Hierarchical semi-numeric method for pairwise fuzzy group decision making

Gradual improvements to a single-level semi-numeric method, i.e., linguistic labels preference representation by fuzzy sets computation for pairwise fuzzy group decision making are summarized. The method is extended to solve multiple criteria hierarchical structure pairwise fuzzy group decision-making problems. The problems are hierarchically structured into focus, criteria, and alternatives. Decision makers express their evaluations of criteria and alternatives based on each criterion by using linguistic labels. The labels are converted into and processed in triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs). Evaluations of criteria yield relative criteria weights. Evaluations of the alternatives, based on each criterion, yield a degree of preference for each alternative or a degree of satisfaction for each preference value. By using a neat ordered weighted average (OWA) or a fuzzy weighted average operator, solutions obtained based on each criterion are aggregated into final solutions. The hierarchical semi-numeric method is suitable for solving a larger and more complex pairwise fuzzy group decision-making problem. The proposed method has been verified and applied to solve some real cases and is compared to Saaty's (1996) analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method.     

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.     

Selecting the most preferable alternatives in a group decision making problem using DEA

Group decision making is the study of identifying and selecting alternatives based on the values and preferences of the decision maker. Making a decision implies that there are several alternative choices to be considered. This paper uses the concept of Data Envelopment Analysis to introduce a new mathematical method for selecting the best alternative in a group decision making environment. The introduced model is a multi-objective function which is converted into a multi-objective linear programming model from which the optimal solution is obtained.A numerical example shows how the new model can be applied to rank the alternatives or to choose a subset of the most promising alternatives.     

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.     

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.     

An application of soft computing technique in group decision making under interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environment

In this paper, we investigate the group decision making problem, in which the each decision maker (DM) provides his/her preferences over alternatives with respect to attributes in interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy number. To determine the weights of DMs, inspired by the idea of TOPSIS technique, combining an optimistic coefficient, we first define a positive ideal decision as the average of all individual decisions and three negative ideal decisions, which have the maximum separations from the positive ideal decision. This method is suitable for cautious (avoiding risk) decision, since each negative ideal decision can effectively avoid a risk.By employing the derived weights of DMs, we aggregate all the individual decisions into a collective decision. After that, we aggregate all attribute values of each alternative of the collective decision into an overall evaluation of the alternative. Then rank all alternatives according to their score and accuracy degree and select the most desirable one.We compare this model with other methods and illustrate this method by a numerical example and a sensitivity analysis about the optimistic coefficient.     

灰色关联投影下的模糊多属性群决策方法

针对属性评价信息为区间直觉梯形模糊数的多属性群决策问题,给出一种基于灰色关联投影的群决策方法。在规范化处理各决策矩阵的基础上,定义负极端决策矩阵及平均决策矩阵,根据各决策矩阵与这两类矩阵的距离大小确定决策者权重,由区间直觉梯形模糊数加权算术平均算子及决策者权重得到群体决策矩阵。由各方案与正、负理想方案的相对贴近度最小化确定各属性权重,以正理想方案为参考,计算各方案与参考序列关于每个属性的灰色关联系数,并计算各方案到正理想方案的灰色关联投影值,根据各方案投影值大小实现对方案的排序择优。将所给群决策方法应用到生鲜冷库空调系统选择决策问题中,算例分析的过程体现了该群决策方法有效性与可行性。     

An intuitionistic fuzzy group decision making method using entropy and association coefficient

Group decision making is a process in which experts rank and choose the most desirable alternatives based on some accepted criteria. The aim of this paper was to introduce a method to solve group decision making problems with Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy sets. First, the weight of each criterion is calculated using intuitionistic fuzzy entropy. Then, the total criteria weight vector is calculated by aggregating the calculated weights. Using the obtained weight vector, the alternatives are ranked based on the association coefficient of the performance of alternatives related to each criterion and the positive ideal intuitionistic fuzzy set value and the negative ideal intuitionistic fuzzy set value. Finally, to show the application of the proposed method, it is implemented in software vendor selection.     

Multi-step ranking of alternatives in a multi-criteria and multi-expert decision making environment

In this work we introduce a decision model, in the form of a recursive aggregation algorithm, that attempts to mimic a multi-step ranking process of a set of alternatives in a multi-criteria and multi-expert decision making environment. The main idea is rather intuitive. Each alternative is initially assigned a list of values, representing the group experts’ opinion about the extent to which the alternative satisfies a set of given criteria. Then the values for each alternative are combined with the weighted mean operator according to vectors of weights, one for each decision maker in the group. These weights express the personal judgement of the decision makers about the relative importance of the individual criteria. Consequently, a new vector of values is obtained for each alternative. These new values are combined again with the weighted mean operator taking into account the different degrees of influence each decision maker accepts from the rest of the group. The latter aggregation step is repeated again and again for each alternative until a consensus is attained.     

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.     

A decision support model for group decision making with intuitionistic fuzzy linguistic preferences relations

As a new preference structure, the intuitionistic fuzzy linguistic preference relation (IFLPR) was introduced to efficiently cope with situations in which the membership degree and non-membership degree are represented as linguistic terms. For group decision making (GDM) problems with IFLPRs, two significant and challenging issues are individual consistency and group consensus before deriving the reliable priority weights of alternatives. In this paper, a novel decision support model is investigated to simultaneously deal with the individual consistency and group consensus for GDM with IFLPRs. First, the concepts of multiplicative consistency and weak transitivity for IFLPRs are introduced and followed by a discussion of their desirable properties. Then, a transformation approach is developed to convert the normalized intuitionistic fuzzy priority weights into multiplicative consistent IFLPR. Based on the distance of IFLPRs, the consistency index, individual consensus degree and group consensus degree for IFLPRs are further defined. In addition, two convergent automatic iterative algorithms are proposed in the investigated decision support model. The first algorithm is utilized to convert an unacceptable multiplicative consistent IFLPR to an acceptable one. The second algorithm can assist the group decision makers to achieve a predefined consensus level. The main characteristic of the investigated decision support model is that it guarantees each IFLPR is still acceptable multiplicative consistent when the predefined consensus level is achieved. Finally, several numerical examples are provided, and comparative analyses with existing approaches are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of the investigated model.

     

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.     

动态环境下的群组专家多准则变权决策方法

为克服经典多准则决策（MCDM）方法不适应动态的决策环境、难以反映方案集对准则集的非线性反馈效应等方面缺陷,通过运用网络分析和数据包络分析技术,提出一种动态环境下的群组专家多准则变权决策方法。较之于经典MCDM方法,新方法主要创新之处在于：给出了MCDM模型的动态演化机理;通过专家对方案所处准则状态予以有偏好（无偏好）判断,提出一种保证信息无损的群组专家信息提取方式;实现了对方案的变权评价,有效反映出蕴含在系统内部的准则集与方案集的非线性交互作用关系。实例验证结果表明,所提方法是科学可行的,能够有效解决救灾方案动态优选、供应商动态评价等实践问题。     

属性和专家客观权重未知的区间数群决策方法

针对偏好信息为区间数形式、属性和专家客观权重未知的多属性群决策问题,提出通过属性评价值之间偏离程度的熵值分析和建立目标最小化的非线性规划模型确定属性客观权重,并结合属性主观权重获得属性综合权重;通过灰色关联法分析专家综合评价和群体综合评价之间一致性程度确定专家客观权重,并利用自适应迭代法求得稳定的专家权重;构造了一个新的区间数比较的可能度公式,并基于此公式,给出了方案排序问题的解决方法。通过算例分析及与其他方法对比,验证了所提出方法的可行性和有效性。最后,分析了相关参数对决策结果的影响。     

A signed-distance-based approach to importance assessment and multi-criteria group decision analysis based on interval type-2 fuzzy set

Interval type-2 fuzzy sets are associated with greater imprecision and more ambiguities than ordinary fuzzy sets. This paper presents a signed-distance-based method for determining the objective importance of criteria and handling fuzzy, multiple criteria group decision-making problems in a flexible and intelligent way. These advantages arise from the method’s use of interval type-2 trapezoidal fuzzy numbers to represent alternative ratings and the importance of various criteria. An integrated approach to determine the overall importance of the criteria is also developed using the subjective information provided by decision-makers and the objective information delivered by the decision matrix. In addition, a linear programming model is developed to estimate criterion weights and to extend the proposed multiple criteria decision analysis method. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods are illustrated by a group decision-making problem of patient-centered medicine in basilar artery occlusion.     

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.     

Compromise ratio method for fuzzy multi-attribute group decision making

The aim of this paper is to develop a compromise ratio (CR) methodology for fuzzy multi-attribute group decision making (FMAGDM), which is an important part of decision support system. Owing to fuzziness being inherent in decision data and group decision making processes, the crisp values are inadequate to model real-life situations. In this paper, the weights of all attributes and the ratings of each alternative with respect to each attribute are described by linguistic terms which can be expressed in trapezoid fuzzy numbers. A fuzzy distance measure is developed to calculate difference between trapezoid fuzzy numbers. The compromise ratio method for FMAGDM is developed by introducing the ranking index based on the concept that the chosen alternative should be as close as possible to the ideal solution and as far away from the negative-ideal solution as possible simultaneously. The computation principle and procedure of the compromise ratio method are described in detail in this paper. Moreover the TOPSIS method which was developed for multi-attribute decision making (MADM) with crisp decision data is analyzed and extended to multi-attribute group decision making (MAGDM) under fuzzy environments. A comparative analysis of the compromise ratio method and the extended fuzzy TOPSIS method is illustrated with a numerical example, showing their similarity and some differences.     

Weighted‐selective aggregated majority‐OWA operator and its application in linguistic group decision making

This paper focuses on the aggregation operations in the group decision‐making model based on the concept of majority opinion. The weighted‐selective aggregated majority‐OWA (WSAM‐OWA) operator is proposed as an extension of the SAM‐OWA operator, where the reliability of information sources is considered in the formulation. The WSAM‐OWA operator is generalized to the quantified WSAM‐OWA operator by including the concept of linguistic quantifier, mainly for the group fusion strategy. The QWSAM‐IOWA operator, with an ordering step, is introduced to the individual fusion strategy. The proposed aggregation operators are then implemented for the case of alternative scheme of heterogeneous group decision analysis. The heterogeneous group includes the consensus of experts with respect to each specific criterion. The exhaustive multicriteria group decision‐making model under the linguistic domain, which consists of two‐stage aggregation processes, is developed in order to fuse the experts’ judgments and to aggregate the criteria. The model provides greater flexibility when analyzing the decision alternatives with a tolerance that considers the majority of experts and the attitudinal character of experts. A selection of investment problem is given to demonstrate the applicability of the developed model.     

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.     

基于新型距离测度的概率语言多属性群决策方法

研究属性权重和专家权重均未知条件下的概率语言多属性群决策问题.首先,针对传统概率语言术语集距离测度的不足,提出改进的距离测度,并证明其性质和优越性.其次,基于新的距离公式,定义决策者的平均相似度,并结合专家之间的信任度矩阵计算每个属性下决策者的综合权重;构建基于相似-信任分析的群体共识调节模型,尽可能保留各属性下权威专家的意见;考虑到属性之间的相关性以及各个属性的重要程度,构建基于广义Choquet积分和离差最大化法的主客观综合赋权模型.随后,在新的距离测度的基础上,结合TODIM方法构建概率语言多属性群决策框架,实现对多个备选方案的排序.最后,以光伏电站的选址为例,验证所提出方法的有效性和合理性.