Stability and accuracy functions in multicriteria linear combinatorial optimization problems

We consider a vector linear combinatorial optimization problem in which initial coefficients of objective functions are subject to perturbations. For Pareto and lexicographic principles of efficiency we introduce appropriate measures of the quality of a given feasible solution. These measures correspond to so-called stability and accuracy functions defined earlier for scalar optimization problems. Then we study properties of such functions and calculate the maximum norms of perturbations for which an efficient solution preserves the efficiency. This work was partially supported through NATO Science Fellowship grant.     

Duality for multiobjective optimization problems with convex objective functions and D.C. constraints

In this paper we provide a duality theory for multiobjective optimization problems with convex objective functions and finitely many D.C. constraints. In order to do this, we study first the duality for a scalar convex optimization problem with inequality constraints defined by extended real-valued convex functions. For a family of multiobjective problems associated to the initial one we determine then, by means of the scalar duality results, their multiobjective dual problems. Finally, we consider as a special case the duality for the convex multiobjective optimization problem with convex constraints.     

Perturbing convex multiobjecttve programs

The sensitivity of a convex noniinear constrained multiobjective program to small perturbations is analysed, in terms of the stability of weak optimal faces, and vertices, to perturbations. These results are applied to the perturbation of a set-valued optimization problem, in which the objective and constraint set-functions take convex poiyhedra as their values     

Multiobjective duality for convex ratios

In this paper we present a duality approach for a multiobjective fractional programming problem. The components of the vector objective function are particular ratios involving the square of a convex function and a positive concave function. Applying the Fenchel-Rockafellar duality theory for a scalar optimization problem associated to the multiobjective primal, a dual problem is derived. This scalar dual problem is formulated in terms of conjugate functions and its structure gives an idea about how to construct a multiobjective dual problem in a natural way. Weak and strong duality assertions are presented.     

Some Results on Condition Numbers in Convex Multiobjective Optimization

Various notions of condition numbers are used to study some sensitivity aspects of scalar optimization problems. The aim of this paper is to introduce a notion of condition number to study the case of a multiobjective optimization problem defined via m convex C ^1,1 objective functions on a given closed ball in ? ⁿ . Two approaches are proposed: the first one adopts a local point of view around a given solution point, whereas the second one considers the solution set as a whole. A comparison between the two notions of well-conditioned problem is developed. We underline that both the condition numbers introduced in the present work reduce to the same condition number proposed by Zolezzi in 2003, in the special case of the scalar optimization problem considered there. A pseudodistance between functions is defined such that the condition number provides an upper bound on how far from a well–conditioned function f a perturbed function g can be chosen in order that g is well–conditioned too. For both the local and the global approach an extension of classical Eckart–Young distance theorem is proved, even if only a special class of perturbations is considered.     

Duality Theory in Fuzzy Optimization Problems

A solution concept of fuzzy optimization problems, which is essentially similar to the notion of Pareto optimal solution (nondominated solution) in multiobjective programming problems, is introduced by imposing a partial ordering on the set of all fuzzy numbers. We also introduce a concept of fuzzy scalar (inner) product based on the positive and negative parts of fuzzy numbers. Then the fuzzy-valued Lagrangian function and the fuzzy-valued Lagrangian dual function for the fuzzy optimization problem are proposed via the concept of fuzzy scalar product. Under these settings, the weak and strong duality theorems for fuzzy optimization problems can be elicited. We show that there is no duality gap between the primal and dual fuzzy optimization problems under suitable assumptions for fuzzy-valued functions.     

Nonsmooth multiobjective programming: strong Kuhn–Tucker conditions

We consider a multiobjective optimization problem with a feasible set defined by inequality and equality constraints and a set constraint, where the objective and constraint functions are locally Lipschitz. Several constraint qualifications are given in such a way that they generalize the classical ones, when the functions are differentiable. The relationships between them are analyzed. Then, we establish strong Kuhn–Tucker necessary optimality conditions in terms of the Clarke subdifferentials such that the multipliers of the objective function are all positive. Furthermore, sufficient optimality conditions under generalized convexity assumptions are derived. Moreover, the concept of efficiency is used to formulate duality for nonsmooth multiobjective problems. Wolf and Mond–Weir type dual problems are formulated. We also establish the weak and strong duality theorems.     

Characterization of solutions of multiobjective optimization problem

A characterization of weakly efficient, efficient and properly efficient solutions of multiobjective optimization problems is given in terms of a scalar optimization problem by using a special “distance” function. The concept of the well-posedness for this special scalar problem is then linked with the properly efficient solutions of the multiobjective problem.     

Computing the nadir point for multiobjective discrete optimization problems

We investigate the problem of finding the nadir point for multiobjective discrete optimization problems (MODO). The nadir point is constructed from the worst objective values over the efficient set of a multiobjective optimization problem. We present a new algorithm to compute nadir values for MODO with \(p\) objective functions. The proposed algorithm is based on an exhaustive search of the \((p-2)\)-dimensional space for each component of the nadir point. We compare our algorithm with two earlier studies from the literature. We give numerical results for all algorithms on multiobjective knapsack, assignment and integer linear programming problems. Our algorithm is able to obtain the nadir point for relatively large problem instances with up to five-objectives.     

On Characterizations of Proper Efficiency for Nonconvex Multiobjective Optimization

In this paper, nonconvex multiobjective optimization problems are studied. New characterizations of a properly efficient solution in the sense of Geoffrion's are established in terms of the stability of one scalar optimization problem and the existence of an exact penalty function of a scalar constrained program, respectively. One of the characterizations is applied to derive necessary conditions for a properly efficient control-parameter pair of a nonconvex multiobjective discrete optimal control problem with linear constraints.     

On Weak and Strong Kuhn–Tucker Conditions for Smooth Multiobjective Optimization

We consider a smooth multiobjective optimization problem with inequality constraints. Weak Kuhn?CTucker (WKT) optimality conditions are said to hold for such problems when not all the multipliers of the objective functions are zero, while strong Kuhn?CTucker (SKT) conditions are said to hold when all the multipliers of the objective functions are positive. We introduce a new regularity condition under which (WKT) hold. Moreover, we prove that for another new regularity condition (SKT) hold at every Geoffrion-properly efficient point. We show with an example that the assumption on proper efficiency cannot be relaxed. Finally, we prove that Geoffrion-proper efficiency is not needed when the constraint set is polyhedral and the objective functions are linear.     

Stability and accuracy functions in a coalition game with bans,linear payoffs and antagonistic strategies

A coalition game with a finite number of players in which initial coefficients of linear payoff functions are subject to perturbations is considered. For any efficient solution which may appear in the game, appropriate measures of the quality are introduced. These measures correspond to the so-called stability and accuracy functions defined earlier for efficient solutions of a generic multiobjective combinatorial optimization problem with Pareto and lexicographic optimality principles. Various properties of such functions are studied. Maximum norms of perturbations for which an efficient in sense of equilibrium solution preserves the property of being efficient are calculated.     

MultiGLODS: global and local multiobjective optimization using direct search

The optimization of multimodal functions is a challenging task, in particular when derivatives are not available for use. Recently, in a directional direct search framework, a clever multistart strategy was proposed for global derivative-free optimization of single objective functions. The goal of the current work is to generalize this approach to the computation of global Pareto fronts for multiobjective multimodal derivative-free optimization problems. The proposed algorithm alternates between initializing new searches, using a multistart strategy, and exploring promising subregions, resorting to directional direct search. Components of the objective function are not aggregated and new points are accepted using the concept of Pareto dominance. The initialized searches are not all conducted until the end, merging when they start to be close to each other. The convergence of the method is analyzed under the common assumptions of directional direct search. Numerical experiments show its ability to generate approximations to the different Pareto fronts of a given problem.     

Unifying Optimal Partition Approach to Sensitivity Analysis in Conic Optimization

We study convex conic optimization problems in which the right-hand side and the cost vectors vary linearly as functions of a scalar parameter. We present a unifying geometric framework that subsumes the concept of the optimal partition in linear programming (LP) and semidefinite programming (SDP) and extends it to conic optimization. Similar to the optimal partition approach to sensitivity analysis in LP and SDP, the range of perturbations for which the optimal partition remains constant can be computed by solving two conic optimization problems. Under a weaker notion of nondegeneracy, this range is simply given by a minimum ratio test. We discuss briefly the properties of the optimal value function under such perturbations.     

Stability and Scalarization of Weak Efficient, Efficient and Henig Proper Efficient Sets Using Generalized Quasiconvexities

The aim of this paper is to establish the stability of weak efficient, efficient and Henig proper efficient sets of a vector optimization problem, using quasiconvex and related functions. We establish the Kuratowski?CPainlevé set-convergence of the minimal solution sets of a family of perturbed problems to the corresponding minimal solution set of the vector problem, where the perturbations are performed on both the objective function and the feasible set. This convergence is established by using gamma convergence of the sequence of the perturbed objective functions and Kuratowski?CPainlevé set-convergence of the sequence of the perturbed feasible sets. The solution sets of the vector problem are characterized in terms of the solution sets of a scalar problem, where the scalarization function satisfies order preserving and order representing properties. This characterization is further used to establish the Kuratowski?CPainlevé set-convergence of the solution sets of a family of scalarized problems to the solution sets of the vector problem.     

Multiobjective optimization using differential evolution for real-world portfolio optimization

Portfolio optimization is an important aspect of decision-support in investment management. Realistic portfolio optimization, in contrast to simplistic mean-variance optimization, is a challenging problem, because it requires to determine a set of optimal solutions with respect to multiple objectives, where the objective functions are often multimodal and non-smooth. Moreover, the objectives are subject to various constraints of which many are typically non-linear and discontinuous. Conventional optimization methods, such as quadratic programming, cannot cope with these realistic problem properties. A valuable alternative are stochastic search heuristics, such as simulated annealing or evolutionary algorithms. We propose a new multiobjective evolutionary algorithm for portfolio optimization, which we call DEMPO??Differential Evolution for Multiobjective Portfolio Optimization. In our experimentation, we compare DEMPO with quadratic programming and another well-known evolutionary algorithm for multiobjective optimization called NSGA-II. The main advantage of DEMPO is its ability to tackle a portfolio optimization task without simplifications, while obtaining very satisfying results in reasonable runtime.     

First and second order sufficient conditions for strict minimality in nonsmooth vector optimization

In this paper we present first and second order sufficient conditions for strict local minima of orders 1 and 2 to vector optimization problems with an arbitrary feasible set and a twice directionally differentiable objective function. With this aim, the notion of support function to a vector problem is introduced, in such a way that the scalar case and the multiobjective case, in particular, are contained. The obtained results extend the multiobjective ones to this case. Moreover, specializing to a feasible set defined by equality, inequality, and set constraints, first and second order sufficient conditions by means of Lagrange multiplier rules are established.     

Semi-Infinite Optimization under Convex Function Perturbations: Lipschitz Stability

This paper is devoted to the study of the stability of the solution map for the parametric convex semi-infinite optimization problem under convex function perturbations in short, PCSI. We establish sufficient conditions for the pseudo-Lipschitz property of the solution map of PCSI under perturbations of both objective function and constraint set. The main result obtained is new even when the problems under consideration reduce to linear semi-infinite optimization. Examples are given to illustrate the obtained results.     

Derived Sets for Weak Multiobjective Optimization Problems with State and Control Variables

The concept of a K-gradient, introduced in Ref. 1 in order to generalize the concept of a derived convex cone defined by Hestenes, is extended to weak multiobjective optimization problems including not only a state variable, but also a control variable. The new concept is employed to state multiplier rules for the local solutions of such dynamic multiobjective optimization problems. An application of these multiplier rules to the local solutions of an abstract multiobjective optimal control problem yields general necessary optimality conditions that can be used to derive concrete maximum principles for multiobjective optimal control problems, e.g., problems described by integral equations with additional functional constraints.     

A portfolio theory approach to crop planning under environmental constraints

This paper presents a multiobjective model for crop planning in agriculture. The approach is based on portfolio theory. The model takes into account weather risks, market risks and environmental risks. Input data include historical land productivity data for various crops, soil types and yield response to fertilizer/pesticide application. Several environmental levels for the application of fertilizers/pesticides, and the monetary penalties for overcoming these levels, are also considered. Starting from the multiobjective model we formulate several single objective optimization problems: the minimum environmental risk problem, the maximum expected return problem and the minimum financial risk problem. We prove that the minimum environmental risk problem is equivalent to a mixed integer problem with a linear objective function. Two numerical results for the minimum environmental risk problem are presented.