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The ready-made garment (RMG) industry is one of the largest industrial sectors in Bangladesh in terms of economy and employment. As the world economy moves forward, this highly people-dense industry needs to be digitalized. However, the importance of digital technology, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT), has just lately been recognized by most industries, which is also an important part of Industry 4.0. The IoT has seven important elements. Though IoT has the potential to grow businesses, it is difficult to implement all the elements of IoT simultaneously. Thus, the study aims to build a hierarchy model of IoT elements to be implemented in the RMG industry of Bangladesh. Through an extensive literature review, fourteen significant elements of IoT were identified. Then the study employs an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to rank the elements of IoT based on their potential for application in the Bangladeshi RMG industry. The weights of the evaluation criteria were determined using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), and the elements of IoT were ranked using a preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE II) based on the criteria weights obtained from FAHP. The study findings suggest that the Sensors are the most significant component of IoT, while Network Interconnection is the least significant component for IoT implementation. This study is expected to assist the stakeholders in the RMG and other related industrial sectors in formulating appropriate strategies and policies for the proper deployment of IoT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ready-made garment (RMG) industry is one of the largest industrial sectors in Bangladesh in terms of economy and employment. As the world economy moves forward, this highly people-dense industry needs to be digitalized. However, the importance of digital technology, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT), has just lately been recognized by most industries, which is also an important part of Industry 4.0. The IoT has seven important elements. Though IoT has the potential to grow businesses, it is difficult to implement all the elements of IoT simultaneously. Thus, the study aims to build a hierarchy model of IoT elements to be implemented in the RMG industry of Bangladesh. Through an extensive literature review, fourteen significant elements of IoT were identified. Then the study employs an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to rank the elements of IoT based on their potential for application in the Bangladeshi RMG industry. The weights of the evaluation criteria were determined using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), and the elements of IoT were ranked using a preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE II) based on the criteria weights obtained from FAHP. The study findings suggest that the Sensors are the most significant component of IoT, while Network Interconnection is the least significant component for IoT implementation. This study is expected to assist the stakeholders in the RMG and other related industrial sectors in formulating appropriate strategies and policies for the proper deployment of IoT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ready-made garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh is one of the largest garment manufacturing sectors in the world. Fire incidents in RMG factories are always a highly discussed issue among local and international policymakers and stakeholders. An efficient prioritization of the remedial actions for fire risks can aid the decision-makers to mitigate the fire hazards and associated damages. This study, thereby, proposes a hybrid Multi-criteria Decisionmaking (MCDM) framework, combining Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) method, to prioritize the remedial actions for fire risks in RMG factories. At first, the 16 most important remedial actions have been identified by a panel of experts. For the evaluation of the identified actions, four evaluation criteria-initial cost, maintenance cost, feasibility, and risk reductant-have been selected from both the literature review and expert feedback. By using the SWARA method, the study finds 'initial cost' and 'risk reductant' to be the two criteria with the highest weights. Later, using the obtained criteria weights, the WASPAS method finds that 'proper electrical wiring and connections', 'separating the gas cylinders from the main production building', and 'keeping egress paths and stairs clear of obstruction' are the top three prioritized remedial actions that can be taken to mitigate fire risks in the RMG industries. Results obtained from this research are expected to help the managers of RMG industries to devise an effective fire risk remedial action plan, within their technical constraints and limited resources, to ensure a safe workplace for their workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical accidents wound and kill a lot of people in the ready-made garment (RMG) industries of Bangladesh every year. Regular electrical safety inspections and prioritization of the identified significant risk factors can effectively minimize the occurrence of these electrical accidents. This study proposes a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) based framework to prioritize the frequently observed significant electrical risk factors in the RMG industries of Bangladesh to aid the decision-makers to ensure a safe and sustainable workplace. In this study, 26 most significant electrical risk factors have been identified from the opinions of 12 experts who have analyzed the electrical safety inspection reports accumulated from 100 different RMG industries. After that, the Best Worst Method (BWM) has been applied to find the weights of the three evaluation criteria-Consequence, Likelihood, and Manageability, based on the expert feedback. Then, a Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) method has been utilized to get the final ranking of the risk factors. The existence of hot spots detected by thermal imaging, improper support and protection for hanging cables, and heat source adjacent to electrical installations have been determined as the most prioritized electrical risk factors for the RMG industries. The findings of this research are expected to help the managers and other decision-makers of RMG industries to devise effective mitigation strategies to minimize the electrical safety risks efficiently and hierarchically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particleboard (PB) is an essential engineered product, which is often used as a replacement for wood, thus playing a significant role to reduce deforestation and improving environmental sustainability. Proper selection of PB is important to make sure that the chosen product has the required durability and sustainability and thus can maintain the quality of the construction work. This study proposes a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach, to evaluate the selection criteria of PB to aid the decision-makers of the civil construction projects. In this approach, the existing evaluation criteria have been categorized into four criteria-Physical Properties, Mechanical Properties, Chemical Properties, Health, and Environmental Impact. Then a Best Worst Method (BWM) has been used to determine the criteria and sub-criteria weights to evaluate the PBs. After that, a Weighted Product Model (WPM) has been applied to generate the final ranking of the products to aid the decision-makers to select the right product. The study finds Emission Level, Moisture Content, and Toxicity as the most weighted evaluation criteria to select a PB. For this study, the required expert feedback has been collected from the supervisors and managers of different construction firms in Bangladesh. The obtained results are expected to benefit the managers, supervisors, and other decision-makers of the construction projects to select the right product for their construction projects to maintain their quality and reputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical accidents wound and kill a lot of people in the ready-made garment (RMG) industries of Bangladesh every year. Regular electrical safety inspections and prioritization of the identified significant risk factors can effectively minimize the occurrence of these electrical accidents. This study proposes a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) based framework to prioritize the frequently observed significant electrical risk factors in the RMG industries of Bangladesh to aid the decision-makers to ensure a safe and sustainable workplace. In this study, 26 most significant electrical risk factors have been identified from the opinions of 12 experts who have analyzed the electrical safety inspection reports accumulated from 100 different RMG industries. After that, the Best Worst Method (BWM) has been applied to find the weights of the three evaluation criteria-Consequence, Likelihood, and Manageability, based on the expert feedback. Then, a Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) method has been utilized to get the final ranking of the risk factors. The existence of hot spots detected by thermal imaging, improper support and protection for hanging cables, and heat source adjacent to electrical installations have been determined as the most prioritized electrical risk factors for the RMG industries. The findings of this research are expected to help the managers and other decision-makers of RMG industries to devise effective mitigation strategies to minimize the electrical safety risks efficiently and hierarchically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particleboard (PB) is an essential engineered product, which is often used as a replacement for wood, thus playing a significant role to reduce deforestation and improving environmental sustainability. Proper selection of PB is important to make sure that the chosen product has the required durability and sustainability and thus can maintain the quality of the construction work. This study proposes a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach, to evaluate the selection criteria of PB to aid the decision-makers of the civil construction projects. In this approach, the existing evaluation criteria have been categorized into four criteria-Physical Properties, Mechanical Properties, Chemical Properties, Health, and Environmental Impact. Then a Best Worst Method (BWM) has been used to determine the criteria and sub-criteria weights to evaluate the PBs. After that, a Weighted Product Model (WPM) has been applied to generate the final ranking of the products to aid the decision-makers to select the right product. The study finds Emission Level, Moisture Content, and Toxicity as the most weighted evaluation criteria to select a PB. For this study, the required expert feedback has been collected from the supervisors and managers of different construction firms in Bangladesh. The obtained results are expected to benefit the managers, supervisors, and other decision-makers of the construction projects to select the right product for their construction projects to maintain their quality and reputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ready-made garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh is one of the largest garment manufacturing sectors in the world. Fire incidents in RMG factories are always a highly discussed issue among local and international policymakers and stakeholders. An efficient prioritization of the remedial actions for fire risks can aid the decision-makers to mitigate the fire hazards and associated damages. This study, thereby, proposes a hybrid Multi-criteria Decisionmaking (MCDM) framework, combining Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) method, to prioritize the remedial actions for fire risks in RMG factories. At first, the 16 most important remedial actions have been identified by a panel of experts. For the evaluation of the identified actions, four evaluation criteria- initial cost, maintenance cost, feasibility, and risk reductant- have been selected from both the literature review and expert feedback. By using the SWARA method, the study finds 'initial cost' and 'risk reductant' to be the two criteria with the highest weights. Later, using the obtained criteria weights, the WASPAS method finds that 'proper electrical wiring and connections', 'separating the gas cylinders from the main production building', and 'keeping egress paths and stairs clear of obstruction' are the top three prioritized remedial actions that can be taken to mitigate fire risks in the RMG industries. Results obtained from this research are expected to help the managers of RMG industries to devise an effective fire risk remedial action plan, within their technical constraints and limited resources, to ensure a safe workplace for their workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Industries are the major contributors to the export-oriented economy of Bangladesh. In the current competitive market, efficient production planning has become a key strategy to meet buyers' timeline and ensure timely shipment of the finished goods. Several issues or factors cause major deviation of the actual production from the planned production. This research has explored the major factors that affect the efficient production planning, by causing major deviation of the actual production from the planned schedule, in the RMG industries of Bangladesh, by using a Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tool. In this paper, first, the factors affecting the efficient production planning has been identified through expert feedbacks and literature review. Then, a Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method has been utilized to find out the priority ranking of the identified factors and to explore the interrelationships among the factors through a casual diagram. From the results obtained from this study, 'low productivity' has been identified as the most critical of all factors, while 'fabric delay' has been identified as the least critical one. The research findings are expected to help the managers of the RMG and other similar industries to enhance the efficiency of their production plan in order to improve their overall profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disaster planning and management has always been challenging for the relief agencies of the underdeveloped counties, since they usually do not have the well organized and well-funded system in place, like the developed counties. The models developed in the previous literatures either did not address all the relevant logistics issues or are often too complicated to be utilized by the underdeveloped countries. To mitigate the casualties caused by disastrous events, post disaster planning is very important. This research has developed a simple but inclusive multi-objective post disaster logistics planning model to addresses issues like distribution of relief commodity and medical supplies, staffing of medical facilities, evacuation of wounded people to the medical facilities, vehicular and transportation management, unsatisfied demands at affected locations etc., while maintaining service equity. The applicability of the proposed model has been tested via a real-world case study based on the recurrent flash flood problem in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. A Branch-and-Cut algorithm has been used via CPLEX platform to solve the developed linear integer programming model. Results have been demonstrated both numerically and graphically to aid the decision maker to properly visualize the solutions, which has offered several important managerial implications and insights on the post disaster management. This way the proposed research is expected to help the decision makers to plan an efficient and effective post disaster logistics network to minimize human suffering, wastage of relief goods, and associated operational costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ready-Made-Garment (RMG) industries, which is the largest industrial sector of Bangladesh, are seeking to gradually adopt the technologies of industry 4.0 to keep up with the rest of the world. However, industry 4.0 has ten established elements and due to the limitation of available resources, it is quite difficult to implement all ten element of industry 4.0 at the same time in the context of Bangladesh. In this situation, it is very important to identify that which of the ten elements are more important in terms of implementation potentials than others, in the context of the RMG industries of Bangladesh. This study, thereby, utilizes a hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method (MCDM) approach to rank the elements of industry 4.0 based on their implementation potentials in the RMG sector of Bangladesh. In this research, a Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) has been utilized to determine the weights of the evaluation criteria, and a Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE II) has been used to rank the elements of industry 4.0 based on those weighted criteria. The findings of the research shows that the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is the most influential and Additive Manufacturing is the least influential element of industry 4.0 in the context of the RMG industries of Bangladesh. This research is expected to facilitate the decision makers, both in the government and in the industries, to formulate appropriate plans and policies for the proper implementation of industry 4.0 in the RMG and other similar industrial sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural disasters are serious challenges for the underdeveloped regions of the world, who usually works with very limited resources. In this research an efficient multi-objective, multi-echelon, multi-commodity pre-disaster planning model has been developed, which can be used by aid management agencies in underdeveloped countries with limited resources. The proposed model minimizes the travelling distances among different key nodes in the logistics network by choosing appropriate locations for setting up regional warehouses with the necessary capacity, while complying with the budgetary constraints, and selects appropriate suppliers from a pool of available suppliers, while ensuring service equity. A scenario-based approach has been used here to ensure that the proposed facilities can accommodate moderate fluctuations in demand in the future. The applicability of the model has been tested via a real-world case study on the recurrent flash flood problem of the Sylhet district in Bangladesh. A Branch-and-Cut algorithm has been used via CPLEX platform to solve the developed linear integer programming model. Results have been demonstrated both numerically and graphically to aid the decision maker to properly visualize the solutions, which has offered several important managerial implications and insights on the disaster management. This way the proposed research intends help the decision makers to plan an efficient and effective humanitarian logistics network and thereby to minimize human suffering, wastage of relief goods, and associated operational costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]