A preference aggregation method through the estimation of utility intervals

In this paper, a preference aggregation method is developed for ranking alternative courses of actions by combining preference rankings of alternatives given on individual criteria or by individual decision makers. In the method, preference rankings are viewed as constraints on alternative utilities, which are normalized, and linear programming models are constructed to estimate utility intervals, which are weighted and averaged to generate an aggregated utility interval. A simple yet pragmatic interval ranking method is used to compare and/or rank alternatives. The final ranking is generated as the most likely ranking with certain degrees of belief. Three numerical examples are examined to illustrate the potential applications of the proposed method.Scope and purposeThe aggregation of preference rankings has wide applications in group decision making, social choice, committee election and voting systems. The purpose of this paper is to develop a preference aggregation method through the estimation of utility intervals, in which preference rankings are associated with utility intervals that are estimated using linear programming models and aggregated using the simple additive weighting method.     

一种基于案例的多准则排序方法

针对带有间接偏好信息的多准则决策问题, 首先利用加性效用函数理论提出一种排序方法, 该方法通过构建一个简单的优化模型, 得到与间接偏好信息相容的各评价值的效用; 然后, 利用线性插值方法计算出剩下方案各评价值的效用, 进而得到所有方案的综合效用及排序; 最后, 通过实例验证了该方法的有效性和可行性.

     

Quantification of preferences in the problem of ranking multidimensional alternatives

Two methods of quantification of information about preferences of a decision-making person are described. It is shown that quantified information obtained in this way is sufficient for ranking multidimensional alternatives based on additive utility functions. A possible method for classification of the alternatives considered is specified.     

An interactive sorting method for additive utility functions

In this paper, we consider the problem of placing alternatives that are defined by multiple criteria into preference-ordered categories. We consider a method that estimates an additive utility function and demonstrate that it may misclassify many alternatives even when substantial preference information is obtained from the decision maker (DM) to estimate the function. To resolve this difficulty, we develop an interactive approach. Our approach occasionally requires the DM to place some reference alternatives into categories during the solution process and uses this information to categorize other alternatives. The approach guarantees to place all alternatives correctly for a DM whose preferences are consistent with any additive utility function. We demonstrate that the approach works well using data derived from ranking global MBA programs as well as on several randomly generated problems.     

直觉模糊信息环境下考虑后悔规避的决策方法

针对属性值为直觉模糊信息、属性权重和自然状态发生概率完全未知的多属性决策问题,考虑决策者的心理行为,提出一种基于后悔理论和证据理论的多属性决策方法。该方法首先运用证据理论计算各自然状态发生的概率;然后基于得到的区间模糊矩阵、[t-]分布估计以及得分函数矩阵确定属性信息的效用值,进而依据后悔理论得到各种自然状态下的感知效用矩阵;通过加权算术平均计算综合感知效用矩阵,并依据方案综合感知效用的大小确定方案优劣排序。通过对游戏的选择开发实例验证提出的决策方法的可行性与有效性。     

基于离差优化的信息不完全确定的多准则分类方法

提出一种准则权系数信息不完全确定且有训练集的多准则分类决策方法.该方法利用训练集的分类结果和准则权系数的不完全确定信息,基于类间离差最大和类离差最小构建非线性规划模型,再利用遗传算法求解所得优化模型,得到训练集中各方案在各准则下的效用值和准则权系数,通过插值得到方案集中方案在准则下的效用值,确定方案与各类间的离差,进而得到方案的分类.实例计算表明了该方法的有效性和可行性.     

An optimization method for integrating two kinds of preference information in group decision-making

The purpose of this paper is to study a group decision-making (GDM) problem in which the preference information about the alternative provided by the decision makers can be of a diverse nature. A new method is presented to deal with the GDM problem with two different formats of preference information on alternatives: fuzzy preference relations and multiplicative preference relations. A two-objective optimization model is constructed to integrate the two formats of preference relations and compute the ranking values of alternatives. Using this method, the ranking of alternatives or selection of the most desirable alternatives is directly done based on the obtained ranking values. A numerical example is also used to illustrate the use of the proposed method.     

Ordering based decision making – A survey

Decision making is the crucial step in many real applications such as organization management, financial planning, products evaluation and recommendation. Rational decision making is to select an alternative from a set of different ones which has the best utility (i.e., maximally satisfies given criteria, objectives, or preferences). In many cases, decision making is to order alternatives and select one or a few among the top of the ranking. Orderings provide a natural and effective way for representing indeterminate situations which are pervasive in commonsense reasoning. Ordering based decision making is then to find the suitable method for evaluating candidates or ranking alternatives based on provided ordinal information and criteria, and this in many cases is to rank alternatives based on qualitative ordering information. In this paper, we discuss the importance and research aspects of ordering based decision making, and review the existing ordering based decision making theories and methods providing future research directions.     

On group decision making with four formats of incomplete preference relations

In this paper, a new approach is proposed to solve group decision making (GDM) problems where the preference information on alternatives provided by decision makers (DMs) is represented in four formats of incomplete preference relations, i.e., incomplete multiplicative preference relations, incomplete fuzzy preference relations, incomplete additive linguistic preference relations, incomplete multiplicative linguistic preference relations. In order to make the collective opinion close each decision maker’s opinion as near as possible, an optimization model is constructed to integrate the four different formats of incomplete preference relations and to compute the collective ranking values of the alternatives. The ranking of alternatives or selection of the most desirable alternative(s) is directly obtained from the derived collective ranking values. A numerical example is also used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.     

Systematic decision process for intelligent decision making

In this paper, Systematic decision process (SDP) for solving Multiple Criteria Decision Making problems with application for manufacturing location selection is introduced. SDP is a comprehensive approach which is based on eliciting strength of preferences for assessing additive utility functions. SDP consists of three steps: I. assessing weights, II. assessing qualitative criteria, and III. ranking alternatives using the assessed additive utility function. Strengths of preferences can be expressed by using either qualitative or numerical ratings. If the decision maker is inconsistent in his/her responses, such inconsistencies are identified by the method. It is shown that the method has advantages in terms of simplicity and accuracy compared to existing methods such as Analytical Hierarchy Process. Furthermore, a quadratic optimization method for assessing weights of additive utility function by use of pair comparison of actual alternatives is developed. Computational experiments are provided.     

一种信息不完全确定的多准则分类决策方法

针对准则权系数信息不完全确定和准则值信息不完全且有训练集的多准则分类决策问题,提出一种基于证据推理的分类方法,该方法在对训练集分类的基础上,结合不完全确定的准则权系数信息等建立非线性规划模型;然后利用遗传算法和单纯形法联合求解优化模型,得出准则权系数和分类效用阈值等参数,进而求出每一方案的效用值;最后与分类的效用阈值进行比较,得到方案集的分类．应用实例说明了该方法的有效性和可行性。     

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.     

Multiple-attribute group decision making with different formats of preference information on attributes.

Interval utility values, interval fuzzy preference relations, and interval multiplicative preference relations are three common uncertain-preference formats used by decision-makers to provide their preference information in the process of decision making under fuzziness. This paper is devoted in investigating multiple-attribute group-decision-making problems where the attribute values are not precisely known but the value ranges can be obtained, and the decision-makers provide their preference information over attributes by three different uncertain-preference formats i.e., 1) interval utility values; 2) interval fuzzy preference relations; and 3) interval multiplicative preference relations. We first utilize some functions to normalize the uncertain decision matrix and then transform it into an expected decision matrix. We establish a goal-programming model to integrate the expected decision matrix and all three different uncertain-preference formats from which the attribute weights and the overall attribute values of alternatives can be obtained. Then, we use the derived overall attribute values to get the ranking of the given alternatives and to select the best one(s). The model not only can reflect both the subjective considerations of all decision-makers and the objective information but also can avoid losing and distorting the given objective and subjective decision information in the process of information integration. Furthermore, we establish some models to solve the multiple-attribute group-decision-making problems with three different preference formats: 1) utility values; 2) fuzzy preference relations; and 3) multiplicative preference relations. Finally, we illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the developed models with two practical examples.     

A method for multiple attribute decision making with incomplete weight information in linguistic setting

The aim of this paper is to investigate the multiple attribute decision making problems with linguistic information, in which the information about attribute weights is incompletely known, and the attribute values take the form of linguistic variables. We first introduce some approaches to obtaining the weight information of attributes, and then establish an optimization model based on the ideal point of attribute values, by which the attribute weights can be determined. For the special situations where the information about attribute weights is completely unknown, we establish another optimization model. By solving this model, we get a simple and exact formula, which can be used to determine the attribute weights. We utilize the numerical weighting linguistic average (NWLA) operator to aggregate the linguistic variables corresponding to each alternative, and then rank the alternatives by means of the aggregated linguistic information. Finally, the developed method is applied to the ranking and selection of propulsion/manoeuvring system of a double-ended passenger ferry.     

A method based on stochastic dominance degrees for stochastic multiple criteria decision making

In this paper, a novel method based on the stochastic dominance degree (SDD) is proposed to solve a discrete stochastic multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. Firstly, a concept of stochastic dominance degree is introduced to describe the degree that one alternative dominates another when the SD relation for each pair of alternatives is determined, and a computation formula of the SDD is given. Then, by calculating SDDs, the SDD matrix on pairwise comparisons of alternatives with respect to each criterion is built. Furthermore, the SDD matrices with respect to all the criteria are aggregated into an overall SDD matrix using the simple additive weighting method. Based on the overall SDD matrix, an approach based on the idea of the PROMETHEE-II is developed to obtain the ranking result of alternatives. Finally, two numerical examples are used to illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method.     

On assessment of utility and worth of multi-attributed consequences in large-scale systems

This paper treats the problem of assessing utilities and worths over multi-attributed alternatives. Worth assessment is a systematic approach for evaluating complex alternatives under certainty. By incorporating an element of risk into the problem, worths may be transformed into utilities which are suitable for use in decision making. The role of hierarchies in worth assessment is emphasized. Several independence assumptions are discussed with restrict the multi-attributed utility functions to relatively simple forms, specifically the additive and quasi-additive or multiplicative form. Various techniques for evaluating milti-attributed utilities subject to such restrictions are surveyed. Again the role of hierarchies is emphasized. By keeping the various attributes in their proper structural relationship, the assessment of multi-attributed utilities can often be facilitated.     

On assessment of utility and worth of multi-attributed consequences in large-scale systems

This paper treats the problem of assessing utilities and worths over multi-attributed alternatives. Worth assessment is a systematic approach for evaluating complex alternatives under certainty. By incorporating an element of risk into the problem, worths may be transformed into utilities which are suitable for use in decision making. The role of hierarchies in worth assessment is emphasized. Several independence assumptions are discussed with restrict the multi-attributed utility functions to relatively simple forms, specifically the additive and quasi-additive or miltiplicative form. Various techniques for evaluating milti-attributed utilities subject to such restrictions are surveyed. Again the role of hierarchies is emphasized. By keeping the various attributes in their proper structural relationship, the assessment of multi-attributed utilities can often be facilitated.     

An enhanced method and its application for fuzzy multi-criteria decision making based on vague sets

Ye [Ye Jun. Improved method of multicriteria fuzzy decision making based on vague sets. Computer-Aid Design 2007;39:164–9] presented an improved method to handle multi-criteria fuzzy decision-making problems based on vague set theory. He/She provided some functions to measure the degree of suitability of each alternative with respect to a set of criteria presented by vague values. However, in some cases, these functions do not give sufficient information about alternatives. Therefore, in this paper, an enhanced method is provided to measure the accuracy membership of each alternative so as to give additional information for the decision maker. In addition, to making computing and ranking results easier and to increase the recruiting productivity, a computer-based decision-support system is also developed, which may help to make a decision more efficiently.     

A hybrid fuzzy AHP-PROMETHEE decision support system for machine tool selection in flexible manufacturing cell

The selection process of a suitable machine tool among the increased number of alternatives has been an important issue for manufacturing companies for years. This is because the improper selection of a machine tool may cause many problems that will affect the overall performance. In this paper, a decision support system (DSS) is presented to select the best alternative machine using a hybrid approach of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) and preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE). A MATLAB- based fuzzy AHP is used to determine the weights of the criteria and it is called program for Priority Weights of the Evaluation Criteria (PWEC), and the PROMETHEE method is applied for the final ranking. The proposed model is structured to select the most suitable computer numerical controlled (CNC) turning centre machine for a flexible manufacturing cell (FMC) among the alternatives which are assigned from a database (DB) created for this purpose. A numerical example is presented to show the applicability of the model. It is concluded that the proposed model has the capability of dealing with a wide range of desired criteria and to select any type of machine tool required for building an FMC.     

信息不完全确定的多准则区间直觉模糊决策方法

提出了一种权系数信患不完全确定且准则值为区间直觉模糊集的多准则排序方法．该方法利用证据推理算法对准则进行集成。得到各方案的区间直觉模糊集,计算各方案与理想方案和负理想方案的距离。并结合不完全确定的权系数信息建立非线性规划模型。利用粒子群算法求解所得优化模型。得出最优准则权系数。通过比较方案的区间直觉模糊集与理想方案和负理想方案的距离,得到方案集的排序．最后的数值算例说明了该方法的有效性和可行性．