The Generalized Gamma distribution is very suitable for modeling data with various forms of hazard (risk) functions, which makes the Generalized Gamma distribution useful in survival analysis. Survival analysis aims are to predict chances of survival, disease recurrence, death, and other events over a period of time. One characteristic of survival data is the possibility of sensors. Let X be the life span of the person being studied and the right censorship time of Cr, X is assumed to be independent with the probability density function f(x), the survival function S(x), and the hazard function h(x). A person's X life span will be known if X is less than or equal to Cr. If X is greater than Cr, the individual X survives or is censored right now. Statistical inference, especially parameter estimation is needed in analyzing empirical data. Obviously the estimation results obtained are expected to be a good estimator, namely to meet the nature of unbiased and minimum variance. This paper will discuss the results of the estimation of Generalized Gamma distribution parameters with type 1 right censored data through simulations using the Expectation Maximization method and the Maximum Likelihood Estimation method. The simulation is conducted by generating data with the sample size: 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 as well as determining censored data of 10%, 20% and 30% by first setting the parameters used which are obtained from the data of patients with gastric cancer namely α = 1.0649, β = 1,072, θ = 59.766. Based on the results obtained from the simulations on the two estimation methods that the parameter estimation using the Maximum Likelihood Estimation method is better than the Expectation Maximization method because it provides a smaller bias and MSE value where the larger the sample size used, the estimated parameter value will get closer to the parameter in fact. In addition, the Expectation Maximization method can also be used as an alternative estimation of generalized gamma distribution parameters with type 1 right censored data because it has a bias value and MSE approaching the MLE method.

With increase in differentiation and decreasing batch size of products, feeding the assembly line at regular intervals is considered to be a critical problem in today’s manufacturing sector. Yet no clear solution has been developed for this problem; therefore, the main focus of this research is to discuss the different aspects of line feeding, the latest trend in literature, and to propose an innovative method to support solving the problem. A discrete event simulation model is developed and a mathematical model based on particle swarm optimization is used to support the simulation. The hybrid model is finally applied to practical situations. Results show how different settings of kanban influence the performance of the assembly line feeding system. The biggest novelty item is certainly the recognition of the trade-off between kanban size and number of kanban and the importance of investigating its behaviour during the design of the system.

The development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) becomes the benchmark and leading position for developing countries’ economies. The digital transformation demands strategies, desires, and awareness of Information Technology (IT)-based market players and investments. Despite the transformation of a digital business platform, many SMEs have stumbled in the middle road. Therefore, this study aimed to determine priority indicators in assessing SMEs’ readiness towards digitalization and evolving a readiness model for SMEs based on the Decision Support System (DSS) approach. Multiple stakeholders’ viewpoints, particularly regarding academicians, governments, investors, market places, and SMEs’ business actors as targeted respondents, were scrutinized quantitatively and qualitatively to verify the proposed factors. The priority weights of factors have been examined from economic and IT perspectives and derived through deploying the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) method. This study reveals the rank of measures necessary to assess the readiness of the digital revolution of SMEs. Transaction preparedness in SMEs’ cultural, educational, financial, and technological infrastructure views grows into the principal components during this assessment with 0.30 of vector value, accompanied by marketing and micro-environment at 0.24, management at 0.20, macro-environment at 0.03 and business activities at 0.02, respectively. For the recommendation purposes, the rubric segmented SME fitness into three levels, low, middle, and high performance. The prototype system DSS-SMEsReadiness was then evolved in order to simplify the adoption of the DSS method in the SME performance measurement model. The software analysis demonstrates that this application would assist decision-makers to ascertain SMEs’ readiness to digitalize. The future recommendation provides SMEs and stakeholders with knowledge transfers and acclimatization for taking the appropriate option about their business strategy, management resources, skills, and assistance programs for SMEs. This model attempts to reduce SME digitalization disruptions and achieve a digital business’s growth and sustainability in a nutshell.

This study is aimed to analyze the variables of external environment, organizational resources, organizational capabilities, and business competitiveness. The study priorities strategy and programs as basic for developing the competitiveness of creative industry in Indonesia. The number of respondents who participated in this survey was 200, while the key informants were 10 people. Method of analysis involved descriptive statistics, and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Then, data were processed by using both IBM SPSS 24, and Expert Choice 11. The results show that creative industry competitiveness has relatively declined during covid-19 pandemic. Although external environment support, organizational resources, and organizational capabilities were at good shape. The priority strategy for competitiveness development should be focused on strengthen the organizational capabilities by considering the dynamics of external environmental factors and internal resource capacity. Then, the priority programs developed sequentially are increasing partnerships with suppliers, distributors and customers, analyzing social and economic aspects, developing human resource capacity, and using information and communication technology in products and services. In addition, another important program is strengthening the supply chain system.

Facing stiff competition in worldwide markets, capability of meeting timely demands of multiproduct and satisfying customer’s desired product quality are essential to present-day manufacturers. Motivated by achieving the aforementioned goals, this research intends to find most economic common cycle length for a multiproduct finite production rate (FPR)-based inventory system, wherein, imperfect production process with expedited fabrication rate and random scrap is assumed. Extra setup and unit costs are associated with the adjusted rate, and imperfect products are screened and scrapped. A mathematical model is cautiously constructed to examine and resolve the problem. A numerical illustration is employed to exhibit the applicability of the proposed method. Except finding the most economic common cycle time for the problem, core contribution of this study also is associated with the individual and combined impact(s) of important factors to the problem, and hence, enabling management of manufacturing firms to make efficient/cost-effective decision and gain competitive advantages.

Entrepreneurs who are operating small businesses focus on faster growth of their firms through greater wealth creation. This wealth creation process requires skill and investment in terms of time and capital. However, the success or failure of entrepreneurial teams depends on personality differences among the entrepreneurs. In this context, the present study explores the impact of the Big 5 model traits on the team entrepreneurship and the performance of the ventures among the small businesses in the UAE. Further, the study encapsulates how these personality traits can help in solving business problems and achieving long term success for the business. In this regard, the researcher conducted a survey on 49 employees working in 5 entrepreneurial businesses in UAE. The findings of the study highlighted that sub-factors of big five leadership traits broad-minded, gregarious, assertive, responsible, anxious and emotionally depressed, significantly impact the team entrepreneurship of small businesses in the UAE, aiding in increased customer base, venture skills, stock values, and innovating of new products.

The purpose of this paper was to identify different obstacles preventing the application and activating the overall quality management in marketing tourism services in Saudi Arabia. The study found a number of key findings on the constraints of applying overall quality management in marketing tourism services in Saudi Arabia. The study recommended the need to adopt an integrated system of comprehensive quality management in hotel organizations in Al-Kharj governorate in order to ensure the implementation of sound and correct marketing programs for these organizations by removing the obstacles, which stand in the way of the application of managing the overall quality of these organizations.

The purpose of the article is to assess the impact of the investment and innovation components on the econom-ic development of Ukraine regions using the taxonomy method. The proposed method allows determining the object state level in a general set of objects, and ordering the objects according to growth or decrease of the indicators. The article substantiates the necessity to assess the dynamics of the regional economic development level in order to identify the reserves and capacities for increasing profitability and efficiency of further activities. The integral indicator of the regions’ development level is calculated. The comparative analysis is carried out within the framework of the proposed model. The research results suggest that the proposed model ena-bles us to trace the causes of the negative phenomena occurrence in the activities of the regions, to prevent their occurrence, and to develop complex managerial influences to provide the state with a vector of positive development.

The profitability of businesses is influenced by many different factors such as financial structure, financial leverage, size and age of enterprises, business characteristics, etc. Therefore, the determination of the factors influencing on the trend of the profitability of enterprises is an essential and important basis for managers to provide useful solutions to improve performance measurement. This study was conducted based on data collected from 73 listed construction companies in Vietnam for the period 2008-2015 with 584 observations and using quantitative methods in combination with the FEM regression model through Hausman test with the help of Stata software 14.0. The research results show that: (1) The age of the company (AGE) and debt ratio (TD) negatively affect the profitability (2) Growth rate (GROW) and asset utilization performance (TURN) have positive impacts on profitability (3) Company size (SIZE) has a positive impact on profitability, and (4) The proportion of fixed assets in total assets (TANG) maintains an opposite effect on profitability although the effect is not clear. Based on the research results, the authors have provided a number of specific recommendations and solutions to improve the profitability of the construction companies listed on the Vietnam Stock Exchange.

The relationship between perceived values; customer satisfaction and customer repurchase intention of organizations toward tour choice in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) was defined in this study. In addition, this study also identified the impacts of the five independent variables of tangibles, assurance, empathy, reliability and responsiveness and the intervening variables of perceived value and customer satisfaction on repurchase inten-tion. Quantitative research was conducted by questionnaire with 300 middle and small organizations in HCMC, with variety of statistical techniques; including factor analysis, multiple regression analyses and path analysis to find the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Based on the results, the study suggests the fact that a higher perceived value would lead to a higher customer satisfaction. When consumers feel satisfied with services, they feel the choice was correct, which increases the customer’s confidence and intention to repurchase the service in future.