An interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy multiattribute group decision making framework with incomplete preference over alternatives

This article proposes a framework to handle multiattribute group decision making problems with incomplete pairwise comparison preference over decision alternatives where qualitative and quantitative attribute values are furnished as linguistic variables and crisp numbers, respectively. Attribute assessments are then converted to interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFNs) to characterize fuzziness and uncertainty in the evaluation process. Group consistency and inconsistency indices are introduced for incomplete pairwise comparison preference relations on alternatives provided by the decision-makers (DMs). By minimizing the group inconsistency index under certain constraints, an auxiliary linear programming model is developed to obtain unified attribute weights and an interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy positive ideal solution (IVIFPIS). Attribute weights are subsequently employed to calculate distances between alternatives and the IVIFPIS for ranking alternatives. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of this method.     

Fuzzy linear programming approach to multiattribute decision making with multiple types of attribute values and incomplete weight information

In the classical Linear Programming Technique for Multidimensional Analysis of Preference (LINMAP), the decision maker (DM) gives the pair-wise comparisons of alternatives with crisp truth degree 0 or 1. However, in the real world, DM is not sure enough in all comparisons and can express his/her opinion with some fuzzy truth degree. Thus, DM's preferences are given through pair-wise comparisons of alternatives with fuzzy truth degrees, which may be represented as trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TrFNs). Considered such fuzzy truth degrees, the aim of this paper is to develop a new fuzzy linear programming technique for solving multiattribute decision making (MADM) problems with multiple types of attribute values and incomplete weight information. In this method, TrFNs, real numbers, and intervals are used to represent the multiple types of decision information. The fuzzy consistency and inconsistency indices are defined as TrFNs due to the alternatives’ comparisons with fuzzy truth degrees. Hereby a new fuzzy linear programming model is constructed and solved by the possibility linear programming method with TrFNs developed in this paper. The fuzzy ideal solution (IS) and the attribute weights are then obtained. The distances of alternatives from the fuzzy IS can be calculated to determine their ranking order. The implementation process of the method proposed in this paper is illustrated with a strategy partner selection example. The comparison analyzes show that the method proposed in this paper generalizes the classical LINMAP, fuzzy LINMAP and possibility LINMAP.     

Multi-criteria group decision making based on trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy information

With respect to multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problems under trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy environment, a new MCGDM method is investigated. The proposed method can effectively avoid the failure caused by the use of inconsistent decision information and provides a decision-making idea for the case of “the truth be held in minority”. It consists of three interrelated modules: weight determining mechanism, group consistency analysis, and ranking and selection procedure. For the first module, distance measures, expected values and arithmetic averaging operator for trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers are used to determine the weight values of criteria and decision makers. For the second module, a consistency analysis and correction procedure based on trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy weighted averaging operator and OWA operator is developed to reduce the influence of conflicting opinions prior to the ranking process. For the third module, a trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS is used for ranking and selection. Then a procedure for the proposed MCGDM method is developed. Finally, a numerical example further illustrates the practicality and efficiency of the proposed method.     

A new distance measure for interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets and its application to group decision making problems with incomplete weights information

The aim of this study is to introduce a novel generalized distance measure for interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets and to illustrate the applicability of the proposed distance measure to group decision making problems. Firstly, a generalized distance measure is proposed along with proofs satisfying its axioms. Then, a comparison between the proposed distance measure and well-known distance measures is performed in terms of counter-intuitive cases. Subsequently, the extension of TOPSIS method, in which the proposed distance measure is used to calculate separation measures, to an interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) environment is demonstrated to solve multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problems using optimal criteria weights determined with linear programming model based on the concept of maximizing relative closeness coefficient. Finally, two illustrative examples are provided for proof-of-concept purposes and to demonstrate benefits of using the proposed distance measure over the existing ones in IVIF TOPSIS method for MCGDM problems.     

A nonlinear-programming methodology for multi-attribute decision-making problem with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets information

Interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) soft set is one of the useful extensions of the fuzzy soft set which efficiently deals with the uncertain data for the decision-making processes. In this paper, an attempt has been made to present a nonlinear-programming (NP) model based on the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), to solve multi-attribute decision-making problems. In this approach, both ratings of alternatives on attributes and weights of attributes are represented by IVIF sets. Based on the available information, NP models are constructed on the basis of the concepts of the relative-closeness coefficient and the weighted distance. Some NP models are further deduced to calculate relative-closeness of sets of alternatives which can be used to generate the ranking order of the alternatives. A real example is taken to demonstrate the applicability and validity of the proposed methodology.     

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.     

An interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy MABAC approach for material selection with incomplete weight information

In engineering design, selecting the most suitable material for a particular product is a typical multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problem, which generally involves several feasible alternatives and conflicting criteria. In this paper, we aim to propose a novel approach based on interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFSs) and multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) for handling material selection problems with incomplete weight information. First, individual evaluations of experts concerning each alternative are aggregated to construct the group interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) decision matrix. Consider the situation where the criteria weight information is partially known, a linear programming model is established for determining the criteria weights. Then, an extended MABAC method within the IVIF environment is developed to rank and select the best material. Finally, two application examples are provided to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed IVIF-MABAC approach. The results suggest that for the automotive instrument panel, polypropylene is the best, for the hip prosthesis, Co–Cr alloys-wrought alloy is the optimal option. Finally, based on the results, comparisons between the IVIF-MABAC and other relevant representative methods are presented. It is observed that the obtained rankings of the alternative materials are good agreement with those derived by the past researchers.     

The inclusion-based TOPSIS method with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets for multiple criteria group decision making

The technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method is a well-known compromising method for multiple criteria decision analysis. This paper develops an extended TOPSIS method with an inclusion comparison approach for addressing multiple criteria group decision-making problems in the framework of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Considering the relative agreement degrees and the importance weights of multiple decision makers, this paper presents a modified hybrid averaging method with an inclusion-based ordered weighted averaging operation for forming a collective decision environment. Based on the main structure of the TOPSIS method, this paper utilizes the concept of inclusion comparison possibilities to propose a new index for an inclusion-based closeness coefficient for ranking the alternatives. Additionally, two optimization models are established to determine the criterion weights for addressing situations in which the preference information is completely unknown or incompletely known. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods are illustrated by a medical group decision-making problem.     

A mathematical programming approach to multi-attribute decision making with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy assessment information

This article proposes an approach to handle multi-attribute decision making (MADM) problems under the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environment, in which both assessments of alternatives on attributes (hereafter, referred to as attribute values) and attribute weights are provided as interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFNs). The notion of relative closeness is extended to interval values to accommodate IVIFN decision data, and fractional programming models are developed based on the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to determine a relative closeness interval where attribute weights are independently determined for each alternative. By employing a series of optimization models, a quadratic program is established for obtaining a unified attribute weight vector, whereby the individual IVIFN attribute values are aggregated into relative closeness intervals to the ideal solution for final ranking. An illustrative supplier selection problem is employed to demonstrate how to apply the proposed procedure.     

基于直觉梯形模糊TOPSIS的多属性群决策方法

提出一种改进的逼近理想解排序(TOPSIS)方法,即直觉梯形模糊TOPSIS多属性群决策方法。首先,应用直觉梯形模糊数形式表示方案属性偏好和属性权重信息且专家权重完全未知;然后,利用直觉梯形模糊数间距离测度和期望值及直觉梯形模糊加权平均算子来确定决策者权重信息和属性权重信息;进而给出直觉梯形模糊环境下方案优选的算法;最后,通过算例进一步说明了该直觉梯形模糊TOPSIS方法的有效性。     

Developing a fuzzy TOPSIS approach based on subjective weights and objective weights

Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) is widely used in ranking one or more alternatives from a set of available alternatives with respect to multiple criteria. Inspired by MCDM to systematically evaluate alternatives under various criteria, we propose a new fuzzy TOPSIS for evaluating alternatives by integrating using subjective and objective weights. Most MCDM approaches consider only decision maker’s subjective weights. However, the end-user attitude can be a key factor. We propose a novel approach that involves end-user into the whole decision making process. In this proposed approach, the subjective weights assigned by decision makers (DM) are normalized into a comparable scale. In addition, we also adopt end-user ratings as an objective weight based on Shannon’s entropy theory. A closeness coefficient is defined to determine the ranking order of alternatives by calculating the distances to both ideal and negative-ideal solutions. A case study is performed showing how the propose method can be used for a software outsourcing problem. With our method, we provide decision makers more information to make more subtle decisions.     

Multicriteria group decision-making method using the distances-based similarity measures between intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy numbers

The Hamming and Euclidean distances between intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy numbers and the distances-based similarity measures are proposed in this study, then an intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy multicriteria group decision-making method is established using the similarity measures and expected weight values, in which linguistic values of intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy numbers for linguistic terms are used to assess alternatives with respect to qualitative criteria and criteria weights. We establish simple and exact formulae to solve the multicriteria group decision-making problem based on the similarity measures between the ideal alternative and each alternative, the ranking order of all the alternatives and the best one can be determined by the proposed similarity measures. Finally, an illustrative example demonstrates the implementation process of the technique.     

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.     

基于直觉模糊集和证据理论的群决策方法

针对属性值和权重均为直觉模糊数的多属性决策问题,提出一种基于直觉模糊集和证据理论的群决策方法.首先,对专家给出的每个方案的属性值和属性权重进行证据合成,在此基础上合成每个方案的所有属性值;然后,基于直觉模糊集相似度确定专家的相对权重,修正方案证据,并合成所有专家证据,得到方案的信任区间,根据信任区间的大小对方案进行排序;最后,通过数值案例验证了所提出方法的有效性和合理性.     

An interactive method for dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attribute group decision making

This paper investigates the dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attribute group decision making (DIF-MAGDM) problems, in which all the attribute values provided by multiple decision makers (DMs) at different periods take the form of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs), and develops an interactive method to solve the DIF-MAGDM problems. The developed method first aggregates the individual intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrices at different periods into an individual collective intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrix for each decision maker by using the dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy weighted averaging (DIFWA) operator, and then employs intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS method to calculate the individual relative closeness coefficient of each alternative for each decision maker and obtain the individual ranking of alternatives. After doing so, the method utilizes the hybrid weighted averaging (HWA) operator to aggregate all the individual relative closeness coefficients into the collective relative closeness coefficient of each alternative and obtain the aggregate ranking of alternatives, by which the optimal alternative can be selected. In addition, the spearman correlation coefficient for both the aggregate ranking and individual ranking of alternatives is calculated to measure the consensus level of the group preferences. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the developed method.     

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.     

Linear programming method for multiattribute group decision making using IF sets

The purpose of this paper is to develop a linear programming methodology for solving multiattribute group decision making problems using intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) sets. In this methodology, IF sets are constructed to capture fuzziness in decision information and decision making process. The group consistency and inconsistency indices are defined on the basis of pairwise comparison preference relations on alternatives given by the decision makers. An IF positive ideal solution (IFPIS) and weights which are unknown a priori are estimated using a new auxiliary linear programming model, which minimizes the group inconsistency index under some constraints. The distances of alternatives from the IFPIS are calculated to determine their ranking order. Moreover, some properties of the auxiliary linear programming model and other generalizations or specializations are discussed in detail. Validity and applicability of the proposed methodology are illustrated with the extended air-fighter selection problem and the doctoral student selection problem.     

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.     

准则关联的直觉模糊多准则决策方法

针对准则值为直觉三角模糊数,准则间相互关联的多准则决策问题,提出基于Choquet分的决策方法．该方法首先利用偏好函数定义方案在各准则下的优序关系,若模糊测度已知,则直接利用Choquet积分进行求解;若准则集上的模糊测度未知,则利用部分决策信息和最小方差法建立二次规划模型,求解模糊测度,再利用Choquet分进行决策．最后通过实例表明了该方法的有效性和可行性．     

基于IFN 输入的复杂系统关联MCGDM方法

考虑现有直觉模糊熵公理化定义存在的不足,提出改进直觉模糊熵的公理化定义及其计算公式;同时,定义广义幂均算子,验证其相关性质,给出确定幂方参数的方法,并将其推广至广义直觉模糊幂均算子;在以直觉模糊数(IFN)为信息输入的复杂系统框架内,针对决策者及准则之间均存在交互关联关系且权重信息完全未知的多准则群决策(MCGDM)问题,提出基于直觉模糊熵与广义直觉模糊幂均算子的关联MCGDM方法。案例分析表明,所提出的方法是可行且有效的。