A new method for multiple criteria group decision making with incomplete weight information under linguistic environment

A new method is proposed to solve multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problems, in which both the criteria values and criteria weights take the form of linguistic information, and the information about linguistic criteria weights is partly known or completely unknown. Firstly, to get reasonable decision result, instead of assigning the same weight to the decision maker (DM) for all criteria, we propose a method to determine the weight of DM with respect to each criterion under linguistic environment by calculating the similarity degree between individual 2-tuple linguistic evaluation value and the mean given by all decision makers (DMs). Secondly, for the situations where the information about the criteria weights is partly known or completely unknown, we establish optimization models to determine the criteria weights by defining 2-tuple linguistic positive ideal solution (TL-PIS), 2-tuple linguistic right negative ideal solution (TL-RNIS) and 2-tuple linguistic left negative ideal solution (TL-LNIS) of the collective 2-tuple linguistic decision matrix. Thirdly, we propose a new method to solve MCGDM problems with partly known or completely unknown linguistic weight information. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the calculation process of the proposed method.     

Projection method for multiple criteria group decision making with incomplete weight information in linguistic setting

Multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problems have become a very active research field over the last decade. Many practical problems are often characterized by MCGDM. The aim of this paper is to develop a new approach for MCGDM problems with incomplete weight information in linguistic setting based on the projection method. Firstly, to reflect the reality accurately, a method to determine the weights of decision makers in linguistic setting is proposed by calculating the degree of similarity between 2-tuple linguistic decision matrix given by each decision maker and the average 2-tuple linguistic decision matrix. By using the weights of decision makers, all individual 2-tuple linguistic decision matrices are aggregated into a collective one. Then, to determine the weight vector of criteria, we establish a non-linear optimization model based on the basic ideal of the projection method, i.e., the optimal alternative should have the largest projection on the 2-tuple linguistic positive ideal solution (TLPIS). Calculate the 2-tuple linguistic projection of each alternative on the TLPIS and rank all the alternatives according to the 2-tuple linguistic projection value. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the calculation process of the proposed method, and the validity is verified by comparing the evaluation results of the proposed method with that of the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method.     

A construction of sound semantic linguistic scales using 4-tuple representation of term semantics

Data semantics plays a fundamental role in computer science, in general, and in computing with words, in particular. The semantics of words arises as a sophisticated problem, since words being actually vague linguistic terms are pieces of information characterized by impreciseness, incompleteness, uncertainty and/or vagueness. The qualitative semantics and the quantitative semantics are two aspects of vague linguistic information, which are closely related. However, the qualitative semantics of linguistic terms, and even the qualitative semantics of the symbolic approaches, seem to be not elaborated on directly in the literature. In this study, we propose an interpretation of the inherent order-based semantics of terms through their qualitative semantics modeled by hedge algebra structures. The quantitative semantics of terms are developed based on the quantification of hedge algebras. With this explicit approach, we propose two concepts of assessment scales to address decision problems: linguistic scales used for representing expert linguistic assessments and semantic linguistic scales based on 4-tuple linguistic representation model, which forms a formalized structure useful for computing with words. An example of a simple multi-criteria decision problem is examined by running a comparative study. We also analyze the main advantages of the proposed approach.     

基于准则间关系的多准则语言决策方法

在多准则语言决策问题中,准则间的关系一般有三种:相互独立、相互影响、优先关系.基于这三种关系,结合比例二元组语义信息提出了一种新的多准则语言决策方法.介绍了比例二元组优先加权平均(P2TPWA)算子,并讨论了有关P2TPWA算子的相关性质.另外,将Choquet积分拓展到了比例二元组语言环境,并将P2TPWA算子和比例二元组语言Choquet积分用于实际的决策问题中.     

Portfolio selection in the Spanish stock market by interactive multiobjective programming

This study examines new versions of two interactive methods to address multiobjective problems, the aim of which is to enable the decision maker to reach a solution within the range of those considered efficient in a portfolio selection model, in which several objectives are pursued concerning risk and return and given that these are clearly conflicting objectives, the profile of the model proposed is multicriteria. Normally the range of efficient portfolios is fairly extensive thus making the selection of a single one an onerous task. In order to facilitate this process, interactive methods are used aimed at guiding the decision maker towards the optimal solution based on his preferences. Several adaptations were carried out on the original methods in order to facilitate the interactive process, improving the quality of the obtained portfolios, and these were applied to data obtained from the Madrid Stock Market, interaction taking place with two decision makers, one of whom was more aggressive than the other in their selections made.     

Some interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic aggregation operators and application in multiattribute group decision making

This paper deals with multiattribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems with interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic information. First, we introduce some new aggregation operators, such as the interval-valued 2-tuple weighted geometric (IVTWG) operator, the interval-valued 2-tuple ordered weighted geometric (IVTOWG) operator, the generalized interval-valued 2-tuple weighted average (GIVTWA) operator and the generalized interval-valued 2-tuple ordered weighted average (GIVTOWA). Then, we discuss their desired properties and relationships among them. Furthermore, we put forward a new method to determine the weight vector of interval-valued 2-tuple aggregation operator based on the concept of degree of precision. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method in dealing with interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic information under multi-granular linguistic contexts.     

基于二元语义TAC积分算子的语言型多属性群决策方法

针对属性之间存在模糊关联的语言型多属性群决策问题,给出了二元语义TAC(Two-Additive Choquet)积分算子的定义,分析和证明了算子的有关性质,并提出了相应的决策方法。该方法首先将各专家提供的语言短语形式的属性权重信息、属性关联信息与属性评价信息转化为二元语义形式,然后利用二元语义TAC积分算子将转化后的属性相关信息集结为各专家的方案评价值,并进一步集结专家意见获得方案的综合评价值,从而确定其排序。最后,通过实例分析和方法比较说明了所给方法的有效性和优点。研究结果表明,该方法具有属性关联刻画细致、计算过程简单且无信息损失、决策结果可解释性强等优点,为求解属性之间存在模糊关联的语言型多属性群决策问题提供了一种新的途径。     

Single- and multi-objective defensive location problems on a network

This paper considers a new optimal location problem, called defensive location problem (DLP). In the DLPs, a decision maker locates defensive facilities in order to prevent her/his enemies from reaching an important site, called a core; for example, “a government of a country locates self-defense bases in order to prevent her/his aggressors from reaching the capital of the country.” It is assumed that the region where the decision maker locates her/his defensive facilities is represented as a network and the core is a vertex in the network, and that the facility locater and her/his enemy are an upper and a lower level of decision maker, respectively. Then the DLPs are formulated as bilevel 0-1 programming problems to find Stackelberg solutions. In order to solve the DLPs efficiently, a solving algorithm for the DLPs based upon tabu search methods is proposed. The efficiency of the proposed solving methods is shown by applying to examples of the DLPs. Moreover, the DLPs are extended to multi-objective DLPs that the decision maker needs to defend several cores simultaneously. Such DLPs are formulated as multi-objective programming problems. In order to find a satisfying solution of the decision maker for the multi-objective DLP, an interactive fuzzy satisfying method is proposed, and the results of applying the method to examples of the multi-objective DLPs are shown.     

基于犹豫模糊二元语义的多属性决策方法

深入研究了犹豫模糊二元语义多属性决策问题。首先利用幂均算子给出了犹豫模糊二元语义集的均值函数,并基于均匀分布概率准则和二元语义的距离测度提出了犹豫模糊二元语义集两两比较的可能度公式,进一步给出了可能度排序公式的性质。针对属性值为犹豫模糊二元语义集的多属性决策问题,提出了一种基于熵权的多属性决策方法。最后结合实际问题,验证了该方法的有效性和可行性。     

Development of some linguistic aggregation operators with conservation of interaction between criteria and their application in multiple attribute group decision problems

Decision making problems with fuzzy linguistic information and Choquet integral is investigated in this paper, to introduce three new aggregation operators: 2-tuple choquet integral averaging operator (TCIA), 2-tuple ordered choquet integral averaging operator (TOCIA) and combined 2-tuple choquet integral averaging operator which can be used to aggregate preference information that takes not only the form of linguistic variables but also study some of its desirable properties. Also, we developed a practical method based on TCIA as well as TOCIA operators for multiple attribute group decision making. Furthermore, in this approach alternative assessments are computed by the aggregation of 2-tuple linguistic information. Therefore, ranking alternatives or selecting the most desirable ones will be the outcome of the comparison between the 2-tuple linguistic information. Ultimately, the demonstration of the developed approaches, its practicality and its effectiveness is proved by a numerical example and a comparison with results issued from Wan method (Knowl-Based Syst 45:31–40, 2013).     

基于直觉模糊二元语义交互式群决策的技术创新项目选择

为适应全球经济一体化的快速发展,企业应选择最优的技术创新项目,从而提升其竞争力。首先定义了直觉模糊二元语义,探讨了将其区间化的方法,建立了直觉模糊二元语义与区间模糊二元语义之间的联系。接着重新定义了直觉模糊二元语义的距离和相似度,给出了群决策的集结算子。通过集结决策者的意见和进行交互式决策,使得群体的决策意见达到满意的一致性水平。最后以技术创新项目选择为例说明了本文提出的方法。     

The OWA-based consensus operator under linguistic representation models using position indexes

When using linguistic approaches to solve decision problems, we need linguistic representation models. The symbolic model, the 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic representation model and the continuous linguistic model are three existing linguistic representation models based on position indexes. Together with these three linguistic models, the corresponding ordered weighted averaging operators, such as the linguistic ordered weighted averaging operator, the 2-tuple ordered weighted averaging operator and the extended ordered weighted averaging operator, have been developed, respectively. In this paper, we analyze the internal relationship among these operators, and propose a consensus operator under the continuous linguistic model (or the 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic representation model). The proposed consensus operator is based on the use of the ordered weighted averaging operator and the deviation measures. Some desired properties of the consensus operator are also presented. In particular, the consensus operator provides an alternative consensus model for group decision making. This consensus model preserves the original preference information given by the decision makers as much as possible, and supports consensus process automatically, without moderator.     

Selecting the best choice in the weighted secretary problem

In the sequential evaluation and selection problem with n applicants, we assume that a decision maker has some prior information about each applicant so that unequal weights may be assigned to each applicant according to his or her likelihood of being the best among all applicants. Assuming that the pre-assigned weights are available in advance, we derive the optimal selection strategy that maximizes the probability of selecting the best among all applicants. For the case where the decision maker is permitted to rearrange the sequence in which applicants are evaluated, we further propose a simple heuristic procedure to the problem of optimally ordering the sequence of evaluations. Based on a pairwise comparison matrix and a goal programming procedure, we also propose a method that easily computes the weights in a practical situation.     

Decision making in a fuzzy environment and its application to multicriteria power engineering problems

This paper presents results of research into the use of the Bellman–Zadeh approach to decision making in a fuzzy environment for solving multicriteria optimization problems. Its application conforms to the principle of guaranteed result and provides constructive lines in obtaining harmonious solutions on the basis of analyzing associated maxmin problems. The use of the Bellman–Zadeh approach has served as a basis for solving a problem of multicriteria allocation of resources (or their shortages) and developing a corresponding adaptive interactive decision making system (AIDMS1). AIDMS1 includes procedures for considering linguistic variables to reflect conditions that are difficult to formalize as well as procedures for constructing and correcting vectors of importance factors for goals. The use of these procedures permits one to realize an adaptive approach to processing information of a decision maker to provide successive improvment in solution quality. The results of the paper are universally applicable and are already being used to solve power engineering problems. It is illustrated by considering problems of multicriteria power and energy shortage allocation and multicriteria power system operation.     

基于二元语义的犹豫模糊语言决策方法

当决策者在给出语言评价信息而表示出犹豫时,决策信息更适合用犹豫模糊语言术语集表达。为了减少语言决策过程中信息的丢失,得到较精准的评价结果,本文提出基于二元语义的犹豫模糊语言决策方法。首先定义了犹豫模糊二元语义集、犹豫模糊二元语义集的均值函数、方差函数及其集结算子,然后用集结算子求出各方案的综合评价值,通过犹豫模糊二元语义的均值函数和方差函数确定方案排序。最后通过实例说明了该方法的实用性和有效性。     

基于二维二元语义和模糊AHP-TODIM的低碳供应商选择方法

针对专家给出二维语言评价信息的低碳供应商评选问题,提出一种基于二维二元语义和模糊AHP-TODIM的方法。该方法首先提出改进的二元语义模型,基于此定义二维二元语义及其加权平均算子。接着构建低碳供应商评价的指标体系。最后,将专家给出的二维语言评价信息转化为二维二元语义,使用模糊AHP法计算指标权重,并利用二维二元语义加权平均算子集结信息,在此基础上将TODIM方法扩展到二维二元语义环境以获取低碳供应商排序。案例分析说明了所提出的方法的有效性。     

Extension of VIKOR method for multi-criteria group decision making problem with linguistic information

A new method is proposed to solve multi-criteria group decision making problems in which both the criteria values and criteria weights take the form of linguistic information based on the traditional idea of VIKOR method. Firstly, the linguistic criteria weights given by all decision makers are transformed into trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, and then aggregated and defuzzified to crisp values. Secondly, the individual linguistic decision matrix given by each decision maker (DM) is transformed into 2-tuple linguistic decision matrix, and then aggregated into collective 2-tuple linguistic decision matrix by 2-tuple linguistic arithmetic mean operation. Thirdly, the 2-tuple linguistic values (_Si,_αi),$(S_i\text{,}{\alpha }_i)\text{,}$(_Ri,_αi)$(R_i\text{,}{\alpha }_i)$ and (_Qi,_αi)$(Q_i\text{,}{\alpha }_i)$ are calculated by defining the 2-tuple linguistic positive ideal solution (TL-PIS) and 2-tuple linguistic negative ideal solution (TL-NIS). Furthermore, the compromise solution can be obtained. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the application of the proposed approach, and the method is verified by comparing the evaluation result with that of 2-tuple linguistic TOPSIS (TL-TOPSIS) method.     

Effective implementation of the ε-constraint method in Multi-Objective Mathematical Programming problems

As indicated by the most widely accepted classification, the Multi-Objective Mathematical Programming (MOMP) methods can be classified as a priori, interactive and a posteriori, according to the decision stage in which the decision maker expresses his/her preferences. Although the a priori methods are the most popular, the interactive and the a posteriori methods convey much more information to the decision maker. Especially, the a posteriori (or generation) methods give the whole picture (i.e. the Pareto set) to the decision maker, before his/her final choice, reinforcing thus, his/her confidence to the final decision. However, the generation methods are the less popular due to their computational effort and the lack of widely available software. The present work is an effort to effectively implement the ε-constraint method for producing the Pareto optimal solutions in a MOMP. We propose a novel version of the method (augmented ε-constraint method - AUGMECON) that avoids the production of weakly Pareto optimal solutions and accelerates the whole process by avoiding redundant iterations. The method AUGMECON has been implemented in GAMS, a widely used modelling language, and has already been used in some applications. Finally, an interactive approach that is based on AUGMECON and eventually results in the most preferred Pareto optimal solution is also proposed in the paper.     

A consensus-based probabilistic linguistic gained and lost dominance score method

This paper proposes a comprehensive Multiple Criteria Group Decision Making (MCGDM) method with probabilistic linguistic information based on a new consensus measure and a novel outranking method, Gained and Lost Dominance Score (GLDS). Firstly, new operations of the probabilistic linguistic term sets are introduced based on the adjusted rules of probabilistic linguistic term sets and the linguistic scale functions for semantics of linguistic terms. After defining a new consensus measure based on the correlation degree between probabilistic linguistic term sets, we develop a consensus reaching method to improve the consensus degree of a group. To rank alternatives reasonably, we further propose the GLDS method which considers both the “group utility” and the “individual regret” values. The core of the GLDS is to calculate the gained and lost dominance scores that the optimal solution dominates all other alternatives in terms of the net gained dominance flow and the net lost dominance flow. Then, we integrate the GLDS ranking method with the consensus reaching process and develop a consensus-based PL-GLDS method to solve the MCGDM problems with probabilistic linguistic information. Finally, the proposed method is validated by a case study of selecting optimal green enterprises. Some comparative analyses are given to show the efficiency of the proposed method.     

求解多层线性规划的模糊规划法

本文用模糊集理论中的隶属函数描述多层线性规划的各层目标,在第一层给定最小满意水平下,通过求解相应层次的模糊规划来确定各层的最小满意度,从而最终得到问题的一个满意解。提出的方法只需求解一系列线性规划问题,具有较好的计算复杂性和可行性,最后的算例进一步验证了方法的有效性。