Interval goal programming for S-shaped penalty function

The approach of Jones and Tamiz (1995) [Jones, D.F., Tamiz, M., 1995. Expanding the flexibility of goal programming via preference modeling techniques. Omega 23, 41–48] has been accepted as the most efficient approach in the field of interval goal programming (IGP). Although several modifications to the original approach have been proposed recently [Vitoriano, B., Romero, C., 1999. Extended interval goal programming. Journal of the Operational Research Society 50, 1280–1283; Chang, C.-T., 2006. Mixed binary interval goal programming. Journal of the Operational Research Society 35, 389–396], all of them cannot formulate IGP with an S-shaped penalty function. In order to improve the utility of IGP, we extend the model of Chang (2006) [Chang, C.-T., 2006. Mixed binary interval goal programming. Journal of the Operational Research Society 35, 389–396] to be able to model an S-shaped penalty function. The newly formulated model is more concise and compact than the method of Li and Yu (2000) and it can easily be applied to a decision problem with the S-shaped penalty function. Finally, an illustrative example (i.e. how to build an appropriate E-learning system) is included for demonstrating the usefulness of the proposed model.     

Satisfying optimization method based on goal programming for fuzzy multiple objective optimization problem

This paper proposes a satisfying optimization method based on goal programming for fuzzy multiple objective optimization problem. The aim of this presented approach is to make the more important objective achieving the higher desirable satisfying degree. For different fuzzy relations and fuzzy importance, the reformulated optimization models based on goal programming is proposed. Not only the satisfying results of all the objectives can be acquired, but also the fuzzy importance requirement can be simultaneously actualized. The balance between optimization and relative importance is realized. We demonstrate the efficiency, flexibility and sensitivity of the proposed method by numerical examples.     

Diet Planning in the Third World by Linear and Goal Programming

The use of linear programming to select diets to meet specific nutritional requirements frequently results in an over-supply of certain nutrients. Nutritional balance is difficult to achieve in diets selected by linear programming owing to the complex inter-relationships of the constraints. Goal programming is presented as a method of achieving nutritional balance in selected diets. An example demonstrating the goal programming approach is followed by a report of an application of the technique to the selection from 150 food raw materials to satisfy the daily nutritional requirements of Thais. The nutritional balance of the raw materials selected by goal programming showed a marked improvement over that selected by linear programming.     

A fuzzy goal programming approach to multi-objective optimization problem with priorities

In goal programming problem, the general equilibrium and optimization are often two conflicting factors. This paper proposes a generalized varying-domain optimization method for fuzzy goal programming (FGP) incorporating multiple priorities. According to the three possible styles of the objective function, the varying-domain optimization method and its generalization are proposed. This method can generate the results consistent with the decision-maker (DM)’s expectation, that the goal with higher priority may have higher level of satisfaction. Using this new method, it is a simple process to balance between the equilibrium and optimization, and the result is the consequence of a synthetic decision between them. In contrast to the previous method, the proposed method can make that the higher priority achieving the higher satisfactory degree. To get the global solution of the nonlinear nonconvex programming problem resulting from the original problem and the varying-domain optimization method, the co-evolutionary genetic algorithms (GAs), called GENOCOPIII, is used instead of the SQP method. In this way the DM can get the optimum of the optimization problem. We demonstrate the power of this proposed method by illustrative examples.     

Nonlinear goal programming using multi-objective genetic algorithms

Goal programming is a technique often used in engineering design activities primarily to find a compromised solution which will simultaneously satisfy a number of design goals. In solving goal programming problems, classical methods reduce the multiple goal-attainment problem into a single objective of minimizing a weighted sum of deviations from goals. This procedure has a number of known difficulties. First, the obtained solution to the goal programming problem is sensitive to the chosen weight vector. Second, the conversion to a single-objective optimization problem involves additional constraints. Third, since most real-world goal programming problems involve nonlinear criterion functions, the resulting single-objective optimization problem becomes a nonlinear programming problem, which is difficult to solve using classical optimization methods. In tackling nonlinear goal programming problems, although successive linearization techniques have been suggested, they are found to be sensitive to the chosen starting solution. In this paper, we pose the goal programming problem as a multi-objective optimization problem of minimizing deviations from individual goals and then suggest an evolutionary optimization algorithm to find multiple Pareto-optimal solutions of the resulting multi-objective optimization problem. The proposed approach alleviates all the above difficulties. It does not need any weight vector. It eliminates the need of having extra constraints needed with the classical formulations. The proposed approach is also suitable for solving goal programming problems having nonlinear criterion functions and having a non-convex trade-off region. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated by solving a number of nonlinear goal programming test problems and an engineering design problem. In all problems, multiple solutions (each corresponding to a different weight vector) to the goal programming problem are found in one single simulation run. The results suggest that the proposed approach is an effective and practical tool for solving real-world goal programming problems.     

Binary fuzzy goal programming

Goal programming is an important technique for solving many decision/management problems. Fuzzy goal programming involves applying the fuzzy set theory to goal programming, thus allowing the model to take into account the vague aspirations of a decision-maker. Using preference-based membership functions, we can define the fuzzy problem through natural language terms or vague phenomena. In fact, decision-making involves the achievement of fuzzy goals, some of them are met and some not because these goals are subject to the function of environment/resource constraints. Thus, binary fuzzy goal programming is employed where the problem cannot be solved by conventional goal programming approaches. This paper proposes a new idea of how to program the binary fuzzy goal programming model. The binary fuzzy goal programming model can then be solved using the integer programming method. Finally, an illustrative example is included to demonstrate the correctness and usefulness of the proposed model.     

Optimization models and a GA-based algorithm for stochastic time-cost trade-off problem

In real-life projects, both the trade-off between the project cost and the project completion time, and the uncertainty of the environment are considerable aspects for decision-makers. However, the research on the time-cost trade-off problem seldom concerns stochastic environments. Besides, optimizing the expected value of the objective is the exclusive decision-making criterion in the existing models for the stochastic time-cost trade-off problem. In this paper, two newly developed alternative stochastic time-cost trade-off models are proposed, in which the philosophies of chance-constrained programming and dependent-chance programming are adopted for decision-making. In addition, a hybrid intelligent algorithm integrating stochastic simulations and genetic algorithm is designed to search the quasi-optimal schedules under different decision-making criteria. The goal of the paper is to reveal how to obtain the optimal balance of the project completion time and the project cost in stochastic environments.     

Fractional Goal Programming for Fuzzy Solid Transportation Problem with Interval Cost

In this paper, we study a solid transportation problem with interval cost using fractional goal programming approach (FGP). In real life applications of the FGP problem with multiple objectives, it is difficult for the decision-maker(s) to determine the goal value of each objective precisely as the goal values are imprecise, vague, or uncertain. Therefore, a fuzzy goal programming model is developed for this purpose. The proposed model presents an application of fuzzy goal programming to the solid transportation problem. Also, we use a special type of non-linear (hyperbolic) membership functions to solve multi-objective transportation problem. It gives an optimal compromise solution. The proposed model is illustrated by using an example.     

Two-Stage Optimization in a Transportation Problem

A study of the economic distribution of maize throughout South Africa is reported. Although the problem of minimizing total transportation costs in such a situation is a classical one, and its solution is well known, there was in this case a high degree of degeneracy in the system and thus the solution was not unique. Also, since a user is required to pay his own transportation costs, the various optimal solutions were not equivalent. A secondary problem thus arose, viz. that of selecting from these optimal solutions the one which would be fairest to all users. A heuristic and a goal programming method for solving this secondary problem are discussed.     

Restoration of efficiency in a goal programming problem with linear fractional criteria

The problem resulting from a goal programming problem with linear fractional criteria is not easy to solve due to the non-linear constraints inherent in its formulation. This paper introduces a simple and reliable test to establish whether a linear fractional goal programming problem has solutions that verify all goals and, if so, how to find them by solving a linear programming problem. This paper also outlines a new technique for restoring efficiency based on a minimax philosophy. An example is presented.     

A bicriteria solid transportation problem with fixed charge under stochastic environment

In this paper, a bicriteria solid transportation problem with stochastic parameters is investigated. Three mathematical models are constructed for the problem, including expected value goal programming model, chance-constrained goal programming model and dependent-chance goal programming model. A hybrid algorithm is also designed based on the random simulation algorithm and tabu search algorithm to solve the models. At last, some numerical experiments are presented to show the performance of models and algorithm.     

Planning Urban Recreational Facilities with Integer Goal Programming

Urban planners are often involved in the determination of where recreational facilities (i.e. pools, gymnasia, tennis courts, etc.) should be located within the city. This problem is complicated by the planners' desire to realize certain goals in the allocation process. They desire to build only facilities for which there are sufficient construction funds and which can be operated within a predetermined budget. In addition they desire to satisfy the demands of the residents of the city for different facilities. However, these demands are often conflicting since many urban areas are somewhat segregated with the inner city being predominantly minority/lower income and the outer city consisting of white/upper income groups. These different groups enjoy different types of recreation, and, thus, demand different facilities. Since this is basically an allocation problem with multiple conflicting objectives, goal programming surfaces as an appropriate solution technique. This paper describes an integer (0-1) goal programming model for the recreational allocation problem and demonstrates its use via a case example. The model results specify the facilities which should be constructed that best meet the conflicting goals.     

A unique equilibrium efficient frontier with fixed-sum outputs in data envelopment analysis

Based on the equilibrium efficient frontier data envelopment analysis (EEFDEA) approach, Fang (J Oper Res Soc 67:412–420, 2015a) developed an equivalent linear programming model to improve and strengthen the EEFDEA approach. Furthermore, Fang (2015a) indicated that his secondary goal approach can achieve a unique equilibrium efficient frontier. However, through a simple counterexample we demonstrate that Fang’s secondary goal approach cannot always achieve uniqueness of the equilibrium efficient frontier. In this paper, we propose an algorithm based on the secondary goal approach to address the problem. The proposed algorithm is proven mathematically to be an effective approach to guaranteeing the uniqueness of the equilibrium efficient frontier.     

Fuzzy goal programming for multiobjective transportation problems

Several fuzzy approaches can be considered for solving multiobjective transportation problem. This paper presents a fuzzy goal programming approach to determine an optimal compromise solution for the multiobjective transportation problem. We assume that each objective function has a fuzzy goal. Also we assign a special type of nonlinear (hyperbolic) membership function to each objective function to describe each fuzzy goal. The approach focuses on minimizing the negative deviation variables from 1 to obtain a compromise solution of the multiobjective transportation problem. We show that the proposed method and the fuzzy programming method are equivalent. In addition, the proposed approach can be applied to solve other multiobjective mathematical programming problems. A numerical example is given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.     

Preference modelling by estimating local utility functions for multiobjective optimization

This paper is intended to design goal programming models for capturing the decision maker's (DM's) preference information and for supporting the search for the best compromise solutions in multiobjective optimization. At first, a linear goal programming model is built to estimate piecewise linear local utility functions based on pairwise comparisons of efficient solutions as well as objectives. The interactive step trade-off method (ISTM) is employed to generate a typical subset of efficient solutions of a multiobjective problem. Another general goal programming model is then constructed to embed the estimated utility functions in the original multiobjective problem for utility optimization using ordinary nonlinear programming algorithms. This technique, consisting of the ISTM method and the newly investigated search process, facilitates the identification and elimination of possible inconsistent information which may exist in the DM's preferences. It also provides various ways to carry out post-optimality analysis to test the robustness of the obtained best solutions. A modified nonlinear multiobjective management problem is taken as example to demonstrate the technique.     

Mixed integer goal programming models for the flexible job-shop scheduling problems with separable and non-separable sequence dependent setup times

The optimization problem addressed in this paper is an advanced form of the flexible job shop scheduling problem (FJSP) which also covers process plan flexibility and separable/non-separable sequence dependent setup times in addition to routing flexibility. Upon transforming the problem into an equivalent network problem, two mixed integer goal programming models are formulated. In the first model (Model A) the sequence dependent setup times are non-separable. In the second one (Model B) they are separable. Model B is obtained from Model A with a minor modification. The formulation of the models is described on a small sized numerical example and the solutions are interpreted. Finally, computational results are obtained on test problems.     

A Goal Programming Model for Rescheduling of Generation Power in Deregulated Markets

In deregulated electrical systems, production schedule for power plants is the result of an auction process. In the Spanish case, this schedule includes two main concepts: energy production (to be actually produced) and secondary reserve (to maintain available). The generation company faces the problem of converting energy schedule into a power schedule, respecting the reserve schedule as well as technical constraints, and trying to accomplish different goals: to minimise the production costs, to obtain smooth shapes for the power schedules and to optimise eventual compensation in schedules. A weighted goal mixed integer programming model with a real-size application to deal with this problem is presented.     

Mixed binary interval goal programming

This paper focuses on the mixed binary preferences decision problem associated with the use of penalty functions in goal programming. In this sense, a new formulation approach for interval goal programming is derived, which is more efficient than the model of Jones and Tamiz. In addition, to enhance the usefulness of the proposed model, binary variables subject to the environmental constraints are added. This leads to the model of binary interval goal programming. Finally, examples to illustrate these models are given.     

Goal Programming and Agricultural Planning

Goal Programming is similar in structure to linear programming, but offers a more flexible approach to planning problems by allowing a number of goals which are not necessarily compatible to be taken into account, simultaneously. The use of linear programming in farm planning is reviewed briefly. Consideration is given to published evidence of the goals of farmers, and ways in which these goals can be represented. A goal programming model of a 600 acre mixed farm is described and evaluated. Advantages and shortcomings of goal programming in relation to linear programming are considered. It is found that goal programming can be used as a means of generating a range of possible solutions to the planning problem.     

Solving the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker system of a nonconvex programming problem on an unbounded set

In the papers [G.C. Feng, B. Yu, Combined homotopy interior point method for nonlinear programming problems, in: H. Fujita, M. Yamaguti (Eds.), Advances in Numerical Mathematics; Proceedings of the Second Japan–China Seminar on Numerical Mathematics, in: Lecture Notes in Numerical and Applied Analysis, vol. 14, Kinokuniya, Tokyo, 1995, pp. 9–16; G.C. Feng, Z.H. Lin, B. Yu, Existence of an interior pathway to a Karush–Kuhn–Tucker point of a nonconvex programming problem, Nonlinear Analysis 32 (1998) 761–768; Z.H. Lin, B. Yu, G.C. Feng, A combined homotopy interior point method for convex programming problem, Applied Mathematics and Computation 84 (1997) 193–211], a combined homotopy interior method was presented and global convergence results obtained for nonconvex nonlinear programming when the feasible set is bounded and satisfies the so called normal cone condition. However, for when the feasible set is not bounded, no result has so far been obtained. In this paper, a combined homotopy interior method for nonconvex programming problems on the unbounded feasible set is considered. Under suitable additional assumptions, boundedness of the homotopy path, and hence global convergence, is proven.