Fuzzy heterogeneous multiattribute decision making method for outsourcing provider selection

One of the critical activities for outsourcing success is outsourcing provider selection, which may be regarded as a type of fuzzy heterogeneous multiattribute decision making (MADM) problems with fuzzy truth degrees and incomplete weight information. The aim of this paper is to develop a new fuzzy linear programming method for solving such MADM problems. In this method, the decision maker’s preferences are given through pair-wise alternatives’ comparisons with fuzzy truth degrees, which are expressed with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TrFNs). Real numbers, intervals, and TrFNs are used to express heterogeneous decision information. Giving the fuzzy positive and negative ideal solutions, we define TrFN-type fuzzy consistency and inconsistency indices based on the concept of the relative closeness degrees. The attribute weights are estimated through constructing a new fuzzy linear programming model, which is solved by using the developed fuzzy linear programming method with TrFNs. The relative closeness degrees of alternatives can be calculated to generate their ranking order. An example of the IT outsourcing provider selection problem is analyzed to demonstrate the implementation process and applicability of the method proposed in this paper.     

Interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy mathematical programming method for hybrid multi-criteria group decision making with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy truth degrees

As an important component of group decision making, the hybrid multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) is very complex and interesting in real applications. The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) mathematical programming method for hybrid MCGDM considering alternative comparisons with hesitancy degrees. The subjective preference relations between alternatives given by each decision maker (DM) are formulated as an IVIF set (IVIFS). The IVIFSs, intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs), trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TrFNs), linguistic variables, intervals and real numbers are used to represent the multiple types of criteria values. The information of criteria weights is incomplete. The IVIFS-type consistency and inconsistency indices are defined through considering the fuzzy positive and negative ideal solutions simultaneously. To determine the criteria weights, we construct a novel bi-objective IVIF mathematical programming of minimizing the inconsistency index and meanwhile maximizing the consistency index, which is solved by the technically developed linear goal programming approach. The individual ranking order of alternatives furnished by each DM is subsequently obtained according to the comprehensive relative closeness degrees of alternatives to the fuzzy positive ideal solution. The collective ranking order of alternatives is derived through establishing a new multi-objective assignment model. A real example of critical infrastructure evaluation is provided to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of this method.     

基于投影技术的三角模糊数型多属性决策方法研究

针对属性权重完全未知且属性值为三角模糊数的多属性决策问题.提出一种基于线性规划和模糊向量投影的决策方法.该方法基于加权属性值离差最大化建立一个线性规划模型,通过求解此模型得到属性的权重,计算各方案的加权属性值在模糊正理想点和负理想点上的投影,进而计算相对贴近度,并据此对方案进行排序,最后,通过算例说明了模型及方法的可行性和有效性.     

Interval programming method for hesitant fuzzy multi-attribute group decision making with incomplete preference over alternatives

The aim of this study is to employ the main structure of LINMAP (LINear programming technique for Multidimensional Analysis of Preference) to propose an interval programming method for solving multi-attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems in which the ratings of alternatives are taken as hesitant fuzzy elements (HFEs) and all pair-wise comparison judgments over alternatives are represented by interval numbers. The contribution of this study is fivefold: (1) we define the new consistency and inconsistency indices; (2) we construct an interval programming model to determine the hesitant fuzzy positive ideal solution and the optimal weights of attributes, and at the same time present a decision algorithm; (3) we discuss several special cases of the proposed model in detail; (4) we show that compared with intuitionistic fuzzy LINMAP method (Li et al., 2010), the proposed approach reveals more useful information including the interval preference information, and does not need to transform HFEs into intuitionistic fuzzy numbers but directly deals with MAGDM problems and thus obtains better final decision results; and (5) we demonstrate the applicability and implementation process of the proposed approach by using an energy project selection example.     

Possibilistic programming approach for fuzzy multidimensional analysis of preference in group decision making

Multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problems are the most encountered problems in decision making. Fuzziness is inherent in decision making process and linguistic variables are well suited to assessing an alternative on qualitative attributes using fuzzy rating. A few techniques in MADM assess the weights of attributes based on preference information on alternatives. But they are not practical any more when the set of all paired comparison judgments from decision makers (DMs) on attributes are not crisp and also we have to deal with fuzzy decision matrix. This paper investigates the generation of a possibilistic model for multidimensional analysis of preference (LINMAP). The model assesses the fuzzy weights as well as locating the ideal solution with fuzzy decision making preference on attributes and fuzzy decision matrix. All of the information is assumed as triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs). This method is developed in group decision making environments and formulates the problem as a possibilistic programming with multiple objectives.     

A method for group decision making with multi-granularity linguistic assessment information

This paper proposes a method to solve the group decision making (GDM) problems with multi-granularity linguistic assessment information. In the method, the multi-granularity linguistic information provided by experts is firstly expressed in the form of fuzzy numbers. In order to make the collective opinion close to each expert’s opinion, a linear goal programming model is constructed to integrate the fuzzy assessment information and to directly compute the collective ranking values of alternatives without the need of information transformation. Then, a fuzzy preference relation on the pairwise comparisons of the collective ranking values of alternatives is constructed using the dominance possibility degree of the comparison between the fuzzy numbers. By applying a non-dominance choice degree to this fuzzy preference relation, the ranking of alternatives is determined and the most desirable alternative(s) is selected. An example is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method and its advantages.     

Fuzzy LINMAP method for multiattribute decision making under fuzzy environments

The Linear Programming Technique for Multidimensional Analysis of Preference (LINMAP) developed by Srinivasan and Shocker [V. Srinivasan, A.D. Shocker, Linear programming techniques for multidimensional analysis of preference, Psychometrika 38 (1973) 337–342] is one of the existing well-known methods for multiattribute decision making (MADM) problems. However, the LINMAP only can deal with MADM problems in crisp environments. Fuzziness is inherent in decision data and decision making processes, and linguistic variables are well suited to assessing an alternative on qualitative attributes using fuzzy ratings. The aim of this paper is further extending the LINMAP method to develop a new methodology for solving MADM problems under fuzzy environments. In this methodology, linguistic variables are used to capture fuzziness in decision information and decision making processes by means of a fuzzy decision matrix. A new vertex method is proposed to calculate the distance between trapezium fuzzy number scores. 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 a fuzzy positive ideal solution (FPIS) which is unknown. The FPIS 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 FPIS 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 paper can deal with MADM problems under not only fuzzy environments but also crisp environments.     

A method for multiple attribute decision-making with the fuzzy preference relation on alternatives

This paper investigates the multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) problem with preference information on alternatives. A new method is proposed to solve the MADM problem, where the decision maker (DM) gives his/her preference on alternatives in a fuzzy relation. To reflect the DM's subjective preference information, a linear goal programming model is constructed to determine the weight vector of attributes and then to rank the alternatives. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the use of the proposed method.     

Aggregating decision information into Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy numbers for heterogeneous multi-attribute group decision making

The aim of this paper is to propose a new aggregation method to solve heterogeneous MAGDM problem which involves real numbers, interval numbers, triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs), trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TrFNs), linguistic values and Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (AIFNs). Firstly, motivated by the relative closeness of technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), we propose a new general method for aggregating crisp values, TFNs, TrFNs and linguistic values into AIFNs. Thus all the group decision matrices for each alternative which involves heterogeneous information are transformed into an Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrix which only contains AIFNs. To determine the attribute weights, a multiple objective Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy programming model is constructed and solved by converting it into a linear program. Subsequently, comparison analyses demonstrate that the proposed aggregated technology can overcome the drawbacks of existing methods. An example about cloud computing service evaluation is given to verify the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed method.     

方案偏好已知的三角模糊数型多属性决策方法

研究决策者对方案偏好已知、属性值以三角模糊数形式给出且属性权重信息不能完全确知的多属性决策问题.提出了基于模糊比例值的决策方法和基于模糊偏差度的决策方法,这两种方法首先建立一个线性规划模型,通过求解该模型获得属性权重;然后,基于三角模糊数两两比较的可能度公式及三角模糊数排序公式,对决策方案进行排序和择优;最后,通过实例验证了方法的可行性和有效性.     

Pythagorean Fuzzy LINMAP Method Based on the Entropy Theory for Railway Project Investment Decision Making

The uncertainty and complexity of the decision‐making environment and the subjectivity of the decision makers will lead to the inevitable errors of the decision‐making data. A poor decision will be produced with those errors, whereas the linear programming technique for multidimensional analysis of preference (LINMAP) method can adjust such errors through constructing an optimal programming model based on the consistency of the decision‐making information, and it has been applied widely in multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM). Moreover, Pythagorean fuzzy information is useful to simulate the ambiguous and uncertain decision‐making environment. Therefore, the LINMAP method under the Pythagorean fuzzy circumstance will be proposed in this paper to solve MAGDM problems. To measure the fuzziness and uncertainty of Pythagorean fuzzy set (PFS) and interval‐valued PFS, Pythagorean fuzzy entropy (PFE) and interval‐valued PFE (IVPFE) grounded on the similarity and hesitancy parts have been defined, respectively. Then, Pythagorean fuzzy LINMAP (PF LINMAP) methods are constructed on the basis of the PFE and IVPFE correspondingly. Under the given preference relations, the maximum consistency and the amount of knowledge can be realized by the proposed methods. After investigating the relevant indicator system, the decision‐making problem concerning railway project investment has been solved through the proposed PF LINMAP method with PFE. Finally, the practicability and effectiveness of the PF LINMAP method has been verified via the comparative analysis with the existing methods.     

Solving linear programming problems under fuzziness and randomness environment using attainment values

In this paper, the author presents a model to measure attainment values of fuzzy numbers/fuzzy stochastic variables. These new measures are then used to convert the fuzzy linear programming problem or the fuzzy stochastic linear programming problem into the corresponding deterministic linear programming problem. Numerical comparisons are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Regret theory-based group decision-making with multidimensional preference and incomplete weight information

In this paper, we study fuzzy multi-attribute group decision-making (FMAGDM) problems with multidimensional preference information in the form of pairwise alternatives and incomplete weight information. We develop a new group decision-making (GDM) method considering regret aversion of the decision-makers (DMs). Firstly, we define a fuzzy regret/rejoice function and a computational formula for the perceived utility of alternative decisions. We propose a perceived utility value-based group consistency index (which reflects the total consistency) and a group inconsistency index (which represents the total inconsistency) for pairwise rankings of alternatives based on regret theory and an a priori multidimensional preference order given by the DMs. Then, under the circumstances of an unknown fuzzy ideal solution, we set up a mathematical programming model to determine the optimal attribute weights and a defuzzified fuzzy ideal solution with the idea of the Linear Programming Technique for Multidimensional Analysis of Preference (LINMAP). We compute the DMs’ optimal comprehensive perceived utility values and obtain the ranking order of alternatives. Finally, we illustrate the application of the developed procedures with an air-fighter selection problem. The rationality and validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing with two other GDM methods, including the fuzzy LINMAP (FLINMAP) method and the prospect theory-based GDM method.     

Extension of the expected value method for multiple attribute decision making with fuzzy data

This paper is concerned with a method for multiple attribute decision making under fuzzy environment, in which the preference values take the form of triangular fuzzy numbers. Based on the idea that the attribute with a larger deviation value among alternatives should be assessed a larger weight, a linear programming model about the maximal deviation of weighted attribute values is established. Therefore, an approach to deal with attribute weights which are completely unknown is developed by using expected value operator of fuzzy variables. Furthermore, in order to make a decision or choose the optimum alternative, an expected value method is presented under the assumption that attribute weights are known fully. The method not only avoids complex comparing for fuzzy numbers, but also has the advantages of simple operation and easy calculation. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the proposed approach at the end of this paper.     

On optimal decision for QoS-aware composite service selection

The increasing popularity of employing web services for distributed systems contributes to the significance of service discovery. However, duplicated and similar functional features existing among services require service consumers to include additional aspects to evaluate the services. Generally, the service consumers would have different view on the quality of service (QoS) of service attributes. How to select the best composite service in theory among available service (WS) candidates for consumers is an interesting practical issue. This work proposes a QoS-aware service selection model based on fuzzy linear programming (FLP) technologies, in order to identify their dissimilarity on service alternatives, assist service consumers in selecting most suitable services with consideration of their expectations and preferences. This approach can obtain the optimal solution of consensual weight of QoS attribute and fuzzy positive ideal solution (FPIS) by extending LINMAP method, developed by Srinivasan and Shocker. Finally, two numerical examples are given to demonstrate the process of QoS-aware web service selection. The experimental results demonstrated that it is a feasible and supplementary manner in selecting the of web services.     

三角模糊数型不确定多指标决策的可能度关系法

针对指标权重未知的三角模糊数型不确定多指标决策问题, 提出4 种新的三角模糊数比较可能度的等价定义, 并得到一些优良性质关系. 借鉴合作博弈中极大极小算法, 提出一种基于三角模糊数比较可能度关系的指标权重确定方法; 集结所有决策方案比较的可能度, 并对决策方案集进行最优判定和排序, 即可得到三角模糊数型不确定多指标决策的比较可能度关系法. 最后通过算例表明所提出算法的可行性和有效性.

     

Extended triangular norms

The paper is devoted to classical t-norms extended to operations on fuzzy quantities in accordance with the generalized Zadeh extension principle. Such extended t-norms are used for calculating intersection of type-2 fuzzy sets. Analytical expressions for membership functions of some extended t-norms are derived assuming special classes of fuzzy quantities, i.e., fuzzy truth intervals or fuzzy truth numbers. The possibility of applying these results in the construction of type-2 adaptive network fuzzy inference systems is illustrated on several examples.     

Leveraging technological knowledge transfer by using fuzzy linear programming technique for multiattribute group decision making with fuzzy decision variables

Despite the importance of knowledge transfer for firms involved in foreign direct investment activities, this area has not received appropriate attention from the perspectives of both the knowledge transferor (i.e., MNC parent) and the knowledge recipient. To fill in the gap in the current literature we propose a model to understand the links between criteria complicating the transfer of knowledge and preferences that the company has to focus. This model is based on both the existing literature as well as views of company representatives and provides a useful methodology for identifying decision making problems on the transfer of knowledge. In this paper, we investigate the fuzzy linear programming technique (FLP) to analyze these links and for multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems with preference information on criteria. To reflect the decision maker’s subjective preference information and to determine the weight vector of attributes, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) developed by Hwang and Yoon (1995) and the linear programming technique for multidimensional analysis of preference (LINMAP) developed by Sirinivasan and Shocker (Psychometrica 38:337–369, 1973) are used.     

A two-phase approach for multi-objective programming problems with fuzzy coefficients

In this study, a two-phase procedure is introduced to solve multi-objective fuzzy linear programming problems. The procedure provides a practical solution approach, which is an integration of fuzzy parametric programming (FPP) and fuzzy linear programming (FLP), for solving real life multiple objective programming problems with all fuzzy coefficients. The interactive concept of the procedure is performed to reach simultaneous optimal solutions for all objective functions for different grades of precision according to the preferences of the decision-maker (DM). The procedure can be also performed to obtain lexicographic optimal and/or additive solutions if it is needed. In the first phase of the procedure, a family of vector optimization models is constructed by using FPP. Then in the second phase, each model is solved by FLP. The solutions are optimal and each one is an alternative decision plan for the DM.     

A ranking method for multiple attribute decision-making problems based on the possibility degrees of trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers

To solve multiple attribute decision-making problems with attribute values or decision values characterized by trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TIFNs), we define a trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy induced ordered weighted arithmetic averaging (TIFIOWA) operator, which is an extension of the induced ordered weighted arithmetic averaging operator. We derive and prove some related properties and conclusions of the TIFIOWA operator. To compare the TIFNs, we define possibility degrees of the TIFNs. Based on the possibility degrees of the TIFNs and the TIFIOWA operator, we construct a new method to determine the order of alternatives in multiple attribute decision making and to choose the best alternative. Finally, a numerical example shows that the developed method is feasible and effective.