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PurposeThis paper proposes a new inventory model with inspection policy because in practice the received orders may contain non- conforming (NC) items. So, a buyer who receive an order from a supplier should use an inspection policy.Design/methodology/approachThe inspection policy is assumed to be zero-defect single sampling. Under this policy a lot is accepted only if no defect has been identified in the inspected sample. The fraction of NC is assumed to be a random variable following a Binomial distribution and the number of NC items detected by inspection assumed to be a random variable, which follows a hypergeometric distribution. Order quantity and sample size are the two decision variables. A solution procedure is presented for the proposed model. The proposed procedure presents the optimal solution.FindingsNumerical examples presented to illustrate the procedure outlined for the proposed model and its applicability. The results of numerical examples and comparing them with traditional EOQ model reveal that by the proposed model, the buyer could reduce total cost that shows the efficiency and validity of the proposed model.Originality/valueThe novelty of this paper is the new proposed model that considers inspection policy in inventory management. The proposed model determines sample size as well as order quantity to consider both subject of inventory management and quality control, simultaneously.

PurposeTourism industry is a profitable resource for countries and considered one of the main sources of income and job creation for economic development. Among the various types of tourism, medical tourism and its subsets are of great significance owing to their capabilities and competitive advantages. In this regard, the purpose of this research is to provide a framework to categorize customers based on the Zeithaml pyramid and then identify and provide strategies to create loyalty and attract customers of this industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposed a framework for medical tourists' satisfaction and loyalty. First, by studying the literature and data gathering from Yazd (one of the cities of Iran), the effective factors on the loyalty and attraction of medical tourists were identified. These factors have been prioritized for the medical tourists who are in the platinum category by the Pareto technique and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. Next, the strategies provided by experts for loyalty and attraction of medical tourists were examined. Finally, the house of quality (HOQ) as the first matrix in quality functional deployment (QFD) was used to provide operational strategies for medical tourism satisfaction. The statistical population of this research consists of medical tourists, academic experts and active physicians of medical tourism in Yazd, one of the cities of Iran.FindingsThe study results indicate the importance of “hospital reputation” in medical tourists' satisfaction. Also, “achieving international standards”, “periodic customer satisfaction assessment” and “paying attention to social responsibilities” are recognized as the most important strategies to achieve the loyalty of the most profitable group of customers, namely platinum.Practical implicationsThis study covers both theoretical and practical aspects. Theoretically, this study developed a new framework for medical tourists' satisfaction by the Zeithaml matrix, TOPSIS, Pareto technique and QFD method. Furthermore, practically this study helps practitioners of medical tourism in medical tourists' satisfaction and loyalty.Originality/valueIn this study, in addition to identifying the effective factors on the loyalty and attracting medical tourists, a new framework was developed for medical tourists' satisfaction by segmentation the tourism by the Zeithaml matrix and providing operational strategies by the QFD technique.

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Project portfolio selection and projects ranking represent difficult decisions in organizations due to many factors. One of the most important of these factors is varying levels of projects risk. The manager has many alternative projects to pursue and the objective is to minimize total risk of projects. In this paper, an organized framework for project portfolio selection presented through a new method based on Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Shannon Entropy approach (SEA), and Technique of Order Preference Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The project ranking method proposed in this paper is a technique for organizations to rank the projects and select the best candidate by multi-criteria approach. The FMEA is used to analyze project risks. The Risk Priority Number (RPN) are determined as the criteria and their weights calculated by SEA. Finally, TOPSIS method is used to set final ranking. To measure the usability and quality of the proposed method a typical project ranking problem is presented. The results reveal that the proposed method can effectively be used for project ranking.