A hybrid fuzzy group ANP–TOPSIS framework for assessment of e-government readiness from a CiRM perspective

Improving the Trustworthiness of Interactive Visualization Tools for Healthcare Data through a Medical Fuzzy Expert System

Successful healthcare companies and illness diagnostics require data visualization. Healthcare and medical data analysis are needed to use compound information. Professionals often gather, evaluate, and monitor medical data to gauge risk, performance capability, tiredness, and adaptation to a medical diagnosis. Medical diagnosis data come from EMRs, software systems, hospital administration systems, laboratories, IoT devices, and billing and coding software. Interactive diagnosis data visualization tools enable healthcare professionals to identify trends and interpret data analytics results. Selecting the most trustworthy interactive visualization tool or application is crucial for the reliability of medical diagnosis data. Thus, this study examined the trustworthiness of interactive visualization tools for healthcare data analytics and medical diagnosis. The present study uses a scientific approach for evaluating the trustworthiness of interactive visualization tools for healthcare and medical diagnosis data and provides a novel idea and path for future healthcare experts. Our goal in this research was to make an idealness assessment of the trustworthiness impact of interactive visualization models under fuzzy conditions by using a medical fuzzy expert system based on an analytical network process and technique for ordering preference by similarity to ideal solutions. To eliminate the ambiguities that arose due to the multiple opinions of these experts and to externalize and organize information about the selection context of the interactive visualization models, the study used the proposed hybrid decision model. According to the results achieved through trustworthiness assessments of different visualization tools, BoldBI was found to be the most prioritized and trustworthy visualization tool among other alternatives. The suggested study would aid healthcare and medical professionals in interactive data visualization in identifying, selecting, prioritizing, and evaluating useful and trustworthy visualization-related characteristics, thereby leading to more accurate medical diagnosis profiles.

Surgical scheduling by Fuzzy model considering inpatient beds shortage under uncertain surgery durations

Operating Room (OR) management has been among the mainstream of hospital management research, as ORs are commonly considered as one of the most critical and expensive resources. The complicated connection and interplay between ORs and their upstream and downstream units has recently attracted research attention to focus more on allocating medical resources efficiently for the sake of a balanced coordination. As a critical step, surgical scheduling in the presence of uncertain surgery durations is pivotal but rather challenging since a patient cannot be hospitalized if a recovery bed will not be available to accommodate the admission. To tackle the challenge, we propose an overflow strategy that allows patients to be assigned to an undesignated department if the designated one is full. It has been proved that overflow strategy can successfully alleviate the imbalance of capacity utilization. However, some studies indicate that implementation of the overflow strategy exacerbates the readmission rate as well as the length of stay (LOS). To rigorously examine the overflow strategy and explore its optimal solution, we propose a Fuzzy model for surgical scheduling by explicitly considering downstream shortage, as well as the uncertainty of surgery duration and patient LOS. To solve the Fuzzy model, a hybrid algorithm (so-called GA-P) is developed, stemming from Genetic Algorithm (GA). Extensive numerical results demonstrate the plausible efficiency of the GA-P algorithm, especially for large-scale scheduling problems (e.g., comprehensive hospitals). Additionally, it is shown that the overflow cost plays a critical role in determining the efficiency of the overflow strategy; viz., benefits from the overflow strategy can be reduced as the overflow cost increases, and eventually almost vanishes when the cost becomes sufficiently large. Finally, the Fuzzy model is tested to be effective in terms of simplicity and reliability, yet without cannibalizing the patient admission rate.

Analyzing the Impact of Cybersecurity on Monitoring and Control Systems in the Energy Sector

Monitoring and control systems in the energy sector are specialized information structures that are not governed by the same information technology standards as the rest of the world’s information systems. Such industrial control systems are also used to handle important infrastructures, including smart grids, oil and gas facilities, nuclear power plants, water management systems, and so on. Industry equipment is handled by systems connected to the internet, either via wireless or cable connectivity, in the present digital age. Further, the system must work without fail, with the system’s availability rate being of paramount importance. Furthermore, to certify that the system is not subject to a cyber-attack, the entire system must be safeguarded against cyber security vulnerabilities, threats, and hazards. In addition, the article looks at and evaluates cyber security evaluations for industrial control systems, as well as their possible impact on the accessibility of industrial control system operations in the energy sector. This research work discovers that the hesitant fuzzy-based method of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is an operational procedure for estimating industrial control system cyber security assessments by understanding the numerous characteristics and their impacts on cyber security industrial control systems. The author evaluated the outputs of six distinct projects to determine the quality of the outcomes and their sensitivity. According to the results of the robustness analysis, alternative 1 shows the utmost effective cybersecurity project for the industrial control system. This research work will be a conclusive reference for highly secure and managed monitoring and control systems.

Hesitant Fuzzy Sets Based Symmetrical Model of Decision-Making for Estimating the Durability of Web Application

The development of web applications essentially relies on users’ demands who expect highly efficacious but cost effective software services. Managing time and cost so as to develop web applications that cater to the users’ need is a challenge for developers at present. Moreover, low-cost maintenance can only be achieved by enhancing the durability of the web applications. Identifying characteristics of durability is a complex task because the different experts have different opinions regarding the significance of characteristics that determine durability quotient of the web applications. As established by the best practices undertaken in this context, some experts consider quality to be the most important factor for determining durability. Therefore, the present study enlists multi-criteria decision-based symmetrical technique to address the multi-vector option availability for the apt selection of the characteristics for durability. Furthermore, it has also been identified that a numerical assessment of web applications’ durability can affect the service life and low-cost management in web applications. In this context, to achieve high durability and longevity in web applications, this paper attempts to illustrate and perform a numerical evaluation of durability characteristics. By understanding the various characteristics and their significance towards durability, the paper finds that the hesitant fuzzy-based symmetrical technique of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is an effective methodology for evaluating web applications’ durability. For evaluating the quality of the results and establishing their sensitivity, the authors have assessed the outcomes on six different projects of the University. Additionally, results assessed and discussed in this paper would be a conclusive reference for the developers in their attempts to develop highly durable and manageable web applications.

A TODIM-PROMETHEE Ⅱ Based Multi-Criteria Group Decision Making Method for Risk Evaluation of Water Resource Carrying Capacity under Probabilistic Linguistic Z-Number Circumstances

With the development of the urbanization process, the demand for water resources has increased significantly, but the pollution of water resources has caused serious problems. These changes pose a potential threat to water resource carrying capacity in many regions. However, how to determine the areas of highest risk in water resource carrying capacity is an urgent problem which remains to be solved. Resounding to these circumstances, this study establishes a TODIM-PROMETHEE Ⅱ (An acronym in Portuguese for interactive and multiple attribute decision making- preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation Ⅱ) based decision support framework to address this issue for the regions of intensive governance, thereby providing support. In this framework, a novel theoretical concept, namely probabilistic linguistic Z-numbers, is proposed to describe group decision information. The related knowledge of probabilistic linguistic Z-numbers is developed, including a comparison method, distance, and operational rules. Subsequently, a case study involving the evaluation of water resource carrying capacity is conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the decision support model, followed by sensitivity analysis, comparison analysis, and discussion. The findings demonstrate that the constructed framework demonstrates great performance to address this issue.

Evaluating Performance of Software Durability through an Integrated Fuzzy-Based Symmetrical Method of ANP and TOPSIS

Acceptance of any new approach by the organizations depends upon the users’ needs. Currently, reducing the cost and time invested in maintenance is a major challenge for the practitioners. Moreover, symmetrical and optimal maintenance is the need of the hour and it can be achieved by increasing the durability of software. Many attributes of the quality may affect the durability of the software and identification of durability attributes is a crucial task at the early stage of software development. Thus, it is a problem that contains multi-criteria within it. With the help of quantitative estimation, software durability may be assessed symmetrically and increased. In this row, the authors of this article have attempted to posit an effective technique to assess the durability of software. Based on empirical data through research, the presenters of this article suggest that fuzzy-based symmetrical method of Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) would be an accurate methodology for assessing the durability of software. For determining the efficacy of this assessment, the researchers took six alternative software of a University. The results, as presented in this paper, would serve as guidelines for the practitioners who aim at achieving the preferred software durability.

Prioritization of Information Security Controls through Fuzzy AHP for Cloud Computing Networks and Wireless Sensor Networks

With the advent of cloud computing and wireless sensor networks, the number of cyberattacks has rapidly increased. Therefore, the proportionate security of networks has become a challenge for organizations. Information security advisors of organizations face difficult and complex decisions in the evaluation and selection of information security controls that permit the defense of their resources and assets. Information security controls must be selected based on an appropriate level of security. However, their selection needs intensive investigation regarding vulnerabilities, risks, and threats prevailing in the organization as well as consideration of the implementation, mitigation, and budgetary constraints of the organization. The goal of this paper was to improve the information security control analysis method by proposing a formalized approach, i.e., fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). This approach was used to prioritize and select the most relevant set of information security controls to satisfy the information security requirements of an organization. We argue that the prioritization of the information security controls using fuzzy AHP leads to an efficient and cost-effective assessment and evaluation of information security controls for an organization in order to select the most appropriate ones. The proposed formalized approach and prioritization processes are based on International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 27001:2013. But in practice, organizations may apply this approach to any information security baseline manual.

A proposed maturity assessment framework of the Greek local government Web Electronic Services

Purpose

This paper aims to construct an assessment framework to establish a maturity model for Web Electronic Services offered at a local government level and investigate the maturity of Greek municipalities in the E-Government field, trying to correlate how this is affected by demographic variables.

Design/methodology/approach

An original assessment framework regarding municipal Electronic Services was created based on the literature review. The assessment framework was included in a methodological approach supported by the PROMETHEE II method, as well as by selected statistical methods. The framework and the methodological approach were applied in the case of Greek municipalities.

Findings

The analysis revealed the low maturity level of Greek municipalities in Electronic Services sector. The Greek case study indicated that the proposed framework and methodological approach could provide useful insights to municipalities for the improvement of its E-Government Web services based on their strategic preferences.

Research limitations/implications

The assessment took place only in Greece, assessing all the country's municipalities and conducting research only in the municipalities’ websites. The proposed methodology suggests that the PROMETHEE II multi-criteria decision analysis method can support the assessment of the maturity level of local government entities. Moreover, the combination of the PROMETHEE II–empowered assessment framework with demographic statistical analysis can assist orthological decision-making concerning future investments in Web Electronic Services. The methodology could be a good option for future research efforts (assessments) in municipalities, in Greece and worldwide.

Practical implications

The framework is both easy to use and fairly complete. The fact that the assessment was conducted in all the Greek municipalities makes it much more reliable, as it provides the whole picture. The suggested methodology which includes the proposed framework could be used in the cases of municipalities in other countries to assist future actions concerning the investment in Web Electronic Services.

Originality/value

This study provided a medium-size framework, being both complete and easy to use during the evaluation process of all the municipalities in Greece. In addition, the statistical analysis received data from a decision-making tool to execute the clustering (Cluster analysis is usually performed based on the raw data).

Mitigating e-services avoidance: the role of government cybersecurity preparedness

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand why individuals choose to avoid using e-services due to security concerns and perceived risk when these factors are affected by the perceived degree of government cybersecurity preparedness against cyberattacks.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt the information systems success model to predict the role of government security preparedness efforts in influencing the determinants of e-services avoidance. The conceptual model includes four variables: security concerns, perceived risk of cyberattacks, perceived government cybersecurity preparedness and e-services avoidance. Data from 774 participants were used to analyze our conceptual model.

Findings

First, the findings show that security concerns regarding personal information safety and perceived risk of cyberattacks are barriers to e-services use, with the former having a stronger effect. Second, the findings showed that perceived government cybersecurity preparedness significantly reduces security concerns and perceived risk of cyberattacks. Third, the post hoc group analysis between individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher versus those without a bachelor’s degree showed that the effect of both security concerns and perceived risk of cyberattacks on e-services avoidance was greater for individuals without a bachelor’s degree. The same relationship between perceived risk of cyberattacks and e-services avoidance was not supported for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Originality/value

Extant privacy research fails to adequately examine the role of institutional factors, such as government efforts, and how these mitigate or amplify cybersecurity concerns and risks related to e-services. This research takes the first step toward addressing this limitation by examining the influence of government cybersecurity preparedness efforts on the determinants of e-services avoidance.

A Model for Evaluation and Development of Citizens' Electronic Readiness for Deployment of an E-City Using Structural Equation Modeling

This article describes how as the world moves faster and faster towards a digital society, moving toward electronic cities is inevitable due to population growth and transformation of human relationships. Such trend is almost impossible without having electronic cities and citizens. Today, governments seek to improve their services by relying on new ICT solutions so that citizens get the services they want with the best quality, least cost, and in the shortest time possible. Considering the importance of this issue, in this article a model for evaluation and development of citizens' electronic readiness for deployment of an electronic city has been proposed. The present article is descriptive in terms of methodology and a survey in terms of data collection using a questionnaire with a population of 384 citizens of The Citizens of a City in Iran. The aspects this article explores include technical and communication infrastructure, business environment, and culture and society. These factors were investigated considering 33 indices derived from SEM as well as using SPSS and AMOS and the hypotheses of the research were tested. The results show that the model has an overall fitting and that there is a positive, significant relation between the variables and the citizens' E-readiness and using these indices is a good basis for presenting a model for the evaluation of citizens' E-readiness. According to the results obtained from the analysis of the research model, it was found that compared with other factors the understudy city lacked a proper technical and communication infrastructure. Therefore, some solutions for increasing citizens' E-readiness have been offered.

Does e-readiness of citizens ensure better adoption of government’s digital initiatives? A case based study

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine and evaluate the “E-Readiness” of the citizens of India which is imperative to make such large scale e-government initiatives a success. The researchers tried to compare India with some developed and developing countries where the e-government model have been implemented successfully, looking at the prime factors for the successful implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted for this study is exploratory in nature. A comprehensive questionnaire was adapted and the survey was conducted mostly in online format. The data were found reliable for further analysis. Exploratory factor analysis provides us five factors covering approximately 50 per cent of the variance explained. So, the authors can infer five dimensions to be the major constituents of e-readiness as per this study.

Findings

The findings are quite significant as end users and citizens were found to be quite involved in the usage of technology. Thus, user’s proactive participation in technological assimilation also augurs well for the e-readiness of the society. But people are worried about the safety and security of the automated and online services.

Originality/value

The questionnaire was developed by the authors and the data analysis was also done on the basis of responses received. The paper adds value to the existing literature by capturing the issues behind the acceptance of the several technologies backed government initiatives. The authors believe that the findings will help the government to implement digital initiatives with more success.

Assessing the impact of readiness factors on e-government outcomes

Many have studied different factors affecting e-government performance, but there is little research on the role of readiness factors, which may impact e-government outcomes indirectly. This study presents a conceptual model with the aim of determining the role of readiness factors in the relationship between e-government factors and e-government outcomes. E-government factors are comprised of citizens, businesses, and government itself. Also, readiness factors are categorized into three main groups, namely governing, technical, and organizational. A questionnaire was designed and completed by 90 e-government senior managers at multiple government agencies of Iran expressing their opinions on several factors impacting e-government outcomes within their organizations. The results of hierarchical regression analysis strongly support the appropriateness of the proposed model and prove that readiness factors play a moderating role in the relationship between e-government factors and e-government outcomes. Also, the results of latent moderated structuring (LMS) technique show that ‘organizational’ readiness factors have the most important effect on e-government outcomes. Finally, some policy implications are provided for better understanding of the role and importance of readiness factors in theory and practice.

Public administration employees’ readiness and acceptance of e-government

Despite the widespread use of digital technology in public administration, little attention has been given to understanding e-government adoption and acceptance by its employees. This paper examines the level of public administration employees’ ICT literacy and the extent to which they support e-government. The influence of background variables is also explored in the analysis. A structured online questionnaire was used to gather data from employees of Croatian central government bodies. According to the results, surveyed employees rated their general ICT literacy as high. They are more confident in their basic ICT skills than in advanced ones. The level of such skills is associated with socio-demographic characteristics. The findings also indicate that employees accept e-government, but they are less satisfied with its implementation. However, socio-demographic factors do not affect to a great extent employees’ acceptance and satisfaction with e-government. The study expands previous research by analysing the group differences at both manifest and latent levels. It also contributes to the identification of factors that may influence e-government success.

A fuzzy rule-based system to assess e-government technical interoperability maturity level

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to present a system called NEBULOSUS, which is a fuzzy rule-based expert system for assessing the maturity level of an agency regarding technical interoperability.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study introduces the use of artificial intelligence and fuzzy logic to deal with the imprecision and uncertainty present in the assessment process. To validate the system proposed and demonstrate its operation, the study takes into account the Brazilian technical interoperability maturity model, based on the Brazilian Government Interoperability Framework (GIF).

Findings

– With the system proposed and its methodology, it could be possible to increase the assessment process to management level and to provide decision-making support without worrying about technical details that make it complex and time-consuming. Moreover, NEBULOSUS is a standalone system that offers an easy-to-use, open and flexible structuring database that can be adapted by governments throughout the world. It will serve as a tool and contribute to governments’ expectations for continuous improvement of their technologies.

Originality/value

– This study contributes toward filling a gap in general interoperability architectures, which is a means to provide an objective method to evaluate GIF adherence by governments. The proposed system allows governments to configure their technical models and GIF to assess information and communication technology resources.