHP and Monte Carlo simulation. In this method, AHP is used to create favorable weights for Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) as security characteristic of any information asset. To deal with the uncertain nature of vulnerabilities and threats, Monte Carlo simulation is utilized to handle the stochastic nature of risk assessment by taking into account multiple judges' opinions. The proposed methodology is suitable for organizations that require risk analysis to implement ISO/IEC 27001 standard.
Simulation modeling is increasingly being used to address a variety of issues in several discipli... more Simulation modeling is increasingly being used to address a variety of issues in several disciplines including but not limited to healthcare, manufacturing, service and supply chain systems. As a pivotal decision making tool, simulation determines the attractive configurations and alternatives to provide sufficient justification to convince managers to adopt improvements. However, there are some activities in real-world systems which simulation software packages are not enable to address them properly. These type of activities are primarily decision making toolboxes which are developed in order to improve the system performance. For instance, in manufacturing systems, scheduling techniques are widely used to provide the optimal scheduling of the shop floor activities. Therefore, with the aim of long-term strategic planning of the system via simulation, it’s crucial to bring these decision making activities into simulation model. This capability makes the simulation smarter and more accurate since it provides more realistic perspective of the system and what really happens in there.
Embedding this exceptional logic into a simulation model is quite challenging; however, with the advance of current simulation packages like SIMIO, its attainable. One of the advantageous of SIMIO among many, is its “Application Programmers Interface” (API) capability, which allows users to customize or extend their desired model properly. The extension could be adding new steps, elements and rules, importing and exporting data, enhancing experimentation with external algorithms, or interfacing from external programs. By leveraging the API capability, this study presents a new user defined step instance which incorporates MATLAB as an integral part of the SIMIO. This step is called “CallMatlab” and requires the folder address that the MATLAB file is located plus the MATLAB function’s name. Similar to the existing step instances in SIMIO, the user could easily drag-and-drop CallMatlab while building processes.
In this paper an Iterative Optimization-based Simulation (IOS) framework is designed, developed a... more In this paper an Iterative Optimization-based Simulation (IOS) framework is designed, developed and
examined. This framework includes a threefold contribution of Simulation, Optimization and Database
Manager. In this IOS model, optimization takes place repeatedly at the model’s operational level to
optimize the combination of system’s state variables during the simulation run. Predefined trigger events
momentarily pause the simulation and activate optimization in order to optimize the system’s
configuration. This cycle replicates until the simulation reaches its timespan. By deploying this promising
IOS model, practitioners can take advantage of a long-term simulation run of their system, while it
optimizing several times according to the occurrence of predefined incidents. The main concern here is
the trade-off between simulation and optimization which is examined in this study. The results prove a
positive impact of the IOS approach on the system’s performance measures, although it takes longer to
execute compared to the Non-IOS approaches.
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Papers by Mohammad Dehghanimohammadabadi
international markets for a producing nation’s food production. The specific application presented in this paper is
for export markets of Iranian Pistachios; however, the model could be applicable across multiple food products and
nations. Quantitative and qualitative criteria for market assessment were identified via a literature review. These
include: 1) Regulation criterion, 2) Cultural criterion, 3) Transportation distance criterion, 4) Economy criterion, 5)
Market potential criterion, 6) Politics criterion, 7) Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA). Shannon’s Entropy
method was applied to weight criteria based upon the context-dependent concept of informational importance. The
application of multiple MCDM techniques allows for a comparative assessment of the methods and results. These
included: Simple Additive Weights (SAW), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution
(TOPSIS), and VIKOR. This paper concludes with the observation that results, and ultimately investment dollars
spent, are highly sensitive to model characteristics selected arbitrarily by the modeler. And if a different modeler
made different arbitrary choices in criteria selection and criteria weighting methods, results would be fundamentally
altered. This is the case for each of the MCDM methodologies employed.
Since E-banking enables customers to communicate with their banks and bank accounts via the internet, a wide range of
services can be provided to customers. These capabilities turn e-banking as one the crucial factors for competitive
success in banking. Therefore, banks are increasingly investing in customer-centric analytical tools in order to
investigate the better client buying and channel usage patterns, which can help build and improve customer
relationships. However, banks need to seek how to reduce costs while they are trying to improve customer demands
and business success. Thus, banks aim to focus on customer-centric factors and at the same time, cost-centric factors
to survive in this competitive business world. This paper aims to identify the main e-banking aspects which can
influence the customer satisfaction positively and reduce costs. These factors are derived from the literature and are
analyzed via a fuzzy AHP method in order to highlight the crucial criteria of E-banking.
Embedding this exceptional logic into a simulation model is quite challenging; however, with the advance of current simulation packages like SIMIO, its attainable. One of the advantageous of SIMIO among many, is its “Application Programmers Interface” (API) capability, which allows users to customize or extend their desired model properly. The extension could be adding new steps, elements and rules, importing and exporting data, enhancing experimentation with external algorithms, or interfacing from external programs. By leveraging the API capability, this study presents a new user defined step instance which incorporates MATLAB as an integral part of the SIMIO. This step is called “CallMatlab” and requires the folder address that the MATLAB file is located plus the MATLAB function’s name. Similar to the existing step instances in SIMIO, the user could easily drag-and-drop CallMatlab while building processes.
examined. This framework includes a threefold contribution of Simulation, Optimization and Database
Manager. In this IOS model, optimization takes place repeatedly at the model’s operational level to
optimize the combination of system’s state variables during the simulation run. Predefined trigger events
momentarily pause the simulation and activate optimization in order to optimize the system’s
configuration. This cycle replicates until the simulation reaches its timespan. By deploying this promising
IOS model, practitioners can take advantage of a long-term simulation run of their system, while it
optimizing several times according to the occurrence of predefined incidents. The main concern here is
the trade-off between simulation and optimization which is examined in this study. The results prove a
positive impact of the IOS approach on the system’s performance measures, although it takes longer to
execute compared to the Non-IOS approaches.
international markets for a producing nation’s food production. The specific application presented in this paper is
for export markets of Iranian Pistachios; however, the model could be applicable across multiple food products and
nations. Quantitative and qualitative criteria for market assessment were identified via a literature review. These
include: 1) Regulation criterion, 2) Cultural criterion, 3) Transportation distance criterion, 4) Economy criterion, 5)
Market potential criterion, 6) Politics criterion, 7) Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA). Shannon’s Entropy
method was applied to weight criteria based upon the context-dependent concept of informational importance. The
application of multiple MCDM techniques allows for a comparative assessment of the methods and results. These
included: Simple Additive Weights (SAW), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution
(TOPSIS), and VIKOR. This paper concludes with the observation that results, and ultimately investment dollars
spent, are highly sensitive to model characteristics selected arbitrarily by the modeler. And if a different modeler
made different arbitrary choices in criteria selection and criteria weighting methods, results would be fundamentally
altered. This is the case for each of the MCDM methodologies employed.
Since E-banking enables customers to communicate with their banks and bank accounts via the internet, a wide range of
services can be provided to customers. These capabilities turn e-banking as one the crucial factors for competitive
success in banking. Therefore, banks are increasingly investing in customer-centric analytical tools in order to
investigate the better client buying and channel usage patterns, which can help build and improve customer
relationships. However, banks need to seek how to reduce costs while they are trying to improve customer demands
and business success. Thus, banks aim to focus on customer-centric factors and at the same time, cost-centric factors
to survive in this competitive business world. This paper aims to identify the main e-banking aspects which can
influence the customer satisfaction positively and reduce costs. These factors are derived from the literature and are
analyzed via a fuzzy AHP method in order to highlight the crucial criteria of E-banking.
Embedding this exceptional logic into a simulation model is quite challenging; however, with the advance of current simulation packages like SIMIO, its attainable. One of the advantageous of SIMIO among many, is its “Application Programmers Interface” (API) capability, which allows users to customize or extend their desired model properly. The extension could be adding new steps, elements and rules, importing and exporting data, enhancing experimentation with external algorithms, or interfacing from external programs. By leveraging the API capability, this study presents a new user defined step instance which incorporates MATLAB as an integral part of the SIMIO. This step is called “CallMatlab” and requires the folder address that the MATLAB file is located plus the MATLAB function’s name. Similar to the existing step instances in SIMIO, the user could easily drag-and-drop CallMatlab while building processes.
examined. This framework includes a threefold contribution of Simulation, Optimization and Database
Manager. In this IOS model, optimization takes place repeatedly at the model’s operational level to
optimize the combination of system’s state variables during the simulation run. Predefined trigger events
momentarily pause the simulation and activate optimization in order to optimize the system’s
configuration. This cycle replicates until the simulation reaches its timespan. By deploying this promising
IOS model, practitioners can take advantage of a long-term simulation run of their system, while it
optimizing several times according to the occurrence of predefined incidents. The main concern here is
the trade-off between simulation and optimization which is examined in this study. The results prove a
positive impact of the IOS approach on the system’s performance measures, although it takes longer to
execute compared to the Non-IOS approaches.