Fuzzy hierarchical decision making (FHDM): a methodology for technology choice

Abstract

In this paper, a brief review of the literature on technology choice is presented, the necessity of applying fuzzy set theory to technology choice is discussed, and a brief review of the literature on fuzzy multicriteria decision making is given. An algorithm for the technology choice problem is proposed. This algorithm is based on the fuzzy set theory and hierarchical structural analysis. In this method, experts are asked to give their opinions by pair–wise comparison of variables, in linguistic values (say Very High, High, Medium, Low and Very Low and so on). By aggregating the hierarchy, the preferential weight of each alternative is found, which is called fuzzy choice index. The fuzzy choice indices of various alternatives are ranked and preferential ranking order of alternatives are found. An hypothetical fuzzy technology choice problem is given here to demonstrate the algorithm. The proposed methodology will improve technology choices. The methodology can also be applied to any other multicriteria applications.