25-08-2017, 09:32 PM
A formula for prioritization and optimized selection of research projects in research and development departments of industrial factories
ABSTRACT
Research and development play key roles in different industries success. However, the significant point
is how to organize related activities so that growth and progress would be realized in a department as a
result of appropriate organization. In other words, research and development activities could lead to
growth when systematically conducted. These all would be accomplished via comprehensive analysis
of factors effective in research and development. In the current study, effective factors in research and
development activities are identified based on the investigations done, existing resources, and
scientifically recognized methodologies. Then, the said factors’ relationships are systematically
provided for the purpose of research projects optimized selection and prioritization in Research and
Development (R and D) departments. This paper uses data and information gathered from engineers
and managers of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, analyses the said data, and applies relevant softwares
and applications along with statistical methodologies to finally propose R and D department a formula
for prioritization and optimized selection of research projects in an industrial entity.
INTRODUCTION
Changes and development in the external and internal
setting of business enterprises have been running in such
a fast, multidimensional, complicated, and pervasive way
that these commercial institutions cannot survive, grow,
and develop without appropriate evaluation of prospects,
planning, and strategy evolving. Through the last decades,
since the market has not been competitive under
certain circumstances, many enterprises could manage
to thrive well in the domestic market; however, with
today‟s competitive market and global economic status,
they no longer manage to survive without development.
Research hypothesis
Hypothesis 1: Problem solving immediacy is of the effective factors
in research project selection.
This hypothesis can be expressed in the two following forms. Two
methods can be applied to achieve the correct results.
H0: There is no significant relationship between research project
selection and problem solving immediacy.
H1: There is a significant relationship between research project
selection and problem solving immediacy.
Significance level is under α = 0.05 (0.05 > 0.008); therefore, H0 of
test (1) is rejected at α = 0.05 level meaning that there is a
significant relationship between research project selection and
problem solving immediacy with 95% confidence.
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS
According to the linear model we created in the current
paper, project received from all departments in R and D
department, who has the most significant role in project
selection and project implementation planning, can be
systematically prioritized. For instance, problem solving
immediacy is a factor which has a substantial effect in
project selection and, with 95% confidence, is in a
significant relationship with research project selection.
Prioritization can be done according to the algorithm,
which is to be given to R and D senior managers, and
based on the values assigned during each step. In other
words, in the first step, a value number must be given to
every factor according to the results achieved from
Expert Choice while looking at the maximum value of
each factor along with its either negative or positive
effect, for example, when “time” is a factor with negative
coefficient in the linear planning formula, the highest
value must be assigned the lowest number, that is, 0 so
that it can have the most significant effect in the final
result of formula leading to a higher number in the to-be
output in line with a logical basis.