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ABSTRACT In this study, optimization models for the production and logistics tactical planning of the corn supply chain are presented and several outputs are explored. They consider the domestic market for animal consumption, ethanol production, and the international market. They are mainly oriented to support policies and decisions of public agents who have some interference in the supply chain. To evaluate the consistency and effectiveness of the models, they were applied to solve realistic problem instances of the Brazilian corn supply chain considering different scenarios and using data collected from several sources. The outcomes demonstrated that models can produce analysis considering aspects that have not been fully addressed in the literature before, such as some opportunities to use different modes of transport for corn distribution, to contract extra capacity for stocking and the impacts of some state taxes on its production and logistic systems. Other important aspects explored in the scenario analysis are the identification of capacity bottlenecks and investment opportunities. The conclusions and insights are converted into practical interpretations to support relevant supply chain decisions.

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ABSTRACT With the growth of the demand flow and its variability at an emergency department, the complexity to deal with the prioritization of assistance also increases, seeking to offer a quality service. In this sense, several systematized risk triage protocols were created to organize the queues at the emergency, establishing an order of service to ensure that patients do not wait more than a safe time to receive their first medical care. Therefore, the objective of this work is to analyze and evaluate the behavior of an emergency department using a discrete event simulation model. For the results, it was possible to better understand the patient flow, identify problems and difficulties in the system, propose alternatives to deal with patient prioritization, and evaluate the performance of these alternatives through the Goal Question Metric methodology.

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ABSTRACT This work presents an integrated decision support process based on Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) applicable to personal and organizational decisions. There are three main goals of this research: (i) present a methodological discussion on Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) and depict how it can contribute to support decision processes; (ii) present an integrated guide for a decision-support process based on VFT to help analysts and decision-makers in conducting decision processes; (iii) present applications of the proposed approach in a personal and a public management problem. This work delivers two main contributions: (a) a unified process that integrates different approaches based on VFT with a consistent structure for sequencing the stages of the decision-making process; and (b) examples that demonstrate the use of the proposed process in real problems and different contexts, presenting insights not thoroughly explored in the literature.

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ABSTRACT We study a class of integer bilevel problems, the so-called Integer Linear Multiplicative Bilevel Problem, ILMBP, where the constraints are linear and both the upper level problem and the lower level problem are integer linear multiplicative problems. We assume that the k -linear factors of the upper level problem and the l -linear factors of the lower level problem to be non-negative. In this paper, we propose an algorithm based on branch-and-cut method for solving the Integer Linear Multiplicative Bilevel Problem. First, the continuous upper level linear multiplicative problem is solved, then the optimal integer solution obtained is tested for the optimality of the main problem by solving the lower level linear multiplicative problem. If this solution is not optimal for the problem ILMBP, a cut is added to the upper level problem and a new best integer solution is determined. The integer solution is generated by the branching process well known in the branch and bound procedure. Following, the presentation and validation of the algorithm, an example is provided to better visualize the algorithm.

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ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to prioritize which waste should be treated by Lean Healthcare in a medical clinic of a middle-sized Brazilian hospital, using the multicriteria decision support method THOR 2. It focusses on structuring the problem, establishing alternatives through the study hospital and Lean interventions already made in it, and determining the criteria and parameters of THOR 2 with the help of Value Focus Thinking (VFT) and the hospital directors. THOR 2 was able to identify, taking into account its preference relationships in S2, that establishing a Kanban within the hospital’s medical clinic is the preferred and the main contribution and novelty to the literature is the way that multicriteria methods can help in Lean Healthcare decision making. As conclusions, it was possible to establish a prioritization order, maintaining the concept of continuous improvement, arising from Lean Healthcare, while respecting the limits and restrictions of the hospital.

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ABSTRACT The selection process for instructors at the Brazilian Air Force Officers Improvement School (EAOAR) needs improvement to provide clearer guidance to the Commandant. This article aims to streamline and enhance the process by making it more efficient, less subjective, and more reliable. Researchers employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine criteria weights and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to rank candidates. They used Three Decision Methods (3DM) Software Web (v.1) for efficient calculations. Results showed that candidates closer to the Positive Ideal Solution (PIS) received favorable indications, while those closer to the Negative Ideal Solution (NIS) faced rejections. The AHP-TOPSIS hybrid approach successfully ranked candidates and expedited the process. Moreover, this approach has broader applications, including assessing candidates for international missions in the Brazilian Navy and Army, and evaluating employee performance in any organization. Future research could explore classification methods like the ELECTRE-TRI.

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ABSTRACT Brazilian public universities are essential entities to foment technological and scientific development through the generation and transmission of knowledge; the existence of this environment is only possible through the capture, maintenance, and management of organizational resources. Ensuring the availability of such resources is a complex process. Regarding the management of infrastructure projects, the scenario is especially challenging. Considering this context, the main purpose of this article is to apply a multimethodology, based on Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), to structure the problem of managing infrastructure projects in a Brazilian Public University, using data collected in a previous analysis to explore the perspective of key stakeholders. The decision-making relevant system was chosen to be detailed and explored. Results show that the proposed multimethodology was able to provide essential diagnosis for the decision situation, bringing three main levels of necessary facilitating intervention.

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ABSTRACT This study structures objectives and sustainable-development alternatives for the Amazon Forest, based on the Amazônia 4.0 project. Value-Focused Thinking and Value-Focused Brainstorming were adopted. Amazônia 4.0 presents a new paradigm for the rainforest development, emphasizing the sustainable use of the biodiversity with innovative technologies. The project’s strategic objective is to promote the standing-forest’s value, through four fundamental objectives: adding value to products, creating means for industrialization, developing local economy and empowering communities. Alternatives include local mobile bio-industries, certified products, and educational partnerships. Challenges identified involve reevaluating the traditional credit system, creating new public policies, engaging numerous stakeholders, and addressing the lack of infrastructure. The project is in line with the Living Amazon Vision, proposed by the Science Panel for the Amazon, and takes the form of an operational bioeconomy project (already being tested). This study’s methodology can be applied to other initiatives seeking sustainable development in ecologically valuable regions.

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ABSTRACT Vulnerable regions to drought require resource allocation to develop projects to combat low rainfall negative impacts. In this perspective, this study proposes a multicriteria sorting model to categorize municipalities affected by drought in order to allocate resources according to criticality. The proposed model is based on the FlowSort method for sorting municipalities into highly critical, moderately critical, and slightly critical levels to cope with drought. The model was applied in the Apodi-Mossoró river basin in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, for sorting 14 municipalities. The findings revealed that the public administration could effectively focus its resources on municipalities experiencing more severe drought conditions. Thus, the public administration can develop strategies, public policies, and actions in coping with extreme difficulty.

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ABSTRACT Natural disasters often affect communities that become unable to access vital items. Not infrequently, the profile and scale of disasters require the delivery of various types of material and vital items, gaining prominence in these contexts the launching cargo by aircraft. This study presents a mathematical ballistic launch model that incorporates the main random variables that influence the trajectory of the load, making it possible to conduct analyses to improve the accuracy of launchings. In this way, Monte Carlo Simulations were utilized to investigate the trajectory deviations as a function of certain combinations of controlled factors in the model. Based on these findings, a Response Surface method was implemented, enabling the development of flight profiles that minimize load deviations from a desired impact point on the ground.

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ABSTRACT School dropout has significant consequences for individuals and society, including increased crime, reduced productivity, and limited economic innovation. Identifying students at risk of dropping out is crucial. This paper aims to develop a logistic regression-based tool for predicting dropout in the state’s public schools of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We utilized students’ information, such as grades, school attendance, socioeconomic data, and others, provided by Espírito Santo State Education Secretariat and the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira. Various regularization methods were employed. We compared three model specifications for students in the first year of high school in Espírito Santo using data from 2019 to 2022. The results indicated that the models could identify at-risk students satisfactorily, highlighting the effective use of available data by educational departments to identify potential dropouts. This tool can aid educators in creating targeted interventions to minimize dropout rates.

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ABSTRACT Rising demand for more efficient and higher-quality public services has challenged public managers to meet these expectations. Performance evaluation has emerged as a crucial management tool to enhance public services. Its application in specific functional areas, such as Supply Chain Management (SCM), holds the potential to mitigate the escalating healthcare costs. This study aimed to develop a performance evaluation framework for the supply chain management of a public teaching hospital, utilizing the Constructivist Multi Criteria Decision Aid methodology (MCDA-C). Through structured interviews with the hospital's administrative manager, 160 criteria across eleven domains were identified for assessing supply chain management performance. The resulting framework allowed for a comprehensive evaluation, yielding a score of 51.55%. Proposed enhancements are expected to boost the global performance from 51.55 to 76.25% when implemented. A literature comparison underscores the comprehensive and specific nature of this performance evaluation model, demonstrating its influence on the healthcare services provided.

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ABSTRACT The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation is a public research company, comprised of a central management structure and forty-three research centers. Given the recent dismissal of employees, due to retirement or to promoted layoffs, and the expected announcement of a recruitment to replace the staff, it is important to define how these vacancies will be distributed among its member units. This study proposes data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to allocate the vacancies to the company’s research centers, using Zero Sum Gains DEA (ZSG-DEA). We studied both production and performance modeling perspectives. Given the approaches adopted and the variables selected, the ZSG-DEA models generated allocation proposals in which all units are 100% efficient. This is the ideal scenario for a central management: maximum efficiency in the use of its resources.

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ABSTRACT This paper proposes a decision model for the distribution of two different types of activities in the Brazilian Federal Police, common and special investigations, which usually generate difficulties for the manager when identifying adequate personnel for each category of task. Rational abstractions from Game Theory were used, especially the Principal-Agent theory and Shapley's value, building a model that associates both techniques, combined with a multicriteria model to measure the policemen’s operational satisfaction. It innovates the model in the combination of concepts that guide the achievement of optimal points for managing teams, without the use of pecuniary benefits. Results were found that manage to balance the distribution of investigations and goals to be met by the police unit. It is necessary to continue the research, improving the development of methodologies for assessing the capabilities and preferences of the Agent with regard to familiarity with special investigations.

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ABSTRACT The study addresses decision-making under conditions of uncertainty regarding the development of public policies and sustainable development strategies in an urban region in Brazil. Based on the case study, a decision support framework for planning and prioritizing urban sustainable development strategies (SDS) under uncertainty conditions is developed. In the framework social, economic and environmental factors have been considered using a fuzzy multi-criteria comprehensive evaluation approach in order to analyze and select SDSs. Critical factors and sub-factors for SDS are identified with the active participation of a committee of experts and representatives from different sectors of civil society. As a result, a set of urban sustainable development strategies are prioritized using the Fuzzy VIKOR Method that will help local authorities to improve their decisions. The decision support-framework illustrates the combination and application of Operations Research Methods in solving a complex problem related to decision-making in public management.

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ABSTRACT The present study applies a decision spatial model, previously developed, for the case of evaluating human development in the counties of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The factors that encompass social, economic, health, education and territorial aspects of the counties were evaluated. The model makes use of decision rules and identification of spatial clusters to analyze the grouping of cities with better and worse performances. Three analyses were performed obtaining approximate results, verifying the robustness of the model employed. Additionally, the results were compared with the Human Development Index of the counties. In the case of the present study, the compensatory effect was not observed when compared to the original index, and the referred effect arises due to the calculation method used. Furthermore, the practical implication signifies the opportunity to develop public policies associated with the criteria showing poor performance and to visualize spatial patterns existing in municipalities with the same classification.

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ABSTRACT Organ transplantation plays a significant role in the healthcare sector, offering hope to patients with chronic diseases and organ failure. However, the logistical aspects of organ transplants present significant hurdles, with inefficiencies leading to organ loss during transportation and fatalities while on the waiting list. In this study, the combined use of Qualitative System Dynamics and Data Envelopment Analysis is employed to investigate, map, and analyze the efficiency of organ transplant logistics across different Brazilian Federative Units. From the Causal Loop Diagram, five (three as inputs and two as outputs) variables were selected to assess the efficiency through an output-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis model considering constant returns to scale. The results highlight efficient/inefficient Units, offering benchmarks and targets for improvement. This integration of methodologies provides a comprehensive perspective, empowering informed and strategic decision-making in the development of effective public policies and optimal allocation of public resources, thereby enhancing precision and efficiency.