fuzzy delphi

The objective of this study is to present a model for the financial oversight of the country's public sector budget with an internal oversight approach within the executive branch.  

This research is qualitative in nature and was conducted using the fuzzy Delphi method. The statistical population consists of 131 experts and specialists in the field of financial oversight of the public sector budget, who were selected as research experts using the non-probabilistic chain sampling method. 

Based on the results, 8 dimensions, 27 components, and 86 indicators for the financial oversight of the country's public sector budget with an internal oversight approach were identified. Through the fuzzy Delphi process and confirmatory factor analysis using the Smart PLS software, 2 components and 6 indicators were ultimately removed, resulting in a final set of 82 indicators. The research findings indicate that all 8 identified dimensions—financial oversight pillars, training and human resources, organizational culture and ethical values, oversight strategies and tactics, forecasting of oversight laws and regulations, oversight infrastructures, financial oversight tools, and the design of financial oversight and control procedures and methods—have positive and significant relationships with the performance of financial oversight of the public sector budget with an internal oversight approach. 

This model can assist supervisory bodies that are effective in overseeing the public sector budget and serve as a pathway for efficient and effective financial oversight for executive bodies in the country's public sector.

The purpose of this research was to identify and rank human resource management practices in the development of organizations' performance. Mixed research method is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Based on the first study, based on the fuzzy Delphi method, the most important factors affecting human resources training in the development of organizations' performance were identified from the experts' point of view, which are: policies and coding of employee experience, meaningfulness of the job, checking the qualifications and credentials of people, creating a Appropriate evaluation system and feedback, career mentoring, forecasting needs and improving processes, creating an appropriate evaluation system, the role of management in retaining people, training (modeling and simulation), clear expectations and recognition of achievements and opportunities for improvement, attitudinal formation Capital in human resources and continuous improvement. In the second study, the factors obtained from the previous study were distributed among the members of the statistical sample in the form of a questionnaire, and the obtained factors were ranked using multi-criteria decision-making methods. The results of this research showed that the creation of a suitable evaluation system and feedback is the most important factor in providing human resources training in the development of organizations' performance, followed by the role of management in retaining people, the formation of a capital attitude in human resources, The integration of human resources functions, meaningfulness of job, forecasting needs and improving processes, policies and encoding employee experience, training, job mentoring, creating a suitable evaluation system,

In today's world, insurance is one of the most important economic sectors in society, which, in addition to facilitating international relations, plays a tremendous role in preventing the realization of risk and providing peace of mind for various activities. All companies tend to focus on increasing their operational efficiency and effectiveness and implement various information devices to maximize their performance and goals. Operational audit is also a regular and methodical process of evaluating the economic effectiveness  and efficiency  of the organization's operations and reporting the evaluation results along with practical suggestions to competent persons to improve operations, but despite the legal requirement to implement operational audit according to Article 218 of the 5th National Development Program Law, operational audit is carried out. In practice, it has faced problems in institutions and companies.

The current research is applied in terms of its purpose and in terms of a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) approach, which was first collected by reviewing the literature and then distributed among forty experts in the field of insurance and auditing through a questionnaire. Ranking was done by TOPSIS Fuzzy.

The results show the approval of all dimensions, components and indicators identified with a threshold limit of 0.5.

 It was proved that in the efficiency component, the net indices of issued premiums, the claim collection period and the loss ratio have taken the first to third rankings. Also, in the effectiveness component, the indicators of customers’ satisfaction, the investment profit of the company's portfolio share from the total market portfolio have the first to third rankings, in the economic efficiency component, the indicators of the ratio of operational, administrative and general expenses to operating income, the total price (the total price of the insurance policy) to sales and the loss ratio (the ratio of the damage paid to the insurance premium received during the same period) have occupied the first to third rankings and finally, in the environmental component, the use of electronic technology in the services of the insurance industry is the only identified indicator. Finally, it was determined that in the field of insurance, operational audit indicators at the general level (4 components: efficiency, effectiveness, economic and environmental efficiency), respectively, the indicators of the ratio of operational, administrative and general expenses to operating income, net premiums issued, the use of electronic technology in the services of the insurance industry, and the collection period of claims are ranked first to fourth, respectively.

This study aims to present a model for accountability in the Iranian gas distribution industry. The fuzzy Delphi method and a survey were used to collect data. First, library resources and interviews were used to collect data and information, and then a suitable questionnaire was used to collect the required variables for each section. The agreement of 15 experts in the field of gas distribution and measurement of Kendall's coefficient of concordance was confirmed and analyzed in the Iranian gas distribution industry. The dimensions of accountability to stakeholders were identified as political, administrative, public, judicial and market. The most important accountability variables were participation, trust in the network and legal duties. The proposed model includes the main elements of roles and responsibilities, decision-making processes, performance measurement and feedback, and learning

The main purpose of the current research is to identify, evaluate and prioritize the criteria for the development of materials and mineral industries with high potential in Hamedan province based on Porter's value chain model and the mixed Delphi-fuzzy approach and SWARA's multi-indicator decision-making technique (analysis of the ratio of evaluation and preference).

The research method is practical in terms of purpose; In terms of data collection, descriptive-survey; and in terms of analysis, it is qualitative-quantitative. The statistical community in relation to the identification of criteria for the development of mineral materials and industries with high potential in Hamedan province and their evaluation and prioritization includes 15 experts and specialists of mines and related organizations, especially Hamedan's SAMT Organization.

In the first part, the primary criteria extracted from Porter's value chain model were evaluated using the fuzzy Delphi approach and through the opinions of experts, and finally, 6 of the 7 primary criteria were evaluated as effective and key final criteria in development. Mineral materials and industries were identified. In the second part, by using the SWARA technique and the opinions of the mentioned experts, the criteria extracted in the previous stage were evaluated and the final weight of the criteria was calculated and prioritized in order of importance. The final analysis showed that the second key criterion is "suitable infrastructure" with the most weight as the most important factor, the fourth key criterion is "use of advanced technology" in second priority and the third key criterion is "use of efficient human resources" in third place has taken. Finally, the sixth key criterion, "proper provision of essential facilities" with the lowest weight, was identified as the least important criterion.

At the end of the research, practical suggestions have been presented in order to strengthen the criteria for investment in the province's mineral industry.

The perishable food supply chain is a critical system that includes the production, processing, distribution and consumption of food and ensures the availability and access to food for the population. Today, the complexities of the business environment, uncertainty and environmental fluctuations have made the supply chain vulnerable to various types of challenges. The aim of this research is to identify and prioritize the challenges of the perishable food supply chain and provide effective insights and solutions to reduce the impact of these challenges.The current research is Qualitative and Quantitative . Fuzzy Delphi method and Ordinal Priority Approach (OPA) were used for data analysis. At first, 18 challenges of the perishable food supply chain were extracted by reviewing the research literature in reliable scientific databases, then the final 13 challenges were selected using the fuzzy Delphi method. In the following, by preparing a questionnaire and experts' opinions, the challenge of the perishable food supply chain was ranked using the OPA method. The statistical population of the research is made up of academic experts, managers of the agricultural jihad and the food and drug organization of Kerman province. For this purpose, 10 people were selected as a sample using the purposeful sampling method. By prioritizing the challenges, the first to third place was awarded to "weak demand management", "lack of regulations and government support" and "lack of product quality control". The results of this research have been obtained based on scientific texts and the opinion of domestic experts. Therefore, it can be new and comprehensive insights for organizations, experts and researchers in this field.

The present study aims to identify and rank the antecedents and consequences of career path resilience among employees in the banking industry. 

This research is applied in terms of its objective and classified as a mixed-method study within the deductive-inductive paradigm. The qualitative population comprises university professors and experts in public management and human resource management. For this segment, purposive sampling was employed, resulting in 21 participants. The quantitative population includes senior, middle, and human resource managers, as well as branch managers of Tejarat Bank, with a sample size of 47 determined using non-probability convenience sampling. 

In the qualitative phase, data obtained from interviews were analyzed using MaxQda 2020 software and coding methods. The quantitative phase and final analysis employed the fuzzy Delphi method. Based on the exploratory interviews, 28 factors were identified as antecedents and consequences of career path resilience, which were subsequently ranked through quantitative research. 

The results indicate that environmental awareness, coping strategies, and career path evaluation are the most critical antecedents of career path resilience. Among the consequences, psychological well-being, promotability, and enhanced problem-solving capacity are the most significant outcomes of career path resilience

Process innovation is a subset of innovation related to improving or reconfiguring production methods, workflows, or techniques. Process innovation aims to optimize the production or delivery method of existing goods or services. The importance of process innovation lies in its potential to simplify operations, reduce costs, minimize resource consumption, and improve productivity and quality. In agriculture, innovation catalyzes transformation, efficiency improvement, sustainability, and flexibility in production systems. Process innovation in sugarcane production and processing is vital to address the multifaceted challenges facing the industry, including market demand fluctuations, environmental degradation, and socio-economic inequalities. By embracing innovation, stakeholders can increase productivity, optimize resource use, reduce environmental impacts, and as a result, ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the sugarcane sector. In this regard, the present research was designed and carried out to explain the indigenous components of sugarcane production and processing with an emphasis on process innovations.

The research adopted Sandelowski and Barso's meta-composite qualitative approach. The process started with a systematic review of 405 primary articles and finally, 33 articles related to the research purpose were selected. The inclusion criterion was the publication in the field of sugarcane production and processing between 2010 and 2023. To validate the proposed model and increase acceptability, the fuzzy Delphi method with a panel of experts was used. The results were verified and reviewed by the experts.

The fuzzy Delphi resulted in deriving 57 key local indexes within four processes, i.e. planting, growing, harvesting, and processing. According to the results, it can be concluded that the integration of indigenous knowledge systems with modern innovations is important to enhance sustainability, flexibility, and learning in the sugarcane industry. In addition, joint efforts among the beneficiaries are needed to reinforce innovation, promote knowledge exchange, and develop comprehensive strategies to advance the sustainability and prosperity of the sugarcane sector.

Conclusion/ Implications: 

It can be inferred that innovation in the process of sugarcane production is too important to be ignored because it acts as a catalyst to enhance productivity, sustainability, and flexibility in the industry. Hence, it is suggested to create an interdisciplinary platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange to integrate indigenous knowledge systems with modern innovations in the process of sugarcane production. This way, communication among researchers, policymakers, industry players, and local communities is facilitated to create and implement innovative solutions proportional to specific fields and needs of sugarcane producers.

The business model facilitates the enhancement of the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increases competitive capability, promotes industry development, and improves product quality. Using a purposive judgmental method, insights from 15 managers of SMEs in the dairy industry and university professors were gathered. The data analysis process was conducted in two stages: identifying components based on dimensions proposed by Osterwalder and Pigneur (2010) using interviews and thematic analysis, and evaluating components through a questionnaire and fuzzy Delphi method. The reliability of the questionnaires was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α=0.81). In the identification stage, 86 instances of verbal evidence were labeled into 22 initial themes using thematic analysis. These themes were grouped into nine main themes. In the Delphi stage, the components were validated by experts, and the research model was outlined. Based on the results, the final research model includes nine main dimensions: key partners, key activities, key resources, value propositions, customer relationships, channels, customer segments, cost structure, and revenue streams. The perception of SMEs in the dairy industry requires thorough investigation. Emphasizing the main dimensions, the research findings offer new pathways for improving unit performance and formulating future strategies
 

The purpose of this research is to investigate the factors affecting the formation and development of brand communities in the digital marketing space of the Instagram social media.

The present study is developmental and applied in terms of its purpose. It has a hybrid approach in terms of its nature. It is survey research in terms of implementation. It is descriptive based on data collection. This research, in the first phase, literature review and interviews have been used to identify the effective factors for the formation and development of brand communities, in the second phase, factors have been screened by fuzzy Delphi method, and in the last phase, the fuzzy Demetal method has been used to identify the effective and influencing factors.

In the present study, 68 influential factors have been identifing in the first phase of the research. In the second phase of the research, after screened the factors in two phased Delphi repetitions, 16 effective factors on the formation and development of brand communities to introduced and in the third phase, the have been determining intensit of the influencing factors.

The results show that product prestige, overall satisfaction, product development, customer age, product quality, celebrity reputation, and celebrity moral characteristics were identifed as causes. Common awareness, word-of-mouth marketing, customs, brand symbolic function, brand identification, human-to-human interaction through the net platform, social responsibility, customer's emotional experience, and foreign brand reputation were recognized as Effective. also they have ranked based influence of the factors.

With the emergence of Industry 4.0, supply chains have undergone fundamental changes, profoundly impacting on production and supply processes in various industries. The main goal of this study is to identify and evaluate the important criteria for selecting suppliers in Iran's steel industry, taking into account industry 4.0 technologies and their role in supplier selection.

By studying and reviewing previous researches, the study first identifies the criteria. Then, the Fuzzy Delphi method is employed to confirm these criteria. Weighting and prioritization of criteria is done by using Fuzzy FUCOM method.

The results show that criteria such as quality, price, how to use the internet of things, lead time, settlement method and digital cooperation play an important role in choosing a supplier in Iran's steel industry, considering the role of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Originality/Value: 

For the first time, this research examines the supplier selection criteria in Iran's steel industry, focusing on the technologies and concepts of Industry 4.0. Because decision-making in the real world is often faced with uncertainty, Employing the Fuzzy Delphi and Fuzzy FUCOM methods in this article will make decisions in the selection of suppliers in Industry 4.0 enables more accurate and reliable decision-making.

One of the prominent contract types for project execution is the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) method, which serves as a mechanism for transferring project activities and associated risks to contractors. Given the significance of risk assessment in oil and gas projects, particularly for contractors, the primary objective of this research is to identify and rank the risks surrounding EPC projects in Karoon Oil and Gas Exploitation Company. Additionally, this study seeks to propose effective strategies for managing these risks. 

The research methodology consists of several stages. Initially, relevant risks in EPC projects are identified, extracted, and categorized through a literature review and expert opinions. At this stage, the research team compiled a list of potential risks by reviewing scientific sources and conducting interviews with experts in the oil and gas industry. Subsequently, a fuzzy Delphi method, based on the insights of five experts and 15 criteria, was applied to select the key risks. The experts' opinions were collected and analyzed using fuzzy numbers to reach a relative consensus on the primary risks. In the next stage, the selected risks were assessed and ranked using a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) based on their probability of occurrence and severity of impact. To enhance the accuracy of expert evaluations and minimize subjective biases, a fuzzy system was employed, utilizing fuzzy numbers instead of precise values to represent expert opinions.

The results of this study reveal that the key risks in the company's EPC projects, ranked in order of priority, include inflation rate, employer pressure to halt execution, rising equipment costs, delays in financial payments, the presence of incompatible factors and the use of substandard materials, deficiencies in initial design, and ineffective engineering management. These findings help contractors recognize and plan for the management of major risks. Additionally, a scenario-based cognitive map has been developed to address the identified risks, allowing contractors to devise appropriate strategies for risk mitigation. By identifying and prioritizing these risks, contractors can formulate scenario-based strategies to manage them effectively, thereby reducing the likelihood of adverse consequences in Karoon Oil and Gas Exploitation Company. This cognitive map serves as a roadmap for contractors in managing risks in EPC projects. For instance, recommended strategies include meticulous planning, contract management, financial management, procurement management, and stakeholder management. The primary goal of these strategies is to prevent potential challenges in project execution. 

This study underscores the critical importance of risk assessment in EPC projects. Contractors must identify major risks and implement appropriate management strategies to mitigate potential challenges. Analytical tools such as the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and scenario-based cognitive maps significantly aid contractors in this regard and play a crucial role in the successful execution of EPC projects.

The volatility of oil trading policies in Iran has increased in recent years and has become a chronic problem. Considering that the continuation of these fluctuations has adverse effects on society, such as economic and political instability, identifying its causes is of fundamental importance. The main purpose of the research is to identify the factors affecting the commercial policies of the oil industry. In every country, the government, as the main governing body and an institution-building pillar, can be effective on the extent and manner of the impact of international trade on economic growth by forming and directing institutions. This article analyzes and examines the reasons for the effects on oil commercial policies in Iran using data extracted from a field study in 1402 and applying the fuzzy Delphi method. The results of the research show that the indicators of political stability, commercial stability, the role of sanctions and the effectiveness of the government have had the greatest impact on the export and import of Iranian oil, respectively. Also, variables of degree of trade openness, exchange rate, customs tariff and inflation rate have a positive and significant effect on oil exports and imports