Fuzzy Multi-criteria Decision-making Model Research Articles

Assessing educational methods for tomorrow's supply chain leaders with the integration of skill development priorities: a fuzzy decision-making approach

PurposeEffective educational methods are critical for successfully training future supply chain talent. The paper proposes a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model to evaluate and select the best educational method for tomorrow's supply chain leaders integrating skill development priorities in an uncertain environment.Design/methodology/approachThe Grounded theory scheme is used to identify SC leaders' skillsets criteria and educational method alternatives. Fuzzy step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis sets the priority and determines the weight of 17 criteria. Eight decision-makers evaluate 13 alternatives using fuzzy linguistic terms. Fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution ranks and shows the most effective educational method. Sensitivity analysis presents the applicability of this study.FindingsIts implementation in a university-industry collaboration case in Brazil, Mentored learning from industry experts is the best educational method. The skill development priorities are data analytics ability, end-to-end supply chain vision and problem-solving. Technical skills are the most important criteria that influence the selection of the optimal option and educational methods related to learning from others rank in the top teaching pool, including multidisciplinary cross-cultural training.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to evaluate educational methods with skill development priorities integration for supply chain students using fuzzy SWARA–fuzzy TOPSIS. It provides actionable insights: a decision-making procedure for educational method selection, a broad skills profile for supply chain professional success and educational methods that professors can bring to in classroom/virtual environment.

Sustainable E-scooter parking operation in urban areas using fuzzy Dombi based RAFSI model

Over the last five years, e-scooters have gradually become commonplace in most urban areas. However, shortcomings in infrastructure provision, especially with parking, make it awkward to use these vehicles. This study presents a novel hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model for determining optimal e-scooter parking locations by combining the Logarithmic Methodology of Additive Weights (LMAW) and the RAFSI (Ranking of Alternatives through Functional mapping of criterion sub-intervals into a Single Interval) methods. In the first stage, the fuzzy Aczel-Alsina function based LMAW approach is used to address the uncertainty of experts’ opinions in the decision process and to calculate the weights of the twelve criteria. Afterward, fuzzy Dombi based RAFSI is applied to obtain the ranking of e-scooter parking locations. A case study is presented to propose a solution for the operation of e-scooter parking by taking into consideration three different alternatives based on four different aspects and twelve criteria. According to the findings, the third option, which is a hybrid operation with geo-fencing hubs in primary catchment areas of public transportation, is the most practical choice for a sustainable operation of e-scooter parking. This option also has the potential to be the most environmentally friendly.

Fuzzy Multicriteria Decision-Making Model Based on Z Numbers for the Evaluation of Information Technology for Order Picking in Warehouses

Order-picking process management is one of the most demanding tasks within the operations of a warehouse system. It is especially evident in companies that have a high intensity of product flows, so the question of increasing the productivity of order picking arises. In this paper, a novel integrated fuzzy MCDM (Multicriteria Decision-Making) model was developed for the evaluation and selection of information technologies for order picking in a warehouse system, which is one of the most important novelties and contributions of the paper. Barcode, pick-to-light, pick-to-voice, and pick-to-vision technologies were evaluated based on IMF SWARA (improved fuzzy stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis) and fuzzy EDAS (evaluation based on distance from average solution) based on Z numbers. IMF SWARA-Z was applied to determine the importance of four criteria while the information technologies for order picking were evaluated with the fuzzy EDAS-Z method. The averaging of the estimates of the critera and alternatives was performed using the fuzzy Dombi aggregator. The results show that in this particular case under these research conditions, pick-to-vision is the best order-picking technology. Subsequently, validation tests were carried out, and they included the simulation of criteria weights and the impact of the reverse rank matrix.

Multicriteria Decision Making and Its Application in Geothermal Power Project

The International Energy Agency (IEA) assesses Vietnam as the second largest electricity user in Southeast Asia. The energy consumption growth rate in the region is one of the fastest in the world, with demand growing at a steady 6% per year for the past 20 years. Within the context that domestic fossil fuel production cannot keep up with demand and climate change is occurring, to avoid depending on imported energy to operate the power system, the Government of Vietnam has turned to developing renewable energy. The potential for developing geothermal energy in Vietnam is promising with more than 200 sources of water around 40 to 100 °C, which is sufficient for the development of geothermal energy projects. Today, a method to conserve natural resources and invest in renewable energy is provided by the government by controlling the importation of gas and coal while investing in building geothermal power plants. One of the hardest problems, however, is determining a suitable place to construct a geothermal power plant (GPP). For this main reason, in the hope of solving this problem, the author has proposed a decision-making model that utilizes a fuzzy set under multi-criteria conditions. It uses two methods, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) followed by Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS), for a GPP site selection decision. The FAHP model is first used to determine the weights of each criterion and sub-criterion. Then, the ranking of each alternative is calculated by the WASPAS model. A final alternative is determined to be the best solution based on calculations from the methods above for identifying suitable locations for a GPP. This research has contributed a method of using a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model for determining a suitable location selection. This contribution also shows a development of flexibility towards decision making for other renewable energy projects worldwide.

Strategic Alignment of Management Information System Functions for Manufacturing and Service Industries with an F-MCGDM Model

Considering constantly increasing global competition in the market and developing technologies, information systems (ISs) have become an important component of the business world and a vital component of intelligent systems. An IS provides support for planning, controlling, analyzing activities, and support in decisions by managing data throughout the organization to assist executives in their decisions. The main function of an IS is to collect data spread between various parts of the organization and business partners and to process these collected data to form reliable information, which is required for decision making. Another critical function of an IS is to transfer the necessary information to the point-of-need in a timely manner. ISs assist in the conversion of data and information into meaningful outcomes. An IS is a combination of software, data storage hardware, related infrastructure, and people in the organization that use the system. Many business organizations rely on management information systems (MISs), and they conduct their critical operations based on these systems. The existence of an efficient MIS is a requirement for the sustainability of any business. However, MIS’s efficiency depends on the business’s requirements and nature. The compatibility of MIS with business in the company is vital for the successful implementation of these systems. The current study analyzes differences in expectations of manufacturing and service industries from MISs. For this aim, a fuzzy multi-criteria group decision-making (F-MCGDM) model is proposed to determine the differentiating success factors of MIS in both manufacturing and service industries. Findings indicate that there are considerable differences in the needs of both industries from MIS.

An ontology-based study on water quality: probabilistic risk assessment of exposure to fluoride and nitrate in Shiraz drinking water, Iran using fuzzy multi-criteria group decision-making models.

World Health Organization reports that 2.2 million people die yearly from insufficient sanitary drinking water. This ontology-based study focused on investigating the chemical quality of drinking water through a new water quality index designed by fuzzy multi-criteria group decision-making methods, merged with GIS, and, secondly, surveying non-carcinogenic risk assessment of fluoride and nitrate using Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis in Shiraz's water sources. F-, NO3-, NO2-, EC, TDS, alkalinity, TH, SO42-, Cl-, and Na were applied in the WQI. The NO3- mean concentrations were 23.15 and 27.66mg/L in the cold and warm seasons, while the mean concentrations of fluoride were 0.50 and 0.46mg/L during the cold and warm period. The 95th centiles of fluoride's HQs among infants, children, teenagers, and adults were 0.56, 0.7, 0.49, and 0.4, respectively, in the cold season, which was 0.65 and 0.81, respectively, 0.57 and 0.46 for mentioned groups in the warm season. In comparison, the 95th centiles of nitrate's HQs among infants, children, teenagers, and adults were 1.27, 1.59, 1.13, and 0.9, respectively. The HQs were more than 1 for infants, children, and teenagers, so nitrate can have various adverse effects, whereas fluoride does not adversely affect all aging groups in both seasons. Also, nitrate concentration can increase the non-carcinogenic risk, which the IR and ED lead to the HQ increasing. In contrast, BW has a negative effect on risk increasing. Overall, source management of these parameters can significantly reduce the concentration of nitrate and their adverse human health effect.

Optimal Selection of Eco-Friendly Building Insulation Materials using a Spherical Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Model

Optimal Selection of Eco-Friendly Building Insulation Materials using a Spherical Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Model

Integrated strategic planning and multi-criteria decision-making framework with its application to agricultural water management

Sustainable water resources management involves social, economic, environmental, water use, and resources factors. This study proposes a new framework of strategic planning with multi-criteria decision-making to develop sustainable water management alternatives for large scale water resources systems. A fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model is developed to rank regional management alternatives for agricultural water management considering water-resources sustainability criteria. The decision-making model combines hierarchical analysis and the fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The management alternatives were presented spatially in the form of zoning maps at the level of irrigation zones of the study area. The results show that the irrigation management zone No.3 (alternative A3) was ranked first based on agricultural water demand and supply management in five among seven available scenarios, in which the scenarios represents a possible combination of weights assigned to the weighing criteria. Specifically, the results show that irrigation management zone No.3 (alternative A3) achieved the best ranking values of 0.151, 0.169, 0.152, 0.174 and 0.164 with respect to scenarios 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively. However, irrigation management zone No.2 (alternative A2) achieved the best values of 0.152 and 0.150 with respect to the second and third scenarios, respectively. The model results identify the best management alternatives for agricultural water management in large-scale irrigation and drainage networks.

Evaluation of Digital Marketing Technologies with Fuzzy Linguistic MCDM Methods

Technology is becoming the tool that changes how people live every day, and the marketing strategies of businesses are also gradually shifting to the industry 4.0 mindset of constant growth and development. Digital marketing has changed human habits of information accessibility, determined their interactions, and witnessed the birth of a variety of new marketing technologies. Marketers are creating digital marketing products and services that enhance the experience for consumers, products, and services that are also delivered through high digital marketing networks. As a result, data sources become more abundant and allow consumers to have more choices. All products, services, technologies, and data are increasingly meeting the needs of consumers, thereby confirming the effectiveness of digital marketing in today’s market. However, the evaluation and selection of digital marketing technology is very complex since it has many conflicting criteria and goals. The multi-criteria decision-making model (MCDM) is a powerful technique widely used for solving this type of problem. Thus, the author proposed a fuzzy linguistic MCDM method for evaluation of digital marketing technologies. After determining the evaluation criteria and alternatives, two MCDM methods, including Spherical Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (SF-AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), are used in the evaluation and selection of digital marketing technologies procedure. Finally, an application is present to demonstrate the potential use of the proposed methodology. The main contribution of this study is to propose a Spherical fuzzy MCDM model to support planners and decision makers in the digital marketing technology evaluation and selection processes. A case study is also performed to showcase the feasibility of the proposed approach.

Fuzzy Multi Criteria Decision Making Model for Agritourism Location Selection: A Case Study in Vietnam

Agritourism is an increasing new trend in the global tourism industry. Vietnam has a long tradition of agricultural production combined with diverse natural resources stretching from the north to the south, bringing advantages in the development of agritourism. The study aims to choose the most appropriate agritourism location in Vietnam for long-term investment. A hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria decision model (FMCDM) is proposed to find the optimal location based on eco-nomic, social, and environmental factors. In the first stage, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) is used to estimate the relative criteria rating through the evaluation process. In the second stage, the fuzzy technique for order preference using similarities to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) is applied to rank the potential alternative locations. Finally, the best alternative to tourist site investment is Can Tho (A8), which maximizes resources and enhances the local benefits. Future research can also be used to support similar site-selection processes in other regions or could be applied to other types of tourism.

Effectiveness Evaluation of Different IDSs Using Integrated Fuzzy MCDM Model

Cyber-attacks are becoming progressively complicated; hence, the functional issues of intrusion-detection systems (IDSs) present ever-growing challenges. Failing to detect intrusions may jeopardize the trustworthiness of security services, such as privacy preservation, authenticity, and accessibility. To fight these risks, different organizations nowadays use a variety of approaches, techniques, and technologies to safeguard the systems’ credibility. Establishing policies and procedures, raising user awareness, implementing firewall and verification systems, controlling system access, and building computer-issue management groups are all examples of safeguarding methods. There is a lack of sufficient emphasis on the effectiveness of intrusion-detection systems. In enterprises, IDS is used to analyze the potentially dangerous activities taking place within the technological settings. The selection of efficient IDS is a challenging task for organizations. This research evaluates the impact of five popular IDSs for their efficiency and effectiveness in information security. The authors used the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS)-based integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology to evaluate the efficacy of the popular IDSs. The findings of this research suggest that most of the IDSs appear to be highly potential tools. Even though Snort is extensively deployed, Suricata has a substantial advantage over Snort. Suricata uses multi-threading functionality in comparison to Snort to boost the processing performance.

An extended hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria decision model for sustainable and resilient supplier selection.

The formalization and solution of supplier selection problems (SSPs) based on sustainable (economic, environmental, and social) indicators have become a fundamental tool to perform a strategic analysis of the whole supply chain process and maximize the competitive advantage of firms. Over the last decade, sustainability issues have been often considered in combination with resilient indexes leading to the study of sustainable-resilient supplier selection problems (SRSSPs). The current research on sustainable development, particularly concerned with the strong impact that the recent COVID-19 pandemic has had on supply chains, has been paying increasing attention to the resilience concept and its role within SSPs. This study proposes a hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method to solve SRSSPs. The fuzzy best-worst method is used first to determine the importance weights of the selection criteria. A combined grey relational analysis and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method is used next to evaluate the suppliers in a fuzzy environment. Triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs) are used to express the weights of criteria and alternatives to account for the ambiguity and uncertainty inherent to subjective evaluations. However, the proposed method can be easily extended to other fuzzy settings depending on the uncertainty facing managers and decision-makers. A real-life application is presented to demonstrate the applicability and efficacy of the proposed model. Sixteen evaluation criteria are identified and classified as economic, environmental, social, or resilient. The results obtained through the case study show that “pollution control,” “environmental management system,” and “risk awareness” are the most influential criteria when studying SRSSPs related to the manufacturing industry. Finally, three different sensitivity analysis methods are applied to validate the robustness of the proposed framework, namely, changing the weights of the criteria, comparing the results with those of other common fuzzy MCDM methods, and changing the components of the principal decision matrix.

Spherical Fuzzy Multicriteria Decision-Making Model for Wind Turbine Supplier Selection in a Renewable Energy Project

The Vietnamese government has decided to use and promote the development of more renewable energy sources, particularly wind energy. When implementing a wind energy project, choosing a wind turbine supplier is an important decision and investors must find the optimal supplier through evaluating many qualitative and quantitative criteria that affect each other symmetrically. Therefore, the process used for selecting a wind turbine supplier in wind power projects is a multi-criteria decision-making process. Many approaches have been applied for this decision process, some of which are based on multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, whether applied individually or in combination with other MCDM models. In this study, the researchers proposed a decision-making model based on spherical fuzzy sets for wind turbine supplier selection in wind power energy projects. In this paper, Vietnam is used as a case study. The recommended turbine suppliers for installations can finally be generated after the calculations in the final stage of this research. The contribution of this research is developing a fuzzy MCDM model for suitable turbine suppliers in wind power energy projects. The results of this study can be used as references for experts in deciding on a suitable wind turbine supplier in other countries as well as in other renewable energy projects.

Customer Satisfaction and Perception towards Service Quality by using Fuzzy Multi Criteria Decision Making Model (FMCDM)

The era of developing economy, banks need a multi-channel service platform. Technological advances are forcing banks to their multi-client service strategies to gain a competitive global scenario. This study examines how perceives service quality and satisfaction drives MCDM analysis in scaling at selected commercial banks. The current study enables the banks   usage   and implications of SERVQUAL to measure the Customer Satisfaction and Perception. Emergence of several banks clearly understands the needs of the customers and they are eager to attract a new customer and they also want to keep the existing customer which is very important to survive in the economy. This has led to increased competition among globalised banks. Finally, the banks focused on     inexpensive of services. This study is especially useful for business, shareholders and stakeholders.

Sustainable Energy Source Selection for Industrial Complex in Vietnam: A Fuzzy MCDM Approach

Shifting from fossil energy to renewable energy is considered an inevitable trend to limit greenhouse gas emissions, protect the environment and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In that trend, many companies globally, especially multinational corporations with great influence have pioneered the use of clean energy. The fact that more and more companies are committing to renewable energy and taking specific actions to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources is considered a good sign in the joint efforts of the whole world towards a greener future. In Vietnam, the use of renewable energy in production and business activities for sustainable development is also increasingly interested by businesses. Recently, many businesses are interested in taking advantage of renewable energy sources, aiming for environmentally friendly solutions to create products that meet green standards, increasing competitiveness in the market. However, the selection of a suitable energy resource for each industrial complex project is not a simple task as this involve multiple quantitative and qualitative criteria. In this research, the author proposed a fuzzy multicriteria decision making model (F-MCDM) for sustainable energy source selection for industrial complex in Vietnam, utilizing Spherical fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (SF-AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The main contribution of this study is to propose a Spherical fuzzy MCDM model to support planners and decision makers in the renewable energy resources evaluation and selection process of industrial complexes development projects in Vietnam. A case study is also performed to showcase the feasibility of the proposed approach.

Marketing Strategies Evaluation and Selection for Supply Chain Management Under Uncertainty

Sustainable marketing, often known as green marketing, has grown in popularity over the last two decades. Government is currently putting pressure to encourage firms to become environmentally aware in multiple aspects like human and financial utilization, advertisement, and product movement. Different types of companies are including many environmental campaigns into their own products to take advantage of the problem. Although many scholars have addressed the relevance of green marketing as well as theory development, this study is unique in that it examines both techniques in a fuzzy context. The integrated Fuzzy Multicriteria Decision Making Model (MCDM) of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and a Portuguese-acronymous MCDM method (TODIM) are used to select the best marketing strategy from five alternatives: (i) Green Design, (ii) Green Positioning, (iii) Green Pricing, (v) Green Packaging, and (iv) Green Disposal. based on criteria such as the scale of the green market, price parity, and the commitment of top management. A fuzzy MCDM model for evaluating green marketing strategies was established in the study as contributions for decision-makers in this field under unclarified circumstances. This research also a useful guideline for ranking alternatives in others industry.

Fuzzy MCDM Model for Selection of Infectious Waste Management Contractors

Healthcare supply chains are under pressure to drive down costs because of digital business, shifting customer needs and new competition. Medical waste generated from medical facilities includes medical activities and daily-life activities of patients and their family members. According to statistics of the Department of Health Environmental Management, Vietnam currently has more than 13,500 medical facilities, including hospitals from central to provincial and district levels and private hospitals and medical facilities. Preventive medicine generates about 590 tons of medical waste/day and is estimated to be about 800 tons/day. Medical waste includes ordinary medical waste and hazardous medical waste; in which ordinary medical waste accounts for about 80%–90%, only about 10%–20% is hazardous medical waste including infectious waste and non-infectious hazardous waste. This is an environmental and occupational health issue that needs attention in developing countries like Vietnam. Handling large amounts of medical waste to ensure environmental and personal hygiene, doing so inefficiently creates potential hazards to the environment and increases operating costs. However, hospitals lack objective criteria and methods to evaluate and select the most optimal infectious medical waste, relying instead on their own subjective assessment and prior experience. Therefore, the author proposed a fuzzy multicriteria decision making (MCDM) model including Fuzzy Analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and the Weighted Aggregated Sum-Product Assessment (WASPAS) for infectious medical waste contractors’ selection in this research. The proposed Fuzzy MCDM method is in-tended to provide a more efficient, accurate method in the selection of infectious medical waste contractors than subjective assessment methods, thus reduce potential risks to hospitals. The results of this study can be applied to evaluate and select contractors in other industries.

A Fuzzy MCDM Model of Supplier Selection in Supply Chain Management

According to a new study by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the garment industry in the Asia-Pacific region. A sharp drop in retail sales in key export markets has affected workers and businesses across supply chains. To ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of garment supply chain, choosing a sustainable supplier should be a main concern of all businesses. The supplier selection problem in garment industry involves multiple quantitative and qualitative criteria. There have been many research and literatures about the development and application of Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) models in solving decision-making problems in different industry sectors such as supplier selection or investment assessment. Many different MCDM models have been introduced over the years, and each model is uniquely dedicated into solving a particular problem. There is very little MCDM models incorporated with fuzzy set theory to support decision makers with decision-making problem in uncertain environments. This paper introduces a Fuzzy MCDM-based approach to the problem by utilizing Fuzzy-Analytic Hierarchical Process (FAHP) and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) methods to support the decision makers. The aim of the paper is developing a decision-making tool that supports the decision maker in deciding the suitable supplier in garment industry under fuzzy environment. The proposed MCDM model is applied to a real-world case study to demonstrate the application steps of the model as well as its feasibility. The model assisted in successfully its proposed goals that resulted in an optimal supplier in garment industry

A hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model for prioritizing risk mitigation strategies in deep-sea port public-private partnerships

Public private partnership has been broadly accepted as an effective practice to resolve funding issue for large-scale infrastructure projects, especially in many developing countries. Both researc...

Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Solar Power Plant Location Selection

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asian countries with a rapid GDP growth rate, ranging from 6.5% to 7% annually, leading to an average increase in energy demand of 11% per year. This demand creates many new opportunities in the energy industry, especially renewable energy, to ensure sustainable development in the future for the country with applications of solar energy growing at the present, and other opportunities to expand in the future. In Vietnam, thanks to favorable weather, climate, terrain characteristics and many preferential support policies, there are many great opportunities in the field of solar energy exploitation and application. Location selection is an important problem in all renewable energy projects. Therefore, the author proposed a fuzzy Multi-criteria Decision-Making Model (MCDM) model for solar power plant location selection in this study, and as a result, location 5 is the optimal solution. The contribution of this study is to propose a MCDM for solar power plant location selection in Vietnam under fuzzy environmental conditions.