Comparison of first aggregation and last aggregation in fuzzy group TOPSIS

The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), one of the major multi attribute decision making (MADM) techniques, ranks the alternatives according to their distances from the ideal and the negative ideal solution. In real evaluation and decision making problems, it is vital to involve several people and experts from different functional areas in decision making process. Also under many conditions, crisp data are inadequate to model real-life situations, since human judgments including preferences are often vague and cannot estimate his preference with an exact numerical value. Therefore aggregation of fuzzy concept, group decision making and TOPSIS methods that we denote “fuzzy group TOPSIS” is more practical than original TOPSIS.     

Decision risk analysis for an interval TOPSIS method

TOPSIS is a multi-attribute decision making (MADM) technique for ranking and selection of a number of externally determined alternatives through distance measures. When the collected data for each criterion is interval and the risk attitude for a decision maker is unknown, we present a new TOPSIS method for normalizing the collected data and ranking the alternatives. The results show that the decision maker with different risk attitude ranks the different alternatives.     

Aggregation of analytic hierarchy process models based on similarities in decision makers’ preferences

The analytic hierarchy process is widely used in both individual and group decision making environments. In this paper we investigate its applicability to model a specific class of decentralized decision problems where many decision makers take individual subjective decisions using locally available information. In such subjective decision making environments, it is neither possible nor appropriate to use group preference aggregation techniques to model the problem as a single group decision problem. An approach to identify homogeneous subgroups of decision makers based on similarities in preferences and to aggregate preferences within each subgroup is proposed. This approach is validated using employment preferences of 70 subjects modeled using the analytic hierarchy process.     

Geometry of decision making and the vector space formulation of the analytic hierarchy process

We extend the conventional Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to an Euclidean vector space and develop formulations for aggregation of the alternative preferences with the criteria preferences. Relative priorities obtained from such a formulation are almost identical with the ones obtained using conventional AHP. Each decision is represented by a preference vector indicating the orientation of the decision maker's mind in the decision space spanned by the decision alternatives. This adds a geometric meaning to the decision making processes. We utilise the measure of similarity between any two decision makers and apply it for analysing decisions in a homogeneous group. We propose an aggregation scheme for calculating the group preference from individual preferences using a simple vector addition procedure that satisfies Pareto optimality condition. The results agree very well with the ones of conventional AHP.     

Group decision making with simplified neutrosophic ordered weighted distance operator

Simplified neutrosophic set is a convenient tool proposed for dealing with complex problems; it is effective in providing more data for decision‐making process. In this study, we develop a simplified neutrosophic ordered weighted distance operator which combines the neutrosophic distance measures and the ordered weighted average distance in the same formulation. It is a new handy aggregation operator that considers the situations where the input data are represented in simplified neutrosophic numbers, and it also contains diverse distance aggregation operators. Parameterized families of simplified neutrosophic ordered weighted distance operator are handled. Moreover, we establish a new neutrosophic group decision‐making method based on the simplified neutrosophic ordered weighted distance operator, which has 2 extended approaches for determining the weights of decision makers and decision attributes in decision‐making process, respectively. Finally, an illustrative example demonstrates the application of the proposed method. The effectiveness and advantages of the proposed method are shown by the comparative analysis with existing relative methods.     

The interval-valued fuzzy TOPSIS method and experimental analysis

The purpose of this paper is to extend the TOPSIS method based on interval-valued fuzzy sets in decision analysis. Hwang and Yoon developed the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) in 1981. TOPSIS has been widely used to rank the preference order of alternatives and determine the optimal choice. Considering the fact that it is difficult to precisely attach the numerical measures to the relative importance of the attributes and to the impacts of the alternatives on these attributes in some cases, therefore, the TOPSIS method has been extended for interval-valued fuzzy data in this paper. In addition, a comprehensive experimental analysis to observe the interval-valued fuzzy TOPSIS results yielded by different distance measures is presented. A comparative analysis of interval-valued fuzzy TOPSIS rankings from each distance measure is illustrated with discussions on consistency rates, contradiction rates, and average Spearman correlation coefficients. Finally, a second-order regression model is provided to highlight the effects of the number of alternatives, the number of attributes, and distance measures on average Spearmen correlation coefficients.     

三元区间数型多属性决策正交投影模型及其在边坡支护方案评价中的应用

针对用TOPSIS法进行三元区间数型多属性决策的不足,用各方案到"理想方案"的"垂面"距离代替TOPSIS法中的欧氏距离,提出一种三元区间数型多属性决策正交投影模型.模型将"理想方案"平移至坐标原点后,转换为0向量,只用平移后的"负理想方案"计算各方案到"理想方案"的"垂面"距离,根据距离最小原则排序得到最终决策结果.通过一个边坡支护方案评价的例子进行了计算分析,并与用其他方法得到的结果进行了对比,说明了模型的有效性.     

Aggregation of utility-based individual preferences for group decision-making

Multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) elicits an individual decision maker’s preferences for single attributes and develops a utility function by mathematics formulation to add up the preferences of the entire set of attributes when assessing alternatives. A common aggregation method of MAUT for group decisions is the simple additive weighting (SAW) method, which does not consider the different preferential levels and preferential ranks for individual decision makers’ assessments of alternatives in a decision group, and thus seems too intuitive in achieving the consensus and commitment for group decision aggregation. In this paper, the preferential differences denoting the preference degrees among different alternatives and preferential priorities denoting the favorite ranking of the alternatives for each decision maker are both considered and aggregated to construct the utility discriminative values for assessing alternatives in a decision group. A comparative analysis is performed to compare the proposed approach to the SAW model, and a satisfaction index is used to investigate the satisfaction levels of the final two resulting group decisions. In addition, a feedback interview is conducted to understand the subjective perceptions of decision makers while examining the results obtained from these two approaches for the second practical case. Both investigation results show that the proposed approach is able to achieve a more satisfying and agreeable group decision than that of the SAW method.     

学术论文评审的同行评议专家共识问题研究

根据多属性群决策原则,本文提出了一种提高学术论文同行评议的共识度方法——同行专家相互评判的评审方法。即在每位同行评议专家单独评审的基础上,由编辑部将每位同行评议的评审意见和结果反馈到其他同行评议专家的手中,并进行相互逆判,以此得到同行评议专家的群体认可度(据此,可以计算专家权重)。本文将同行评议专家的评判偏好以区间数形式表示,并将其映射成二维坐标平面上的点集,通过引入Weber点对同行评议专家的评判偏好点进行加权集结。本文采用模拟植物生长算法(PGSA),求取集结点,并将其作为评判的依据。最后,本文通过学术论文评审的实例分析以及与其他方法精度比较,说明了该方法的有效性和可行性。     

A new distance measure including the weak preference relation: Application to the multiple criteria aggregation procedure for mixed evaluations

We introduce a new distance measure between two preorders that captures indifference, strict preference, weak preference and incomparability relations. This measure is the first to capture weak preference relations. We illustrate how this distance measure affords decision makers greater modeling power to capture their preferences, or uncertainty and ambiguity around them, by using our proposed distance measure in a multiple criteria aggregation procedure for mixed evaluations.     

模糊多属性决策的直觉模糊集方法

基于直觉模糊集理论,提出了一种新的TOPSIS方法来研究模糊多属性决策问题。首先,根据直觉模糊集的几何意义,定义了两个直觉模糊集之间的距离,且每个备选方案的评价值用直觉模糊值表示;然后,根据TOPSIS原理,通过计算备选方案到直觉模糊正理想解和负理想解的距离,来确定备选方案的综合评价指数,以此判断方案的优劣次序。最后,通过一个具体实例说明该方法的有效性和具体应用过程。     

一种基于不同粒度且属性权重未知的群决策方法

针对具有不同粒度语言评价矩阵和属性未知的群决策问题,给出了一种基于二元语义和TOPSIS算法的群决策方法。在该方法中,首先给出了不同粒度语言评价矩阵一致化为由基本语言评价集表示的二元语义信息的方法;然后引入TOPSIS的方法,结合二元语义形式计算规则,确定未知的属性客观权重,利用二元语义集结算子,得到单个决策者对方案的评价值;再通过T-OWA算子对各决策者给出的评价信息进行集结和方案选优;最后给出了一个算例。     

Extension of VIKOR method for decision making problem based on hesitant fuzzy set

The multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods VIKOR and TOPSIS are all based on an aggregating function representing “closeness to the ideal”, which originated in the compromise programming method. The VIKOR method of compromise ranking determines a compromise solution, providing a maximum “group utility” for the “majority” and a minimum of an “individual regret” for the “opponent”, which is an effective tool in multi-criteria decision making, particularly in a situation where the decision maker is not able, or does not know to express his/her preference at the beginning of system design. The TOPSIS method determines a solution with the shortest distance to the ideal solution and the greatest distance from the negative-ideal solution, but it does not consider the relative importance of these distances. And, the hesitant fuzzy set is a very useful tool to deal with uncertainty, which can be accurately and perfectly described in terms of the opinions of decision makers. In this paper, we develop the E-VIKOR method and TOPSIS method to solve the MCDM problems with hesitant fuzzy set information. Firstly, the hesitant fuzzy set information and corresponding concepts are described, and the basic essential of the VIKOR method is introduced. Then, the problem on multiple attribute decision marking is described, and the principles and steps of the proposed E-VIKOR method and TOPSIS method are presented. Finally, a numerical example illustrates an application of the E-VIKOR method, and the result by the TOPSIS method is compared.     

一种具有不同形式效用值的群决策方法

研究了具有实数值、区间数和语言短语等三种形式效用值信息的群决策问题．首先给出了具有不同形式效用值的群决策问题的描述；然后给出了具有三种形式效用值的群决策方法的计算步骤．在该方法中，将不同形式的效用值均转化为区间数形式的效用值，通过加权法则得到每个方案的区间数群体综合效用值，并依据群体综合效用值进行方案的排序．最后通过给出一个算例说明了本给出的方法．     

Induced aggregation operators in the VIKOR method and its application in material selection

In this paper, a hybrid decision making approach integrating induced aggregation operators into VIKOR is proposed for tackling multicriteria problems with conflicting and noncommensurable (different units) criteria. For doing so, we develop a new distance aggregation operator called the induced ordered weighted averaging standardized distance (IOWASD) operator. It is an aggregation operator that provides a wide range of standardized distance measures between the maximum and the minimum by using the induced OWA (IOWA) operator. The main advantage of the IOWA-based VIKOR (IOWA-VIKOR) is that it is able to reflect the complex attitudinal character of the decision maker by using order inducing variables and provide much more complete information for decision making. We also studied some of the IOWASD’s main properties and different particular cases and further generalized it by using the induced generalized OWA (IGOWA) operator. Finally, we apply the integrated IOWA-VIKOR method in a multi-criteria decision making problem regarding the selection of materials and the results are compared for different types of standardized distance aggregation operators.     

基于新型区间直觉三角模糊熵的多属性决策方法

在进行区间直觉模糊多属性决策时,有时属性权重是未知的,针对这一问题,提出一种新型区间直觉三角模糊熵的决策方法.首先,给出该新型区间直觉三角模糊熵定义和相关定理,应用该区间直觉三角模糊熵确定属性的权重.然后,基于逼近理想解排序法(TOPSIS)的思想,采用改进的加权欧几里得距离,进行区间直觉模糊群决策,并给出决策步骤.最后,将该方法应用在供应链选择的群决策问题中,通过算例实验验证了该方法的有效性与可行性.     

Multi-attribute group decision-making with multi-granularity linguistic assessment information: An improved approach based on deviation and TOPSIS

With respect to group decision-making problems with multi-granularity linguistic assessment information, a new approach is proposed. Firstly, the computational formulae are given in order to transform and unify the multi-granularity linguistic comparison matrices. Secondly, the method of standard and mean deviation is applied to determine the unknown attribute weights, and the weights of the decision makers will be determined by using the extended TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution) method. Finally, based on the LWAA (linguistic weighted arithmetic averaging) operator, information on the preference provided by each decision maker is aggregated into the comprehensive evaluation value of each alternative, and the most desirable alternative is selected. The proposed approach expands the research in multi-attribute group decision-making with multi-granularity linguistic assessment information by both considering the weights of the attributes and decision makers, and objective weighting for them. A numerical example is given to illustrate the practicability and usefulness of the proposed approach.     

基于模糊证据推理及改进TOPSIS的多属性群决策方法

针对不同识别框架多属性群决策问题属性准则度量的不确定性、随机性,定义基于梯形模糊数表征的属性准则评价等级相似度量,求解专家决策权重的最优解。对公共识别框架备选方案属性准则采用模糊证据推理过程综合专家评价等级置信度信息;利用可严格区分属性准则评价等级的相似度量,改进TOPSIS方法中备选方案属性准则评价等级置信度距离因子,获取备选方案逼近正负理想解的贴近度。实例分析以某通信企业电信产品市场竞争力评估为例,说明基于模糊证据推理、改进TOPSIS的多属性群决策问题求解过程,从属性准则专家模糊评价等级置信度集中获取直观的待评估产品市场竞争力排序结果,验证该方法解决此类决策问题的可行性与有效性。     

基于直觉犹豫模糊集的TOPSIS法

直觉犹豫模糊集集成了直觉模糊集和犹豫模糊集的优势,能更有效地刻画决策者偏好不一致的情况。距离测度一直是研究的热点问题,但尚没有文献研究直觉犹豫模糊集间的距离测度,因此本文定义了直觉犹豫模糊集间的Hamming距离、Euclidean距离和广义距离,同时考虑每个元素的权重,定义了加权距离。犹豫度是直觉犹豫模糊集的重要特性,因此在考虑犹豫度的基础上,又定义了一些距离测度。这些距离测度不仅考虑了直觉犹豫模糊数间的差异,同时考虑了犹豫度的影响,决策者可以根据对直觉犹豫模糊数和犹豫度之间偏好的不同,设置不同的偏好值得到距离测度。然后基于这些距离测度,又提出了直觉犹豫模糊环境下的TOPSIS法。最后通过实例说明了所提出的TOPSIS法的合理性与实用性。     

Eliciting and mapping qualitative preferences to numeric rankings in group decision making

Group work is becoming the norm in organizations. From strategy planning committees to quality management teams, organizational members are collaborating on problem solving. One area of team support that is often desired is the scoring and ranking of decision alternatives on qualitative/subjective domains, and the aggregation of individual preferences into group preferences. In this paper we present a new conceptual approach to qualitative preference elicitation and aggregation. This approach is based on well established decision analysis techniques. It significantly advances the state of the art of group decision making by addressing four common limitations: (1) the inability to deal with vagueness of human decision makers in articulating preferences; (2) difficulties in mapping qualitative evaluation to numeric estimates; (3) problems in aggregating individual preferences into meaningful group preference; and (4) the lack of simple user friendly techniques for dealing with a large number of decision alternatives. Our approach is easy to implement in stand alone personal computers and groupware. We illustrate this with a real-world problem.