A Novel Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Technique Incorporating Demanding Essential Characteristics of Existing MCDA Techniques

This paper has proposed a novel Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) technique that considers relationships among the criteria, relationships among the alternatives, relationships among the criteria and the alternatives, the uncertainty or dilemma that the decision makers face in their decision-making, the entropy among the criteria. These characteristics seem to be the essential characteristics of various MCDA techniques as evident from the existing literature. The dilemma of the decision makers have been captured by the use of Hesitant Fuzzy Elements; the information content among the criteria have been captured by applying the concept of entropy through the application of a technique called IDOCRIW. Relationships have been determined by calculating the covariances among the criteria and among the alternatives. A kind of sensitivity analysis, rank reversal method has been performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique. The proposed method has also been compared with four different types of already existing MCDA techniques, AHP, MAUT, MACBETH and MOORA. Both the sensitivity analysis and the comparison with other methods establish the effectiveness of the proposed technique.

A NEW LOGARITHM METHODOLOGY OF ADDITIVE WEIGHTS (LMAW) FOR MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING: APPLICATION IN LOGISTICS

Logistics management has been playing a significant role in ensuring competitive growth of industries and nations. This study proposes a new Multi-Criteria Decision-making (MCDM) framework for evaluating operational efficiency of logistics service provider (LSP). We present a case study of comparative analysis of six leading LSPs in India using our proposed framework. We consider three operational metrics such as annual overhead expense (OE), annual fuel consumption (FC) and cost of delay (CoD, two qualitative indicators such as innovativeness (IN) which basically indicates process innovation and average customer rating (CR)and one outcome variable such as turnover (TO) as the criteria for comparative analysis. The result shows that the final ranking is a combined effect of all criteria. However, it is evident that IN largely influences the ranking. We carry out a comparative analysis of the results obtained from our proposed method with that derived by using existing established frameworks. We find that our method provides consistent results; it is more stable and does not suffer from rank reversal problem.

Comparative Analysis of Solar Panels with Determination of Local Significance Levels of Criteria Using the MCDM Methods Resistant to the Rank Reversal Phenomenon

This paper aims to present an innovative approach based on two newly developed Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods: COMET combined with TOPSIS and SPOTIS, which could be the basis for a decision support system (DSS) in the problem of selecting solar panels. Solar energy is one of the most promising and environmentally friendly energy sources because of the enormous potential of directly converting available solar radiation everywhere into electricity. Furthermore, ever-lower prices for photovoltaic systems make solar electricity more competitive with power from conventional energy sources, increasing interest in solar panels among companies and households. This fact generates the need for a user-friendly, objective, fully automated DSS to support the multi-criteria selection of solar panels. Both MCDM methods chosen for this purpose are rank-reversal-free and precise. First, the objective entropy weighting method was applied for determining criteria weights. Final rankings were compared by two ranking correlation coefficients: symmetrical rw and asymmetrical WS. Then the sensitivity analysis providing local weights of alternatives for decision criteria was performed. The obtained results prove the adequacy and practical usefulness of the presented approach in solving the problem of solar panels selection.

Evaluation of Human Resources in Transportation Companies Using Multi-Criteria Model for Ranking Alternatives by Defining Relations between Ideal and Anti-Ideal Alternative (RADERIA)

Multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) represent a very powerful tool for making decisions in different areas. Making a rational and reliable decision, while respecting different factors, is a challenging and difficult task; MCDM models have a great impact on achieving this goal. In this paper, a new MCDM technique is presented—ranking alternatives by defining relations between the ideal and anti-ideal alternative (RADERIA), which was tested for the evaluation of human resources (HR) in a transportation company. The RADERIA model has three key advantages that recommend it for future use: (1) the RADERIA model has a new approach for data normalization that enables defining the normalization interval according to the judgments of a decision-maker; (2) an adaptive model for data normalization of the RADERIA model allows tough conversion into various forms of decreasing functions (linear, quadratic equation, etc.); and (3) the resistance of the RADERIA model to the rank reversal problem. Furthermore, in many simulations, the RADERIA method has shown stability when processing a larger number of datasets. This was also confirmed by a case study with 36 alternatives, as considered in this paper. The results and verification of the proposed new method were acquired through a comprehensive verification of the complexity of the results. The complexity of the results was executed through (1) comparison with four other multi-criteria methods, (2) checking the resistance of the RADERIA model to the rank reversal problem, and (3) the analysis of the impact of changes in the measurement scale on the ranking results.

Comparative Analysis of the Normalization Techniques in the Context of MCDM Problems

NormNormalization is an essential step in data analysis and for MCDM methods. This study aims to outline the positive and negative features of the normalization techniques that can be used in MCDM problems. In order to compare the different normalization techniques, fourteen sets representing different scenarios of decision problems were used. According to the results, if the decision-maker chooses to take the alternative with the highest value in the criteria and avoid the one with the lowest value, or vice versa, optimization-based normalization techniques should be preferred, whereas the reference-based normalization techniques are considered appropriate for situations where there are ideal values determined by the decision-maker for each criterion. However, if the decision-maker believes that the values in the criteria do not represent the monotonous increasing or decreasing benefit/cost, then non-linear normalization techniques should be used. Also, in the event of a change in the conditions mentioned above, the decision maker may opt for mixed normalization techniques. However, some data structures, such as the presence of zero, and negative values in the decision matrix, can prevent the use of some normalization techniques. The choice of the normalization technique may also be affected by the problem of rank reversal, the range of normalized values, obtaining the same optimization aspect for all criteria, and the validity of results.

Case-based classification model based on information diffusion and interval gray relational analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to construct a gray relational model based on information diffusion to avoid rank reversal when the available decision information is insufficient, or the decision objects vary.Design/methodology/approachConsidering that the sample dependence of the ideal sequence selection in gray relational decision-making is based on case sampling, which causes the phenomenon of rank reversal, this study designs an ideal point diffusion method based on the development trend and distribution skewness of the sample information. In this method, a gray relational model for sample classification is constructed using a virtual-ideal sequence. Subsequently, an optimization model is established to obtain the criteria weights and classification radius values that minimize the deviation between the comprehensive relational degree of the classification object and the critical value.FindingsThe rank-reversal problem in gray relational models could drive decision-makers away from using this method. The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed gray relational model based on information diffusion and virtual-ideal sequencing can effectively avoid rank reversal. The method is applied to classify 31 brownfield redevelopment projects based on available interval gray information. The case analysis verifies the rationality and feasibility of the model.Originality/valueThis study proposes a robust method for ideal point choice when the decision information is limited or dynamic. This method can reduce the influence of ideal sequence changes in gray relational models on decision-making results considerably better than other approaches.