In this paper, we develop an inventory model for deteriorating items with exponential time dependent demand rate. In this proposed model, shortages are allowed and partially backlogged. The model is explained with the help of numerical examples. We also show that total cost function is convex with time. Sensitivity analysis of the optimal solution with respect to various parameters of the system is given and results are discussed in details. Taylor’s series expansion is used for finding closed form optimal solution. Some results have been also obtained.

Nowadays, the importance of achieving sustainable organization with competitive advantage in complex environments has many researchers’ interest. So, in this study, we evaluate different views of MKM and its role to reach SCA within banking industry. This research is relatively the scarce empirical study and adds to its originality. The findings offer valuable insights on the generalizability of MKM in a research setting. In fact, the purpose of this study is to empirically test the effect of the marketing knowledge management (MKM) on sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) within banking industry of Iran. A valid research instrument was utilized to conduct a survey of 150 top- and middle-level managers from Mellat bank of Iran (MBI). With a response rate of 81.3 percent, 122 questionnaires were returned; the number of valid and usable questionnaires was 101. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, MKM were classified into organizational strategies, culture and performance of senior manager, information technology (IT), research and development (R & D), internal customer (personnel), and external customer (client). Moreover, MBI’ SCA was classified into three dimensions: market, customer, finance. Structural equation modelling was utilized to test the stated hypotheses and model. Statistical support was found for the hypothesized relationships. Moreover it has been shown that MKM maintained the greatest effect on the market centered SCA, while it had the least influence on the customer centered.

A state of the art instrumented Drop Weight Impact Tester Machine was developed in Iran University of Science and Technology which measures the energy absorption of composite materials under impact load. The output of the machine is used to draw load- time graph and calculate the amount of energy absorbed by the specimens. The machine was equipped with various sensor systems to measure the velocity of the impactor just before it contacts the specimen and the amount of contact force, and with a data acquisition system to record the force and time history. Capability of testing according to many different types of standards and capability of studying behaviour of the specimen after impact are two important characteristics of this machine. This designed system, after manufacturing and calibration, was installed and successfully utilized.

The conventional and microwave assisted multicomponent synthesis of disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles from terminal alkynes and in situ generated organic azide using copper apatite catalyst in water is reported. The catalytic activity is intimately connected to the basicity of the catalyst. The best activities were observed with the copper hydroxyapatite. The catalyst could be used ten times without further treatment and activation under controlled microwave heating. The protocol was also applicable for various alkynes and halides which affords desired product in good to excellent yield.

The purpose of the present study is to introduce a model for competitiveness of suppliers in supply chain through game theory approach in one of the automobile companies of Iran. In this study, the game is based on price and non-price factors and this company is going to estimate the real profit obtained from collaboration with each of supply chain members. This happens by considering the governing competitive condition based on game theory before entering a bit for purchase of ? piece as spare part among 8 companies supplying this piece as the supply chain members. According to experts in this industry, the quality is the main non-price competitiveness factor after price. In the current research models, the model introduced by Lu and Tsao (2011) [Lu, J.C., Tsao, Y.C., & Charoensiriwath, C. (2011). Competition Under manufacturer Service and retail price. Economic Modeling, 28,1256-1264.] with two manufacturers- one distributer, being appropriate for the research data, has been considered as the basis and implemented for case study and then it has been extended to n-manufacturers-one common retailer. Following price elasticity of demand, potential size of market or maximum product demand, retailer price, production price, wholesale price, demand amount, manufacturer and retailer profit are estimated under three scenario of manufacturer Stackelberg, Retailer Sackelberg and Vertical Nash. Therefore, by comparing them, price balance points and optimum level of services are specified and the better optimum scenario can be determined. Sensitivity analysis is performed for new model and manufacturers are ranked based on manufacture profit, Retailer profit and customer satisfaction. Finally, in this research in addition to introducing-person game model, customer satisfaction, which has been presented in the previous models as a missed circle are analyzed.

This paper addresses the application of group Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), for assisting decision makers by evaluating, ranking and selecting material handling equipment (MHE). The present study considers engineering economy as one of the erudite tool for performance evaluation of said equipment in the integrated and synergetic way. Lastly, incremental analysis is used for final ranking of the equipment under inquisition.

The aminolytic depolymerization of PET bottle waste with ethanolamine by conventional heating and microwave irradiation heating method was attempted with heterogeneous, recyclable acid catalysts such as beta zeolite (SiO2/ AlO2= 15 Na- form) and montmorillonite KSF. The pure product bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide (BHETA) of aminolysis was obtained in good yield (85- 88%). The BHETA, thus obtained, was subjected to cyclization reaction by heating with polyphosphoric acid as well as by chlorination (using phosphoryl chloride), bromination (using red phosphorous and liquid bromine) and nitration (conc. HNO3 + conc. H2SO4) followed by conventional and microwave irradiation heating in N,N- dimethyl formamide/ potassium carbonate solution. The product so obtained was 2, 2’-(1,4-phenylene)–bis-(2-oxazoline) (PBO), which has applications in polymer synthesis as a chain extender/ chain coupling agent or a cross linker. The productswere analyzed by FTIR, DSC, Mass and NMR (1H and 13C NMR).

This paper considers a multi period serial production systems for one product and deals with the problem of planned lead-time calculation in a Material Requirement Planning (MRP) environment under probabilistic lead times. It is assumed that lead times for all stages have the same distribution with different parameters. A MRP approach with periodic order quantity (POQ) policy is used for the supply planning of components. The objective is to minimize the sum of fixed ordering, holding and backlogging costs. A mathematical model is suggested and then an optimal planning lead-time, ordering quantity and periodic time are determined.

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is one of the most popular techniques for measuring the relative efficiencies of a set of decision making units (DMUs), which use different inputs producing various outputs. Ranking of efficient DMUs is one of the most interesting DEA perspectives. However, there are cases where we see some limitations on available resources and the proposed model of this paper is associated with Indicator with Limited Sources (ILS), which affects ranking methods. The ILS exists as fixed amount in a community and the DMUs can own it with their abilities. When a DMU loses the same amount of the indicator, the rest of the DMUs are able to own some without even changing their capacities of other indicators and or vice versa. If a DMU looks for more of the same amount of the indicator, the rest of the DMUs have to supply it without even changing their capacity of other indicators. This paper develops a ranking method based on the ILS for the efficient DMUs, when there is changes either in inputs/ outputs ILS. The implementation of the proposed model is applied for a case study of banking system.

Activity-based costing (ABC) is a method, which identifies activities in a firm and assigns the expenses of each activity with resources to all products and services based on the real consumption by each. This method allocates more overhead costs into direct expenses compared with conventional method. ABC method is normally used for costing as well as monitoring different activities, which involves tracing resource consumption. This paper presents a survey on advances of ABC based method. The study has discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the implementation of ABC based method in different industries. The survey also discusses recent advances on time driven ABC method in health care industries.