Multiple Criteria Games-Theory and Applications

After a reivew of basic concepts in multiple criteria optimization, the paper presents a characterization of noncooperative equilibria in multiple criteria games in normal form either by weighted sums or by. order-consistent achievement scalarizing functions, for convex and nonconvex cases. Possible applications of multiple criteria games and such characterizations of their equilibria are indicated. The analysis of multiple criteria games might be especially useful when studying reasons of possible conflict escalation processes and ways of preventing them.

TOPSIS with Belief Structure for Group Belief Multiple Criteria Decision Making

The technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution （TOPSIS） is one of the major techniques in dealing with multiple criteria decision making （MCDM） problems, and the belief structure （BS） model has been used successfully for uncertain MCDM with incompleteness, impreciseness or ignorance. In this paper, the TOPSIS method with BS model is proposed to solve group belief MCDM problems. Firstly, the group belief MCDM problem is structured as a belief decision matrix in which the judgments of each decision maker are described as BS models, and then the evidential reasoning approach is used for aggregating the multiple decision makers＇ judgments. Subsequently, the positive and negative ideal belief solutions are defined with the principle of TOPSIS. To measure the separation from ideal solutions, the concept and algorithm of belief distance measure are defined, which can be used for comparing the difference between BS models. Finally, the relative closeness and ranking index are calculated for ranking the alternatives. A numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed method.

Relative accuracy of spatial predictive models for lynx Lynx canadensis derived using logistic regression-AIC,multiple criteria evaluation and Bayesian approaches

We compared probability surfaces derived using one set of environmental variables in three Geographic Information Systems （GIS） -based approaches： logistic regression and Akaike＇s Information Criterion （AIC）, Multiple Criteria Evaluation （MCE）, and Bayesian Analysis （specifically Dempster-Shafer theory）. We used lynx Lynx canadensis as our focal species, and developed our environment relationship model using track data collected in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, during winters from 1997 to 2000. The accuracy of the three spatial models were compared using a contingency table method. We determined the percentage of cases in which both presence and absence points were correctly classified （overall accuracy）, the failure to predict a species where it occurred （omission error） and the prediction of presence where there was absence （commission error）. Our overall accuracy showed the logistic regression approach was the most accurate （74.51%）. The multiple criteria evaluation was intermediate （39.22%）, while the Dempster-Shafer （D-S） theory model was the poorest （29.90%）. However, omission and commission error tell us a different story： logistic regression had the lowest commission error, while D-S theory produced the lowest omission error. Our results provide evidence that habitat modellers should evaluate all three error measures when ascribing confidence in their model. We suggest that for our study area at least, the logistic regression model is optimal. However, where sample size is small or the species is very rare, it may also be useful to explore and/or use a more ecologically cautious modelling approach （e.g. Dempster-Shafer） that would over-predict, protect more sites, and thereby minimize the risk of missing critical habitat in conservation plans .

Dual worth trade-off method and its application for solving multiple criteria decision making problems

To overcome the limitations of the traditional surrogate worth trade-off （SWT） method and solve the multiple criteria decision making problem more efficiently and interactively, a new method labeled dual worth tradeoff （DWT） method is proposed. The DWT method dynamically uses the duality theory related to the multiple criteria decision making problem and analytic hierarchy process technique to obtain the decision maker＇s solution preference information and finally find the satisfactory compromise solution of the decision maker. Through the interactive process between the analyst and the decision maker, trade-off information is solicited and treated properly, the representative subset of efficient solutions and the satisfactory solution to the problem are found. The implementation procedure for the DWT method is presented. The effectiveness and applicability of the DWT method are shown by a practical case study in the field of production scheduling.

A DEA-TOPSIS METHOD FOR MULTIPLE CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

A hybrid approach of DEA （data envelopment analysis） and TOPSIS （technique for order performance （preference） by similarity to ideal solution） is proposed for multiple criteria decision analysis in emergency management. Two DEA-based optimization models are constructed to facilitate identifying parameter information regarding criterion weights and quantifying qualitative criteria in TOPSIS. An emergency management case study utilizing data from the Emergency Management Australia （EMA） Disasters Database is provided to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed analysis procedure.

Regularized multiple criteria linear programs for classification

Although multiple criteria mathematical program （MCMP）, as an alternative method of classification, has been used in various real-life data mining problems, its mathematical structure of solvability is still challengeable. This paper proposes a regularized multiple criteria linear program （RMCLP） for two classes of classification problems. It first adds some regularization terms in the objective function of the known multiple criteria linear program （MCLP） model for possible existence of solution. Then the paper describes the mathematical framework of the solvability. Finally, a series of experimental tests are conducted to illustrate the performance of the proposed RMCLP with the existing methods： MCLP, multiple criteria quadratic program （MCQP）, and support vector machine （SVM）. The results of four publicly available datasets and a real-life credit dataset all show that RMCLP is a competitive method in classification. Furthermore, this paper explores an ordinal RMCLP （ORMCLP） model for ordinal multigroup problems. Comparing ORMCLP with traditional methods such as One-Against-One, One-Against-The rest on large-scale credit card dataset, experimental results show that both ORMCLP and RMCLP perform well.

An Improvement to Multiple Criteria ABC Inventory Classification Using Shannon Entropy

This paper extends the Ng-model [Ng, 2007] for multiple criteria ABC inventory classification based upon Shannon entropy. The proposed approach determines the common weights associated with all criteria importance rankings, and provides a comprehensive scoring scheme by aggregating all rankings of the criteria importance. A numerical illustration is presented to compare the model with previous studies.

A HIERARCHICAL MULTIPLE CRITERIA MODEL FOR ELICITING RELATIVE PREFERENCES IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS

A multiple criteria decision analysis （MCDA） approach is designed for capturing the relative preference information of a decision maker involved in ＇a conflict. More specifically, an MCDA approach based on the outranking method, ELECTRE III, is employed for ranking states or possible scenarios in the conflict from most to least preferred, where ties are allowed, for a decision maker according to his or her value system. To demonstrate how this preference elicitation methodology can be conveniently implemented in practice within the framework of the Graph Model for Conflict Resolution, it is applied to a real world water supply crisis which occurred in the town of North Battleford, located in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

Consensus-reaching methods for hesitant fuzzy multiple criteria group decision making with hesitant fuzzy decision making matrices

Group decision making plays an important role in various fields of management decision and economics. In this paper, we develop two methods for hesitant fuzzy multiple criteria group decision making with group consensus in which all the experts use hesitant fuzzy decision matrices （HFDMs） to express their preferences. The aim of this paper is to present two novel consensus models applied in different group decision making situations, which are composed of consensus checking processes, consensus-reaching processes, and selection processes. All the experts make their own judgments on each alternative over multiple criteria by hesitant fuzzy sets, and then the aggregation of each hesitant fuzzy set under each criterion is calculated by the aggregation operators. Furthermore, we can calculate the distance between any two aggregations of hesitant fuzzy sets, based on which the deviation between any two experts is yielded. After introducing the consensus measure, we develop two kinds of consensus-reaching procedures and then propose two step-by-step algorithms for hesitant fuzzy multiple criteria group decision making. A numerical example concerning the selection of selling ways about ＇Trade-Ins＇ for Apple Inc. is provided to illustrate and verify the developed approaches. In this example, the methods which aim to reach a high consensus of all the experts before the selection process can avoid some experts＇ preference values being too high or too low. After modifying the previous preference information by using our consensus measures, the result of the selection process is much more reasonable.

MULTIPLE CRITERIA DECISION MAKING： DISCORDANT PREFERENCES AND PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

There are many practical decision problems where decision makers＇ preferences may be inconsistent and contradictory. In this paper, new methods for ordering and classifying multi-attribute objects by discordant collective preferences are suggested. These methods are based on the theory of multiset metric spaces. The proposed techniques are applied to ranking companies and a competitive selection of projects, which are estimated by several experts upon multiple qualitative criteria.

A method for threshold selection in load extrapolation based on multiple criteria decision-making technology

In order to establish an accurate peak over threshold(POT)model for reasonable load extrapolation,a new threshold selection method based on multiple criteria decision making(MCDM)technology is proposed.The fitting test criterion is taken into consideration in the method.For each candidate threshold,the fitting values of several fitting test criteria are integrated into a comprehensive evaluation value through entropy method and MCDM technology.The threshold corresponding to the minimum comprehensive evaluation value is assumed as the optimal threshold.A random simulation study is carried out to evaluate the performance of the method and to compare them with other literature methods.Genuine load data are applied the proposed method.Both the results shown that the proposed method could be seen as an additional method that complements existing threshold selection methods.

Dynamic multiple criteria group decision-making method based on intuitionistic fuzzy information

In the decision-making process,the decision information provided by decision makers over alter-natives may take the form of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and come from different periods.The weight of information on decision makers,criteria,periods is usually completely unknown.To this issue,we first utilise hesitation degree information and introduce the concept of confi-dence degree function to determine the decision maker’s weights.Then we aggregate individual evaluation information into group evaluation information through intuitionistic fuzzy number weighted arithmetic averaging operator.We construct a nonlinear optimisation model to gain the criterion weights and apply the aggregate operator to gain the integrated rating value of alternatives in different periods,calculating the deviations of the integrated rating values with respect to their average.Then the period weights are been obtained by using the entropy method.According to the closeness coefficient between alternatives and ideal solution to sort the alternatives and select the optimal one.

Agricultural Investment Project Decisions Based on an Interactive Preference Disaggregation Model Considering Inconsistency

Agricultural investment project selection is a complex multi-criteria decision-making problem,as agricultural projects are easily influenced by various risk factors,and the evaluation information provided by decisionmakers usually involves uncertainty and inconsistency.Existing literature primarily employed direct preference elicitation methods to address such issues,necessitating a great cognitive effort on the part of decision-makers during evaluation,specifically,determining the weights of criteria.In this study,we propose an indirect preference elicitation method,known as a preference disaggregation method,to learn decision-maker preference models fromdecision examples.To enhance evaluation ease,decision-makers merely need to compare pairs of alternatives with which they are familiar,also known as reference alternatives.Probabilistic linguistic preference relations are employed to account for the presence of incomplete and uncertain information in such pairwise comparisons.To address the inconsistency among a group of decision-makers,we develop a pair of 0-1mixed integer programming models that consider both the semantics of linguistic terms and the belief degrees of decision-makers.Finally,we conduct a case study and comparative analysis.Results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed model in solving agricultural investment project selection problems with uncertain and inconsistent decision information.

Applying an Ordinal Priority Approach Based Neutrosophic Fuzzy Axiomatic Design Approach to Develop Sustainable Geothermal Energy Source

Geothermal energy is considered a renewable,environmentally friendly,especially carbon-free,sustainable energy source that can solve the problem of climate change.In general,countries with geothermal energy resources are the ones going through the ring of fire.Therefore,not every country is lucky enough to own this resource.As a country with 117 active volcanoes and within the world’s ring of fire,it is a country whose geothermal resources are estimated to be about 40%of the world’s geothermal energy potential.However,the percentage used compared to the geothermal potential is too small.Therefore,this is the main energy source that Indonesia is aiming to exploit and use.However,the deployment and development of this energy source are still facing many obstacles due to many aspects from budget sources due to high capital costs,factory construction location,quality of resources,and conflicts of the local community.In this context,determining the optimal locations for geothermal energy sites(GES)is one of the most important and necessary issues.To strengthen the selection methods,this study applies a two-layer fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method.Through the layers,the Ordinal Priority Approach(OPA)is proposed to weight the sub-criteria,the main criterion,and the sustainability factors.In layer 2,the Neutrosophic Fuzzy Axiomatic Design(NFAD)is applied to rank and evaluate potential locations for geothermal plant construction.Choosing the right geothermal energy site can bring low-cost efficiency,no greenhouse gas emissions,and quickly become the main energy source providing electricity for Indonesia.The final ranking shows Papua,Kawah Cibuni,and Moluccas as the three most suitable cities to build geothermal energy systems.Kawah Cibuni was identified as the most potential GES in Indonesia,with a score of 0.46.Papua is the second most promising GES with a score of 0.45.Next is the Moluccas,with a score of 0.39.However,the three least potential sites among the 15 studied sites are Lumut Balai,Moluccas and Patuha,with scores of 0.08,0.11 and 0.17,respectively.The conclusion of this study also classifies positions into groups to aid in decision-making.

Extension of Paraconsistent Many-Valued Similarity Method to Group Decision

The Paraconsistent Many-Valued Similarity (PMVS) method for multi-attribute decision making will be incomplete as a decision model if it is not extended to the realm of group decision-making. Therefore, in this article, our primary objective is to show how the paraconsistent many-valued similarity method can be used to solve group decision-making problems involving choice making or ranking of a finite set of decision alternatives. Moreover, since weights are very important parameters in multi-attribute decision-making, we have introduced the Borda rule to calculate the weights of experts and that of every criterion under consideration. To demonstrate how the proposed method works, a numerical example on energy sources of an economy from the points of view of a group of experts is investigated. Further, we compare the results of this new approach with that of fuzzy TOPSIS group decision-making method to illustrate the robustness and effectiveness of the former.

A multiple-criterion model for machine scheduling with constant deteriorating jobs

We consider a scheduling problem involving a single processor utilized by two customers with constant deteriorating jobs, i.e., jobs whose processing times are an increasing function of their starting times. Traditionally, such scenarios are modeled by assuming that each customer has the same criterion. In practice, this assumption may not hold. Instead of using a single criterion, we examine the implications of minimizing an aggregate scheduling objective function in which jobs belonging to different customers are evaluated with their individual criteria. We examine three basic scheduling criteria： minimizing makespan, minimizing maximum lateness, and minimizing total weighted completion time. We demonstrate all the scheduling problems considered are polynomially solvable.

Research on Maintainability Evaluation Model Based on Fuzzy Theory

Maintainability influencing attributes are analyzed, their weight and value calculating methods are given, and the maintainability fuzzy evaluation method is proposed based on the relative closeness. According to the maintenance task simulation operated in virtual environment, the maintainability virtual evaluation model is built by analyzing the maintenance task for each replaceable unit of product. At last, a case study is given based upon the main landing gear system of a certain type civil aircraft, and the result indicates that the model is suitable for maintainability qualitative evaluation and can support maintainability concurrent design.

Interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy aggregation operators

The notion of the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set （IVIFS） is a generalization of that of the Atanassov＇s intuitionistic fuzzy set. The fundamental characteristic of IVIFS is that the values of its membership function and non-membership function are intervals rather than exact numbers. There are various averaging operators defined for IVlFSs. These operators are not monotone with respect to the total order of IVIFS, which is undesirable. This paper shows how such averaging operators can be represented by using additive generators of the product triangular norm, which simplifies and extends the existing constructions. Moreover, two new aggregation operators based on the t.ukasiewicz triangular norm are proposed, which are monotone with respect to the total order of IVIFS. Finally, an application of the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy weighted averaging operator is given to multiple criteria decision making.

Robust data envelopment analysis based MCDM with the consideration of uncertain data

The application of data envelopment analysis （DEA） as a multiple criteria decision making （MCDM） technique has been gaining more and more attention in recent research. In the practice of applying DEA approach, the appearance of uncertainties on input and output data of decision making unit （DMU） might make the nominal solution infeasible and lead to the efficiency scores meaningless from practical view. This paper analyzes the impact of data uncertainty on the evaluation results of DEA, and proposes several robust DEA models based on the adaptation of recently developed robust optimization approaches, which would be immune against input and output data uncertainties. The robust DEA models developed are based on input-oriented and outputoriented CCR model, respectively, when the uncertainties appear in output data and input data separately. Furthermore, the robust DEA models could deal with random symmetric uncertainty and unknown-but-bounded uncertainty, in both of which the distributions of the random data entries are permitted to be unknown. The robust DEA models are implemented in a numerical example and the efficiency scores and rankings of these models are compared. The results indicate that the robust DEA approach could be a more reliable method for efficiency evaluation and ranking in MCDM problems.

Optimum mining method selection using fuzzy analytical hierarchy process–Qapiliq salt mine,Iran

Mining method selection is the first and the most critical problem in mine design and depends on some parameters such as geotechnical and geological features and economic and geographic factors. In this paper, the factors affecting mining method selection are determined. These factors include shape, thick- ness, depth, slope, RMR and RSS of the orebody, RMR and RSS of the hanging wall and footwall. Then, the priorities of these factors are calculated. In order to calculate the priorities of factors and select the best mining method for Qapiliq salt mine, Iran, based on these priorities, fuzzy analytical hierarchy process （AHP） technique is used. For this purpose, a questionnaire was prepared and was given to the associated experts. Finally, after a comparison carried out based on the effective factors, between the four mining methods including area mining, room and pillar, cut and fill and stope and pillar methods, the stope and nillar mining method was selected as the most suitable method to this mine.