Fuzzy delphi method: Issues and challenges
The Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) is the modified and enhanced version of the classical Delphi technique. Improvement was made to rectify the imperfection of traditional Delphi Method (DM) that leads to low convergence in retrieving outcomes, loss of important information, and long progress of investigation. Nevertheless, this approach has been employed in various application domains, including humanities, management, business, physical science, and engineering. Furthermore, the literature has exposed numerous key issues in relation to the existing FDM that need to be resolved with regard to the classical DM. Hence, the analysis obtained from the existing literature highlighted two key issues, which were; i) most FDM ignored certain important characteristics of DM, and ii) lack of explanation on how FDM obtained controlled feedback with the lack of iteration process. Additionally, it was observed that there had been lack of comparison between decision outcomes obtained based on FDM and the decision outcomes obtained from the traditional DM.
Using Fuzzy-Delphi technique to determine the concession period in BOT projects
BOT projects are affected by several risks and uncertainties. One of the most important issues in this type of contract is to determine the length of concession period considering these uncertainties. The previous studies have developed several models to determine the concession period. However, the uncertainties are not taking into account in most of the previous works. Moreover, none of the previous researches has the capability to aggregate the opinions of different experts being involved in a project regarding the values of the uncertain input parameters. In this research, a Fuzzy-Delphi technique is implemented to determine the length of concession period considering uncertainties. Using the proposed Fuzzy-Delphi technique, the values of different uncertain factors affecting a BOT project is determined considering opinions of a group of experts. The NPV value is calculated considering the resulted aggregated values of uncertain input parameters. Finally, the concession period is determined using fuzzy approach. A case study is conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology. It is shown that the concession period is determined more effectively using the proposed approach.
Dawn or dusk of the 5th age of research in educational technology? A literature review on (e-)leadership for technology-enhanced learning in higher education (2013-2017)
The aim of this article is to establish the extent to which the concept of e-leadership has taken off as a lens through which to study leadership for technology-enhanced learning (TEL) in higher education. Building on a previous study conducted in 2013, this article thus covers an exploratory review of the literature for the period 2103-2017. It analyses 49 articles which explore both the specific concept of e-leadership as well as other work dealing more generally with leadership and organisational change for TEL in higher education. The findings show that while none of the empirical studies identified in the literature refer explicitly to e-leadership, there are a number of interesting insights to be found in the theoretical articles. The results also highlight the widely different interpretations and applications of the concept of e-leadership and the consequent need for the definition to be refined. The paper concludes with recommendations for further multidisciplinary research at the intersection of the fields of educational technology and educational management, focusing on values, strategy, organisation and leadership interactions at meso level, the economy and public policy at macro level, and teaching and learning at the micro level, as well as for research in Leadership Development for TEL.