Sharif Digital Repository

Management Technologies Strategy formulation (MTS formulation) in holding companies is carried out with the aim of achieving competitive advantages in the market and fulfilment of strategic goals of the corporation. This paper presents a modified technology strategy formulation model for MTS in holding companies. Prior to present an integrated model of MTS formulation, a number of technology strategy formulation models are analysed and their suitability for the headquarter of a holding company is discussed. Through a case study research method, the paper documents how MTS formulation was implemented in an Iranian conglomerate tasked with managing diversified subsidiaries. We concluded that... 

Internet banking is a tool to achieve competitive advantage and its usage has been spreading rapidly in recent years. This paper strives to identify a comprehensive study of the major internet banking quality measurements, which covers a wide range of literature relevant to international papers and scholars and then evaluate them through using a precise method, Shannon entropy. At the last stage the validated criteria were exploited to survey in Iranian banks. The empirical research consists of a quantitative study of internet banking by a sample of employees in two banks of Iran. In this regard, the raised question is about whether or not the internet banking is a strategic information... 

On-line analytical processing (OLAP) is a mature technology as a part of the new category named Business Intelligence for decision supports that are given to managers to analyze different dimensions of multidimensional data and enable them to obtain competitive advantage by accurate analysis and examination of organizational data. So considering the factors affecting the user's acceptance and use are important to increase the benefits of such systems. The study has used Technology Acceptance Model (Davis 1989) to determine technology acceptance of an Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) in Tarbiat Modares University. This study took advantage of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach to... 

Maximizing the value of resources and producing less waste are strategic decisions affecting sustainability and competitive advantage. Sustainable closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs) are designed to minimize waste by circling back (repairing, reselling, or dismantling for parts) previously discarded products into the value chain. This study presents a novel two-stage fuzzy supplier selection and order allocation model in a CLSC. In Stage 1, we use the fuzzy best-worst method (BWM) to select the most suitable suppliers according to economic, environmental, social, and circular criteria. In Stage 2, we use a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MOMILP) model to design a... 

People are the last weapon of competitive advantage in the global market today, and construction industry is not an exception. Safety and security in welding process comes from suitable instrument and proficiency of welders, providing appropriate machines and devices has huge cost for firms. Construction firms should be aware of value creation shift in global market which there is a shift of 62% for tangible assets in 1982 to only 10% in 2004. In spite of existing codes and regulations, most of structures do not have suitable detailed execution process in both design and construction. Due to the nature of construction industry, the project cost, safety, and time extremely depends on workers.... 

Using plant level panel data of manufacturing firms in Iran from 2003 to 2013, we test the Dutch disease predictions, including the impact of a rise in oil prices on intensive and extensive margins of trade. Our findings indicate that during periods of high oil prices domestic currency appreciates, but contrary to resource curse theories, domestic firms export more, and new firms enter foreign markets. We reconcile this paradox by proposing a new channel, which we call “subsidy disease.” Despite rising oil prices, the government of Iran kept domestic energy prices at low levels, which increased the implicit subsidy accruing to energy intensive firms. In effect, these firms gain a competitive... 

Maximizing the value of resources and producing less waste are strategic decisions affecting sustainability and competitive advantage. Sustainable closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs) are designed to minimize waste by circling back (repairing, reselling, or dismantling for parts) previously discarded products into the value chain. This study presents a novel two-stage fuzzy supplier selection and order allocation model in a CLSC. In Stage 1, we use the fuzzy best-worst method (BWM) to select the most suitable suppliers according to economic, environmental, social, and circular criteria. In Stage 2, we use a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MOMILP) model to design a... 

It is widely recognized that knowledge is an essential strategic resource for a firm to achieve sustainable competitive advantage and Knowledge Management (KM) is a fundamental concept for those interested in the ever changing business world. However, KM has received little attention in Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). Unique characteristics of SMEs affect their approach in knowledge management, so different KM processes should be applied in these firms. SMEs have very simple structures, so they have less difficulty in managing their internal knowledge than large organizations. But this is not the case for external knowledge management, especially external knowledge acquisition... 

Purpose: This research attempts to formulate an analytical model for the studying and assessment of necessary factors that have strong effects on the level of Iranian Technology Park competitiveness. The result of this model leads to increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of Technology Parks planning stage. Methodology/Approach: The main framework of this research is based on studying the projects and research, which in their methods use the Porter's diamond model or SWOT analytical method. On the other hand, this framework is customized for the future needs of Technology Parks and clarifies the kind of information that must be gathered. Finding: Identification of the core competencies...