Application Of Multiple Criteria Decision Research Articles

MCDM Methods for Selection of Handling Equipment in Logistics: A Brief Review

This review considers the application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods in the evaluation process of handling equipment in logistics. In order to present a current review of research papers, 21 articles, published in the period from 2010 to date, were analyzed. All research papers were searched using the Google scholar web search engine. This paper presents various MCDM methods used to select equipment such as forklifts, cranes, conveyors, AGVs (automatically guided vehicles), AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), reach stackers both in warehouses, ports, city logistics and in intermodal transport. The results of research papers published in various journals related to the application of MCDM methods including AHP, MABAC, SWARA, ARAS, FUCOM, CRITIC, MARCOS and various fuzzy methods were also analyzed. As the studies analyzed in the paper has been published from 2010 to the present, this indicates the importance and relevance of this area of research. The purpose of this paper is to encourage additional research in this area and to provide a brief summary of the most recent studies in this field. The results of the paper showed that the most used handling equipment was the conveyor.

Uncertainty measurements for Pythagorean fuzzy set and their applications in multiple-criteria decision making

Uncertainty measurements for Pythagorean fuzzy set and their applications in multiple-criteria decision making

A sustainability assessment framework for the high street

High street decline is a topic that has received a great deal of political and media attention within the last decade in the UK. External factors, such as the growth in online retail and changing economic conditions, have contributed to the shift in consumer needs and expectations, while many high streets have struggled to sustain the pace of the change. The sustainability of high street is influenced by a range of complex economic, environmental and social factors. As consumer needs and expectations increasingly favour social and experiential high street functions, the need to review the perception of high street success is vital. Here we identify, characterise and evaluate a set of criteria that can be used to assess the high street sustainability. By conducting the survey amongst professional experts and residents, the significance of these criteria is determined. Through the application of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) method COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS), the sustainability of several towns' high streets in England is assessed. Altogether, this study for the first time develops a sustainability assessment framework for the high street. It can be used to assist policy makers and key stakeholders in making effective decisions regarding the allocation of resources and identifying locations that require investment and development. The sustainability assessment framework for the high street can assist in achieving national and global commitments for the sustainable development.

Selection of process for aluminium separation from waste cables by TOPSIS and WASPAS methods

The separation process, particularly gravity and electrostatic separation, is very important in the recycling processing industry. Some characteristics of waste cable, as well as separation have a significant impact on the results and effects of aluminium recycling. At the same time, this process requires a significant amount of energy which significantly affects the overall recycling costs. This paper focuses on the recycling of waste aluminum cable by gravity and electrostatic separation. Experimental tests were performed on three different separators. Therefore, this paper presents the application of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods, combining TOPSIS and AHP methods, as well as WASPAS and AHP methods, which should enable an efficient selection of the separation process. Also, the impact of the criteria weights to the ranking order of alternatives was performed in order to verify the obtained results. Results of all the studies presented in this paper show that a corona-electrostatic separation process is the most acceptable process for waste aluminium cable recycling.

BW-MaxEnt: A Novel MCDM Method for Limited Knowledge

With the development of the social economy and an enlarged volume of information, the application of multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) has become increasingly wide and deep. As a brilliant MCDM technique, the best–worst method (BWM) has attracted many scholars’ attention because it can determine the weights of criteria with less comparison time and higher consistency between judgments than analytic hierarchy process. However, the effectiveness of the BWM is based on complete comparison information among criteria. Considering the fact that the decision makers may have limited time and energy to study all criteria, they cannot construct a complete comparison system. In this paper, we propose a novel MCDM method named BW-MaxEnt that combines BWM and the maximum entropy method (MaxEnt) to identify the weights of unfamiliar criteria with incomplete decision information. The model can be translated into a convex optimization problem that can be solved effectively and has an overall optimal solution. Finally, a practical application concerning the procurement of GPU workstations illustrates the feasibility of the proposed BW-MaxEnt method.

Interval Valued T-Spherical Fuzzy Soft Average Aggregation Operators and Their Applications in Multiple-Criteria Decision Making

This paper deals with uncertainty, asymmetric information, and risk modelling in a complex power system. The uncertainty is managed by using probability and decision theory methods. Multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) is a very effective and well-known tool to investigate fuzzy information more effectively. However, the selection of houses cannot be done by utilizing symmetry information, because enterprises do not have complete information, so asymmetric information should be used when selecting enterprises. In this paper, the notion of soft set (SftS) and interval-valued T-spherical fuzzy set (IVT-SFS) are combined to produce a new and more effective notion called interval-valued T-spherical fuzzy soft set (IVT−SFSftS). It is a more general concept and provides more space and options to decision makers (DMs) for making their decision in the field of fuzzy set theory. Moreover, some average aggregation operators like interval-valued T-spherical fuzzy soft weighted average (IVT−SFSftWA) operator, interval-valued T-spherical fuzzy soft ordered weighted average (IVT−SFSftOWA) operator, and interval-valued T-spherical fuzzy soft hybrid average (IVT−SFSftHA) operators are explored. Furthermore, the properties of these operators are discussed in detail. An algorithm is developed and an application example is proposed to show the validity of the present work. This manuscript shows how to make a decision when there is asymmetric information about an enterprise. Further, in comparative analysis, the established work is compared with another existing method to show the advantages of the present work.

General Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making Methods for Finding the Optimal Solution in City Logistics

Abstract The aim of this paper is to familiarize the reader with the general application of MCDM methods on a specific example of City Logistics in order to find the optimal solution for operation of the territory. In its introductory part, methods used for quantitative evaluation of variant solutions are briefly described, and then the so-called Forces Decision Matrix Method (FDMM) including the determination of criteria weights using pairwise comparison of variants according to individual criteria on the specific example is applied. In the final part of the paper, the advantages and disadvantages of using this method for more complex tasks with multiple variant solutions based on the results of the practical example are evaluated and the so-called Saaty’s method based on the quantitative pair-wise comparison to partially eliminate differences in the mutual evaluation of weights and criteria is mentioned.

Hesitancy degree-based correlation measures for hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets and their applications in multiple criteria decision making

The hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (HFLTS) turns out to be useful in representing people's hesitant qualitative information. The aim of this paper is to investigate new correlation measures between HFLTSs and apply them in decision-making process. Firstly, the concepts of mean and hesitancy degree of hesitant fuzzy linguistic elements are introduced. Based on them, we address the drawbacks of the existing correlation measures between HFLTSs. Then, a new correlation coefficient between HFLTSs is established. Additionally, the hesitancy degree of the hesitant fuzzy linguistic correlation coefficient is proposed, which is composed by the upper and lower bounds of the hesitant fuzzy linguistic correlation coefficient. To show the applicability of the proposed correlation measures, a correlation coefficient-based method is developed for multiple criteria decision making in the cases that the weights of criteria are either known or unknown. A practical example concerning the strategic management of Sichuan liquor brands in China is given to validate the proposed method. It is verified that the proposed correlation coefficients between HFLTSs is more convincing than the existing ones and the developed correlation coefficient-based hesitant fuzzy linguistic MCDM with the weights of criteria being either completely known or unknown is applicable.

Application of MCDA/MCDM methods for an integrated urban public transportation system – case study, city of Cracow

The paper presents the application of the Multiple Criteria Decision Aid/Making (MCDA/MCDM) methodology in the assessment of the development of different scenarios for an urban public transportation system (UPTS). This methodology allows considering several conflicting objectives and performing the evaluation process in a comprehensive manner. This approach also corresponds to the holistic philosophy: different aspects (economic, technical, social etc.) and interest groups – stakeholders (operators, passengers, city government etc.). The MCDA/MCDM methodology is specifically customized to the real life case study – urban public transportation system in the city of Cracow (Poland). A family of 10 criteria is proposed to evaluate several solutions (W) for a UPTS in terms of their usefulness and attractiveness for different stakeholders. These criteria take into account: travel time and standard, effectiveness of the fleet use, environment friendliness, the level of integration and reliability of the UPTS, safety and security, the profitability and availability of the UPTS, investment costs. Considering the possible solutions, the 6 alternatives were designed heuristically and compared with the current state (denotation of alternative W0). Based on the analysis, for the final considerations compared with the current alternative, 7 new solutions of the integrated urban public transportation in Cracow were adopted, denoted as: W1 (bus/rail alternative: integration of high-speed agglomeration rail with bus transportation), W2 (rail/tram/bus alternative: integration of high-speed agglomeration rail with tram and bus transport system), W3 (alternative with the underground: integration of the underground with high-speed agglomeration rail and with tram and bus transport system), W4 (tram/rail alternative: integration of high-speed agglomeration rail with tram transport), W5 (Tram alternative: integration of tram transport with bus transport), W5A (tram alternative: sub-alternative to the alternative W5, integration of tram transport), W6 (dual-mode tram alternative: integration of dual-mode tram transport). The variants of the scenarios for the urban public transportation system were generated by VISUM computer macro-simulation software. The computational experiment was carried out with the practical application of different Multiple Criteria Decision Aid/Making methods: AHP (Expert Choice program) and Electre III (software package Diviz).

Distance Measures for Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Sets and Their Applications in Multiple Criteria Decision Making

Hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets (HFLTSs) provide a linguistic and computational basis to increase the flexibility and richness of linguistic elicitation based on the fuzzy linguistic approach. Based on the traditional Hamming distance, Euclidean distance and generalized distance, some new class of distance measures for hesitant fuzzy linguistic numbers which include the hesitance degree of hesitant fuzzy element are provided and some linguistic scale functions are applied. We also define the continuous distance measure between two collections of HFLTSs. Furthermore, the proposed distance measures based on TOPSIS method for hesitant fuzzy linguistic multiple criteria decision making are developed, which calculate the distances between the alternatives and the positive ideal solution, the negative ideal solution, respectively. Then, the relative closeness degree to the ideal solution is calculated to rank all the alternatives. The main characteristics of the proposed distance measures are that it not only considers the hesitance of the hesitant fuzzy elements but also deals with linguistic transformation problem under different semantic situations, which efficiently avoid information loss and distortion. Finally, an example is provided to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the developed method, which are then compared to the existing methods.

Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making Model for Evaluation of Levee Sustainability

In this study we seek to improve our ability to predict the sustainability of a levee by analyzing the character of the surrounding environment. Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS), approximately 140 mi (225 km) of levees within the Lower Mississippi River Valley were divided into small segments and assigned a series of environmental factors including the configuration of Quaternary Geology with respect to the levee alignment, the hydrogeological characteristics of the alluvial aquifer beneath the levee, and soil physical properties. Next, a binary logistic regression was applied to evaluate correlation between environmental factors and development of levee distress features (seepage lines and sand boils) to generate a predictive model. Results of the logistic regression were then fed into a multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) system to categorize environments into levee sustainability groups. Logistic regression results indicated significant correlation between levee distress features and four environmental characteristics: paleo channel orientation, AASHTO soil classification, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The predictive model generated correctly predicted the status of distress feature development with up to 62 percent accuracy. The MCDM system identified forests of sweetgum, nuttal oak, and willow oak as elevated sustainability of levees. Plots of sycamore, pecan, and American elm trees and water bodies were rated as decreasing levee lifetime. With additional development, future models may serve as tools to improve our ability to assess, maintain, and design levee systems in better coherence with their natural surroundings.

Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making Model for Evaluation of Levee Sustainability

Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making Model for Evaluation of Levee Sustainability

Application of multiple criteria decision making in the selection of digital forensics software

Nowadays there is almost no criminal offense in the investigation of which digital evidence does not play a key role. Constant increase of the capacity of media that store digital data leads to continuous increase of the time necessary to identify and copy (acquire) digital evidence. Selection of appropriate digital forensics software is gaining in importance. Selection of adequate software includes a previous comparative analysis of two or more digital forensics software tools and an optimization process. The objective of the comparative analysis of these software tools is to determine and compare each of their realistic and comparable performances. Optimization aims to determine which of digital forensics software tools has better performances. This paper shows one of possible variants of selecting digital forensics software, using the latest scientific achievements in support of decision making based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method and the Expert Choice computer program.

Sustainable and Renewable Energy: An Overview of the Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making Techniques and Approaches

The main purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of MCDM techniques and approaches in sustainable and renewable energy systems problems. This study reviewed a total of 54 papers published from 2003–2015 in more than 20 high-ranking journals, most related to sustainable and renewable energies, and which were extracted from the Web of Science database. In the category of application areas, papers were classified into two main groups: (1) sustainable energy and (2) renewable energy. Furthermore, in the classification of techniques and approaches, the papers were categorized into six groups: (1) AHP and F-AHP; (2) ANP and VIKOR; (3) TOPSIS and F-TOPSIS; (4) PROMETHEE; (5) integrated methods and (6) other methods. In addition, papers were reviewed based on the authors’ nationalities, the publication date, techniques and approaches, the name of journal and studies criteria. The results of this study indicated that, in 2015, scholars have published more papers than in other years. Furthermore, AHP/fuzzy AHP and integrated methods were ranked as the first rank, with 14 papers. Additionally, Journal of Renewable Energy is the first journal, with 16 publications, and this was the most significant journal in this study. Findings of this review paper confirm that MCDM techniques can assist stakeholders and decision makers in unravelling some of the uncertainties inherent in environmental decision making, and these techniques demonstrate a growing interest of previous scholars to apply these techniques for solving different stages of sustainable and renewable energy systems.

New distance and similarity measures on hesitant fuzzy sets and their applications in multiple criteria decision making

The distance measures of hesitant fuzzy elements (HFEs) h1(x) and h2(x) introduced in the literature only cover the divergence of the values, but fail to consider the difference between the numbers of value of h1(x) and h2(x). However, the main characteristic of HFE is that it can describe the hesitant situations flexibly. Such a hesitation is depicted by the number of values of HFE being greater than one. Hence, it is very necessary to take into account both the difference of the values and that of the numbers when we study the difference between the HFEs. In this paper, we introduce the concept of hesitance degree of hesitant fuzzy element which describes the decision maker׳s hesitance in decision making process. Several novel distance and similarity measures between hesitant fuzzy sets (HFSs) are developed, in which both the values and the numbers of values of HFE are taken into account. The properties of the distance measures are discussed. Finally, we apply our proposed distance measures in multiple criteria decision making to illustrate their validity and applicability.

SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF DAYLIGHTING AND TRADITION CONTINUITY IN A RECONSTRUCTED VERNACULAR BUILDING

Seeking for saving traditional forms, sizes, proportions and other features of vernacular architecture and satisfying norms for a contemporary building sometimes is not an easy task. The presented case study about indoor daylighting in Lithuanian vernacular architecture shows the existing problem. The authors of the article suggest possible variants of how to improve daylighting in vernacular buildings. The aim of the conducted research is to propose a rational solution to the problem using multiple criteria assessment. Alternative variants can be characterized by a number of quantitative and qualitative criteria. Thus, for ranking alternatives and achieving the most rational solution, the use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate the relative importance of criteria as well as the application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods are put forward. The case study presents possible alternatives for improving daylighting in the reconstructed building and simultaneously analyses the process of saving the features of vernacular architecture applying the AHP for weighting criteria and Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) for ranking alternative solutions. It is estimated that the utility degree of the best ranked alternative exceeds the further ranked alternatives from 29 to 49 percent.

An application of fuzzy TOPSIS on ranking products: A case study of faucet devices

Article history: Received January 15, 2013 Accepted August 17, 2013 Available online August 18 2013 During the past two decades, there have been some concerns on application of multiple criteria decision making on prioritizing production planning. In this paper, we present an empirical investigation to use Technique of ranking by similarity by positive ideal solution (TOPSIS) for ranking various alternatives productions in an Iranian firm in Faucet industry named Irandoosh. The proposed study uses fuzzy numbers to handle uncertainty and using five criteria of profitability, life cycle, quality, social issues and production capacity, analytical hierarchy process is employed to rank various alternatives and then rank different products based on TOPSIS technique. © 2014 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Portfolio Selection for Insurance Linked Securities: An Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making

The insurance linked securities (ILS) market is an increasingly important alternative asset class for which risk and return analysis differs from other asset classes. Measures of portfolio risk and return for an ILS portfolio are based on the expected losses and expected excess returns over the risk free rate. Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) has found successful applications to many real world decision problems. This paper examines the application of two popular MCDM methods, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and ELECTRE III, to ILS portfolios. These methods are used to screen the securities before constructing portfolios using linear optimisation with constraints. The objective function is to minimize the portfolio expected loss for a given level of expected excess return. Upper and lower bounds are also placed on the investment in each individual ILS. The results demonstrate the benefits from applying MCDM to ILS portfolio selection.

Multiple criteria decision making with life cycle assessment for material selection of composites

With the advancement of interdisciplinary approaches in today's modern engineering, current efforts in optimal design of composites include seeking material selection protocols that can (1) simultaneously consider a series of mechan- ical/electrical/chemical cost criteria over a set of alternative material options, and (2) closely take into account environmen- tal aspects of final products including recycling and end-of-life disposal options. In this paper, in addition to a review of some recent experimental and methodological advances in the above areas, a new application of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) is presented to deal with decision conflicts often seen among design criteria in composite material selec- tion with the help of life cycle assessment (LCA). To show the application, an illustrative case study on a plastic gear mate- rial selection is conducted where the cost, mechanical and thermal properties along with environmental impact criteria are to be satisfied simultaneously. A pure plastic gear is compared to a Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/aluminum-powder composite alternative. Results suggest that simple MCDM models, including a signal-to-noise measure adapted to MCDM in the same case study, can be used to explore both trade-offs and design break-even points in large decision spaces as the decision maker's perspective over environmental, material performance and cost attributes change during the design process. More advanced topics including the account of material data uncertainties are addressed.

The methodology of multiple criteria decision making/aiding in public transportation

AbstractThe paper presents methodological overview of the application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making/Aiding (MCDM/A) in public transportation. It explains why MCDM/A methodology is so important while dealing with different categories of decision problems that arise in mass transit systems. Major features and basic notions of MCDM/A methodology are presented. Different categories of MCDM/A methods are characterized and classified. Two case studies demonstrate possible applications of MCDM/A methodology in public transportation. In the first case study multiple objective evaluation of the mass transit system developments' scenarios is carried out. Four variants of the mass transit system are evaluated by a consistent family of criteria with an application of ELECTRE III method. The second case study refers to optimization of the crew size in the mass transit system operated by a public transportation company (PTC). Multiple objective mathematical programing problem is formulated and solved by a combination of an original, customized heuristic procedure implemented in a computer software PEOPLE and the Light Beam Search (LBS) method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.