Fuzzy Logic in Management (International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, 66)

Fuzzy Logic in Management demonstrates that difficult problems and changes in the management environment can be more easily handled by bringing fuzzy logic into the practice of management. This explicit theme is developed through the book as follows: Chapter 1, "Management and Intelligent Support Technologies", is a short survey of management leadership and what can be gained from support technologies. Chapter 2, "Fuzzy Sets and Fuzzy Logic", provides a short introduction to fuzzy sets, fuzzy relations, the extension principle, fuzzy implications and linguistic variables. Chapter 3, "Group Decision Support Systems", deals with group decision making, and discusses methods for supporting the consensus reaching processes. Chapter 4, "Fuzzy Real Options for Strategic Planning", summarizes research where the fuzzy real options theory was implemented as a series of models. These models were thoroughly tested on a number of real life investments, and validated in 2001. Chapter 5, "Soft Computing Methods for Reducing the Bullwhip Effect", summarizes research work focused on the demand fluctuations in supply chains. The program enhanced existing theoretical frameworks with fuzzy logic modeling. Chapter 6, "Knowledge Management", outlines the collection, storing, transfer and management of knowledge using fuzzy logic. The principles are worked out in detail with software agents. Chapter 7, "Mobile Technology Application", introduces various applications including empirical facts and how mobile technology can be supported with software agents.

Implicitly the book develops themes that successful companies should use to (1) master effectiveness and quality in both the details and the whole, (2) build on and work with flexibility, and (3) support continuous learning in both the organizational and the individual level.

From the reviews:

"This well-written book presents application of fuzzy logic in the area of management. The book starts with a gentle introduction to management and decision support systems, which is followed by ... the principles of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic arithmetic. ... The book concludes with ... applications of fuzzy logic to mobile technology, including how mobile technology can be supported with software agents." (Efstratios Rappos, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1092 (18), 2006)

"This book presents how fuzzy logic can be applied to handle the uncertainty in management ... . I found this book interesting and informative ... . the readers interested in the field of knowledge management and fuzzy logic will also find it pleasant reading. ... It contains the right material and is written in a way that someone new to the subject should find relatively easy to understand. ... I highly recommend it for someone looking to apply fuzzy logic for knowledge management ... ." (R Qu, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 56 (6), 2005)

"It is quite well written and offers detailed presentations of a wide range of application areas with a presentation style that is easy to follow. ... For a university course taught in the right context and at the right level, this would even make a great textbook. ... Overall, this compact book contains an impressive level of detail both in fundamental concepts and in the details of the applications. This is a mandatory source for anyone interested in advanced methodological applications of management." (H. W. Lewis, III, International Journal of General Systems, Vol. 34 (3), 2005)