Multiple Criteria Method Research Articles

A comparative assessment of thin-film photovoltaic production processes using the ELECTRE III method

The use of renewable energy sources for the production of electric power brings huge benefits both in terms of environmental protection as well as savings in non-renewable resources. Photovoltaic stands out from other renewable energy sources for its simplicity and the modularity of its energy conversion system. To date, the most highly developed technology for the construction of solar cells is one based on mono and polycrystalline silicon. An alternative production line is currently under development to produce, thin-film modules. There are currently a variety of processes and materials available to make thin-film cells but their relative costs and performance differ. Therefore, it would be useful to make a comparative evaluation of the different processes using a multiple criteria method. This paper proposes an application of an outranking methodology to assess a selection of production processes of thin-film solar technology. As this work demonstrates, multi-criteria analysis can provide a technical-scientific decision making support tool that is able to justify its choices clearly and consistently in the renewable energy sector.

Preparation of land use planning model using GIS based on AHP: case study Adana-Turkey

An environmental and earthquake sensitive planning approach requires a suitability evaluation based upon geo-environmental analysis before the planning phase. In land use evaluation analysis the local data from different disciplines must be synthesized as the priority and importance of the geo environmental criteria change according to the use of the site. Geographical information systems (GIS) using multiple criteria methods allow the determination of priorities and the importance of local/non-local data for the most efficient use of land. In this study six land use categories of Adana, one of the most earthquake prone provinces of Turkey, were determined by the use of an analytical hierarchical process (AHP) and GSI. These are high rise blocks, multi storey buildings, low storey buildings, industrial sites, waste disposal sites and green land.

Subjectivity in decision analysis

This paper considers decision making in light of multiple criteria. These criteria are often expressed in subjective form. The continuum between objective and subjective is examined, arguing that subjective views are a fact of life in decision making. The rational-deductive philosophy seeks to attain objectivity. Critiques of the normative rational-deductive view are given. The potential of incorporating subjectivity in multiple criteria decision making is discussed. Two alternative multiple criteria methods (image theory and verbal decision analysis) are demonstrated as possible means of supporting more subjective views of implementing multiple criteria decision making.

A holistic approach for optimal design of air quality monitoring network expansion in an urban area

This paper presents an objective methodology for determining the optimum number of ambient air quality stations in a monitoring network. The methodology integrates the multiple-criteria method with the spatial correlation technique. The pollutant concentration and population exposure data are used in this methodology in different ways. In the first stage, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) with triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs) is used to identify the most desirable monitoring locations. The network configuration is then determined on the basis of the concept of sphere of influences (SOIs). The SOIs are dictated by a predetermined cutoff value ( r c) in the spatial correlation coefficients ( r) between the pollutant concentrations at the monitoring stations identified from first step and the corresponding concentrations at neighboring locations in the region. Finally, the optimal station locations are ranked by using combined utility scores gained from the first and second steps. The expansion of air quality monitoring network of Riyadh city in Saudi Arabia is used as a case study to demonstrate the proposed methodology.

Conceptual development of a harmonised method for tracking change and evaluating policy in the agri-environment: The Agri-environmental Footprint Index

Abstract An aggregated farm-level index, the Agri-environmental Footprint Index (AFI), based on multiple criteria methods and representing a harmonised approach to evaluation of EU agri-environmental schemes is described. The Index uses a common framework for the design and evaluation of policy that can be customised to locally relevant agri-environmental issues and circumstances. Evaluation can be strictly policy-focused, or broader and more holistic in that context-relevant assessment criteria that are not necessarily considered in the evaluated policy can nevertheless be incorporated. The Index structure is flexible, and can respond to diverse local needs. The process of Index construction is interactive, engaging farmers and other relevant stakeholders in a transparent decision-making process that can ensure acceptance of the outcome, help to forge an improved understanding of local agri-environmental priorities and potentially increase awareness of the critical role of farmers in environmental management. The structure of the AFI facilitates post-evaluation analysis of relative performance in different dimensions of the agri-environment, permitting identification of current strengths and weaknesses, and enabling future improvement in policy design. Quantification of the environmental impact of agriculture beyond the stated aims of policy using an ‘unweighted’ form of the AFI has potential as the basis of an ongoing system of environmental audit within a specified agricultural context.

Sustainable energy planning by using multi-criteria analysis application in the island of Crete

The sustainable energy planning includes a variety of objectives, as the decision-making is directly related to the processes of analysis and management of different types of information (technological, environmental, economic and social). Very often, the traditional evaluation methods, such as the cost-benefit analysis and macro-economic indicators, are not sufficient to integrate all the elements included in an environmentally thorough energy plan. On the contrary the multiple criteria methods provide a tool, which is more appropriate to assemble and to handle a wide range of variables that is evaluated in different ways and thus offer valid decision support. This paper exploits the multi-criteria methodology for the sustainable energy planning on the island of Crete in Greece. A set of energy planning alternatives are determined upon the implementation of installations of renewable energy sources on the island and are assessed against economic, technical, social and environmental criteria identified by the actors involved in the energy planning arena. The study constitutes an exploratory analysis with the potential to assist decision makers responsible for regional energy planning, providing them the possibility of creating classifications of alternative sustainable energy alternatives.

Qualitative Environmental Analysis for Industrial Districts Implantation Using Geoprocessing Techniques

Industrial districts became important instruments which are used by the Public Power to induce economic decentralization and create new development poles. For this reason the legislative process is an indispensable means to define the priorities in the uses of soil, also to conduct and follow the process of industrial registration. However, the industrial district establishment shall not be analyzed by taking into account just the economic factor, but also the environmental issue of the enterprise. Thus, this research has the objective of determining adequate places for industrial districts implantation, having as a pilot area the city of São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A Geographic Information System for execution of spatial analysis and criteria creation on a large volume of environmental information will be used as a tool, which will be guided by the Municipal, State and Federal legislation and a Quickbird satellite image that covers the interest area. The main information used on this research are: altimeter, hydrography, soil use, pedology, geology and infrastructure. The results are visualized in scenarios modeled in accordance with the restrictions imposed upon the information, allowing at the end, to combine all scenarios and create through the multiple criteria method a map that indicates adequate places for implantation of industrial districts.

MULTICRITERIA SELECTION OF PROJECT MANAGERS BY APPLYING GREY CRITERIA / PROJEKTŲ VALDYTOJO PARINKIMO DAUGIATIKSLIO VERTINIMO MODELIS

There is a number of criteria and associated sub‐criteria influencing the match of managers to construction projects. Criteria and sub‐criteria were identified based on a thorough review of the related literature and interviews of management personnel involved in the project managers selection. Project managers characteristics are considered to be less important for an effective project management. The model is based on multicriteria evaluation of project managers. The evaluation embraces the identified criteria influencing the process of construction project manager selection. This paper considers the application of grey relations methodology to defining the utility of alternatives, and offers a multiple criteria method of Complex Proportional Assessment of alternatives with grey relations (COPRAS‐G) for analysis. In this model, the parameters of the alternatives are determined by the grey relational grade and expressed in terms of intervals. A case study presents the selection of construction project manager. The results obtained show that this method may be used as an effective decision aid in multicriteria selection. Santrauka Rodiklių ir susietų subrodiklių skaičius daro poveikį statybos projektų vadovo parinkimui. Išnagrinėjus literatūrą buvo atrinkti pagrindiniai rodikliai, turintys įtaką projektų valdytojo atrankai. Išskirtos svarbiausios projektų valdytojo charakteristikos, gerinančios efektyvų statybos projektų valdymą. Projektų valdytojo modelis pagrįstas daugiatikslio vertinimo metodais. Straipsnyje apžvelgtas intervalais išreikštų sprendinių metodologijos pritaikymas, apibrėžtas alternatyvų naudingumas. Pateiktas daugiatikslio vertinimo kompleksinio proporcingumo įvertinimo metodas naudojant intervalais išreikštus rodiklius intervalais (COPRAS-G). Pateikiamame modelyje alternatyvų parametrai išreikšti intervalais, alternatyvos ranguojamos, nustatomas jų prioritetas. Sprendžiamas uždavinio pavyzdys rodo efektyvų statybos projektų valdytojo parinkimą. Tai iliustruoja gauti rezultatai.

Common stock portfolio selection: a multiple criteria decision making methodology and an application to the Athens Stock Exchange

An integrated multiple-criteria methodological framework is proposed to support decisions that concern the selection of common stock portfolios. At the first stage of the methodology, two multiple-criteria methods are employed, within the context of the outranking relations theory, towards the initial appraisal of the stocks that are examined. We then utilize a non-linear optimization model, to generate portfolios that consist of the stocks that are classified as those with the optimal characteristics, during of the first stage. Finally, the portfolios designed at the previous stage are evaluated by using a wide set of well-known sophisticated evaluation criteria. The preferences and experiences of professionals and experts in the field of portfolio management were taken into consideration, through all the stages of the process. The validity of the above methodology is tested through a large scale illustrative application on the stocks that constitute the FTSE-140 index of the Athens Stock Exchange. The advantages of the proposed model against contextual approaches are finally stressed.

Journals in the Core Collection

ABSTRACT This overview of the core concept applied to journals defines the relevant terminology and cites specific examples of core lists. Ten approaches for determining core journals (subjective judgment, use, indexing coverage, overlapping library holdings, citation data, citation network/co-citation analysis, production of articles, Bradford's Law, faculty publication data, and multiple criteria methods) are reviewed and the practical applications of core journals lists are explained. Theoretical and practical problems associated with the core concept and core journal lists are discussed and a taxonomy for classifying core journal lists is outlined.

On the appraisal of consumer credit banking products within the asset quality frame: A multiple criteria application

Asset quality refers to the likelihood that the bank’s earning assets will continue to perform and requires both a qualitative and quantitative assessment. Decision problems like the “internal appraisal of banking products”, are problems with strong multiple-criteria character and it seems that the methodological framework of Multiple Criteria Decision Making could provide a reliable solution. In this paper, the Asset Quality banking indicators are the, so called, “criteria”, the value of these indicators are the, so called, “scores” in each criterion and the P.R.O.METH.E.E. [Preference Ranking Organization METhod of Enrichment Evaluations, Brans & Vincke (1985)] Multiple Criteria method is applied, towards modelling banking products appraisal problems. A Multiple Criteria process, strictly mathematically defined, integrates the behaviour of each indicator-criterion and utilizes each score in order to rank the so called “alternatives”, i.e. categories of banking products.

HISTORY AND TRENDS OF THE COLLOQUIUMS

In the article the 20 years experience of the colloquiums on the application of the multiple criteria methods in construction which were organised by Lithuanian, Polish and German colleaques is analyzed. A total of 10 colloquiums were organised whose participants have published some tens of books and more than 200 of scientific articles. The most important scientific trends are examined in the paper and results achieved are analyzed.

Project prioritization under policy restrictions. A combination of MCDA with 0–1 programming

Multiple Criteria Decision Aid methods are increasingly used in financial decision making in order to capture the multifaceted character of modern enterprises activated in a complex and versatile market environment. This paper presents a multiple criteria approach for the selection of firms applying for financial support from public funds. Besides the budget constraint, the specific decision situation imposes the consideration of additional policy constraints that prevent from directly exploiting rankings provided by a multiple criteria method. In such a case the problem solution is to find a set of alternatives satisfying the constraints and at the same time maximizing a measure of global performance. The proposed procedure relies on the PROMETHEE V method which belongs to the well-known PROMETHEE family of multiple criteria outranking methods and is combined with an integer programming formulation capable to effectively deal with the problem’s combinatorial character. This method is modified in order to avoid any bias in the selection of the optimal set that may arrive because of the apparent contradiction between the rate of resources consumption and the coefficients of the alternatives in the additive objective function.

A weighted balance evidence theory for structural multiple damage localization

In order to identify structural multiple damage locations, an improved evidence theory is proposed in this paper. First, the changes of frequencies and mode shapes are regarded as two different information sources, and local decisions can be obtained by using the multiple damage location assurance criterion (MDLAC) method and the frequency change damage detection method (FCDDM), respectively. Then, the local decisions are sent to a fusion center. In the fusion center, the evidence fusion technique is applied to integrate those local decisions and acquire a global decision. It is considered that the multiple evidences from different sources of different importance or reliability are not equally important when they are combined according to evidence theory, which is seldom considered in the existent combination methods. A new approach, i.e. weighted balance evidence theory (WBET), is presented to solve this problem. In order to compare the identification results under different weight coefficients, a multi-damage identification index is proposed. The simulation results demonstrate that the excellent performance of the proposed method to identify multiple damage sites as compared with the MDLAC method and the FCDDM method. In addition, analysis indicates that basic evidence combination is a particular case of the WBET method under certain condition.

Selection of low-e windows in retrofit of public buildings by applying multiple criteria method COPRAS: A Lithuanian case

Calculations of building retrofit effectiveness have shown that the replacement of original windows with new ones is not as effective in terms of heat energy saving as are the insulation of a roof, walls and other improvements because the investments are large and take a long time to be repaid. However, in addition to energy saving, window replacement improves the indoor climate of the building, its interior and architectural appearance as well as its market value. The sequence of building operations determines when the replacement of windows should be done. When financial resources are limited, managers of public buildings often begin the renovation of a building's envelope with the replacement of windows. The client faces some problems in choosing among the great variety of windows to satisfy his/her needs, especially with respect to the cost-quality relationship. The method of multiple criteria complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) developed by the authors aims at solving the above-mentioned problems. The solutions based on multicriteria analysis allow for a more rational and realistic assessment of customer's needs as well as cutting down window renewal costs. In this paper, practical example (key-case) of selecting a contractor for the replacement of windows in the main building of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) is presented as a part of its retrofit multivariant design.

Evaluating suppliers within a self‐organized logistical network

PurposeThis research paper proposes that the conduct of supplier relationships can be improved through a “self‐organized logistical network”.Design/methodology/approachAn analysis has been conducted on logistical supply chain which ensures to define a self‐organized logistical network. In such a network, each supplier can evaluate its own performance by using a decision‐making method involving multiple criteria. Indeed, such method is therefore recommended to reach a satisfactory solution. For that, a typology of performance was proposed and a multiple criteria method was chosen. Indeed, among several methods available, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method has been chosen.FindingsThe paper suggests quantifying an evaluation of each potential supplier who responds to a call for proposal from a customer, according to rules and criteria that are impartial and common to all. The process enables the emergence of the “best” supplier. The proposed approach allows a balance to be achieved between load and capacity at the supplier level, and produces a smoothing of the load curve among the various suppliers with the long‐term objective of establishing a fair system among the suppliers on the network. Our approach suggests a customer‐supplier (C‐S) relationship control where all entities C‐S partners, communicate and negotiate to respond as best as possible to the customers requirements. To each supplier, we associate a decision‐making centre through which he can self evaluate his performance in order to be able to take part to negotiations within a self organized logistical network.Originality/valueThe research focuses particularly on the study of the decision‐making centre.

Structural damage detection using information fusion technique

In order to precisely identify the multiple damage locations of a structure, an information fusion technique is proposed in this paper. First, the frequency data and the mode shape data are regarded as two different information sources, and local decisions can be obtained using the multiple damage location assurance criterion (MDLAC) method and the frequency change damage detection method (FCDDM), respectively. Then, the local decisions are sent to a fusion centre. In the fusion centre, three main fusion approaches are applied to integrate all the local decisions. Finally, a global decision is acquired. The measurement errors are also taken into account in the fusion process. The numerical example and analysis demonstrate that the identification results of the three information fusion methods are better than those of the MDLAC method and the frequency change damage detection method.

Multivariant design and multiple criteria analysis of building refurbishments

In order to design and realize an efficient building refurbishment, it is necessary to carry out an exhaustive investigation of all solutions that form it. The efficiency level of the considered building's refurbishment depends on a great many of factors, including: cost of refurbishment, annual fuel economy after refurbishment, tentative pay-back time, harmfulness to health of the materials used, aesthetics, maintenance properties, functionality, comfort, sound insulation and longevity, etc. Solutions of an alternative character allow for a more rational and realistic assessment of economic, ecological, legislative, climatic, social and political conditions, traditions and for better the satisfaction of customer requirements. They also enable one to cut down on refurbishment costs. In carrying out the multivariant design and multiple criteria analysis of a building refurbishment much data was processed and evaluated. Feasible alternatives could be as many as 100,000. How to perform a multivariant design and multiple criteria analysis of alternate alternatives based on the enormous amount of information became the problem. Method of multivariant design and multiple criteria of a building refurbishment's analysis were developed by the authors to solve the above problems. In order to demonstrate the developed method, a practical example is presented in this paper.

Comparison of weights in TOPSIS models

TOPSIS is a multiple criteria method to identify solutions from a finite set of alternativesbased upon simultaneous minimization of distance from an ideal point and maximization of distance from a nadir point. TOPSIS can incorporate relative weights of criterion importance. This paper reviews several applications of TOPSIS using different weighting schemes and different distance metrics, and compares results of different sets of weights applied to a previously used set of multiple criteria data. Comparison is also made against SMART and centroid weighting schemes. TOPSIS was not found to be more accurate, but was quite close in accuracy. Using first-order and second-order metrics were found to be quite good, but the infinite order (Tchebycheff norm, L-∞) was found to decline in accuracy.

Site selection for waste disposal through spatial multiple criteria decision analysis

This article deals with the application of spatial multiple criteria evaluation (SMCE) concepts and methods to support identification and selection of proper sites for waste disposal. The process makes use of a recently developed SMCE module, integrated into ITC`s existing geographic information system called ILWIS. This module supports application of SMCE in planning and decision making processes through several compensatory and non-compensatory approaches, allowing inclusion of the spatial and thematic priority of decision makers. To demonstrate the process, a landfill site selection problem around the town of Chinchina, in Colombia, is used as an example. Based on different objectives, a spatial data set consisting of several map layers, e.g., land use, geological, landslide distribution, etc., is made available and used for modeling the site selection process.