A fuzzy approach to a municipality grouping model towards creation of synergies

In recent years, a trend for accelerating the economic, social and environmental development of cities through associations, organization and creation of synergies has been identified. Our investigation applies a grouping model in order to identify municipalities that could create optimal synergies towards the construction of competitive advantages. In order to achieve this task, we use tools of Fuzzy Logic to evaluate subjective and qualitative characteristic elements of different municipalities under Galois’ group theory. Results conclude on 32 different groups ordered in 7 different levels, relating 12 municipalities of a specific region according to 8 competitive variables. This work seeks to shed light in the conformation of groups under uncertain conditions and the deep examination of the characteristic competitive elements in a specific region for further policy and decision-making processes.     

The growth strategies in the hospitality industry from the perspective of the forgotten effects

This paper, using fuzzy incidence matrix, determines the causes why of major hotel chains in the world by number of rooms have used certain growth strategies for implement their international expansion. Both direct cause and second generation causes have been identified. In fact, determining the second generation effects (or forgotten effects) is one of the main contributions of this study as it shows that those causes that are usually not foreseen, at least in the first instance, affect notably in the expansion strategies of hotel chains in the medium and long term.     

Fuzzy systems in innovation and sustainability

Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory - Fuzzy systems in innovation and sustainability are important topics in literature nowadays. A lot of new formulations in fuzzy systems are being...     

Innovation capabilities measurement using fuzzy methodologies: a Colombian SMEs case

The main aim of this paper is to establish the hidden incidences that can improve specific aspects of beekeeper Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) innovation capabilities in Boyacá-Colombia. The methodology is focused on the use of the expertons model, adequacy coefficient and forgotten effects theory. A questionnaire of 58 items about different innovation management areas is distributed to 14 beekeeper SMEs in the area of Boyacá-Colombia. The findings suggest that there are two specific actions that can improve innovation culture. These actions are related to marketing strategies and product innovation. The innovation strategy has a significant influence on the development of an innovative culture in the beekeeper SMEs; one must have a clear orientation to the innovation objectives in the marketing strategy, which is transferred to the product. Likewise, the utility of fuzzy methods for analysis when information is limited, subjective and scarce is highlighted. Finally, this research can be useful to practitioners and academics because the findings can serve as guidelines to understanding sources and enablers of innovation. In addition, the findings show how fuzzy methods help in contending with incomplete and subjective information, highlighting the meaning of the information rather than its measurement.