ABSTRACT
Introduction: The global outbreak of the COVID-19 in 2019, and the high mortality rate of the disease call for decision-making and finding a solution to control its spread. One of the most effective ways is to use the COVID-19 vaccine. Due to the limited supply of corona vaccines, the distribution of this vaccine is generally prioritized and allocated among individuals. Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, GIS, AHP tools, and fuzzy logic were used to achieve the goal of prioritizing and allocating corona vaccine to the neighborhoods in Mashhad. Neighborhoods' prioritization was analyzed in four scenarios including: AHP, WHO guideline, guideline of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, and localized collective wisdom. Results: The output of neighborhood prioritization of the four mentioned scenarios has been specified in five classes. In the AHP scenario, the lowest percentage (8.89%), and in the localized collective wisdom, the highest percentage (42.22%) was allocated to the neighborhoods with the first priority. Regarding spatial distribution, only in the first scenario, some kind of order was observed. Furthermore, there is generally no high correlation between the results, and only the scenario of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the localized collective wisdom presented a correlation of 0.82. Conclusion: Considering the COVID-19 vaccine shortage, spatial allocation based on the presented guidelines is a reliable method which can meet the basic criteria for allocating the limited treatment resources, and 180 neighborhoods throughout Mashhad were identified and prioritized with different scenarios which can assist the decision-makers.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: In recent years, and especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the significant role of agriculture, specifically red meat, in household consumption has been increased. On the other hand, the lack of proper policymaking in the production and pricing of red meat and the lack of a comprehensive study on the beef supply chain has led to a reduction in the role of this protein product in the household food basket. Thus, in this research, comprehensive strategic planning considering the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been illustrated to overcome the aforementioned problems. Design/methodology/approach: To study the intended objectives, first, using qualitative methods, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to the studied company's supply chain in Iran were identified and then using the SWOT-Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) technique, the surrounding strategies have been analysed. Findings: The results indicate that the most important strength of the studied company is the “access to the red meat market of the retirement plan”;the most important weakness is the “lack of required and on-time funding, especially in the condition of the COVID-19 pandemic”;the highest-ranked opportunity is the “access to banking facilities” and the main threat to the company is the “COVID-19 pandemic limitations and health protocols”. In the same vein, by examining the attractiveness score of internal and external factors, it was observed that diversity and competitive strategies would have a higher priority. Finally, the QSPM illustrated that activating the full capacity of existing infrastructure has the highest priority. Originality/value: According to the red meat supply chain and the link amongst different market levels, identifying, analysing and improving the beef supply chain is of particular importance. One of the threats facing the international community is the emergence of events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which requires businesses to choose the right strategy to deal with the issue. Therefore, the main distinction of this study is to identify, analyse and improve the red meat supply chain of a real case due to the condition of the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.