Suitable assignment of individuals to positions based on consensus formation

Abstract

Abstract This paper investigates how to assign individuals to suitable positions effectively and fairly. Firstly, some related standard mathematical evaluation methods such as DEA, total ranking method based on DEA and consensus formation method are reviewed. Secondly, using these methods and combining them under multi-criteria and scenarios, in Ishii (2014) we proposed two allocation models to assign suitable individuals to suitable positions, i.e., a ranking data model with respect to each position and a scenario model. Modifying a previous paper and the relative distance method by Cook and Kress (1984), a new consensus method is then proposed and applied to these two models. These models are firstly transformed into a transportation problem with a special structure since our model assumes that the number of positions does not exceed that of individuals, that is, it includes the case in which the number of positions is insufficient to cover all individuals. The transportation problem is then transformed into the classic assignment problem. From an optimal solution of the assignment problem, an optimal allocation of individuals to positions is found for each model. Finally the paper concludes by showing the results and discussing applicability of the model to other allocation problems and to other evaluation methods that use linguistic terms denoting the suitability of individuals to positions.