The Rate-Weight Connected Vectors Processor (RWCVP): A Method for Dealing with Uncertainty in MCDM Problems

Abstract

This paper introduces the rate-weight connected vectors processor (RWCVP) method to address the lack of multi- criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods in handling uncertainty for solving MCDM problems. According to the literature, RWCVP is the only MCDM method that requires no additional methods and models for solving MCDM problems with uncertain data (e.g., fuzzy logic). The new method computes the areas generated between two connected vectors of the alternatives’ rates against the criteria and the criteria weights in order to determine the best alternative. In spite of the fact that RWCVP does not require using the current models and theories, such as fuzzy logic or grey systems theory, for solving the MCDM problems with uncertain data, it still demands a numeric pattern to convert the uncertain information into the numeric values. Hence, we proposed RWCVP: Type I, which utilizes triangular numbers with two upper and lower bounds and a center. The new method was applied to a numeric example and compared with fuzzy TOPSIS and TOPSIS with defuzziefied values. The obtained results revealed that RWCVP: Type I is a reliable MCDM method in dealing with uncertainty and is more transparent than the TOPSIS method.