Extension of the LINMAP for multiattribute decision making under Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy environment

The aim of this article is further extending the linear programming techniques for multidimensional analysis of preference (LINMAP) to develop a new methodology for solving multiattribute decision making (MADM) problems under Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) environments. The LINMAP only can deal with MADM problems in crisp environments. However, fuzziness is inherent in decision data and decision making processes. In this methodology, Atanassov’s IF sets are used to describe fuzziness in decision information and decision making processes by means of an Atanassov’s IF decision matrix. A Euclidean distance is proposed to measure the difference between Atanassov’s IF sets. Consistency and inconsistency indices are defined on the basis of preferences between alternatives given by the decision maker. Each alternative is assessed on the basis of its distance to an Atanassov’s IF positive ideal solution (IFPIS) which is unknown a prior. The Atanassov’s IFPIS and the weights of attributes are then estimated using a new linear programming model based upon the consistency and inconsistency indices defined. Finally, the distance of each alternative to the Atanassov’s IFPIS can be calculated to determine the ranking order of all alternatives. A numerical example is examined to demonstrate the implementation process of this methodology. Also it has been proved that the methodology proposed in this article can deal with MADM problems under not only Atanassov’s IF environments but also both fuzzy and crisp environments.     

三角直觉模糊数型VIKOR方法

针对备选方案的属性值为三角直觉模糊数且权重为实数的多属性决策问题,研究了三角直觉模糊数型VIKOR方法。首先,本文提出了一种基于偏好指标的三角直觉模糊数排序方法;其次,根据VIKOR方法的基本思想,提出了求解三角直觉模糊数型VIKOR方法的步骤,并在可接受优势和决策过程的稳定条件下对备选方案进行排序,得到折衷解;最后,在最大群体效用权重为0.5的情况下,用第三方物流服务商选择为例说明了该方法的有效性和可行性。     

模糊多属性群体决策模糊距离折中比值法及应用

为解决复杂条件下的模糊多属性群体决策问题,利用模糊距离的概念,提出了模糊距离折中比值法(FCRM)。在FCRM中,属性权重和定性属性评估值由语言变量和三角模糊数描述,并用模糊距离度量模糊数之间的距离。FCRM的决策原则是所选择的最优解在尽可能地贴近正理想解的同时尽可能地远离负理想解,同时充分考虑多个决策者的主观态度。文中详细阐述了FCRM的决策过程,通过实例将其应用于军事航线优选问题并与其他相关方法进行了比较分析,证实了该方法的有效性。     

An interactive procedure for linguistic multiple attribute decision making with incomplete weight information

In this paper, we consider the multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problems, in which the information about attribute weights is partly known and the attribute values are expressed in linguistic labels. We first define the concepts of linguistic positive ideal point, linguistic negative ideal point, and satisfactory degree of alternative. Based on these concepts, we then establish some linear programming models, through which the decision maker interacts with the analyst. Furthermore, we establish a practical interactive procedure for solving the MADM problems considered in this paper. The interactive process can be realized by giving and revising the satisfactory degrees of alternatives till an optimum satisfactory solution is achieved. Finally, a practical example is given to illustrate the developed procedure.     

基于ELECTRE方法的模糊多属性群决策

结合模糊集理论知识,将经典的ELECTRE方法拓展到模糊环境下,用来解决模糊多属性群决策问题.决策问题中涉及到的属性评价值与属性权值是以三角模糊数的形式给出.首先集结各决策者的评价矩阵,构造模糊群决策矩阵,在规范化的基础上,分别对其进行模糊和谐性检验与模糊非和谐性检验,最后通过设定否决门槛值得到一致性比较矩阵,最终评价结果也是以三角模糊数的形式给出.该方法操作方便,计算简单.给出的实例验证了此方法的可行性和有效性.     

Multi-attribute decision making: A simulation comparison of select methods

Several methods have been proposed for solving multi-attribute decision making problems (MADM). A major criticism of MADM is that different techniques may yield different results when applied to the same problem. The problem considered in this study consists of a decision matrix input of N criteria weights and ratings of L alternatives on each criterion. The comparative performance of some methods has been investigated in a few, mostly field, studies. In this simulation experiment we investigate the performance of eight methods: ELECTRE, TOPSIS, Multiplicative Exponential Weighting (MEW), Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), and four versions of AHP (original vs. geometric scale and right eigenvector vs. mean transformation solution). Simulation parameters are the number of alternatives, criteria and their distribution. The solutions are analyzed using twelve measures of similarity of performance. Similarities and differences in the behavior of these methods are investigated. Dissimilarities in weights produced by these methods become stronger in problems with few alternatives; however, the corresponding final rankings of the alternatives vary across methods more in problems with many alternatives. Although less significant, the distribution of criterion weights affects the methods differently. In general, all AHP versions behave similarly and closer to SAW than the other methods. ELECTRE is the least similar to SAW (except for closer matching the top-ranked alternative), followed by MEW. TOPSIS behaves closer to AHP and differently from ELECTRE and MEW, except for problems with few criteria. A similar rank-reversal experiment produced the following performance order of methods: SAW and MEW (best), followed by TOPSIS, AHPs and ELECTRE. It should be noted that the ELECTRE version used was adapted to the common MADM problem and therefore it did not take advantage of the method's capabilities in handling problems with ordinal or imprecise information.     

A discrete method based on distance measure in linguistic space and its application for CMADM problem

ABSTRACT

Owing to the complexity of decision environment, not all the attributes in multiple attribute decision making are quantitative. There are also some qualitative attributes, which are related to the integration of multiple attribute decision making (MADM) and linguistic multiple attribute decision making (LMADM). The specific method for composite multiple attribute decision making (CMADM) problems is crucial for decision maker (DM) to make scientific decision. In this paper, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is extended to a Composite Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (CTOPSIS) method to solve the CMADM problems. As the basis of the CTOPSIS method, the distance measure model in linguistic space and in n-dimension linguistic space is generated based on the non-linear mapping. Based on the distance measure in linguistic space, a standard deviation method is taken to get the attribute weight. At the same time, the distance measure models are proposed based on the distance measure in n-dimension linguistic space, which are used to calculate the distance between the alternatives and the positive and negative idea points separately. Furthermore, a CTOPSIS method is generated to solve the CMADM problems. Finally, a numerical example is illustrated to explain the process. And the result shows that the CTOPSIS method is quite practical and more approximate to the real decision making situation.     

Fuzzy measures of supplier evaluation under lean concepts

Supplier evaluation is a multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) problem involving a mixture of qualitative and quantitative attributes. Some mathematical programming techniques have difficulty in dealing with the qualitative attributes that are not easy to measure but very important in supplier evaluation. Fuzzy set theory is useful whenever variables defining a complex and vague system can neither be quantitatively defined nor assigned very precise measures, but are described by linguistic values. This paper presents a procedure for supplier evaluation by incorporating fuzzy set theory into the evaluation process to handle the qualitative attributes in the problem. A mathematical ranking method is used to convert the qualitative attributes into crisp scores. All the quantitative and qualitative performance measures are normalized and then using the proposed model, data are integrated into a single score to rank suppliers. The model application is demonstrated through two previously reported data sets under lean philosophy.     

梯形直觉模糊数排序方法及在多属性决策中应用

基于梯形直觉模糊数的值和模糊度两个特征,一类梯形直觉模糊数的排序方法被研究.首先,给出了梯形直觉模糊数的定义、运算法则和截集.其次,定义了梯形直觉模糊数关于隶属度和非隶属度的值和模糊度,以及值的指标和模糊度的指标.最后,给出了梯形直觉模糊数的排序方法,并将其应用到属性值为梯形直觉模糊数的多属性决策问题中.     

Supplier selection using axiomatic fuzzy set and TOPSIS methodology in supply chain management

The current paper presents a comprehensive methodology for supplier selection. In the first stage, the linguistic values expressed as trapezoidal fuzzy numbers are used to assess the weights of the criteria. The Axiomatic Fuzzy Set clustering (AFS) method, which handles ambiguity and fuzziness in the supplier selection problem effectively, is applied to cluster the suppliers and evaluate each potential supplier that aims at obtaining initial supplier ranking. In the second stage, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) model is constructed to determine the weight of various quantitative and qualitative criteria. To address multiple decision criteria in supplier ranking, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is employed to select the final suppliers. A numerical example composed of 30 suppliers and 6 criteria is studied, and the experimental results show that the proposed evaluation framework is suitable for supplier selection decisions even with the dependent criteria/attributes.     

Exponential operations for intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and interval numbers in multi-attribute decision making

Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs) have already been applied to many fields, especially in multi-attribute decision making (MADM). Based on the basic operational laws and information aggregation methods of IFNs, MADM with intuitionistic fuzzy information has become more and more popular. In this paper, we investigate the MADM problems where the attribute values take the form of interval numbers and the weight information on the attributes are expressed as IFNs. We first propose a novel exponential operational law based on IFNs and interval numbers, and then study some of its desirable properties. Based on the exponential operational law, we put forward an intuitionistic fuzzy weighted exponential aggregation operator, and utilize it to develop a MADM method. Finally, we apply our method to solve the decision making problem under uncertainty.     

一种考虑决策者风险偏好的区间数多属性决策方法

针对属性值以区间数形式给出的多属性决策问题,提出了一种决策分析方法。在本文中,首先描述了属性值为区间数形式的多属性决策问题;然后通过引入决策者的风险偏好因子将区间数决策信息映射为实数值决策信息,并依据属性值与属性均值绝对偏差的大小确定了属性的权重,在此基础上依据所得权重给出了基于加权和法的方案排序方法,通过对风险偏好因子的不同取值还可进行方案排序的灵敏度分析。最后,通过一个算例说明了本文给出方法的可行性和有效性。     

基于类Pearson综合相关系数的概率语言TOPSIS多属性决策方法

概率语言术语集(PLTS)包含了语言术语信息及其相应的概率信息,使得原始决策信息得到充分利用,大大提高了语言术语多属性决策的科学性.文章研究了一种基于概率语言术语集类Pearson综合相关系数的TOPSIS多属性决策方法.首先考虑了PLTSs的3个特征因素:均值、方差和长度,然后基于传统Pearson相关系数的思想,提...     

IS/IT项目选择决策的灰色逼近理想解排序法

IS/IT项目选择决策是一个多属性决策问题.针对传统逼近理想解排序法(TOPSIS)在确定属性权重系数上的缺陷,并考虑到在实际IS/IT项目选择决策过程中部分决策信息的不足,提出了基于灰色TOPSIS改进算法.算法运用区间灰数表达指标权重和指标评价值,定义备择项目与正、负理想解的灰色关联度,依此计算各备则项目的贴近度并实现最终排序.仿真实例验证了该方法的合理和有效性.     

Two novel FMCDM methods for alternative-fuel buses selection

In this paper, we consider the problem of alternative-fuel buses selection using two novel fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. Several types of fuels are considered as fuel modes, i.e., electricity, fuel cell (hydrogen), and methanol. For the purpose of determining appropriate fuel buses, many factors including quantitative and qualitative ones such as efficiency, price, and capability must be taken into account. In the first proposed method, linguistic variables are used to assess the ratings and weights for factors. These linguistic ratings can be expressed in trapezoidal or triangular fuzzy numbers. Then, a hierarchical MCDM method based on fuzzy-sets theory is proposed to deal with the fuel buses selection problem. To simultaneously determine the ranking order of all alternatives based on the concept of the TOPSIS by calculating the distances to the both fuzzy positive-ideal solution (FPIS) and fuzzy negative-ideal solution (FNIS), a closeness coefficient is defined. In the second presented method we extend preference selection index (PSI) method for fuzzy environment. In this method performance ratings of criteria evaluate by linguistic variable which can be expressed in trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Finally, an example is shown to highlight the procedure of the proposed methods and compare the results of these methods with each other.     

A fuzzy closeness approach to fuzzy multi-attribute decision making

The aim of this paper is to develop a new fuzzy closeness (FC) methodology for multi-attribute decision making (MADM) in fuzzy environments, which is an important research field in decision science and operations research. The TOPSIS method based on an aggregating function representing “closeness to the ideal solution” is one of the well-known MADM methods. However, while the highest ranked alternative by the TOPSIS method is the best in terms of its ranking index, this does not mean that it is always the closest to the ideal solution. Furthermore, the TOPSIS method presumes crisp data while fuzziness is inherent in decision data and decision making processes, so that fuzzy ratings using linguistic variables are better suited for assessing decision alternatives. In this paper, a new FC method for MADM under fuzzy environments is developed by introducing a multi-attribute ranking index based on the particular measure of closeness to the ideal solution, which is developed from the fuzzy weighted Minkowski distance used as an aggregating function in a compromise programming method. The FC method of compromise ranking determines a compromise solution, providing a maximum “group utility” for the “majority” and a minimum individual regret for the “opponent”. A real example of a personnel selection problem is examined to demonstrate the implementation process of the method proposed in this paper.     

Selection of Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Urban Transportation under Multi-criteria Intuitionistic Fuzzy Environment

The unrestrained expansion in urbanization and increasing development of new means of transports result in major urban land use and transportation system which is socially, economically and environmentally unsustainable. Hence the major challenge for the decision makers regarding the transportation policies is to choose the alternative fuel operated vehicles resulting in a sustainable transportation system. In real life situations, it is difficult to get exact data, so to express the uncertain data, intuitionistic fuzzy data has been considered. The problem is to select the best fuel technology for land transportation subject to multiple criterions resulting in a sustainable transportation system in an uncertain environment. Here, the similarity measures of Intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) are applied for developing a methodology for identifying the best option. The weights of the attributes may be known or partially known or unknown. The unknown weights are determined by normalizing the average score functions of the intuitionistic fuzzy data for the criterion. Algorithms are given for handling different situations and numerical examples illustrate the varied cases.     

A new decision support model in multi-criteria decision making with intuitionistic fuzzy sets based on risk preferences and criteria reduction

In this paper, we propose a new model for decision support to address the ‘large decision table’ (eg, many criteria) challenge in intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems. This new model involves risk preferences of decision makers (DMs) based on the prospect theory and criteria reduction. First, we build three relationship models based on different types of DMs’ risk preferences. By building different discernibility matrices according to relationship models, we find useful criteria for IFS MCDM problems. Second, we propose a technique to obtain weights through discernibility matrix. Third, we also propose a new method to rank and select the most desirable choice(s) according to weighted combinatorial advantage values of alternatives. Finally, we use a realistic voting example to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed method and construct a new decision support model for IFS MCDM problems.     

A subjective and objective integrated approach to determine attribute weights

This paper proposes an integrated approach to determine attribute weights in the multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problems. The approach makes use of the subjective information provided by a decision maker and the objective information to form a two-objective programming model. Thus the resultant attribute weights and rankings of alternatives reflect both the subjective considerations of a decision maker (DM) and the objective information. An example is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.     

A fuzzy MCDM approach for stock selection

A fuzzy MCDM approach is applied to the stock selection problem, where the proposed approach can deal with qualitative information in addition to quantitative information. A hierarchy of major–sub criteria is then established to reduce the dependence between criteria. The ratings of alternatives versus qualitative sub-criteria and the weights of major- and sub-criteria are assessed in linguistic terms represented by fuzzy numbers. Each sub-criterion is in a benefit, cost, or balanced nature. New standardization methods for fuzzy numbers in the cost and balanced nature are presented. The algorithms of membership functions of the final aggregation are completely developed instead of approximation. The final aggregations in fuzzy numbers are then defuzzified to crisp values in order to rank the performance of alternatives. Moreover, the ratio of market price to performance (PP) is suggested to filter the over/under-pricing of alternatives. A set of buying/selling strategies are recommended according to the performance and PP. An empirical example then demonstrates the processing of the proposed approach.