Decision Maker's Preferences Research Articles

A multi/single-objective transform-based approach for combat task re-assignment

Cooperative combat task assignment is recently one of the hot spots in military research area, and it is generally divided by previous researchers into two separate phases, namely task pre-assignment and dynamic assignment. However, in this manner the correlation between the aforementioned two phases is to some extent neglected. This article investigates into this issue from the perspective of multi-and single-optimization, and proposes a transform method for multi/single-assignment optimization. Decision-maker's subjective preferences were obtained through their choices in the pre-assignment phase. Based on the acquired subjective preferences, the multi-objective optimization is transformed into single-objective optimization, and then the task re-assignment is completed using contract net protocol. Simulation results verify the proposed transform method as well as its applicability in dynamic assignment problems. Finally, the correlation between traditional multi-and single-objective optimization is demonstrated and a potential future research direction is outlined.

Preference of Chinese food production enterprises to government regulatory Information——A choice experiment approach

In recent years, despite the fact that the Chinese government is closely monitoring food safety, the perception of food production enterprises is not obvious. The reason is that information asymmetry hinders the effective transmission of regulatory information to food production enterprises. In the present research, a choice test is conducted to explore the preference of decision-makers for the information on government regulations in 224 food production enterprises with violations. It is found out that the decision-makers of food production enterprises have a strong preference for the regulatory information released by local governments. With a preference for reference information, compared to those who violate the law just once, decision-makers in food production companies that have several infractions exhibit a high "reference dependence" mentality. Also, the preference of different decision-maker characteristics shows an evident heterogeneity, as does the preference of various enterprises for the regulatory information about food safety. It is recommended that the government should improve the mechanism of disclosing the information about food safety, and focus on tailoring the information to different types of enterprises.

Effective multi-attribute group decision-making approach to study astronomy in the probabilistic linguistic q-rung orthopair fuzzy VIKOR framework

This study employs a novel fuzzy logic-based framework to address multi-attribute group decision-making problems commonly encountered in modern astronomy. Our approach utilizes the probabilistic linguistic q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (PLq-ROFS) to handle the inherent uncertainties associated with astronomical data. The PLq-ROFS offers significant advantages over existing fuzzy sets like probabilistic hesitant, linguistic intuitionistic, and linguistic Pythagorean fuzzy sets, which comprise both stochastic and non-stochastic uncertainties simultaneously. To aggregate the probabilistic linguistic decision information effectively, we propose two novel operators: the PLq-ROF weighted power average (PLq-ROFWPA) and the PLq-ROF weighted power geometric (PLq-ROFWPG). These operators form the foundation of a novel method within the PLq-ROF environment. Furthermore, this study integrates the PLq-ROF framework with the VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) model, a widely used decision-making (DM) tool known for its ability to balance group utility maximization with individual regret minimization. This integration leads to the PLq-ROF-VIKOR model, a novel approach for ranking alternative solutions based on the subjective preferences of decision-makers. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a real-world case study in astronomy, accompanied by both parameter and comparative analyses. These analyses highlight the efficiency and accuracy of the PLq-ROF-VIKOR model, ultimately leading to the conclusion that cosmology is the most optimal key finding in this case study.

Rationalizing the Influence of Co-Design on Distress, Clinical Decision-Making and Disease Self-Management of Cancer Patients-as-Partners: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Cancer is regarded as a major worldwide burden. Patient distress has been linked to disease progression. Studies show that engagement strategies affect clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. The optimal engagement method is a partnership that integrates the patient's expertise into the comprehensive co-design of the healthcare system. This is the first study to investigate cancer patient-as-partner experience and its impact on distress levels, decision-making and self-management. It is a quantitative and quasi-experimental study that adopted a partnership committee at a Lebanese hospital. A stratified random sampling approach was used, and data were collected by self-administered questionnaires. We utilized the standardized distress thermometer and PPEET. We recruited 100 patient partners. Cancer patients-as-partners had optimal engagement experience in QI projects (mean = 4; SD = 0.4). The main partnership benefit was improved hospitalization experience (49%). Almost half of PP reported no challenges faced (49%). Recommendations for improvement were training (19%), team dynamics management (12%) and proper time allocation (7%). The distress level post-partnership was significantly reduced (t = 12.57, p < 0.0001). This study highlights the importance of partnership and ‎its ability to influence shared decision-making preference [χ2(2) = 13.81, p = 0.025] and self-management practices [F(3, 11.87) = 7.294, p = 0.005]. Research findings suggest that partners from disadvantaged groups can have optimal partnership experience. A partnership model of care can shape the healthcare system into a people-oriented culture. Further research is needed to explore diverse PP engagement methodologies and their effect on organizational development. Patients and family members were engaged in the co-design of the study methodology, especially the modification of a research instrument. Patient partners with lived experience were involved in the patient partnership committee as core members to improve healthcare system design and evaluation.

Intuition and rational thinking on decision making among college students

The aim of this quest was to understand the relationship between Intuition and Rational thinking on Decision making and gender difference among college Students. The current study sought to investigate young adults in the age range of (18-25 years) Intuition and rational thinking on decision making. Correlation research design with Quantitative study was used in this study. In young adults’ population only college students (18-25 years) from Bangalore and Coimbatore, a total of 304 (151 males and 151 females) were the sample for the research. Simple random sampling Technique was used in the present study. The findings showed that there is and association between Intuition and Decision-making. It includes a connection between rational thinking and decision-making. T-test were used for gender. There is a gender difference in rational thinking but no gender difference in Intuition and decision Making. In view of these findings the study recommended educating them in early stages about skill development. Individuals to reflect on their decision-making styles, preferences, strengths, and weaknesses.

Preference Explanation and Decision Support for Multi-Objective Real-World Test Laboratory Scheduling

Preference Explanation and Decision Support for Multi-Objective Real-World Test Laboratory Scheduling

Multi-UAV Cooperative Air Combat Target Assignment Method Based on VNS-IBPSO in Complex Dynamic Environment

This paper investigates the threat assessment method and target assignment algorithm in multi-UAV cooperative air combat decision-making. To address the uncertainty and dynamic changes in multiple threat attributes and attribute information of UAV targets, we propose a UAV target dynamic threat assessment method based on intuitionistic fuzzy multiattribute decision-making. Firstly, we propose a mixed situation information representation method to represent interval-valued fuzzy data appropriately. Secondly, we employ the normal distribution weight assignment method to fuse the multi-time situation information. Then, by incorporating the analytic hierarchy process and entropy method, we determine the normalized threat value of the target considering both objective situation data characteristics and decision-maker preferences. Finally, a simulation example is provided to validate the rationality of our proposed algorithm. For solving the multi-weapon multi-target assignment problem, a target assignment method based on the VNS-IBPSO algorithm is introduced. This method improves upon the limitations of the BPSO algorithm, such as limited local search capability and premature convergence, by combining variable neighborhood search and an improved binary particle swarm optimization algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed threat assessment method can obtain reasonable threat assessment results under complex dynamic environments. The proposed VNS-IBPSO algorithm can solve the target assignment model quickly and efficiently based on the assessment results, therefore ensuring that the UAV mission planning system makes the correct combat plan.

Navigating ESG complexity: An in-depth analysis of sustainability criteria, frameworks, and impact assessment

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria serve to gauge a company's sustainability and societal impact. The evaluation of a firm's performance on these ESG criteria involves a thorough examination of its practices and policies across various domains, encompassing environmental responsibility, labor standards, human rights, corporate governance, and community engagement. Despite the considerable body of research in this domain, the absence of a universally accepted ESG framework and the lack of consensus on the practical utilization of diverse ESG indicators remain noteworthy challenges. With this backdrop, our study has two primary objectives. Firstly, we present a comprehensive framework that encompasses an extensive range of ESG criteria and associated indicators. Additionally, we gauge the relevance of these indicators by examining their correlation with ESG scores obtained from a prominent rating agency. To accomplish this, we employ a non-parametric regression analysis approach rooted in the multicriteria decision-making preference disaggregation paradigm. We present empirical findings based on an international dataset spanning the years 2006 to 2020.

Genomic sequencing research in pediatric cancer care: Decision making, attitudes, and perceived utility among adolescents and young adults and their parents

PurposeProfessional guidelines recommend engaging adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in medical decision making (DM), including whether to undergo genomic sequencing (GS). We explored DM around GS and attitudes after return of GS results among a diverse group of AYAs with cancer and their parents. MethodsWe surveyed AYAs with cancer (n = 75) and their parents (n = 52) 6 months after receiving GS results through the Texas KidsCanSeq study. We analyzed AYAs’ DM role in GS research enrollment and their satisfaction with that role. We compared AYAs’ and parents’ self-reported understanding of, attitudes toward, and perceived utility of the AYA’s GS results. ResultsMost AYAs reported equally sharing DM with their parents (55%) or leading DM (36%) about GS research. Compared with their cancer care DM role, 56% of AYAs reported the same level of involvement in GS research DM, whereas 32% were more involved, and 13% were less involved (P = .011). AYAs were satisfied (99%) with their DM role regarding GS study participation. AYAs and parents had similar self-reported understanding of, attitudes toward, and perceived utility of the GS results. ConclusionOur results support engaging AYAs in DM about GS research and provide insights into AYAs’ DM preferences and positive attitudes toward GS.

Decision-making strategies implemented in SolFinder 1.0 to identify eco-efficient aircraft trajectories: application study in AirTraf 3.0

Abstract. The optimization of aircraft trajectories involves balancing operating costs and climate impact, which are often conflicting objectives. To achieve compromised optimal solutions, higher-level information such as preferences of decision-makers must be taken into account. This paper introduces the SolFinder 1.0 module, a decision-making tool designed to identify eco-efficient aircraft trajectories, which allow for the reduction of the flight's climate impact with limited cost penalties compared to cost-optimal solutions. SolFinder 1.0 offers flexible decision-making options that allow users to select trade-offs between different objective functions, including fuel use, flight time, NOx emissions, contrail distance, and climate impact. The module is included in the AirTraf 3.0 submodel, which optimizes trajectories under atmospheric conditions simulated by the ECHAM/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry model. This paper focuses on the ability of the module to identify eco-efficient trajectories while solving a bi-objective optimization problem that minimizes climate impact and operating costs. SolFinder 1.0 enables users to explore trajectory properties at varying locations of the Pareto fronts without prior knowledge of the problem results and to identify solutions that limit the cost of reducing the climate impact of a single flight.

FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PREFERENSI KONSUMEN TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN DI WEBSITE K24Klik.com APOTEK K24 CIKIJING TAHUN 2024

Online drug purchases have become a popular choice among consumers in the growing digital era, especially in Indonesia, where online pharmacy services are increasingly attracting people to meet their health needs in a more efficient and practical way. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence consumer preferences for drug purchase decisions on the K24Klik.com Apotek K24 Cikijing website. Descriptive quantitative methods were used to collect data from 100 respondents through structured questionnaires. The variables studied include the practicality of the purchasing process, security, service quality, convenience, and consumer trust in the K24 Pharmacy. The results showed that the efficient payment process, responsiveness to customer inquiries, ease of communicating with the pharmacy, and previous experience with the K24Klik.com website should be improved. Keywords: Factors, Consumer Preference, Website

The roles of phishing knowledge, cue utilization, and decision styles in phishing email detection

This study investigated the roles of phishing knowledge, cue utilization, and decision styles in contributing to phishing email detection. Participants (N = 145) completed an online email sorting task, and measures of phishing knowledge, email decision styles, cue utilization, and email security awareness. Cue utilization was the only factor that uniquely predicted the capacity to discriminate phishing from genuine emails. Phishing knowledge was associated with greater phishing detection and a bias towards classifying all emails as phishing. A preference for intuitive decision making predicted lower detection of phishing emails, driven by a greater tendency to classify emails as genuine. These findings support the proposition that cue utilization is a distinct cognitive process that enables expert performance. The outcomes indicate that, in addition to increasing phishing knowledge and developing safe behavioral patterns, anti-phishing training needs to provide opportunities for trainees to develop meaningful cue associations.

Development of a Hybrid Decision Support System for Selecting the Air Filters Based on Multiple Criteria

To select an air purifier that fully meets the needs of consumers, this study was conducted to provide the most objective and effective suggestions in making decisions and evaluating different smart purifier options that suit the tastes of users. Such decision-making is complicated for non-professionals when there are countless large and small brands on the market today with many different prices, features, and incentives. In such complex situations, decision-making with TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) can be used to eliminate risk and to better represent the preferences of decision-makers. From modeling to using the Entropy method and the TOPSIS method, all are done to serve the ultimate goal of choosing a good air purifier that meets the needs of customers.

Energy-efficiency and safety-driven multidimensional evolutionary game for AGVs transportation at automated container terminals

The velocity, acceleration, and number (VAN11VAN: The velocity, acceleration, and number.) of AGVs are crucial factors that impact the efficiency, energy consumption, and safety (EES22EES: The efficiency, energy consumption, and safety.3 ACT: Automated container terminal.) of horizontal transport in automated container terminals (ACT3s). This study utilizes multidimensional and evolutionary game theories to address these factors. Specifically, it considers the probability of AGV fault, treats the resulting faults as input costs, and regards the managers' decision preferences as benefits. According to different strategy combinations, a multidimensional evolutionary game based AGVs transportation model is established to analyze their effects on EES. Stability analysis and numerical simulation show that various strategy choices influence the evolutionary trends in EES of horizontal transportation. The findings demonstrate that reasonably setting the VAN of AGVs in the right range for a certain number of tasks can maximize the benefits of EES. The increases in efficiency and energy consumption benefits would accelerate the modification of velocity and acceleration strategies. The rise in safety benefit would also enhance the probability of adjusting AGV number. As the fault probability increases, the benefits for EES decreases. This study provides management insights into scheduling optimization and strategic adjustment for ACTs.

Patient experiences and needs in cancer care– results from a nationwide cross-sectional study in Germany

BackgroundPatient-centredness has become a central quality indicator for oncology care. Elements include shared decision-making, patient navigation and integration of psychosocial care, which impact patient-reported and clinical outcomes. Despite efforts to promote patient-centred care in Germany in recent decades, implementation remains fragmented. Further, research on patient experiences with cancer care and its determinants is limited. Therefore, this study examines which patient- and facility-specific factors are associated with patient-centred quality care delivery.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,121 cancer patients in acute treatment, rehabilitation, and aftercare for different cancer entities across Germany. A participatory developed questionnaire was used. Outcome measures were the quality of physician-patient interaction and provision of psychosocial care during acute care. Predictors comprised patient-specific characteristics and treatment facility-specific factors. Multiple linear regression and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed. In addition, a content analysis of open-ended comments on the patients’ overall cancer care needs was applied.ResultsMultiple linear regression analysis showed recent diagnosis (β=−0.12, p = < 0.001), being male (β=−0.11, p = 0.003), and having a preference for passive decision-making (β=−0.10, p = 0.001) to be significantly associated with higher interaction quality, but not age, education and health insurance type. An overall low impact of patient characteristics on interaction quality was revealed (adj. R2 = 0.03). Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated the availability of central contact persons (OR = 3.10, p < 0.001) followed by recent diagnosis (p < 0.001), having breast cancer (p < 0.001) and being female (OR = 1.68, p < 0.05) to significantly predict offering psycho-oncological counselling to patients in acute care facilities. The availability of peer support visiting services (OR = 7.17, p < 0.001) and central contact persons (OR = 1.87, p < 0.001) in the care facility, breast cancer diagnosis (p < 0.001) and a higher level of education (p < 0.05) significantly increased the odds of patients receiving information about peer support in the treatment facility. Despite relatively satisfactory quality of physician-patient interactions in cancer care (M = 3.5 (± 1.1)), many patients expressed that better patient-centred communication and coordinated, comprehensive cancer care are needed.ConclusionThe findings reflect effective developments and improvements in cancer care and suggest that patients’ social characteristics are less decisive for delivering patient-centred quality care than systemic factors surrounding the care facilities. They can serve to inform oncology care in Germany.

Peer-mediated Social Signals Alter Risk Tolerance in Teenage Boys Depending on their Peers.

During early adolescence, peer influences play a crucial role in shaping learning and decision preferences. When teens observe what their peers are doing, they can learn and change their behavior, especially when they are taking risks. Our study incorporated an economical behavioral task and computational modeling framework to examine whether and how early male adolescents' risk attitudes change when they see information about their peers' choices. We recruited 38 middle school male students aged 12-15 years. The experiment consisted of three sessions: The first and third sessions were designed to evaluate the risk attitude of the participants. In the second session, participants were asked to guess the choices made by their peers, and then, the computer gave them feedback on the correctness of their predictions. Each participant was randomly assigned to risk-taking or risk-averse peers. Our results revealed that teenagers who predicted risk-averse peers exhibited significant declines in their risk attitudes during the last session. On the other hand, participants with risk-seeking peers exhibited a significantly higher level of risk attitudes after predicting their peers. The data showed that these peer-biased changes in risk attitudes are proportional to the gap between teens and their peers' risk perspectives. Results showed that their perspectives aligned closer after receiving the information, and approximately a third of the gap was eliminated. Here, by combining choice data and computational modeling, we demonstrate that risky behavior is contagious among male adolescents. According to our data, peer-biased risk contagion, a socially motivated and deliberate process, is associated with social distance in teens. There's no causal directionality here, but we could speculate that peer influence goes hand-in-hand with social integration as an adaptive process.

Shared Decision Making in Oncology and Its Implementation in Cervical Cancer Management in the Philippines: A Narrative Review.

Shared decision making (SDM) is an approach where clinicians and patients make decisions together using the best available evidence. Although much studied, recognized to be ethically imperative, and recommended in international health policies, it remains poorly implemented. In the Philippines, there are limited studies on patient decision making preferences and SDM. Practical guidance on the implementation of SDM or use of patient decision aids (PtDAs) is often not detailed in existing national clinical practice guidelines in oncology. We performed a systematic search of Philippine literature on SDM in oncology and an iterative review of international literature on the philosophy and methods of SDM, the utility and effectiveness of PtDAs, and the facilitators and barriers to implementation or usage. We contextualized our review to the cervical cancer management and health service delivery in the Philippines. Local literature is limited to five scientific publications and two registered studies. International literature encompasses patient decisional preferences, the role of PtDAs and the standards for their development and evaluation, their effectiveness, and barriers and facilitators to their use in cancer-related decision making. We discussed the implications on the management of cervical cancer in the Philippines, challenges in health service delivery and standards, and SDM research. Local SDM research is limited. Our preliminary experience in a multicenter clinical trial in Manila on PtDA use in the framework of SDM in cervical cancer suggest good patient and clinician acceptability. Challenges to implementation such as unfavorable financial situations, urgency of clinical decisions, low patient or caregiver educational attainment, and poor integration of multidisciplinary and SDM in organizational workflows will be important when implementing SDM in different settings.

Shared decision-making needs, barriers, and facilitators of patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer in the hospital: a multi-level, mixed-methods study

PurposeLittle is known about the shared decision-making (SDM) needs, barriers, and facilitators of patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer in the hospital. Understanding this may improve SDM and cancer care quality in this vulnerable population.MethodsA single-site, mixed-methods study of hospitalized patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer, caregivers, and oncologists was conducted. After discharge, patient ± caregiver semi-structured interviews exploring SDM needs, barriers, and facilitators regarding their most important upcoming cancer-related decision were conducted. Oncologists were surveyed about patient knowledge and SDM needs using closed- and open-ended questions, respectively. Thematic analysis was performed for qualitative data with a focus on themes unique to or amplified by hospitalization. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test were performed for quantitative data.ResultsPatients and caregivers reported high SDM needs surrounding treatment and prognostic information, leading to decisional conflict. Eight themes emerged: anticipated cancer treatment decisions, variable control preferences in decision-making, high cancer-related information needs and uncertainty, barriers and facilitators to information gathering during and post hospitalization, and decision-making facilitators. Among 32 oncologists, most (56%) reported patients were poorly informed about treatment and prognosis. Oncologists reported variable expectations about patient knowledge after hospitalization, facilitators to patient decision-making, and patient uncertainty while awaiting an outpatient oncologist appointment.ConclusionPatients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer in the hospital have high SDM needs and experience decisional conflict. This may be due to barriers unique to or exacerbated by hospitalization. Further research is needed to develop strategies to address these barriers and enhance the facilitators identified in this study.

Research on airport apron planning strategy in emergency situations

In events of local war or highly infectious epidemics, airports face the problem of how to park numerous non-missioned aircraft on aprons. In this study, the apron planning problem in emergency situations (APPES) was considered to replan existing parking stands and taxiways, thus determining the numbers and locations of different aircraft types. A mixed-integer programming formulation for the APPES was developed to maximise the total revenue for the apron, where the aircraft was planned to be parked based on factors such as the safety distance and aircraft taxiing method. A two-stage approach based on the discrete particle swarm optimisation algorithm and bottom-left algorithm was designed to solve the APPES. Random instances of different sizes were generated, and the experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The two-stage approach could find optimal solutions to the APPES for 19 of the 20 small instances and could well approximate optimal solutions for the medium and large instances within a reasonable timeframe. Parking priority factor and aircraft taxiing methods sensitivity analyses were also designed to develop a strategy that can adhere to the preferences of decision makers or increase the total revenue.

Evaluating Partners for Renewable Energy Trading: A Multidimensional Framework and Tool

The worsening climate crisis has increased the urgency of transitioning energy systems from fossil fuels to renewable sources. However, many industrialized countries are struggling to meet their growing demand for renewable energy (RE) through domestic production alone and, therefore, seek to import additional RE using carriers such as hydrogen, ammonia, or metals. The pressing question for RE importers is therefore how to select trading partners, i.e., RE exporting countries. Recent research has identified a plethora of different selection criteria, reflecting the complexity of energy systems and international cooperation. However, there is little guidance on how to reduce this complexity to more manageable levels as well as a lack of tools for effective partner evaluation. This article aims to fill these gaps. It proposes a new multidimensional framework for evaluating and comparing potential RE trading partners based on four dimensions: economy and technology, environment and development, regulation and governance, and innovation and cooperation. Focusing on Germany as an RE importer, an exploratory factor analysis is used to identify a consolidated set of composite selection criteria across these dimensions. The results suggest that Germany’s neighboring developed countries and current net energy exporters, such as Canada and Australia, are among the most attractive RE trading partners for Germany. A dashboard tool has been developed to provide the framework and composite criteria, including adjustable weights to reflect the varying preferences of decision-makers and stakeholders. The framework and the dashboard can provide helpful guidance and transparency for partner selection processes, facilitating the creation of RE trade networks that are essential for a successful energy transition.