Optimal management of water and wastewater industry projects

Shekarkhar, Mahsa; Fathi Hafashjani, Kiamars; Jalali Farahani, Kambiz; Rabiei, Mahnaz

doi:10.22075/ijnaa.2023.29377.4141

Optimal management of water and wastewater industry projects

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Department of Information Technology Management, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Industrial Management, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Economics, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22075/ijnaa.2023.29377.4141

Abstract

Water is now an important issue in the world, and the effective development of water resources and optimal management of industrial projects are essential for sustainable growth. Limitations and crises of water and wastewater companies in the supply and optimal exploitation of water resources and wastewater disposal require strategic planning and management, thereby increasing the competitive advantages of human societies. Given the importance of optimal management of water and wastewater industry projects, the present research sought to detect and introduce indices and criteria, which affected the optimal management of this industry based on certain models (Porter Diamond Model, Porter's Five Forces, and PESTEL), by examining and analyzing political, economic, and socio-cultural trends and using the results of interpretation and analysis of trends. To this end, the experts in the water and wastewater industry, as well as the managers working in this industry were surveyed. Based on experts' opinions, the results of the certain criteria after screening were finally converted into 22 out of 95 criteria using the fuzzy Delphi technique, and then the 22 criteria selected by the experts were reviewed and any of them with the potential to be quantified and their trends could be examined, were selected and quantified. Finally, the results introduced 12 indices in three categories: economic indices (similar in all industries), specialized indices of water and wastewater, and cultural-educational indices. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the complexity of the supply chain of the water and wastewater industry, and cultural infrastructures (Intellectual maturity, management attitude, education, corruption, and population) were respectively representatives of the indices.

Keywords

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