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.     

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.     

Integration and propagation of a multi-criteria decision making model in constraint programming

In this paper we propose a general integration scheme for a Multi-Criteria Decision Making model of the Multi-Attribute Utility Theory in Constraint Programming. We introduce the Choquet integral as a general aggregation function for multi-criteria optimization problems and define the Choquet global constraint that propagates this function during the Branch-and-Bound search. Finally the benefits of the propagation of the Choquet constraint are evaluated on the examination timetabling problem.     

Extended VIKOR method in comparison with outranking methods

The VIKOR method was developed to solve MCDM problems with conflicting and noncommensurable (different units) criteria, assuming that compromising is acceptable for conflict resolution, the decision maker wants a solution that is the closest to the ideal, and the alternatives are evaluated according to all established criteria. This method focuses on ranking and selecting from a set of alternatives in the presence of conflicting criteria, and on proposing compromise solution (one or more). The VIKOR method is extended with a stability analysis determining the weight stability intervals and with trade-offs analysis. The extended VIKOR method is compared with three multicriteria decision making methods: TOPSIS, PROMETHEE, and ELECTRE. A numerical example illustrates an application of the VIKOR method, and the results by all four considered methods are compared.     

Extension of the TOPSIS method for decision making problems under interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environment

TOPSIS is one of the well-known methods for multiple attribute decision making (MADM). In this paper, we extend the TOPSIS method to solve multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems in interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environment in which all the preference information provided by the decision-makers is presented as interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrices where each of the elements is characterized by interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy number (IVIFNs), and the information about attribute weights is partially known. First, we use the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy hybrid geometric (IIFHG) operator to aggregate all individual interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrices provided by the decision-makers into the collective interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrix, and then we use the score function to calculate the score of each attribute value and construct the score matrix of the collective interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrix. From the score matrix and the given attribute weight information, we establish an optimization model to determine the weights of attributes, and construct the weighted collective interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrix, and then determine the interval-valued intuitionistic positive-ideal solution and interval-valued intuitionistic negative-ideal solution. Based on different distance definitions, we calculate the relative closeness of each alternative to the interval-valued intuitionistic positive-ideal solution and rank the alternatives according to the relative closeness to the interval-valued intuitionistic positive-ideal solution and select the most desirable one(s). Finally, an example is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.     

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。     

The extended COWG operators and their application to multiple attributive group decision making problems with interval numbers

The aim of this paper is to develop two extended continuous ordered weighted geometric (COWG) operators, such as the weighted geometric averaging COWG (WG-COWG) and ordered weighted geometric averaging COWG (OWG-COWG) operators. We study some desirable properties of the WG-COWG and OWG-COWG operators, and present their application to multiple attributive group decision making (MAGDM) problems with interval numbers. Finally, an illustrative numerical example is used to verify the developed approaches.     

A group decision making approach based on aggregating interval data into interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy information

Group decision making is one of the most important problems in decision making sciences. The aim of this article is to aggregate the interval data into the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy information for multiple attribute group decision making. In this model, the decision information is provided by decision maker, which is characterized by interval data. Based on the idea of mean and variance in statistics, we first define the concepts of satisfactory and dissatisfactory intervals of attribute vector against each alternative. Using these concepts, we develop an approach to aggregate the attribute vector into interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy number under group decision making environment. A practical example is provided to illustrate the proposed method. To show the validity of the reported method, comparisons with other methods are also made.     

A fuzzy-stochastic OWA model for robust multi-criteria decision making

All realistic Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problems face various kinds of uncertainty. Since the evaluations of alternatives with respect to the criteria are uncertain they will be assumed to have stochastic nature. To obtain the uncertain optimism degree of the decision maker fuzzy linguistic quantifiers will be used. Then a new approach for fuzzy-stochastic modeling of MCDM problems will be introduced by merging the stochastic and fuzzy approaches into the OWA operator. The results of the new approach, entitled FSOWA, give the expected value and the variance of the combined goodness measure for each alternative. Robust decision depends on the combined goodness measures of alternatives and also on the variations of these measures under uncertainty. In order to combine these two characteristics a composite goodness measure will be defined. The theoretical results will be illustrated in a watershed management problem. By using this measure will give more sensitive decisions to the stakeholders whose optimism degrees are different than that of the decision maker. FSOWA can be used for robust decision making on the competitive alternatives under uncertainty.     

基于一类新的Picture模糊距离的VIKOR多属性决策方法

针对现有Picture模糊距离的不足。本文构建了一种带有参数的Picture模糊距离,该参数能够反映决策者的态度偏好。其次,将新距离拓展到多准则妥协解排序法(VIKOR)中,并利用新距离计算各备选方案的群体效益值和个体遗憾值进而获得决策结果。最后,通过算例验证所提决策方法的有效性和优点,并对参数进行灵敏度分析。     

Interactive fuzzy decision making method for solving bilevel programming problem

In this paper, an interactive fuzzy decision making method is proposed for solving bilevel programming problem. Introducing a new balance function, we consider the overall satisfactory balance between the leader and the follower. Then, a satisfactory solution can be obtained by the proposed method. Finally, numerical examples are reported to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method.     

Developing a straightforward approach for group decision making based on determining weights of decision makers

Group decision making is an active area of research within multiple attribute decision making. This paper assumes that all the decision makers (DMs) are not equally qualified to contribute equitably to the decision process. The aim of this paper is to develop an approach to determine weights of DMs, in which the decision information on alternatives with respect to attributes, provided by each DM, is represented in the form of interval data. We define the average of all individual decisions as the positive ideal decision (PID), and the maximum separation from PID as the negative ideal decision, which are characterized by a matrix, respectively. The weight of each DM is determined according to the Euclidean distances between the individual decision and ideal decisions. By using the obtained weights of DMs, all individual decisions are aggregated into a collective decision. Then the alternatives is ranked based on the collective decision. Meanwhile, this paper also gives a humanized decision method by using an optimistic coefficient, which is used in adjusting the relative importance between profit and risk. Finally, we give an example to illustrate the developed approach.     

Decision making with interval probabilities

Handling uncertainty by interval probabilities is recently receiving considerable attention by researchers. Interval probabilities are used when it is difficult to characterize the uncertainty by point-valued probabilities due to partially known information. Most of researches related to interval probabilities, such as combination, marginalization, condition, Bayesian inferences and decision, assume that interval probabilities are known. How to elicit interval probabilities from subjective judgment is a basic and important problem for the applications of interval probability theory and till now a computational challenge. In this work, the models for estimating and combining interval probabilities are proposed as linear and quadratic programming problems, which can be easily solved. The concepts including interval probabilities, interval entropy, interval expectation, interval variance, interval moment, and the decision criteria with interval probabilities are addressed. A numerical example of newsvendor problem is employed to illustrate our approach. The analysis results show that the proposed methods provide a novel and effective alternative for decision making when point-valued subjective probabilities are inapplicable due to partially known information.     

A multiple criteria decision making approach to manure management systems in the Netherlands

The intensification of livestock operations in the last few decades has resulted in an increased social concern over the environmental impacts of livestock operations and thus making appropriate manure management decisions increasingly important. A socially acceptable manure management system that simultaneously achieves the pressing environmental objectives while balancing the socio-economic welfare of farmers and society at large is needed. Manure management decisions involve a number of decision makers with different and conflicting views of what is acceptable in the context of sustainable development. This paper developed a decision-making tool based on a multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) approach to address the manure management problems in the Netherlands. This paper has demonstrated the application of compromise programming and goal programming to evaluate key trade-offs between socio-economic benefits and environmental sustainability of manure management systems while taking decision makers’ conflicting views of the different criteria into account. The proposed methodology is a useful tool in assisting decision makers and policy makers in designing policies that enhance the introduction of economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manure management systems.     

融合关联性准则模糊测度的改进型VIKOR方法研究

多准则决策环境下,厘清准则关联性对决策结果影响机理将有助于提高决策结果的可靠性。首先,详细阐述了关联性准则的模糊测度表征的shapley值和交互系数;其次,以VIKOR方法为基础,深入分析了关联性准则对群体效用值和方差以及个体遗憾值的影响规律,提炼并总结了3条重要性质;再次,提出了包含准则交互系数的改进型VIKOR方法;最后,通过实例的对比研究凸显了本方法的优越性。     

Selecting IS personnel use fuzzy GDSS based on metric distance method

In this paper we propose a new approach to rank fuzzy numbers by metric distance. For showing our method is a good ranking method, we give two examples to compare with other methods. The paper also developes a computer-based group decision support system, FMCGDSS, to increase the recruiting productivity and to easily compare our method with other fuzzy number ranking methods. The FMCGDSS includes three ranking methods: intuition ranking, Lee and Li's fuzzy mean/spread and our metric distance method to help manager make better decision under fuzzy circumstance. The result indicates that the new method is coincident with the intuition ranking and the Lee and Li's fuzzy mean/spread method on each type weight.     

融合关联性准则模糊测度的改进型VIKOR方法研究

多准则决策环境下,厘清准则关联性对决策结果影响机理将有助于提高决策结果的可靠性。首先,详细阐述了关联性准则的模糊测度表征的shapley值和交互系数;其次,以VIKOR方法为基础,深入分析了关联性准则对群体效用值和方差以及个体遗憾值的影响规律,提炼并总结了3条重要性质;再次,提出了包含准则交互系数的改进型VIKOR方法;最后,通过实例的对比研究凸显了本方法的优越性。     

Multi-criteria decision making approaches for supplier evaluation and selection: A literature review

Supplier evaluation and selection problem has been studied extensively. Various decision making approaches have been proposed to tackle the problem. In contemporary supply chain management, the performance of potential suppliers is evaluated against multiple criteria rather than considering a single factor-cost. This paper reviews the literature of the multi-criteria decision making approaches for supplier evaluation and selection. Related articles appearing in the international journals from 2000 to 2008 are gathered and analyzed so that the following three questions can be answered: (i) Which approaches were prevalently applied? (ii) Which evaluating criteria were paid more attention to? (iii) Is there any inadequacy of the approaches? Based on the inadequacy, if any, some improvements and possible future work are recommended. This research not only provides evidence that the multi-criteria decision making approaches are better than the traditional cost-based approach, but also aids the researchers and decision makers in applying the approaches effectively.     

An approach to group decision making based on interval multiplicative and fuzzy preference relations by using projection

This paper presents a consensus model for group decision making with interval multiplicative and fuzzy preference relations based on two consensus criteria: (1) a consensus measure which indicates the agreement between experts’ preference relations and (2) a measure of proximity to find out how far the individual opinions are from the group opinion. These measures are calculated by using the relative projections of individual preference relations on the collective one, which are obtained by extending the relative projection of vectors. First, the weights of experts are determined by the relative projections of individual preference relations on the initial collective one. Then using the weights of experts, all individual preference relations are aggregated into a collective one. The consensus and proximity measures are calculated by using the relative projections of experts’ preference relations respectively. The consensus measure is used to guide the consensus process until the collective solution is achieved. The proximity measure is used to guide the discussion phase of consensus reaching process. In such a way, an iterative algorithm is designed to guide the experts in the consensus reaching process. Finally the expected value preference relations are defined to transform the interval collective preference relation to a crisp one and the weights of alternatives are obtained from the expected value preference relations. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the models and approaches.     

Extension of the VIKOR method for group decision making with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy information

The aim of this paper is to extend the VIKOR method for multiple attribute group decision making in interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environment, in which all the preference information provided by the decision-makers is presented as interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrices where each of the elements is characterized by interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy number, and the information about attribute weights is partially known, which is an important research field in decision science and operation research. First, we use the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy hybrid geometric operator to aggregate all individual interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrices provided by the decision-makers into the collective interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrix, and then we use the score function to calculate the score of each attribute value and construct the score matrix of the collective interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrix. From the score matrix and the given attribute weight information, we establish an optimization model to determine the weights of attributes, and then determine the interval-valued intuitionistic positive-ideal solution and interval-valued intuitionistic negative-ideal solution. We use the different distances to calculate the particular measure of closeness of each alternative to the interval-valued intuitionistic positive-ideal solution. According to values of the particular measure, we rank the alternatives and then select the most desirable one(s). Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.