2009 Publications
2009 Conference Publications.
[1] SEAPORT MANAGEMENT ASPECTS AND PERSPECTIVES: AN OVERVIEW, 2009
Amr Mahfouz and Amr Arisha
12th Annual Irish Academy of Management Conference
12th Annual Irish Academy of Management Conference
Abstract
Ireland occupies the northern part of the western European coast which has a 70,000 Kilometres coasting along two oceans and four seas. These coasts are Europe’s lifeblood and represent the trade routes, climate regulator and source of food, energy and resources. Seaports and shipping are key maritime activities which allow European coast countries to benefit from the rapid growth of international trade. Therefore, port management became the centre of governments’ interest and the focal point of research to improve the efficiency. This research aims to summaries past publications of seaport systems to highlight challenges and reveal relevant research gaps. Having the objective to classify the literature, a comprehensive review of journal articles and the best practices in the field was conducted. A wide variety of management issues and opportunities to improve service delivery of port systems was discussed in a three main categories based on port authority objectives; strategic, economic and operational.
| 1346083172iam_2009.pdf |
[2] Optimisation Methods in Supply Chain Applications: A Review, 2009
Waleed Abo-Hamad, Amr Arisha
Proceedings of the 12th annual Irish Academy of Management Conference, 2 – 4 September 2009, Galway - Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland.
Proceedings of the 12th annual Irish Academy of Management Conference, 2 – 4 September 2009, Galway - Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland.
Abstract
The competitiveness and dynamic nature of today’s marketplace is due to rapid advances in information technology, short product life cycles and the continuing trend in global outsourcing. Managing the resulting supply chain networks effectively is a complex and challenging task which is imputable to high level of uncertainty in supply-demand, conflict objectives, vagueness of information, numerous decision variables and constraints. With such level of complexity in the environment, supply chain optimisation has a potential to make a significant contribution to resolve the challenges. In this paper, a literature review – based on more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles – of state-of-the-art optimisation techniques in the context of supply chain management is presented. It also provides a classification of solution techniques. Linear programming, integer programming and mixed-integer programming have been used to solve many issues including; facility location, demand allocation and vehicle routing problems. The aforementioned traditional techniques have limited capabilities to handle the inherent interdependencies in supply chain networks. Such limitations of different optimisation techniques are discussed in detail. As a result, trends in current optimisation methodologies are based not only on improving a particular process performance but also on achieving a broader impact on supply chain efficiency. When properly applied, these methodologies can create precise and comprehensive models of great practical value for decision makers in managing supply chains. In such a vigorous global marketplace, supply chain optimisation is no longer an option; it is a requirement for survival to remain competitive.
[3] SIMULATION MODEL TO INVESTIGATE FLEXIBLE WORKLOAD MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTHCARE AND SERVICESCAPE ENVIRONMENT, 2009
Michael Thorwarth, Paul Harper, and Amr Arisha
Winter Simulation Conference 2009
Winter Simulation Conference 2009
Abstract
High demand and poor staffing conditions cause avoidable pressure and stress among healthcare personnel which results in burnout symptoms and unplanned absenteeism which are hidden cost drivers. The work environment within an emergency department is commonly arranged in a flexible workload which is highly dynamic and complex for the outside observer. Us-ing detailed simulation modeling within structured modeling methods, a comprehensive model to characterize the nurses’ time utilization in such flexible dynamic workload environment was investigated. The results have been used to derive a ge-neralized analytic expression that describes certain settings that lead to an instable queuing system with serious consequences for the healthcare facility. Thus decision makers are hence equipped with a tool which allows identifying and preventing such conditions that affect service quality level.
| 134608529805429210.pdf |
[4] RISK ASSESSMENT MODEL FOR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN DUBLIN HOSPITALS , 2009
Michael Thorwarth and Amr Arisha
Irish Academy of Management
Irish Academy of Management
Abstract
The internal dynamics of emergency departments (ED) in Irish hospitals represent complex non-linear stochastic systems with an environment of uncertainty, variability and limited resources. Planning and managing such systems pose overwhelming demands. To improve operations, patient service, resource planning, and real-time reaction to unexpected events, sophisticated tools to efficiently achieve these goals must be applied. Advanced solution techniques (e.g. simulation and optimisation) have been successfully applied in manufacturing operations to improve the delivery, cost-effectiveness and service quality. Yet, random arrival of patients, limited resources and multitasking are challenges in EDs that add more complexity to this critical area. This study delivers a contribution to both theory and practice. By the elaboration of patient risks types, simulation is investigated for its compliance with risk management approaches that hence delivered modifications to the simulation modelling approach. This investigation and the modifications allows the conclusion that simulation is suited for risk management and that simulation models are applicable as risk assessment models for healthcare once the modifications are considered by the modeller.
| 1346109511iam_paper_-_risk_assessment_final_finish.pdf |
[5] ENABLING RFID TECHNOLOGY IN IRISH HOSPITALS, 2009
Khaled Ismail and Amr Arisha
Irish Academy of Management
Irish Academy of Management
Abstract
Hospitals represent a significant part of healthcare systems and account for no less than 60% of the entire healthcare service in most of developed countries. Therefore, improving service in hospitals is an important element to the process of healthcare reform. Better use of resources, more consistent quality, and a higher service level are the keys to rationalise the huge expenditure in healthcare systems due to higher growth in demand. Even though massive spending has been directed towards hospital improvement in Ireland, services provided in Irish hospitals are ranked relatively low comparing to the other European countries. Growth of population, aging, European Union regulations, and demanding patients place more pressure on healthcare researchers to provide innovation solutions for Irish hospitals. In the last two decades, the use of technology had a significant impact on hospital performance in terms of responsiveness, quality, and management practices. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been successfully implemented in a number of hospital systems in many developed countries. It is an emerging technology for applications such as managing and tracking patients, equipment, and drugs. Integrating RFID technology into hospital systems allows a dramatic enhancement in hospital efficiency and effectiveness measures to happen. This paper gives a comprehensive review on the up-to-date applications of RFID technology in hospital systems. It includes a classification of RFID applications at different areas of hospitals. Inclusive analysis of the impact of RFID implementation on the overall performance of the hospitals is presented. As new technology, this paper looks into the challenges and problems facing the management in employing the technology. Recommendations on potential impact of using RFID in Irish hospitals are discussed.
[6] ENABLING RFID TECHNOLOGY IN IRISH HOSPITALS, 2009
Khaled Ismail and Amr Arisha
Irish Academy of Management
Irish Academy of Management
Abstract
Hospitals represent a significant part of healthcare systems and account for no less than 60% of the entire healthcare service in most of developed countries. Therefore, improving service in hospitals is an important element to the process of healthcare reform. Better use of resources, more consistent quality, and a higher service level are the keys to rationalise the huge expenditure in healthcare systems due to higher growth in demand. Even though massive spending has been directed towards hospital improvement in Ireland, services provided in Irish hospitals are ranked relatively low comparing to the other European countries. Growth of population, aging, European Union regulations, and demanding patients place more pressure on healthcare researchers to provide innovation solutions for Irish hospitals. In the last two decades, the use of technology had a significant impact on hospital performance in terms of responsiveness, quality, and management practices. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been successfully implemented in a number of hospital systems in many developed countries. It is an emerging technology for applications such as managing and tracking patients, equipment, and drugs. Integrating RFID technology into hospital systems allows a dramatic enhancement in hospital efficiency and effectiveness measures to happen. This paper gives a comprehensive review on the up-to-date applications of RFID technology in hospital systems. It includes a classification of RFID applications at different areas of hospitals. Inclusive analysis of the impact of RFID implementation on the overall performance of the hospitals is presented. As new technology, this paper looks into the challenges and problems facing the management in employing the technology. Recommendations on potential impact of using RFID in Irish hospitals are discussed.
| 1346110252microsoft_word_-_enabling_rfid_technology_in_irish_hospitals_final.pdf |