Multi-criteria Decision Methodology Research Articles

A novel hybrid multi-criteria decision methodology for assessing tool materials in friction stir welding process

A novel hybrid multi-criteria decision methodology for assessing tool materials in friction stir welding process

A hybrid multi-criteria group decision methodology based on fairly operators and EDAS method under interval-valued Fermatean fuzzy environment

A hybrid multi-criteria group decision methodology based on fairly operators and EDAS method under interval-valued Fermatean fuzzy environment

Suitable municipalities for biomass energy use in Colombia based on a multicriteria analysis from a sustainable development perspective

Using renewable energies is a global strategy to mitigate the acceleration of global warming generated by industrial processes and is a sustainable way to diversify the energy matrix in all countries. Biomass is a renewable energy source that produces biofuels and generates electricity and heat. The primary purpose of this work is to identify the municipalities in Colombia where agricultural, livestock, and urban residual biomass could be suitable for energy generation in a sustainable and renewable way. To that end, we carried out a Geostatistical Multi-Criteria Decision Methodology using Analytical Hierarchy Processes such as Rank-Sum and Weighted Linear Combination, as well as considering a set of sustainable development indicators applied to official Colombian data. Two scenarios are considered for comparison purposes. The first one is according to expert criteria, and the second one considers The Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations. Under both proposed scenarios, 127 municipalities were found to be suitable for agricultural-urban residual biomass and 162 for livestock-urban residual biomass for energy generation. One of the main limitations for the use of urban biomass is that municipalities need to have sufficient production potential to fulfill their own energy needs. An additional comparison with previous works to evaluate the performance of the Multi-Criteria Decision Methodologies MCDM is also proposed.

On the Integration of User Preferences by Using a Hybrid Methodology for Multi-Criteria Decision Making

On the Integration of User Preferences by Using a Hybrid Methodology for Multi-Criteria Decision Making

A New Hybrid Neutrosophic Multi-Criteria Decision Methodology Model for Ranking Risks in International Business Administration

Due to the complexity and unpredictability of today's globalized business world, managing an international business administration (IBAS) is not without its share of risks. The necessity of efficient risk management in international business administrations is highlighted, and a summary of the main hazards that companies encounter when doing business across borders is provided in this paper. The political, economic, legal, cultural, operational, financial, compliance, competitive, environmental, sustainability, and cybersecurity risks are identified and categorized in the paper as the most significant risks in international company administrations. It stresses how important it is to recognize and manage these threats to international corporate success and longevity. This article examines the effects of political risks on international commerce, including political instability, changes in government policy, and trade barriers. It draws attention to economic risks that might have an impact on pricing, profitability, and financial performance, such as swings in exchange rates, inflation, and economic instability. This work applied the neutrosophic set with multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models to rank the risks in IBAS. This paper used the neutrosophic MABAC and neutrosophic COPRAS methods to rank these risks. These methods are compared with the PROMETHEE method. The results show the suggested technique is an effective model to deal with this kind of problem.

다기준 의사결정을 위한 수리모형 기반의 방법론: 계층적 분석기법과의 비교관점

In this study, a mathematical model-based methodology for multi-criteria decision making is presented. Although AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) is the most widely used decision-making technique, there are some practical limitations such as inconsistent survey response and long-time survey response due to the use of a 9-point scale. In this study, a new methodology is presented to overcome this problem. In the first stage of the methodology, the priority between criterion is obtained. In the second stage, the priority between the alternatives of the criterion is derived, and in the final stage, the maximum achievable aggregate importance of each alternative is calculated while maintaining the obtained two priorities. Decision makers only need to select the alternative with the highest overall importance. As the survey respondent only needs to select one of the two options, it is possible to cut the survey response time and reduce the psychological burden. From the experimental results, it was confirmed that the results of this study can be applied to the actual decision-making problems.

A New Hybrid Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Methodology for Prioritizing the Antivirus Mask Over COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, masks have become essential items for all people to protect themselves from the virus. Because of considering multiple factors when selecting an antivirus mask, the decision-making process has become more complicated. This paper proposes an integrated approach that uses F-BWM-RAFSI methods for antivirus mask selection process with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, sensitivity analysis was demonstrated by evaluating the effects of changing the weight coefficients of the criterion on the ranking results, simulating changes in Heronian operator parameters, and comparing the obtained solution to other MCDM approaches to ensure its robustness.

An Analysis of Preferences in Housing Demand by Means of a Multicriteria Methodology (AHP). A More Sustainable Approach

This paper examines key aspects of the behavior of housing demand from a sustainable standpoint. Most studies have mainly focused on housing supply, looking at quantitative predictions without considering the qualitative relationship found between housing values and housing demand on a sustainable and microeconomic scale. We used a multicriteria decision methodology (analytic hierarchy process—AHP) for the analysis of preferences in demand, based on the theory of multi-attribute utility of housing, to determine the relative importance of each characteristic of housing and its influence on the decision-making process. For this purpose, we carried out the study over three main groups of stakeholders in the housing market: real estate surveyors, real estate agents, and housing buyers (the latter representing the housing demand). Results show that although there might be some slight discrepancies among the three groups in the decision-making process and the weighting of housing attributes, the three groups agree in most of the process, especially when defining the criteria and the importance that each criterion has on the process of valuation. This study provides important managerial and sustainable implications for the real estate market related to urban public policy, as we highlight which criteria are most preferred.

Priority setting in the Brazilian emergency medical service: a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)

BackgroundDespite the proven value of multicriteria decision analysis in the health field, there is a lack of studies focused on prioritising victims in the Emergency Medical Service, EMS. With this, and knowing that the decision maker needs a direction on which choice may be the most appropriate, based on different and often conflicting criteria. The current work developed a new model for prioritizing victims of SAMU/192, based on the multicriteria decision methodology, taking into account the scarcity of resources.MethodsAn expert panel and a discussion group were formed, which defined the limits of the problem, and identified the evaluation criteria for choosing a victim, amongst four alternatives illustrated from hypothetical scenarios of emergency situations—clinical and traumatic diseases of absolute priority. For prioritization, an additive mathematical method was used that aggregates criteria in a flexible and interactive version, FITradeoff.ResultsThe structuring of the problem led the researchers to identify twenty-five evaluation criteria, amongst which ten were essential to guide decisions. As a result, in the simulation of prioritization of four requesting victims in view of the availability of only one ambulance, the proposed model supported the decision by suggesting the prioritization of one of the victims.ConclusionsThis work contributed to the prioritization of victims using multicriteria decision support methodology. Selecting and weighing the criteria in this study indicated that the protocols that guide regulatory physicians do not consider all the criteria for prioritizing victims in an environment of scarcity of resources. Finally, the proposed model can support crucial decision based on a rational and transparent decision-making process that can be applied in other EMS.

A new hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria decision methodology model for prioritizing the alternatives of the hydrogen bus development: A case study from Romania

The aim of this study is to present an integrated multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model for the selection method of hydrogen bus development by considering five main and twenty sub-criteria. The model utilizes Best-Worst Method (BWM) and MARCOS (Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to COpromise Solution) approaches for prioritizing the alternatives of the appropriate hydrogen solution for public transport with buses. A case study in Romania verifies the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed model. A comparative analysis with some existing methods are presented to verify the superiority of the proposed model. This study analyzes two technical solutions for hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure of fleet, and four electricity supply solutions for obtaining hydrogen by electrolysis. That means a total number of 8 alternatives. The results show that co-generated electricity from a municipality cogeneration power plant (Alternative 2) is the best alternative among eight alternatives.

Assessing the renewable energy investment risk factors for sustainable development in Turkey

In the wake of Paris agreement, global economies have been putting their full efforts in mitigation and adaption to limit the global temperature within 2 °C higher than the pre-industrial level. Redirection of investment flows to renewable energy technologies (RETs) is paramount to achieve the goals set in global climate agreement. The Turkish government is determined to attract investment in RETs for cleaner energy production and sustainable socio-economic development in Turkey. However, it is very challenging to substitute environmentally harmful traditional energy systems with renewable energy production and supply. Investing in and developing renewable energy projects (REPs) are posed to various inherent risks. Assessment and analysis of risk factors of renewable energy investments (REIs) are indispensable for a practical and profound policy guideline for mitigation. This study provides a Multi-Criteria Decision Methodology (MCDM) based three-stage decision framework to assess and examine the risk factors of REIs in Turkey. The first stage is the identification of risk factors of REI using the Delphi method. The second stage is the assessment of identified risk factors of REI by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The third stage is the evaluation and prioritization of strategies to overcome risk factors of REI projects by using Fuzzy Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (FWASPAS). The Delphi method unveiled 6 major risk factors with 23 sub-risk factors. Results of AHP analysis unfolded economic & business risk as a major risk factor. The FWASPAS analysis concluded a comprehensive and explicit explanation of the RET choices to be the most suitable of six strategies to deal with the investment risk factors for sustainable development in Turkey.

Evaluating the Security Impact of Healthcare Web Applications Through Fuzzy Based Hybrid Approach of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Analysis

Continuous data breaches targeting the invaluable medical records have become a nemesis for the healthcare organizations. A secure and effective information security model in healthcare web applications can gain and enhance the respect as well as revenue of the healthcare organizations. For achieving this goal, a multi-criteria decision methodology can be a milestone. The authors have used a hybrid integrated Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process-Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (Fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS) method for evaluating various information security factors of a web application in order to provide effective and useful results for the developers and researchers. Furthermore, every calculation needs a validation and scientific proof in our case the study assesses the evaluated result on software of hospital from Varanasi, India. The results and ideology of this study will definitely help the practitioners in developing secure and effective information security within a web application. Moreover, the empirical analysis conducted in our research has attempted to etch a systematic path for the developers who can focus on the most prioritized factors for assured and concrete information security within a web application.

Multi-Criteria Decision Making using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps – Preliminary Results

In this work a new methodology for Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) with the ability to address dependence and feedback among criteria and their interrelations is proposed. Although a variety of MCDM methods have been developed during the past years, Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) consist an alternative, interesting and promising research direction in decision support. The proposed FCM-based method, exploiting the natural FCMs ability to effectively represent concepts interactions, offers a dynamic and flexible way for ranking alternatives on the basis of different scenarios regarding the nature of causal relationships between criteria. The method is validated on the basis of a robot selection problem.

An Extension of ARAS Methodology for Multi-criteria Group Decision-Making Problems within Probability Multi-valued Neutrosophic Sets

Probability multi-valued neutrosophic sets (PMVNSs) can depict the preference and hesitancy of decision makers (DMs) simultaneously, and utility-based additive ratio assessment (ARAS) can effectively evaluate and rank feasible alternatives. In order to make optimal decision making under the environment of the PMVNSs, in this paper, an extended ARAS methodology for multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) is developed. Firstly, we propose probability multi-valued neutrosophic normalized weighted Bonferroni distance (PMVNNWBD) to measure the closeness of weighted probability multi-valued neutrosophic numbers (PMVNNs). Then, an entropy measure for PMVNSs is proposed to describe the inaccuracy degree of PMVNSs and to derive the weights of DMs. Further, considering the relationship between criteria, we construct a modified maximizing deviation model based on PMVNNWBD to obtain criteria weights. Moreover, an extended ARAS method for MCGDM is established to handle PMVNSs based on the obtained weight information of DMs and criteria. Finally, the feasibility and superiority of the proposed approach are verified by a case study concerning third-party logistics (3PLs) supplier selection, and sensitive analysis of different parameters shows our proposed approach is flexible.

Innovative propensity with a fuzzy multicriteria approach

PurposeAlthough R&D plays a crucial role in innovativeness and R&D expenditures is the most widely used tool to measure the level of innovativeness of companies, other variables and inputs may be equally interesting. The purpose of this paper is to define an innovative propensity index (IPI) which considers these variables and allows the identification of those companies which have a higher propensity to implement different types of innovativeness.Design/methodology/approachTaking into account, the different criteria that may be considered in an IPI and that the perception of the relative importance of each criterion is subjective, the use of an innovativeness multicriteria decision methodology has been considered appropriate. In particular, an IPI is built from the weighting of the criteria through FAHP methodology. Data mining techniques are subsequently used to establish a non-supervised ranking (clustering) of a sample of firms, considering their IPI values.FindingsThe application of an IPI to a sample of 1,639 companies operating in different industrial sectors has helped us to find out that this index is useful for identifying those companies which really show an increased innovative capacity. A comparative analysis by sectors has shown that although there are companies from all sectors with a high innovative propensity, the proportion increases in more technological sectors. Moreover, it has been observed that in companies with higher net personnel expenses and high productivity level the innovative propensity is also higher.Originality/valueThe criteria used to build the index affects innovativeness individually, but the value of the analysis lies in its multicriteria approach and use of fuzzy logic. The validation of the index in a wide sample of firms is another outstanding aspect of the analysis.

Multicriteria methodology and hierarchical innovation in the energy sector

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to state a hierarchy methodology to select the most promising innovative projects, based on the processes defined by the successful Project Management Institute.Design/methodology/approachOpen innovation is a new option for companies to acquire knowledge; however, in a changing and global market, it is necessary to define and select properly the proposals to be financially supported. A proven multicriteria decision methodology (MCDM) is recommended in this case to hierarchize alternatives. Moreover, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) has been considered in this study as a proven and simple MCDM.FindingsAHP has been demonstrated as a suitable option to evaluate innovative project proposals, thanks to its integration with the Project Management Institute methodology. A process example has been included to demonstrate its application.Research limitations/implicationsInnovative projects and project proposal selection have always implied subjective criteria. Moreover, some of the processes defined in the methodology were not well defined in the project proposal.Practical implicationsThe management of a project portfolio in a rational way would help decision makers to fund the most promising projects/alternatives under consideration. In this way, the inherent risk of R&D projects would be minimized.Originality/valueThe management of a portfolio of innovative proposals is less often addressed in the literature. This paper focuses on the hybridization of the criteria and processes described in the PMBOK Guide and an MCDM.

Multi-Criteria Decision Methodology for Supplier Selection in Building Industry

The current paper proposes a multi-criteria decision methodology to determine the most reliable supplier for green buildings. The selection of a supplier for the construction of green buildings should meet different criteria due to the specifics of the materials used, a predetermined budget, and fixed deadlines. The proposed methodology is based on localization of possible suppliers around the building project up to an acceptable distance. The methodology can use different methods based on utility function to perform the selection. This methodology could be integrated as a separate module for logistics in the determination of supplier selection.

Relational spatial database and multi-criteria decision methods for selecting optimum locations for photovoltaic power plants in the province of Seville (southern Spain)

This work aims to develop a methodology for selecting optimum locations for the construction of photovoltaic power plants. In order to achieve this, a data model is defined and a multi-criteria decision methodology, based on an analytical hierarchy process, is applied. In contrast to the previous studies, in which the spatial analysis was undertaken by a GIS managing different layers of information (grids, shapefiles, etc.), in this work the spatial analysis is carried out by means of an open-code spatial database management system: PostgreSQL-PostGIS. This system uses Structure Query Language to manage different tables in the context of relational spatial databases. The case study is the province of Seville (southern Spain), where this sort of facility already exists. The empirical analysis concludes that a large percentage of the province of Seville has an excellent potential for the installation of photovoltaic plants. The methodology allows the dynamic updating of criteria and parameters, as well as the reproducibility, scalability and automating of analyses carried out in other fields.

Evaluation of stormwater harvesting sites using multi criteria decision methodology

Selection of suitable urban stormwater harvesting sites and associated project planning are often complex due to spatial, temporal, economic, environmental and social factors, and related various other variables. This paper is aimed at developing a comprehensive methodology framework for evaluating of stormwater harvesting sites in urban areas using Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). At the first phase, framework selects potential stormwater harvesting (SWH) sites using spatial characteristics in a GIS environment. In second phase, MCDA methodology is used for evaluating and ranking of SWH sites in multi-objective and multi-stakeholder environment.The paper briefly describes first phase of framework and focuses chiefly on the second phase of framework. The application of the methodology is also demonstrated over a case study comprising of the local government area, City of Melbourne (CoM), Australia for the benefit of wider water professionals engaged in this area. Nine performance measures (PMs) were identified to characterise the objectives and system performance related to the eight alternative SWH sites for the demonstration of the application of developed methodology. To reflect the stakeholder interests in the current study, four stakeholder participant groups were identified, namely, water authorities (WA), academics (AC), consultants (CS), and councils (CL). The decision analysis methodology broadly consisted of deriving PROMETHEE II rankings of eight alternative SWH sites in the CoM case study, under two distinct group decision making scenarios.The major innovation of this work is the development and application of comprehensive methodology framework that assists in the selection of potential sites for SWH, and facilitates the ranking in multi-objective and multi-stakeholder environment. It is expected that the proposed methodology will assist the water professionals and managers with better knowledge that will reduce the subjectivity in the selection and evaluation of SWH sites.

Comparative analysis of sustainable electric energy generation technologies using a multi-criteria decision methodology

The main purpose of this study is to determine the technological options for electricity production based on available electric energy sources in Brazil. The results from this study can be used as a reference for the elaboration of guidelines and public policies that are needed to support plans for electric energy supply expansion. Furthermore, these results can provide input on the construction of energy mix that can meet Brazilian demands and help achieve sustainability in the generation expansion process. The study is based on a multi-criteria analysis methodology that ranks the best alternatives for electric energy production based on criteria linked to sustainability and environmental, technical and economic dimensions.