A Fuzzy Approach for Ranking Discrete Multi-Attribute Alternatives under Uncertainty

This paper presents a fuzzy approach for ranking discrete alternatives in multi-attribute decision-making under uncertainty. Linguistic variables approximated by fuzzy numbers were applied for facilitating the making of pairwise comparison by the decision maker in determining the alternative performance and attribute importance using fuzzy extent analysis. The resultant fuzzy assessments were aggregated using the simple additive utility method for calculating the fuzzy utility of each alternative across all the attributes. An ideal solution-based procedure was developed for comparing and ranking these fuzzy utilities, leading to the determination of the overall ranking of all the discrete multi-attribute alternatives. An example is provided that shows the proposed approach is effective and efficient in solving the multi-attribute decision making problem under uncertainty, due to the simplicity and comprehensibility of the underlying concept and the efficiency and effectiveness of the computation involved.

Bidder Selection in Public Procurement using a Fuzzy Decision Support System

Bidder selection in public procurement is a decision making problem whose primary purpose is to achieve the cost effectiveness and efficiency in the expenditure of public money. This principle is also known as the principle of “value for money”. This selection is based on many alternatives and many quantitative and qualitative criteria where qualitative criteria are often expressed as linguistic uncertain variables. The theory of fuzzy sets is a tool suitable to model uncertainty when applied to a variety of problems in real life. However, many fuzzy methods require complex calculation and they are not appropriate for using in public procurement because they slow down this process. In this paper, in order to make a quick decision in public procurement, a Decision Support System based on the fuzzy extent analysis method is developed. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of this system, a real-life case scenario of public procurement is presented.

Using Logarithmic Fuzzy Preference Programming To Prioritization Social Media Utilization Based On Tourists’ Perspective

The advent of Web 2.0 or social media technologies gives travelers a chance to access quickly and conveniently to a mass of travel-related information. This study investigates the importance of social media in travel process in three different phases (pre-visit, on site, post-visit) from the perspective of Iranian travelers. It is worthwhile to know the level of influence of social media on respondents’ travel behavior. Logarithmic fuzzy preference programming methodology is used in this article to determine the importance of social media usage in each phase of travel process and its subcategories. Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process methodology, based on Chang’s Fuzzy Extent Analysis is also used for the data analysis, then the results of these two methods are presented for comparison and better understanding. The results of this study suggest that the most usage of social media is on pre-visit phase while post-visit has the least usage. This study shows that Iranian travelers use social media mainly to share experiences (post-visit phase), get help in different circumstances and gain travel advice.

Bidder Selection in Public Procurement using a Fuzzy Decision Support System

Bidder selection in public procurement is a decision making problem whose primary purpose is to achieve the cost effectiveness and efficiency in the expenditure of public money. This principle is also known as the principle of “value for money”. This selection is based on many alternatives and many quantitative and qualitative criteria where qualitative criteria are often expressed as linguistic uncertain variables. The theory of fuzzy sets is a tool suitable to model uncertainty when applied to a variety of problems in real life. However, many fuzzy methods require complex calculation and they are not appropriate for using in public procurement because they slow down this process. In this paper, in order to make a quick decision in public procurement, a Decision Support System based on the fuzzy extent analysis method is developed. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of this system, a real-life case scenario of public procurement is presented.