Multiple Objective Decision Research Articles

Gulf Coast Port Selection Using Multiple-Objective Decision Analysis

In today’s competitive global markets, ports play a vital role in global supply chain operations. A port selection model was developed to demonstrate the potential to aid shipping line companies with decisions to select the best ports in the U.S. Gulf Coast. Because port selection is complex, is dynamic, and includes multiple objectives, a multiple-objective decision analysis quantified the value of the various ports using industry data and an industry expert’s knowledge. In addition, a corresponding cost model was developed using available cost data for each port. Monte Carlo simulation analyzed the uncertainties in the value and cost models. For the demonstration model scenario assumptions, the results show that the Houston port would be the best alternative for shipping lines in the Gulf Coast. The value model also identified opportunities for improvement for each port compared with the best West Coast port. The demonstration models show that port data exist to support the development of a multiple-objective decision analysis model and a cost model that can provide useful insights to port selection decision makers. Furthermore, these models can be easily tailored to support port selection in other regions by tailoring the objectives and measures to the decision-maker objectives.

Öncelikli Hedef Programlamada Önceliklerin Belirlenmesinde Global Kriter Yöntem Kullanımı ve Optimal Sistem Tasarımı İçin Bir Uygulama

While there is no certain method which provides solutions of Multiple Objective De Novo Programming problems, Multiple Objective Decision Making techniques can be applied for them. Therefore, goals have to be weighted and priorities have to be ranked for many methods. When the number of goal functions exceeds three, it is possible to get many different solution results. This is the first study to use Lexicographic Goal Programming for solutions of a Multi Objective De Novo Programming problem with positive ideal solutions. Additionally, the same problem was solved with Global Criteria Method, and the results were compared. The comparison concluded that Global Criteria Method could be used for priority ranking among the goals in Lexicographic Goal Programming.

Managing sustainable development through goal programming model and satisfaction functions

Managing the sustainable development path of a nation requires the aggregation of incommensurable and conflicting objectives related to economic, environmental and social dimensions. Their aggregation requires some tradeoffs from stakeholders with different priorities and preferences. The aim of this paper is to develop a multiple objectives decision aid model where stakeholders’ preferences are explicitly integrated within a group decision-making process based on consensus and tradeoffs. This model is based on the concept of the satisfaction function, where stakeholders’ preferences are explicitly taken into consideration. The developed model is illustrated through an example related to the Canadian 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Multi-objective Channel Decision for Adhoc Cognitive Radio Network

Faithfull detection of non-utilized spectrum hole in available channel is a crucial issue for cognitive radio network. Choosing the best available channel for a secondary user transmission includes settling on decision of accessible choices of free frequency spectrum based on multiple objectives. Thus channel judgment can be demonstrated as several objective decision making (MODM) problem. An ultimate goal of this exploration is to define and execute a technique for multiple objective optimizations of multiple alternative of channel decision in Adhoc cognitive radio network. After a coarse review of an articles related to the multiple objective decision making within a process of channel selection, Multiple Objective Optimization on the basis of the Ratio Analysis (MOORA) technique is taken into consideration. Some important objectives values of non-utilized spectrum collected by a fusion center are proposed as objectives for consideration in the decision of alternatives. MOORA method is applied to a matrix of replies of each channel alternatives to channel objectives which results in set ratios. Among the set of obtained dimensionless ratios, all the channel alternatives are ranked in descending order. In MOORA, channel choices with moderate objectives can top in ranking order, which is hardly conceivable with linearly weighted objectives of the different channel by using different decision making technique.

On fuzzy multiple objective linear programming problems

In recent years, multiple objective decision making (MODM) has become more and more important, and multiple objective linear programming (MOLP) approaches have been widely used for solving MODM problems. Three popular fuzzy mathematical programming approaches, including maxmin, arithmetical average, and two-phase methods, are often employed to solve MOLP problems. However, maxmin and two-phase methods cannot obtain an efficient solution. Ideal and anti-ideal solutions are required in all traditional methods. Such solutions cannot easily be established as a model for a knowledge-based system or expert system. In order to enrich the body of knowledge related to the field of MOLP, a new multi-choice goal programming (MCGP) model is proposed to solve fuzzy MOLP (FMOLP) problems in which the ideal and anti-ideal solutions are no longer required. This reduces the complexity of the solution process for solving MODM. The original feasible region can be expended to a potential feasible region to determine the appropriate aspiration level for decision makers. The proposed methods can systematically solve MODM problem to obtain satisfactory solutions in one step. Thus, a model-based can easily be established for expert systems, knowledge-based system, and artificial intelligence systems. In addition, a revised utility function (UF) is derived to solve qualitative and quantitative MODM problems. Based on illustrative examples, the five methods (maxmin, arithmetical average, two-phase, goal programming (GP), and proposed models) are compared to reveal managerial implications. On the basis of these comparisons, DMs can easily determine the best suited solution for their specific MODM problems. Finally, a realistic example is provided to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed methods.

Implicit decision framing as an unrecognized source of confusion in endangered species classification.

Legal classification of species requires scientific and values-based components, and how those components interact depends on how people frame the decision. Is classification a negotiation of trade-offs, a decision on how to allocate conservation efforts, or simply a comparison of the biological status of a species to a legal standard? The answers to problem-framing questions such as these influence decision making in species classifications. In our experience, however, decision makers, staff biologists, and stakeholders often have differing perspectives of the decision problem and assume different framings. In addition to differences between individuals, in some cases it appears individuals themselves are unclear about the decision process, which contributes to regulatory paralysis, litigation, and a loss of trust by agency staff and the public. We present 5 framings: putting species in the right bin, doing right by the species over time, saving the most species on a limited budget, weighing extinction risk against other objectives, and strategic classification to advance conservation. These framings are inspired by elements observed in current classification practices. Putting species in the right bin entails comparing a scientific status assessment with policy thresholds and accounting for potential misclassification costs. Doing right by the species adds a time dimension to the classification decision, and saving the most species on a limited budget classifies a suite of species simultaneously. Weighing extinction risk against other objectives would weigh ecological or socioeconomic concerns in classification decisions, and strategic classification to advance conservation would make negotiation a component of classification. We view these framings as a means to generate thought, discussion, and movement toward selection and application of explicit classification framings. Being explicit about the decision framing could lead decision makers toward more efficient and defensible decisions, reduce internal confusion and external conflict, and support better collaboration between scientists and policy makers.

Design and Optimization of the Asset and Liability Model based on the Multiple-Objective Decision-Making View

Nowadays, asset-liability management is a strategic method of planning and by turning it into short-term operating plans a targeted profit and risk control can be ensured. The main purpose of this research is to provide a mathematical model for optimizing assets and liabilities in an Iranian bank. In this research, considering the objectives of the studied bank, the structural and ideological constraints were considered as well as the legal requirements of the ideal planning model. At first, using fuzzy hierarchical analysis, goals were defined and priorities and their orders of significance are specified. Then, using the ideal planning of model within three years the balance sheet was tested and the results of the model were compared to actual results. Obtained results of the model and comparing with the actual results and evaluating the deviation between the ideal and actual values of variables, indicated the increased efficiency of resource allocation optimization model in the bank. The results of the model will help to optimize the efficient allocation of resources.

A new interactive approach to solve entropy based fuzzy reliability optimization model

In this paper, we proposed the problem of optimizing the reliability of a series–parallel system in fuzzy environment and also consider entropy as an additional objective function. Taking into account the resources (such as weight, volume, cost etc.) as generalized trapezoidal fuzzy number and considering vagueness of judgements of the decision maker, an Interactive fuzzy multiple-objective decision making method is presented to solve the above mentioned reliability optimization problem based on entropy. An important characteristics of the Interactive approach is that, it provides a learning process about the system, whereby the decision maker can learn to recognize good solutions, relative importance of factors in the system and then, design a high productivity system instead of optimizing a given system. The object of this study is to find the optimum number of redundant components of the proposed entropy based reliability optimization problem to produce highly reliable system as well as maximize the entropy amount of the system subject to the available resources of each component. Here total integral value of fuzzy number is used to transform the fuzzy problem into crisp multi-objective problem. The effectiveness of additional entropy to this model and the performance of this solution approach are evaluated by comparing its result with the other method at the end of this paper.

Solution Proposal For Supplier Selection: Problem An Application In Agricultural Machinery Sector With Global Criterion Method

The pressure arising from the competition between businesses has placed supply chain and supply chain management among the significant topics in terms of their strategy building and success. Due to one or many conflicting criteria in choosing suppliers, it is a great problem to select the most appropriate supplier or suppliers. This study deals with the supplier selection problem of a business in agricultural machinery sector in Aksaray, Turkey, from the standpoint of Multiple Objective Decision Making Process. The problem of the business is first defined according to Multiobjective Linear Programming, and the compromise solution of the problem was carried out based on Global Criterion Method. Keywords: Agricultural Machinery, Global Criterion Method, Supplier Selection.

On optimisation over the integer efficient set in fuzzy linear multicriteria programming

The problem of optimising a linear function over the efficient set of a multiobjective linear programming problem is an important field of research and has some applications in multiple objective decision making. The main difficulty of this problem is that its feasible domain is non-convex and not described explicitly. The main purpose of this paper is to describe an efficient and finite new algorithm which provides a global R-optimal solution of the problem of optimising a fuzzy linear function over the efficient set of a fuzzy multiobjective integer linear programming (FMOILP) problem without having to search all integer R-efficient solutions. All the parameters of the considered problem are characterised by trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. The proposed approach is based first on the concept of comparison of fuzzy numbers by using ranking function and on an extension of Jorge's algorithm onto fuzzy numbers. Finally a numerical illustration is included for illustration.

Multiple Objective Decision Based Modern Digital Home With Hybrid Renewable Energy Sources

Day to day the technology is advancing and it’s becoming a part of our life. In this situation this project will provides an innovative and a complete solution for home automation based on multiple objectives. These objectives involve the switching ON/ OFF of home appliances automatically using different sensors, GSM modules, Smart phones with Bluetooth control, Smart phones with voice control, House security through GSM, Camera modules to send SMS, MMS when an unknown person entered into our locked house, Water tank level monitoring, Gas level, leakage monitoring systems, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) locks and Number locks in the place of manual locks. These all objectives are innovatively incorporated into our proposed prototype home model using Arduino and Raspberry Pi microcontrollers, GSM, Blue tooth, camera modules, RFID, Number lock and different sensors. Among all these objectives gas level monitoring, water tank level monitoring are our own proposed methods implemented successfully. We proposed and developed a multiple objective based a complete solution for home automation which will make or initiate the Omani people towards Modern home to lead their life more comfortably, securely and providing their contribution in saving the energy for the Oman and as well as to reduce Global warming.

Interval fuzzy preferences in the graph model for conflict resolution

A new analysis technique, appropriate to situations of high preference uncertainty, is added to the graph model for conflict resolution methodology. Interval fuzzy stabilities are now formulated, based on decision makers’ (DMs’) interval fuzzy preferences over feasible scenarios or states in a conflict. Interval fuzzy stability notions enhance the applicability of the graph model, and generalize its crisp and fuzzy preference-based stability ideas. A graph model is both a formal representation and an analysis procedure for multiple participant-multiple objective decisions that employs stability concepts representing various forms of human behavior under conflict. Defined based on a type-2 fuzzy logic, an interval fuzzy preference for one state over another is represented by a subinterval of [0, 1] indicating an interval-valued preference degree for the first state over the second. The interval fuzzy stabilities put forward in this research are interval fuzzy Nash stability, interval fuzzy general metarational stability, interval fuzzy symmetric metarational stability, and interval fuzzy sequential stability. A state is interval fuzzy stable for a DM if moving to any other state is not adequately desirable to the DM; where adequacy is measured by the interval fuzzy satisficing threshold of the DM and farsightedness, involving possible moves and countermoves by DMs, is determined by the interval fuzzy stability notion selected. Note that infinitely many degrees in an interval-valued preference are preserved in characterizing the desirability of a move. A state from which no DM can move to any sufficiently desirable scenario is an interval fuzzy equilibrium, and is interpreted as a possible resolution of the strategic conflict under study. The new stability concept is illustrated through its application to an environmental conflict that took place in Elmira, Ontario, Canada. Insightful results are identified and discussed.

Gathered Village Location Optimization for Chinese Sustainable Urbanization Using an Integrated MODM Approach under Bi-Uncertain Environment

Urbanization has become a main challenge all over developing countries in the 21st Century. However, decision making should take into account the different national situations with their complex factors to achieve sustainable development. As standards of living have risen in urban areas, local/neighbor urbanization has become a coming trend in China. With this in mind, the paper focuses on the optimization of nearby gathered village locations in Population Migration (PM) with consideration of both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Therefore, an integrated multiple objective decision making approach (MODM) under a bi-uncertain environment is proposed to solve this problem, which is based on the comprehensive Economy-Society-Ecology-Resource-Religion (ESERR) urbanization concept. The first step is to establish a bi-uncertain multiple objective programming model orienting the problem. Secondly, the model process is composed of fuzzy random variable transformation and the expected value model based on a new fuzzy measure, which is given accordingly to obtain the equivalent model. Thirdly, in order to describe the model efficiently, the Multi-Objective Adaptive Global Local Neighbor Particle Swarm Optimization (MOAGLNPSO) with three-dimensional Pareto optimal judgment criteria is designed. Finally, a case study is tested to validate the effectiveness and to illustrate the advantages of the whole approach. This novel approach can help optimize sustainable urbanization strategies and ensure their realistic application.

SISTEM PENDUKUNG KEPUTUSAN PENENTUAN PEMBELIAN PRODUK DENGAN METODE TOPSIS (Studi Kasus: CV. Cahaya Mustika)

CV. Cahaya Mustika is a company works in procurement industry sells many varied product with different categories. Each product marketed and sold by this company has lots of variation from different aspects needed by customer and differed by many brands. This is the company’s competitive advantage from having diverse product, however this also means company should manage supplier list from different product categories and different product specification. Based on the problem faced by CV. Cahaya Mustika which is to decide from which supplier should they buy the products so they could sell the products with more profit and on time based on customer demand, the writer propose a decision support system using Multiple Objective Decision Making (MODM) to help them giving a solution and advise in taking decision of choosing supplier using Technique Others Reference By Similiarity To Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS). This technique is based on the concept where the chosen alternative not only has the nearest distance with the positive ideal solution, but also has the furthest distance from negative ideal solution.

Engineered Resilient Systems with Value Focused Thinking

AbstractComplex DoD systems need to be resilient due to evolving adversarial and environmental threats. The DoD created a program called Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS) to increase resilience in future systems. In our ERS research, resilience has been separated into two parts, mission and platform resilience. Mission resilience is the ability of a system to repel, resist, absorb, and recover from environments and threats that occur on planned missions. Platform resilience is the ability of a system to adapt to new missions and new threats. Using capabilities based planning one can map platform and mission resilience. This paper addresses how a value‐focused thinking (VFT) multiple objective decision analysis (MODA) model is a useful tool for capabilities based assessments. If all performance objectives can be categorized as mission or platform resilience, this extra value above the threshold of the minimum performance can provide mission and platform resilience. Displaying this information in a value component chart and a floating value chart allows decision makers to consider resilience early in the acquisition decision making process.

Shortest Paths in Multiplex Networks

The shortest path problem is one of the most fundamental networks optimization problems. Nowadays, individuals interact in extraordinarily numerous ways through their offline and online life (e.g., co-authorship, co-workership, or retweet relation in Twitter). These interactions have two key features. First, they have a heterogeneous nature, and second, they have different strengths that are weighted based on their degree of intimacy, trustworthiness, service exchange or influence among individuals. These networks are known as multiplex networks. To our knowledge, none of the previous shortest path definitions on social interactions have properly reflected these features. In this work, we introduce a new distance measure in multiplex networks based on the concept of Pareto efficiency taking both heterogeneity and weighted nature of relations into account. We then model the problem of finding the whole set of paths as a form of multiple objective decision making and propose an exact algorithm for that. The method is evaluated on five real-world datasets to test the impact of considering weights and multiplexity in the resulting shortest paths. As an application to find the most influential nodes, we redefine the concept of betweenness centrality based on the proposed shortest paths and evaluate it on a real-world dataset from two-layer trade relation among countries between years 2000 and 2015.

Fuzzy score technique for the optimal location of wind turbines installations

This paper proposes a new method to come as close as possible to the salient successful aspiration level and move away as far as possible from the survival aspiration level. This makes it possible to determine the best alternative in a set of feasible alternatives for multiple objective decision making problems. In order to achieve this idea, a fuzzy score method is proposed for measuring the ratio of Euclidean distance between the achievement function and their aspirations. An illustrative example is provided, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. This involves the use of both salient success and survival aspiration levels in linear programming. A real case of the optimal location of wind turbines installations is also provided to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method.

Current Research Status and Perspective of Water Resources Carrying Capacity in the Arid and Semi-arid Regions of Northwest China

The imbalance between supply and demand of water resources in the arid and semi-arid regions of northwest China is growing increasingly severe. Consequently, it is essential to study the water resources carrying capacity in the key areas timely. The research on water resources carrying capacity in these areas was summed through three aspects—city, district and valley, which is from focusing on local domain to doing systematic research on man-land relationship. Then, the research methods of water resources carrying capacity were summarized and analyzed, including simple routine method, fuzzy evaluation, principal component analysis, ecological footprint method, multiple objective decision making method and systematic dynamics method. Moreover, the relative merits and application condition were also provided. Finally, it is presented that the research on water resources carrying capacity in future would still refer the concept, theory and research methods. Ecological environment will be put more focus on and the growing number of methods and technique will be used.

Optimally sizing small hydropower project under future projected flows

The global climate change trend is resulting in change in precipitation and temperature. This change is impacting water resources and flow patterns in rivers and streams world-wide. Due to this, it is becoming difficult to optimally size small hydropower plants and predict their performance during operations. This paper has endeavored to investigate a solution to this problem. Chitral River in the Kabul Basin in Upper Indus Region, Pakistan was selected as study area. Observed climatic data of Chitral for period 1984-2013 was obtained from Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), observed flow data of Chitral River for period 1989-2013 was obtained from Water and Power Development Authority (SWH-WAPDA) and future predicted climatic data (including temperature and precipitation) was downscaled from MEPH5 Global Circulation Model (GCM) using LARS WG 5 for period up to 2099 under A1B, A2 and B1 Emission Scenario. HEC-HMS was used to determine future river flow trends for periods 2014-30, 2046-65 and 2080-99. The historic and future river flows were used to size small hydropower plant using RETScreen 4.1 model. Multiple Objective Decision Making Methodology (MODM) was used to decide upon the most optimum size of the hydropower plant. This paper has determined that there will be 16.83% reduction in river flows simulated for 2011-30, 25.03% for 2046-65 and 22.02% for 2080-99 as compared to historical flows during 1989-2013. Consequently there will be 0.36% impact on yearly power generation due to river flow changes simulated for 2014-30, 6.25% for 2046-65 and 4.08% for 2080-99. It is concluded that optimal sizing of the small hydropower plants and better performance under variable flows due to climate changes can be ensured by taking into account the future river flows predicted through hydrological models in addition to historical flows. The results concluded that 49.64 MW will be the most optimal size of the small hydropower plant that will produce maximum electricity under future projected flows at the study area.

Single versus Multiple Objective(s) Decision Making: An Application to Subsistence Farms in Northern Ethiopia

Single objective approach is most widely used whereas consideration of multiple objectives is the rule rather than an exception in many real life decision-making circumstances. This paper, therefore, investigates whether or not single and multiple criteria/objective approaches necessarily lead to differing conclusions. The central questions are could the single objective approach be a reasonable approximation for subsistence farm settings or does the multiple objectives approach has anything to add? Does the pattern of resource allocation change when priorities attached to the different objectives/ goals change? The study employs linear and goal programming techniques on a dataset from a stratified sample of 200 farm households drawn from Tigrai regional state, Northern Ethiopia, for 2001 and 2002 production years. Findings reveal that the two approaches might not necessarily lead to differing conclusions. Keywords: Single versus Multiple Criteria/Objectives; Linear Programming, Goal Programming; Subsistence Farms; Northern Ethiopia