Fuzzy VIKOR Research Articles

Leveraging Industry 4.0 for marketing strategies in the medical device industry of emerging economies.

This research investigates the impact of the technologies through an integrated Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) and VIKOR model to determine their viability as a marketing strategy for business growth in the Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O) medical device industry. Based on expert data, the study evaluates the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies and ranks them by priority for marketing performance: "Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning" (0.3295), "Internet of Things" (0.4325), "Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality" (0.5000), and "Big Data" (0.5704). The findings confirm that the proposed model effectively Leverage the industry 4.0 technologies to enhance marketing strategies, using Pakistan as a case study. This research serves as a blueprint for addressing the integration of next-generation marketing tools, technological advancements, and business growth challenges in the P&O industry. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the role of technology in improving healthcare marketing and business performance in emerging markets. Future research should explore the broader impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on healthcare marketing, focusing on strategic decision-making, efficient marketing resource allocation, and performance measurement to ensure sustained success in the P&O medical device sector. The study concludes that prioritizing Industry 4.0 technologies, however, limitations such as sample size, data collection constraints, and model complexity may Leverage the generalizability of the results. Future research should address these limitations by expanding the scope of expert involvement and exploring the application of this model in other emerging economies, to further validate the findings and assess the broader implications for healthcare marketing strategies globally.

Prioritization of Personal Protective Equipment Plans for Construction Projects Based on an Integrated Analytic Network Process and Fuzzy VIKOR Method

The risk of both fatal accidents and non-fatal injuries in the construction industry is significantly high in most countries. To reduce this construction safety risk, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the major measures on the jobsite. In this research, in order to comprehensively assess the PPE plans, a three-phase framework was proposed to identify the optimal solution for PPE planning from a set of alternatives. As a result, four main criteria and fifteen sub-criteria were identified based on a systematic literature review, and a decision-making model integrating the analytic network process (ANP) and VIekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje was developed. As the assessment information in the survey was incomplete and vague, the fuzzy sets theory was adopted to transform the linguistic terms into fuzzy numbers for evaluation. The model further calculated the weight of each criterion and prioritized the potential PPE plan alternatives. Finally, the presented model was implemented in a case study to verify its feasibility and applicability for practical construction management. The proposed method enables the selection of the most compromising solution as the optimal PPE plan. This research assists decision-makers and safety planners at construction workplaces to improve the overall safety performance and reduce accident risks, which significantly contributes to construction safety management and practice.

Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Optimal Energy Storage System Selection and Applications in Oman

This research aims to support the goals of Oman Vision 2040 by reducing the dependency on non-renewable energy resources and increasing the utilization of the national natural renewable energy resources. Selecting appropriate energy storage systems (ESSs) will play a key role in achieving this vision by enabling a greater integration of solar and other renewable energy. ESSs allow for solar power generated during daylight hours to be stored for use during peak demand periods. Additionally, the proposed framework provides guidance for large-scale ESS infrastructure planning and investments to support Oman’s renewable energy goals. As the global renewable energy market grows rapidly and Oman implements economic reforms, the ESS market is expected to flourish in Oman. In the near future, ESS is expected to contribute to lower electricity costs and enhance stability compared to traditional energy systems. While ESS technologies have been studied broadly, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis for optimal ESS selection tailored to Oman’s unique geographical, technical, and policy context. The main objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of ESS options and identify the type(s) most suitable for integration with Oman’s national grid using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology. This study addresses this gap by applying the Hesitate Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (HF-AHP) and Hesitate Fuzzy VIKOR methods to assess alternative ESS technologies based on technical, economic, environmental, and social criteria specifically for Oman’s context. The analysis reveals pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) and compressed air energy storage (CAES) as the most appropriate solutions. The tailored selection framework aims to guide policy and infrastructure planning to determine investments for large-scale ESSs and provide a model for comprehensive ESS assessment in energy transition planning for countries with similar challenges.

Integrating GRA with intuitionistic fuzzy VIKOR model to explore attractive design solution of wickerwork cultural and creative products

ABSTRACT With the popularisation of the concept of sustainable traditional wickerwork, wickerwork cultural and creative products have become the most popular craft production. Kansei consensus on the design of wickerwork lamps has become a key factor influencing the communication between manufacturers and customers. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a product evaluation model for wickerwork cultural and creative products that meet the emotional satisfaction of users. Firstly, this paper could build a three-level evaluation grid diagram driven by user attractiveness through EGM, and extracts key dimensions in the perceptual vocabulary using FA. Secondly, evaluation indicators are constructed and grey relation analysis (GRA) is used to synthetically assess the priority order of evaluation indicators based on the obtained weight values. Finally, in order to effectively deal with uncertain product evaluation information, the intuitionistic fuzzy VIKOR method was used to evaluate representative product design solutions, and the most perceptually attractive product design solution was preferentially selected. This study selected wickerwork lamps as the design case of cultural and creative products, the results of the study enable designers to accurately grasp customers’ emotional perceptions of wickerwork products and obtain the best wickerwork production design solution.

Ranking failure modes with pythagorean fuzzy rough VIKOR approach

Ranking failure modes with pythagorean fuzzy rough VIKOR approach

A novel combined fuzzy VIKOR and mathematical optimization programming for online advertising effectiveness

A novel combined fuzzy VIKOR and mathematical optimization programming for online advertising effectiveness

Group decision-making approach based on the distance measure of linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy sets and VIKOR technique

Group decision-making approach based on the distance measure of linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy sets and VIKOR technique

Comparative analysis of fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methods for quality of service-based web service selection

This research aims to compare and analyze the effectiveness of four popular fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methods (FMCDMMs) for quality of service (QoS)-based web service selection. These methods are fuzzy DEMATEL (FD), fuzzy TOPSIS (FT), fuzzy VIKOR (FV), and fuzzy PROMETHEE (FP), including three ranking versions of FV. We assess the ranking similarities among these methods using Spearman's relationship figure. We describe the algorithms of these six FMCDMs in the methods section. In a case study, we collected primary data from five experts who rated nine QoS factors of nine web services. We used modified online software for analysis. The results showed that S6 ranked first in all FMCDMs, except for FD and FP, where it was ranked 2nd and 8th, respectively. The highest association coefficient (Rs) was found between FT and FV ranking in S techniques (0.983), FV ranking in S and FV ranking in Q (0.883), and FT and FV ranking Q (0.833) when comparing the similarity measure of the FMCDMMs. This analysis helps decision-makers and researchers choose the most suitable methods for integrated FMCDMs studies and real-world problem-solving.

Prioritizing Road Maintenance: A Framework integrating Fuzzy Best-Worst Method and VIKOR for Multi-Criteria Decision Making

Prioritizing Road Maintenance: A Framework integrating Fuzzy Best-Worst Method and VIKOR for Multi-Criteria Decision Making

AI based fuzzy MCDM models: Comparison and evaluation of dissimilar outcomes, an application to enhance pilot recruitment process

AbstractPilot recruitment is critical as they pose a multifaceted challenge for civilian and military organizations due to the complex traits impacting their missions and performance. In this study, a novel set of criteria and sub‐criteria were determined to compare twelve candidate pilots. Numerically immeasurable, imprecise, and non‐linear continuous fuzzy linguistic traits (variables) were studied which make the work unique and challenging due to individual preferences and disagreements between decision‐makers (DMs). The outcomes of three distinct fuzzy multiple criteria decision‐making (MCDM) approaches; fuzzy TOPSIS, fuzzy VIKOR, and fuzzy PROMETHEE were evaluated with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TFNs) to sort the positions of candidate pilots. Moreover, a unique defuzzification ranking method was employed to adjust the results of fuzzy MCDM methods for the synthesis and evaluation of outcomes of the pilot selection problem. All these efforts make the paper original and outstanding. Our findings and analysis suggested that fuzzy TOPSIS and PROMETHEE methods' outcomes showed maximum close similarity for ranking positions. However, substantial distinctions were noted when comparing these outcomes with the fuzzy VIKOR approach. Yet, the mission of predicting and revealing the best candidates is related to several traits, their weights, and the methods selected. Therefore, since vague information and ambiguous preferences match fuzzy superiority, a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation was achieved, ensuring the integrity of the decision‐making process. The results can be employed to enhance the safety and efficiency of airline operations and ensure that the most qualified and competent pilots are selected for the job.

Assessing the Impact of Healthcare 4.0 Technologies on Healthcare Supply Chain Management: A Multi-Criteria Evaluation Framework

Background: Healthcare 4.0 has transformed supply chain management in the healthcare sector, but there is a lack of comprehensive frameworks to evaluate the impact of Healthcare 4.0 technologies on sector operations, particularly in developing countries. Methods: This study introduces a multi-criteria framework that synergically combines the techno-economic implications of Healthcare 4.0 technologies to improve healthcare supply chain management. The proposed approach innovatively integrates fuzzy VIKOR and Entropy methods to handle data vagueness and uncertainty, using data collected from healthcare supply chain specialists in Lagos, Nigeria. Results: The developed framework identifies the most and least critical technical and economic parameters for Healthcare 4.0 implementation in healthcare supply chain management. It also determines the suitability of different Healthcare 4.0 technologies for supply chain management in the healthcare sector. Conclusions: The main innovation of this study lies in the development of a comprehensive and context-specific framework for evaluating Healthcare 4.0 technologies in healthcare supply chains. The framework offers a new perspective on technology evaluation and provides practical insights for decision-makers. The findings contribute to advancing knowledge and practice in this field, promoting the proper adoption of Healthcare 4.0 technologies in healthcare, particularly in developing countries.

Shared manufacturing service evaluation based on intuitionistic fuzzy VIKOR

With the rise of the concept of sharing economy, the shared manufacturing model has gained widespread attention. The VIKOR shared manufacturing service evaluation approach is presented based on an intuitionistic fuzzy environment, which enables users to filter out acceptable shared manufacturing services from a wide pool of shared manufacturing services with similar functional qualities. Firstly, considering the QOS multi-indicator comprehensive evaluation of services by multiple stakeholders under the fundamental characteristics of shared manufacturing, the QOS evaluation index system is built from the two aspects of online and offline, which includes 2 first-level indicators and 10 second-level indicators. The paper also constructs a service recommendation model considering supply and demand constraints. Secondly, the intuitionistic fuzzy numbers are introduced to define the non-quantitative indexes, and the G1-method and variable-precision rough set theory are used for the assignment, and the maximum entropy theory is utilized to integrate the assignment method to obtain the combination weights. Thirdly, the VIKOR method based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets is used to evaluate and rank the shared manufacturing candidate services, in which the combined benefits and minimum regret values of the groups are solved based on the intuitionistic fuzzy number similarity. Finally, the reliability and feasibility of the algorithm are verified with a real case.

Assessment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Methods: A Promethee II Approach

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) present a feasible solution to decarbonize modern aviation. Unlike traditional jet fuels, SAFs are produced in a variety of ways, thereby choosing one of these processes as a complicated Multi-Criteria Decision challenge that involves conflicting priorities. This study evaluates SAF production processes using a multicriteria methodology, PROMETHEE-2. With SAF technology in its nascent stage and limited data, several stakeholders in the aviation sector were enlisted to assist in the collection of data and preferences. The suggested framework’s strength lies in its adaptability to suit the subjective opinions of diverse stakeholders, selection of ranking system, and robustness of outcomes. This research engaged stakeholders in a participative manner to rank 11 (A1 to A11) SAF production paths based on 24 parameters categorized into social, environmental, economic, and technological evaluation criteria. Industry professionals were given a form to rate SAF production methods according to a performance criterion. Data is validated using fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy VIKOR and PROMETHEE-II to reduce professionals’ judgmental personal prejudice. Results indicate the optimal feedstock for SAF production is the direct transition process of CO2 to SAF (A11) in the gasification or Fischer-T synthesis group.

Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making model for nuclear power plant location selection using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy VIKOR methods focused on socio-economic factors

In response to its position as the fourth most populous country globally, Indonesia is exploring constructing nuclear power plants (NPPs) as a sustainable energy solution. A pivotal step in this initiative is selecting an appropriate NPP site. This study employs two Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP) and Fuzzy VIKOR, to identify the most suitable location for an NPP, focusing on socio-economic factors. The Fuzzy-AHP method is utilized to prioritize ten sub-criteria: transmission network, operating costs, economic impact, security, transportation network, legal considerations, the impact of tourism, land ownership, historical sites, and public acceptance. Following this, the Fuzzy VIKOR method leverages these prioritized criteria to evaluate two potential sites: East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan. The analysis reveals that security, transmission, and transportation networks emerge as the top priorities. The application of the Fuzzy VIKOR algorithm identifies West Kalimantan as the optimal site for NPP construction, evidenced by its lower VIKOR index of 0.3599, indicating a higher overall preference based on the evaluated criteria. The study demonstrates that the integration of Fuzzy-AHP and Fuzzy VIKOR methods prioritizes critical socio-economic factors and quantitatively assesses potential sites, offering a systematic and objective approach to support decision-making in NPP site selection.

A multi-granularity hesitant fuzzy linguistic decision making VIKOR method based on entropy weight and information transformation

Multi-granularity hesitant fuzzy linguistic terms set is an effective expression of linguistic information, which can utilize some fuzzy linguistic terms to evaluate various common qualitative information and plays an important role when experts provide linguistic information to express hesitancy. Since the alternative description in the decision-making information system is characterized by multi-granularity, uncertainty, and vagueness, this paper proposes a multi-granularity hesitant fuzzy linguistic decision-making VIKOR method based on entropy weight and information transformation. Specifically, this paper firstly adopts fuzzy information entropy to obtain the weights of different attributes and introduces a multi-granularity hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set conversion method to realize the semantic information conversion between different granularities. Then for the converted affiliation linguistic decision matrix, the entropy weighting method is used to obtain the weights of different affiliation granularity layers, and a weight optimization VIKOR method based on the affiliation linguistic decision matrix is further proposed to rank the alternatives. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method verified by arithmetic examples, experimental analysis is carried out in terms of parameter sensitivity analysis and comparison with other methods. The experimental results prove the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Pedestrian evacuation planning under dam-break flood disaster considering road risk and road pedestrian demand

When facing disasters, a well-planned evacuation of people can significantly reduce casualties and disaster losses. Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, causing multiple dam failures and resulting in Lake Pontchartrain flooding back into the city. Taking this disaster as an example, this paper evaluates the risk of pedestrian evacuation on roads during dam-break flood disasters. The evaluation considers three aspects: road evacuation difficulty, disaster risk and road pedestrian demand. The fuzzy VIKOR model was used to evaluate 8 indicators for 50 candidate shelters. A dual-objective planning model was proposed to consider the time-varying and diverse emergency needs of disaster victims. By assessing the risk of pedestrian evacuation on the road and delineating restricted areas, the optimal path distance is calculated. Pareto optimality is then employed to achieve a trade-off between the convenience, cost, and applicability of the evacuation plan. In a complex post-disaster environment, the model can adapt flexibly to emergency rescue situations at various stages by adjusting the parameters in the objective and constraint equation. The Pareto optimal frontier can assist in determining the most suitable solution for the current scenario. In the case of New Orleans, 22 and 18 shelters were respectively selected from 34 candidate shelters for evacuation based on the simulated scenarios.

Research on the Safety Evaluation Method for Quayside Container Cranes Based on the Best–Worst Method–Pythagorean Fuzzy VIKOR Approach

In the port domain, quayside container cranes are an indispensable component of maritime freight transport. These cranes are not only costly but also associated with safety accidents that often result in casualties and property loss, severely impacting port operations and the surrounding environment. Given their complex operational environment, rapid technological updates, high dependency on human factors, and the challenges of maintenance and inspection, the safety of quayside container cranes is a significant concern for port enterprises and managers. This paper, based on the operational modes and structural characteristics of the cranes, divides them into five main systems and identifies twenty-eight safety evaluation indicators, covering a comprehensive range of risk factors from equipment integrity to operator behavior, as well as environmental factors. However, numerous pain points exist in the safety risk evaluation process of quayside container cranes, such as fuzziness, uncertainty, and complex multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) environments. These issues make traditional safety evaluation methods inadequate in accurately reflecting the actual safety conditions. Therefore, this paper proposes a safety evaluation method for quayside container cranes based on the Best–Worst Method (BWM) and Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy VIKOR. This method effectively overcomes the uncertainties and fuzziness of traditional safety evaluation methods by integrating the decision maker’s preference information from the BWM and the fuzzy handling capability of Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy sets, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the evaluation results. A case study was conducted on a quayside container crane at a specific port. Through empirical analysis, the feasibility of the proposed method was validated. Overall, the safety evaluation method for quayside container cranes based on the BWM and Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy VIKOR proposed in this paper enriches the theoretical research on the safety risk assessment of quayside container cranes and offers a new approach and tool for port enterprises and managers in practice.

An augmented fuzzy decision support system to analyse compatible cosmetic face masks for various complexions

AbstractBeauty face masks (BFM) are becoming increasingly popular among both men and women since they provide quick refreshment and nurture the skin. Given the wide range of skin types and the chemicals used in their formulation, it can be difficult to find a product that not only complements the skin type but is also free of potentially harmful ingredients that could endanger the consumer's health. When dealing with ambiguous situations, the multi‐attribute decision making (MADM) approach combined with fuzzy set theory is more effective. Type‐2 fuzzy sets (T2FS) provide greater flexibility in dealing with uncertainty in real‐world issues since they are characterised by a main and secondary membership function. In this research, we present the innovative idea of type‐2 linear diophantine fuzzy set (T2LDFS) as an intriguing tool for capturing expert reluctance about an issue. For analysing the discussed problem, a hybrid fuzzy VIKOR enhanced with the proposed fuzzy logic is suggested. A sensitivity and comparative analysis is carried out to establish the validity of the recommended approach.

A Case Study: Evaluation of Urban Flood Resilience Based on Fuzzy Mathematics and VIKOR Method in Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea

In this study, fuzzy mathematics and VIKOR were employed to develop a flood vulnerability assessment system for Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea in 2018. HEC-HMS model was used to simulate the major rivers' runoff in Ulsan Metropolitan City, and HEC-RAS model was used to convert the 1-D runoff simulation results into 2-D results of inundation map, while the simulation results were exhibited through ArcMap. Hazards, sensitivity and adaptivity were selected as the three evaluation indicators for fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, and pressure resilience, state resilience and response resilience were utilized as the indicators for ranking and comparison of the VIKOR method for local governments (administrative districts) of Ulsan Metropolitan City. As the result, Dong-gu district, Ulju-jun County and Nam-gu district showed the best results by both the fuzzy mathematical and the VIKOR method in hazard and pressure, sensitivity and state, adaptivity and response indicator. Fuzzy mathematics and the VIKOR method provide two different ways to study the flood protection capacity of Ulsan Metropolitan City, comparing the historical statistics, VIKOR method's evaluation results match well with the flooding statistics in Ulsan Metropolitan City.

Assessment of polluted region using an integrated weighting approach and fuzzy VIKOR method

Air pollution exerts a profound impact on both public health and the natural environment. In India, festivals like Diwali also contaminate the air by releasing pollutants into the atmosphere. It is essential to identify the most polluted region by estimating these pollutants. Since air quality assessment involves multiple air pollutants, there may be inherent uncertainty associated with data. This study employs a fuzzy Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM) framework fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process-Entropy-fuzzy VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (FAHP-Entropy-FVIKOR) to model the impact of air pollution as a decision-making problem to address the uncertainty and assess the air quality during the Diwali festival from 2019 to 2021 in Tamil Nadu, India. An integrated weighting approach is utilised to determine the weights of the air pollutants using a fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process and Entropy methods. Mainly, the fuzzy VIKOR approach is employed to rank the polluted regions. The validation of the proposed model is established through a comparative analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation with two other existing fuzzy MADM methods. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the influence of priority weights and the interdependence of pollutants in determining regional rankings. The results conclude that a strong positive correlation is attained between the proposed and existing methods and the highest levels of air pollution during the festival period are observed in Gandhi Nagar (2019), Rayapuram (2020), T. Nagar, Sowcarpet and Triplicane (2021) in their respective years. These findings substantiate the consistency and effectiveness of the proposed approach.