OCTOBER 19-20, 2012 - YMCA University of Science & Technology

Proceedings of the National Conference on
Trends and Advances in Mechanical Engineering,
YMCA University of Science & Technology, Faridabad, Haryana, Oct 19-20, 2012
Step 1: Model construction through networks
Decision problem should be structured into networks by using appropriate methods or through brainstorming.
Step 2: Pairwise comparison and priority vectors
Decision makers are asked to compare clusters through a series of questions for inner and outer dependence to
achieve the goal. The relative importance values are determined on the scale of 1-9. Where a score of 1
represents the equal importance among the elements and a score of 9 represents the extreme importance of one
element over the other (Meade & Sarkis , 1999). A reciprocal value is assigned to the inverse comparison i.e.
b ij =1/b ji . Local priority vectors are derived similar to AHP. This step is done to derive the eigenvectors and to
form a supermatrix.
Step 3: Supermatrix formation
The outcome of step 2 is unweighted supermatrix. Supermatrix is actually a partitioned matrix. Its columns
represent priorities derived from the pairwise comparison of the elements. As unweighted supermatrix may not
be column stochastic, so as to obtain one, multiply each block with cluster priority obtained in the step 2. This
stochastic matrix is known as weighted supermatrix. To obtain a convergence on the importance of weights, the
supermatrix is raised to large powers and the resulted matrix is known as limit matrix. Priorities can be directly
obtained from the limit matrix.
4 . Intensity of AMT Implementation Critical Factors- an ANP Approach
To find the intensity of critical factors ANP approach has been applied through Superdecision software 2.0.8. As
shown in Table 1, there are six clusters having four factors. A questionnaire has been prepared to rate each factor
of cluster with respect to the other factors. Experts were asked to give rating of the pairwise comparison of the
factors on 1-9 scale. On this basis, Superdecision software generated Unweighted, Weighted Supermatrix and
Limit matrix. Priorities of the factors can be directly taken from the Limit matrix. The priorities of the factors are
shown in Table 2. The top five factors are Management Support, Quality, Computerized Interaction, Level of
technology Investment and Financial Risk.
Table 2: Intensity of Critical Factors based upon ANP
Critical Factors of AMT Implementation Normalized Limiting Intensity
(i) Person Responsible 0.49 0.04 7
(ii) Financial Risk 0.271 0.04 5
(iii) Level of Technology Investment 0.273 0.04 4
(iv) Government Policies 0.137 0.02 12
(v) End User 0.17 0.03 10
(vi) Supplier Support 0.08 0.01 24
(vii) Location 0.138 0.01 17
(viii) Feasibility Analysis 0.068 0.01 22
(ix) Size 0.114 0.01 18
(x) Financial Position 0.189 0.02 14
(xi) Technology Competent Workers 0.046 0.01 19
(xii) Computerized Integration 0.286 0.05 3
(xiii) Flexibility 0.041 0.01 20
(xiv) Quality 0.297 0.05 2
(xv) Delivery Time 0.229 0.01 15
(xvi) Cost 0.103 0.01 21
(xvii) Employees’ Motivation 0.387 0.02 11
(xviii) Management Support 0.34 0.06 1
(xix) Recruitment 0.193 0.01 16
(xx) Employees’ Training 0.087 0.01 23
(xxi) Customers’ Feedback 0.183 0.04 6
(xxii) Production Rate 0.173 0.04 8
(xxiii) Competition 0.162 0.03 9
(xxiv) Quality of the Product 0.134 0.02 13
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