Multiple Criteria Decision-making Model Research Articles

A novel hybrid decision-making model for determining product position under consideration of dependence and feedback

With the development of information and communications technology, people are gradually replacing paper maps with vehicle telematics systems (VTS). VTS provides customers with navigation services, as well as other functions and system services. This study discusses the development trend of VTS products/services and customers’ needs for navigation and location services, audio–video and entertainment services, communications and information services and safety and security services. Automobile manufacturers and VTS product/service providers should determine new product development strategies based on their customers’ needs, as these needs will directly influence future sales. To assist in determining customers’ VTS needs and intentions, this study evaluated customers’ important VTS product/service criteria. A novel MCDM (Multiple Criteria Decision-making) model was applied that integrated four MCDM techniques: decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL); principal component analysis (PCA); analytical network procedures (ANP); and Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR). These four techniques were applied to determine the product’s position and improve the four VTS service systems for obtaining the best win–win service solution. This paper proposed the key driving aspect of the four VTS service systems and determined their product’s position based on the proposed model. The conclusions are also suggestions for service providers to improve upon existing service functions and plan further utilities for the next generation of VTS service systems. This study also aids VTS service system providers in determining their product’s position and proposing their new value position.

Evaluation of New Product Development Alternatives Considering Interrelationships among Decision Criteria

In electronic industry, technologies are progressing rapidly nowadays. To maintain market competition with comparative advantages, an enterprise must continuously develop various new products. This research focuses on the initial stages of the new product development (NPD), which involves generating and screening NPD alternatives. A multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model considering interrelations among selection criteria is developed. The proposed MCDM model employs the fuzzy Delphi method to filter the performance evaluation criteria. Since the criteria are considered to be interdependent by decision-makers, the gray relation analysis (GRA) is applied to identify the interactive relationships among criteria within each aspect. Two methods are used to calculate the synthetic utility score for each alternative. The first method evaluates the alternatives using an ANP model with relation-structure derived from GRA, whereas the second method rates the alternatives using non-additive fuzzy integral. An empirical example of the medical display monitor industry is provided to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model. The two evaluation methods achieve the same ranking of the alternatives.

A Multicriteria Selection Model for Developing New Color Calibration Device

Color Calibration Device is a key component for the performance of Medical Display Monitor (MDM). MDMs have been extensively used in hospitals in the past decades. The technological requirements of MDMs are higher than those of general purpose display monitors, but the gross profit margins of MDMS are larger as well. The purpose of this research is to build a hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model useful in developing new color calibration device for the MDM industry. The proposed MCDM model uses fuzzy Kano method to filter the performance criteria, and then apply the analytic network process (ANP) in selecting the best alternative among three new products. In this study, gray relation analysis (GRA) is used to build a relations-structure for ANP criteria. The paper also presents a case study on model implementation in a LCD high-tech company.

Applying a Hybrid MCDM Model for Six Sigma Project Selection

Six Sigma is a project-driven methodology; the projects that provide the maximum financial benefits and other impacts to the organization must be prioritized. Project selection (PS) is a type of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problem. In this study, we present a hybrid MCDM model combining the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique, analytic network process (ANP), and the VIKOR method to evaluate and improve Six Sigma projects for reducing performance gaps in each criterion and dimension. We consider the film printing industry of Taiwan as an empirical case. The results show that our study not only can use the best project selection, but can also be used to analyze the gaps between existing performance values and aspiration levels for improving the gaps in each dimension and criterion based on the influential network relation map.

A novel hybrid model based on DEMATEL, ANP and TOPSIS for supplier selection in agile supply chains

The concept of the agile supply chain has been considered as means of achieving a high competitive edge in rapidly changing business environments. Among the involved decisions, supply partner selection process is a complex multi-criteria problem which has recently been studied by academicians and practitioners. This paper examines both quantitative and qualitative factors to propose a robust multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method which leads to consider the interactions among criteria for agile supply chains. In this regard, a novel hybrid MCDM model including DEMATEL, ANP, and TOPSIS is developed in which DEMATEL is adopted to visualise influenced framework between the elements, and influence degree of the criteria, then these influence degrees are embedded into ANP to compute relevant weights of criteria to obtain their relative importance; next, TOPSIS is dedicated to rank priorities of the alternatives of agile suppliers. Additionally, a case study is presented to validate the developed framework.

Decision-making on Transport Policy: A Comparison between Scholars and Stakeholders

This study proposes a hybrid MCDM (multiple criteria decision-making) model to analyze the transport policy decision-making process and the various perspectives from stakeholders and scholars are discussed in detail. DEMATEL (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory) is employed to construct NRM (network relation map), ANP (analytic network process) is adopted to evaluate the weights of criteria, and VIKOR is used to select the best transport mode. The empirical results reveal that stakeholders are most concerned about Feasibility & Execution and Political Climate. The three criteria with the strongest impact levels are Economic Development, Social Security, and Environmental Protection. Social Security, Equity & Justice, and Environmental Protection have the highest weights. The main concerns of scholars are Political Climate and Environmental Protection. The three criteria with the greatest impact are Feasibility & Execution, Equity & Justice, and Political Climate, while Social Security, Environmental Protection, and Equity & Justice have the highest weights. Railway is the best choice among the four transport modes for stakeholders and scholars.

Decision making on business issues with foresight perspective; an application of new hybrid MCDM model in shopping mall locating

Shopping malls are one of the glories of metropolises with their attractive shops and a wide variety people who are walking in order to purchase goods. Location of a shopping mall is one of the critical criteria, because it can influence the success of the project. In addition, selecting an appropriate location to establish a new shopping mall is a sophisticated, time consuming and risky decision. Commonly multi-factors should be considered in the decision making model. Thus, a comprehensive model should be considered for similar studies. Moreover, the foresight perspective can be necessary for the future competitiveness of the project. Decision makers need powerful tools for the process of the decision making, for this aim two Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods are applied in our model. Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) is applied to decision making in order to prioritize and calculating the relative importance of the criteria. Then, Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) methodology is used to evaluate potential alternatives. Tehran is considered as a real example of this research and potential places for this mean considered in research. This brand-new hybrid MCDM method is presented in this research as a powerful framework is decision making. This framework can be useful as an appropriate framework for solving locating issues in other companies.

Improving RFID adoption in Taiwan's healthcare industry based on a DEMATEL technique with a hybrid MCDM model

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has progressed tremendously in recent years. In the healthcare industry, the decision to adopt RFID technology is a problem requiring a multi-criteria decision analysis that involves both qualitative and quantitative factors. The evaluation of this decision may be based on imprecise information or uncertain data. Furthermore, there can be significant dependence and feedbacks between the different criteria and alternatives. However, most conventional decision models cannot capture these complex interrelationships. As a result, in this study we develop a general evaluation framework for industry evaluation, improvement and adoption of RFID. We use a hybrid Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method known as DDANPV that combines DEMATEL (decision making trial and evaluation laboratory), DANP (DEMATEL-based ANP), and VIKOR to evaluate the factors that influence the adoption of RFID. Specifically, we study the adoption of RFID in Taiwan's healthcare industry. We find that technology integration is the most influential criterion and the strongest driver in the adoption of RFID of Taiwan's healthcare industry.

Improving metro–airport connection service for tourism development: Using hybrid MCDM models

Few studies in tourism and transport have discussed the connection service between metro systems with urban airports or proposed strategies to assist in improving performance for long-term development. The purpose of this study is to address this problem using the novel method of hybrid MCDM (multiple criteria decision-making), including DEMATEL (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory), DANP (the DEMATEL-based analytic network process) and VIKOR, to examine the influential relationships among dimensions and criteria of the empirical case and to ultimately present the best improvement schemes, which are valuable for both practitioners and researchers and for those destinations attempted to integrate the urban transport with tourism development.

A Hybrid Multiple Criteria Decision Making Model for Supplier Selection

The sustainable supplier selection would be the vital part in the management of a sustainable supply chain. In this study, a hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model is applied to select optimal supplier. The fuzzy Delphi method, which can lead to better criteria selection, is used to modify criteria. Considering the interdependence among the selection criteria, analytic network process (ANP) is then used to obtain their weights. To avoid calculation and additional pairwise comparisons of ANP, a technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is used to rank the alternatives. The use of a combination of the fuzzy Delphi method, ANP, and TOPSIS, proposing an MCDM model for supplier selection, and applying these to a real case are the unique features of this study.

A multiple-criteria decision-making model for evaluating sustainability of business enterprises

This paper proposes an analytical approach to evaluating how businesses respond to the global call for sustainable development. A model is developed using the multiple-criteria decision-making approach. The analytic hierarchy process and the data envelopment analysis, when used conjunctively, serve as a framework for evaluation of sustainability. The use of the model is demonstrated in several business areas illustrated through case studies. The model can be adapted to any evaluation problem concerning sustainability of business enterprises.

English

  The selection of the appropriate combination of materials for a manufacturing company is one of the important points to achieving high competitiveness in the market. Besides, an appropriate choice of materials is very important as it helps to reach optimum production rate and efficiency. Today’s market offers many more choices for materials alternatives. There are also many factors one should consider as part of the appropriate combination of materials selection process, including productivity, wastage, cost, style, etc., consequently, evaluation procedures involve several objectives and it is often necessary to compromise among possibly conflicting tangible and intangible factors. For dealing with these problems, multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) has been found to be a useful approach to solve this kind of problem. Most of the MCDM models are basically mathematical and disregard qualitative and subjective considerations. The application of fuzzy set theory allows incorporating the vague and imprecise linguistic terms and qualitative information into the decision process. This paper devises a fuzzy hybrid analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach to the problem of thesis subject selection. Fuzzy AHP is used to formulate and calculate the weight of each criterion, and fuzzy TOPSIS is proposed to prioritize combination material alternatives from the best to the worst ones. A case study on Kaach Company was put forward to illustrate the performance of the proposed methodology.   Key words: Combination of material, material selection, fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP), fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS).

A new hybrid MCDM model combining DANP with VIKOR to improve e-store business

Many consumers today buy products and services from e-stores. Because e-store managers are responsible for allocating different resources, it is essential that they understand consumers’ shopping behaviour to provide the best possible value for visitors to their websites. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to focus on assessing and improving strategies to reduce the gaps in customer satisfaction caused by interdependence and feedback problems among dimensions and criteria to achieve the aspiration level. We propose a new hybrid Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) model, combining the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), DEMATEL-based Analytic Network Process (DANP), and VIšekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) methods to solve these problems. Then, three real cases are used to illustrate how the proposed new hybrid Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model improves e-store business. These results can provide e-store managers with a knowledge-based understanding of how to create marketing strategies that reduce the performance gaps of dimensions and criteria to satisfy consumers’ needs and encourage customers to purchase more.

The best vendor selection for conducting the recycled material based on a hybrid MCDM model combining DANP with VIKOR

Environmentally conscious manufacturing and product recovery (ECMPRO) has become an obligation of manufacturers, and it has been extended to be the policy and strategy of businesses. Producing recyclable products and using recycled materials are optimal strategies for ECMPRO. Vendor selection (VS) is one of the multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems in strategic supply chain management. The purpose of this article is to propose how the best selection to conduct the recycled materials can be implemented for enhancing and increasing the efficiency of using resources in the manufacturing process through recycled materials VS. Aluminum composite panel (ACP) is a global product, and ACP companies in Taiwan use recycled materials in more than 80% for their products on a quantity basis. Therefore, we selected the ACP industry of Taiwan as an empirical model to study VS and to reveal methods of improving gaps in each criterion for achieving the aspired levels of performance. We use the MCDM model combining DEMATEL-based on ANP (called DANP) with VIKOR to solve the recycled materials VS problems of multiple dimensions and criteria that are interdependent, instead of the independent assumption of an analytic hierarchy process, for mimicking the real-world scenario.

The interactive trade decision-making research: An application case of novel hybrid MCDM model

The changing structure of international trade practices has caused reciprocal effect between the factors of politics, diplomacy, military, and technology over the past twenty years. In particular, the new burgeoning countries expect to acquire extra advantages such as technology or compensation from other parties during this interactive trade.The policy of interactive trade can be regarded as multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems; therefore, the interdependence and feedback between criteria and alternatives among MCDM methods should be considered. This paper proposes a novel hybrid MCDM model; it combines the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory technique (DEMATEL), as well as the analytic network process (ANP) to solve the dependence and feedback problems and to decide an appropriate interactive trade strategy. Finally, this paper discusses Taiwan's optimal interactive transaction policy, furthermore proposes a framework of interactive trade for the future.

Ranking universities based on performance evaluation by a hybrid MCDM model

The aims of this study are to weight the performance evaluation indices for higher education based on the official performance evaluation structure developed by the Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association (TWAEA) and to rank 12 private universities listed by the Ministry of Education as a case study. We apply a hybrid multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model to accomplish these objectives. Specifically, we utilize the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to accomplish the first aim, but we adopt the VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method for the second aim by utilizing the AHP outcome. We also compare the official rankings of the 12 private universities with our ranking of the same universities. Our study endeavors to help universities optimize their performances with efficiency. In addition, the results of this study could provide a reference point for other universities and related educational institutions in their efforts to conduct evaluations, improve their performances and form educational policies.

Evaluating real estate using a fuzzy MCDM approach

This paper suggests a fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach for the evaluation of real estates. The suggested approach considers both quantitative and qualitative criteria as well as different importance of the criteria. The final evaluation values from the suggested fuzzy MCDM approach are still fuzzy numbers. A ranking method is needed to defuzzify these fuzzy numbers to complete the approach. In this paper, Chen’s maximising set and minimising set is improved to resolve its ranking inconsistencies via numerical comparison. The improved ranking method is then applied to defuzzify the final fuzzy evaluation values to help perform decision making. Formulas for the ranking procedure can be clearly developed, which bridge the fuzzy MCDM model and the defuzzification process to complete the approach. The suggested approach can be regarded as a decision making system, which is flexible and can be customised to the needs and requirements of the interested parties.

Exploring the strategy to improve senior citizens’ participations on recreational sports

This paper presents a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based optimization model for repetitive projects when considering soft logics. There have been several models developed for Times-Cost Trade-Off optimization in repetitive projects and these models were set up to search for optimum output rate that yields the minimum total cost for each project. Previous researches are based on the assumption that work sequence cannot be changed for different work zones. In reality, work sequence between work zones are not fixed (actually, constantly adjusted) throughout the project. Instead, they are constantly changed to shorten the construction time and minimize the total cost. Scheduling with the non-fixed work sequences between work zones is known as the soft logic method. Considering the soft logic in repetitive projects, the proposed GA model aims to assist the project team to find the minimum overall cost subjecting to different output rates and logical sequences. Taiwan has become an aging society. The aged participants can gain physical and mental health and happiness from recreational sports. Therefore, it is important to encourage the senior citizens to engage in recreational sports. The research purpose is to investigate influential factors and relative weights of personal preference and external environment application with a hybrid MCDM (multiple criteria decision making) model combining DEMATEL (decision making trial and evaluation laboratory) with ANP (analytical network process) methods. This study aims to demonstrate how the application of the MCDM model can improve participation and find important factors that can enhance sports and leisure participation. It also chooses the best leisure sports and enhances the experiences of people involved in the coming years. With the determinate results, the dimension of “external environment” is the most important aspect to be improved. In the seven evaluated criteria, “psychology” and “entertainment” are the most important considerations of the recreational sports program to be planned, followed by physical condition. Among the recreational sports types in the dimension of senior citizens’ selection, the best is “fitness sports” which will enhance the recreational sports participation, followed by “recreational sports”, “competition sports”, and “family sports”.

Improving tourism policy implementation – The use of hybrid MCDM models

Few studies have presented a holistic approach to evaluating complex national tourism policies, successfully quantified the dynamics at play, or proposed an improvement model. The corresponding purpose of this study is to address this problem, using the method of hybrid MCDM (multiple criteria decision-making) to examine the dependent relationships among various dimensions and criteria of tourism policies and, ultimately, to suggest an optimal improvement plan for Taiwan tourism policy. A decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is employed to construct a network relationship map (NRM), which then is used to illustrate the influential network of the tourism policy improvement model. The DEMATEL-based analytic network process (DANP) and VIKOR are adopted to evaluate the weights and the gaps to the aspired level of implementation. The model is useful in identifying both an influential network and a priority sequence of dimensions/criteria related to tourism policies and, thus, is helpful to tourism policy management.

A novel hybrid decision-making model for selecting locations in a fuzzy environment

The criteria in multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems often have independent and dependent characteristics simultaneously, so they cannot be evaluated by conventional additive or non-additive measures in real-life environments. This paper proposes a new hybrid MCDM model to solve location selection problems, and the results of solving MCDM problems tallied with real-life circumstances due to the use of two concepts in the new hybrid model. The concepts comprise a new structural model and a new evaluation method. The new structural modeling technique is used to draw the hierarchical/network framework, and the MCDM problem is solved using the proposed evaluation method. Here, the fuzzy ANP (analytic network process) is used to construct fuzzy weights of all criteria. Linguistic terms characterized by triangular fuzzy numbers are then used to denote the evaluation values of all alternatives versus various criteria. Finally, the aggregation fuzzy assessments of different alternatives are ranked to determine the best selection. Furthermore, this paper uses a numerical example for selecting the location of an international distribution center in Pacific Asia to illustrate the proposed method. Through this example, this paper demonstrates the applicability of the proposed method, and the results show that this method is an effective means for tackling MCDM problems.