A reverse logistics decisions conceptual framework

This research work proposes a reverse logistics decisions conceptual framework that offers flexibility and covers a wide variety of situations that may arise in the practical working environment. The methodology adopted in this paper is inspired by and taken from the various research papers published in the literature. The proposed framework considers seven important elements of the reverse logistics system. It is divided into three hierarchical levels (strategic, tactical, and operational). By carrying out experimentation with the proposed conceptual model, all three levels were tested in different industrial sectors during its development. Three real-world case studies are presented to test and to show the flexibility and applicability of the framework. The proposed conceptual framework will help practitioners in the field to structure their reverse logistics activities and also help academics in developing better decision models.     

Generalized intuitionistic fuzzy geometric interaction operators and their application to decision making

Considering that there may exist some interactions between membership function and non-membership function of different intuitionistic fuzzy sets, we present some new operational laws from the probability point of view and give a geometric interpretation of the new operations. Based on which, a new class of generalized intuitionistic fuzzy aggregation operators are developed, including the generalized intuitionistic fuzzy weighted geometric interaction averaging (GIFWGIA) operator, the generalized intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted geometric interaction averaging (GIFOWGIA) operator and the generalized intuitionistic fuzzy hybrid geometric interaction averaging (GIFHGIA) operator. The properties of these new generalized aggregation operators are investigated. Moreover, approaches to multiple attributes decision making are given based on the generalized aggregation operators under intuitionistic fuzzy environment, and an example is illustrated to show the validity and feasibility of new approach. Finally, we give a systematic comparison between the work of this paper and that of other papers.     

A robust hybrid multi-criteria decision making methodology for contractor evaluation and selection in third-party reverse logistics

Due to green legislations, industries track the used products through reverse logistics contractors. A reverse logistics programme offers significant cost savings in procurement, transportation, disposal and inventory carrying. Since reverse logistics operations and the supply chains they support are considerably more complex than traditional manufacturing supply chains, it can be offered to third party contractors. But availability of more number of contractors make evaluating and selecting the most efficient Reverse Logistics Contractor (RLC) a challenging task and treated as a multi-criteria decision making problem. In this paper, a hybrid method using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS) is proposed. AHP is used to obtain the initial weights and Fuzzy TOPSIS is used to get the final ranking. A case study demonstrates the application of the proposed method. Finally sensitivity analysis is carried out to confirm the robustness.     

A novel group decision making method with intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations for RFID technology selection

A more scientific decision making process for radio frequency identification (RFID) technology selection is important to increase success rate of RFID technology application. RFID technology selection can be formulated as a kind of group decision making (GDM) problem with intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations (IFPRs). This paper develops a novel method for solving such problems. First, A technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) based method is presented to rank intuitionistic fuzzy values (IFVs). To achieve higher group consensus as well as possible, we construct an intuitionistic fuzzy linear programming model to derive experts’ weights. Depending on the construction of membership and non-membership functions, the constructed intuitionistic fuzzy linear programming model is solved by three kinds of approaches: optimistic approach, pessimistic approach and mixed approach. Then to derive the ranking order of alternatives from the collective IFPR, we extend quantifier guided non-dominance degree (QGNDD) and quantifier guided dominance degree (QGDD) to intuitionistic fuzzy environment. A new two-phase ranking approach is designed to generate the ordering of alternatives based on QGNDD and QGDD. Thereby, the corresponding method is proposed for the GDM problems with IFPRs. Some generalizations on the constructed intuitionistic fuzzy linear programming model are further discussed. At length, the validity of the proposed method is illustrated with a real-world RFID technology selection example.     

Strategic logistics outsourcing: An integrated QFD and fuzzy AHP approach

This paper develops an integrated approach, combining quality function deployment (QFD), fuzzy set theory, and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach, to evaluate and select the optimal third-party logistics service providers (3PLs). In the approach, multiple evaluating criteria are derived from the requirements of company stakeholders using a series of house of quality (HOQ). The importance of evaluating criteria is prioritized with respect to the degree of achieving the stakeholder requirements using fuzzy AHP. Based on the ranked criteria, alternative 3PLs are evaluated and compared with each other using fuzzy AHP again to make an optimal selection. The effectiveness of proposed approach is demonstrated by applying it to a Hong Kong based enterprise that supplies hard disk components. The proposed integrated approach outperforms the existing approaches because the outsourcing strategy and 3PLs selection are derived from the corporate/business strategy.     

Information fusion for intuitionistic fuzzy decision making: An overview

Intuitionistic fuzzy decision making is to find the suitable method for ranking alternatives based on the provided intuitionistic fuzzy information or some related attributes. To date, many studies have focused on intuitionistic fuzzy decision making problems and various decision making methodologies and approaches have been proposed. To provide a clear perspective on the information fusion for intuitionistic fuzzy decision making, this paper presents an overview on the existing intuitionistic fuzzy decision making theories and methods from the perspective of information fusion, involving the determination of attribute weights, the aggregation of intuitionistic fuzzy information and the ranking of alternatives. Some potential challenges in future research are meanwhile pointed out. In addition, we provide a survey of recent applications of the discussed theories and methods in various fields.     

Integration of AHP-TOPSIS method for prioritizing the solutions of reverse logistics adoption to overcome its barriers under fuzzy environment

Reverse logistics practices are gaining attention due to industrial ecology, enforced legislation and corporate citizenship but presence of barriers make reverse logistics (RL) implementation difficult and hence reduce the success rate. To increase RL adoption, robust and flexible strategies are required to overcome its barriers. This study focuses on identification and ranking the solutions of reverse logistics adoption in electronics industry to overcome its barriers. It aids firms to ponder on high rank solutions and develop strategies to implement them on priority. This paper proposes a methodology based on fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to identify and rank the solutions of RL adoption to overcome its barriers. Fuzzy AHP is applied to get weights of the barriers as criteria by pairwise comparison and final ranking of the solutions of RL adoption is obtained through fuzzy TOPSIS. The empirical case of Indian electronics industry is shown to illustrate the use of the proposed method. This proposed method offers a more precise, efficient and effective decision support tool for stepwise implementation of the solutions due to consideration of fuzzy environment. Finally sensitivity analysis is performed to illustrate the robustness of the method.     

一种基于直觉模糊集相似度的多属性决策方法

直觉模糊集（ＩＦＳ）是对模糊集理论的一种扩充,能更好地处理模糊概念．首先给出一种新的直觉模糊集相似度;然后提出基于直觉模糊集相似度的多属性决策方法;最后通过线性目标规划模型和直觉模糊集相似度,得到属性的最优权重和相应的方案排序．数值实例表明,该方法是有效而可行的．     

An intuitionistic fuzzy system for time series analysis in plant monitoring and diagnosis

We describe in this paper a proposed new approach for fuzzy inference in intuitionistic fuzzy systems. The new approach combines the outputs of two traditional fuzzy systems to obtain the final conclusion of the intuitionistic fuzzy system. The new method provides an efficient way of calculating the output of an intuitionistic fuzzy system, and as consequence can be applied to real-world problems in many areas of application. We illustrate the new approach with a simple example to motivate the ideas behind this work. We also illustrate the new approach for fuzzy inference with a more complicated example of monitoring a non-linear dynamic plant.     

Group decision making in medical system: An intuitionistic fuzzy soft set approach

In medical system, there may be many critical diseases, where experts do not have sufficient knowledge to handle those problems. For these cases, experts may provide their opinion only about certain aspects of the disease and remain silent for those unknown features. Feeling the need of prioritizing different experts based on their given information, this article uses a novel concept for assigning confident weights to different experts which are mainly based on their provided information. Experts provide their opinions about various symptoms using intuitionistic fuzzy soft matrix (IFSM). In this article, we propose an algorithmic approach based on intuitionistic fuzzy soft set (IFSS) which explores a particular disease reflecting the agreement of all experts. This approach is guided by the group decision making (GDM) model and uses cardinals of IFSS as novel concept. We have used choice matrix (CM) as an important parameter which is based on choice parameters of individual expert. This article has also validated the proposed approach using distance measurements and consents of the majority of experts. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated using a suitable case study.     

Multi-attribute decision making based on neutral averaging operators for intuitionistic fuzzy information

In this paper, we construct the probability sum (PS) function and the proportional distribution rules of membership function and non-membership function of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs), and give their corresponding geometric interpretations. Based on which, we present the neutrality operation and the scalar neutrality operation on intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs). We propose the intuitionistic fuzzy weighted neutral averaging (IFWNA) operator and the intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted neutral averaging (IFOWNA) operator. The properties of the IFWNA operator and the IFOWNA operator are investigated. The principal advantages of the proposed operators are that both the attitude of the decision makers and the interactions between different intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs) are considered. Furthermore, approaches to multi-criteria decision making based on the proposed IFWNA and IFOWNA operator are given. Finally, an example is illustrated to show the feasibility and validity of the new approaches to the application of decision making.     

多属性群决策的直觉梯形模糊数法

采用直觉梯形模糊数刻画专家的评价信息,提出一种新的多属性群决策方法.定义了直觉梯形模糊数的期望值、预期得分、有序加权集成算子和混合集成算子;建立了基于直觉梯形模糊数的多属性群决策模型;通过混合集成算子得到方案的群体综合评估值,根据期望值和预期得分给出群决策结果.实例分析验证了所提出方法的有效性.     

基于直觉梯形模糊数的信息不完全确定的多准则决策方法

针对权系数信息不完全确定和准则值为直觉梯形模糊数的多准则决策问题,提出一种基于直觉梯形模糊的信息不完全确定的多准则决策方法.该方法利用权系数的不完全确定信息,建立关于各方案综合直觉梯形模糊数与理想解和负理想解的Hamming距离的优化模型.通过求解优化模型可得到各准则的最优权系数,进而得到各方案与相对理想解的贴近度,再根据贴近度得到方案集的一个排序.实例分析表明了该方法的有效性和可行性.     

A new multiple criteria decision making method based on intuitionistic fuzzy information

The risk attitude of a decision maker is considered in the decision process. Inspired by mean-variance type utility functions in the financial risk management, a new class of decision functions are defined based on the weighted score function and the weighted accuracy function in the intuitionistic fuzzy setting. By choosing a suitable parameter value, the decision maker’s risk attitude can be flexibly reflected by our decision function. The new method can be applied for both the exactly known and partly known criteria weight situations. For the latter case, it is only necessary to solve one linear programming problem. The developed models and algorithms are then extended to multiple criteria decision making problems with the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy information. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the practicality, flexibility and efficiency of our new algorithms.     

An automatic iterative decision-making method for intuitionistic fuzzy linguistic preference relations

As a new preference structure, the intuitionistic fuzzy linguistic preference relation (IFLPR) was recently introduced to efficiently deal with situations in which the membership and non-membership are represented as linguistic terms. In this paper, we study the issues of additive consistency and the derivation of the intuitionistic fuzzy weight vector of an IFLPR. First, the new concepts of order consistency, additive consistency and weak transitivity for IFLPRs are introduced, and followed by a discussion of the characterisation about additive consistent IFLPRs. Then, a parameterised transformation approach is investigated to convert the normalised intuitionistic fuzzy weight vector into additive consistent IFLPRs. After that, a linear optimisation model is established to derive the normalised intuitionistic fuzzy weights for IFLPRs, and a consistency index is defined to measure the deviation degree between an IFLPR and its additive consistent IFLPR. Furthermore, we develop an automatic iterative decision-making method to improve the IFLPRs with unacceptable additive consistency until the adjusted IFLPRs are acceptable additive consistent, and it helps the decision-maker to obtain the reasonable and reliable decision-making results. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed method.     

基于直觉模糊数的信息不完全的多准则规划方法

定义了直觉模糊数和直觉梯形模糊数及其期望值.针对权系数信息不完全确定和准则值为直觉梯形模糊数的多准则决策问题,提出了信息不完全确定的直觉梯形模糊多准则决策的规划方法.该方法利用权系数的不完全信息构造方案集综合期望值的最优线性规划模型,求解该模型得到各准则的最优权系数,进而得到各方案综合期望值的区间数.利用区间数可能度法对其进行比较,得到整个方案集的排序.实例分析说明了该方法的有效性和可行性.     

A novel risk attitudinal ranking method for intuitionistic fuzzy values and application to MADM

The ranking of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) is very important for the intuitionistic fuzzy decision making. The aim of this paper is to propose a new risk attitudinal ranking method of IFSs and apply to multi-attribute decision making (MADM) with incomplete weight information. Motivated by technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), we utilize the closeness degree to characterize the amount of information according to the geometrical representation of an IFS. The area of triangle is calculated to measure the reliability of information. It is proved that the closeness degree and the triangle area just form an interval. Thereby, a new lexicographical method is proposed based on the intervals for ranking the intuitionistic fuzzy values (IFVs). Furthermore, considered the risk attitude of decision maker sufficiently, a novel risk attitudinal ranking measure is developed to rank the IFVs on the basis of the continuous ordered weighted average (C-OWA) operator and this interval. Through maximizing the closeness degrees of alternatives, we construct a multi-objective fractional programming model which is transformed into a linear program. Thus, the attribute weights are derived objectively by solving this linear program. Then, a new method is put forward for MADM with IFVs and incomplete weight information. Finally, an example analysis of a teacher selection is given to verify the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed method.     

An extended compromise ratio method for fuzzy group multi-attribute decision making with SWOT analysis

The technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is a well-known multi-attribute decision making (MADM) method that is used to identify the most attractive alternative solution among a finite set of alternatives based on the simultaneous minimization of the distance from an ideal solution (IS) and the maximization of the distance from the nadir solution (NS). We propose an alternative compromise ratio method (CRM) using an efficient and powerful distance measure for solving the group MADM problems. In the proposed CRM, similar to TOPSIS, the chosen alternative should be simultaneously as close as possible to the IS and as far away as possible from the NS. The conventional MADM problems require well-defined and precise data; however, the values associated with the parameters in the real-world are often imprecise, vague, uncertain or incomplete. Fuzzy sets provide a powerful tool for dealing with the ambiguous data. We capture the decision makers’ (DMs’) judgments with linguistic variables and represent their importance weights with fuzzy sets. The fuzzy group MADM (FGMADM) method proposed in this study improves the usability of the CRM. We integrate the FGMADM method into a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis framework to show the applicability of the proposed method in a solar panel manufacturing firm in Canada.     

A study of TODIM in a intuitionistic fuzzy and random environment

Nowadays the process of decision making may be very complex. Many methods to support Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) have been proposed. Recently, the TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese of Interactive and Multicriteria Decision Making) method, which is based on the prospect theory, has received more attention. In this paper we generalize the Fuzzy-TODIM method to deal with intuitionistic fuzzy information and to be capable to consider underlying random vectors that affects the performance of the alternatives. The method makes use of some Bayesian ideas to provide an overall ranking of the alternatives. This work considers information represented by intuitionistic fuzzy number and intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFS). Also, a new formula of distance between IFS and a new score function to compare IFS are introduced. Examples are discussed and compared with other works, showing the feasibility of the proposed method.     

区间直觉模糊信息的集成方法及其在决策中的应用

对区间直觉模糊信息的集成方法进行了研究.定义了区间直觉模糊数的一些运算法则,并基于这些运算法则,给出区间直觉模糊数的加权算术和加权几何集成算子.定义了区间直觉模糊数的得分函数和精确函数,进而给出了区间直觉模糊数的一种简单的排序方法.最后提供了一种基于区间直觉模糊信息的决策途径,并进行了实例分析.