Meta-heuristics that attempt to obtain (near) global optimal solutions of NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems generally require diversification to escape from local optimality. One way to achieve diversification is to utilize the multi-start hill climbing strategy. By combining the...

Clients in an accounting firm were surveyed to identify factors relating to client satisfaction in service organizations. Four independent variablesÑcommunication, responsiveness, service quality, and effectivenessÑ correlated with, and explained the variance in client satisfaction....

Purpose: This study aims to propose a framework for developing strategies for the supply chain of craft beer that can make the business efficient and profitable, and at the same time, generate sustainability benefits from reducing waste, conserving natural resources and reducing pollution....

This paper presents a holistic framework for managing the maintenance function heretofore inundated by myriad tools, trappings, practices, and prescriptions. It begins by reviewing the concepts, state-of-art processes and standards available to help maintain today's complex systems. It then...