Hybrid Ant Colony Optimization For Fuzzy Unrelated Parallel Machine Scheduling Problems

This study extends the best hybrid ant colony optimization variant developed by Liao et al. (2014) for crisp unrelated parallel machine scheduling problems to solve fuzzy unrelated parallel machine scheduling problems in consideration of trapezoidal fuzzy processing times, trapezoidal fuzzy sequencing dependent setup times and trapezoidal fuzzy release times. The objective is to find the best schedule taking minimum fuzzy makespan in completing all jobs. In this study, fuzzy arithmetic is used to determine fuzzy completion times of jobs and defuzzification function is used to convert fuzzy numbers back to crisp numbers for ranking. Eight fuzzy ranking methods are tested to find the most feasible one to be employed in this study. The fuzzy arithmetic testing includes four different cases and each case with the following operations separately, i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, to investigate the spread of fuzziness as fuzzy numbers are subject to more and more number of operations. The effect of fuzzy ranking methods on hybrid ant colony optimization (hACO) is investigated. To prove the correctness of our methodology and coding, unrelated parallel machine scheduling with fuzzy numbers and crisp numbers are compared based on scheduling problems up to 15 machines and 200 jobs. Relative percentage deviation (RPD) is used to evaluate the performance of hACO in solving fuzzy unrelated parallel machine scheduling problems. A numerical study on large-scale scheduling problems up to 20 machines and 200 jobs is conducted to assess the performance of the hACO algorithm. For comparison, a discrete particle swarm optimization (dPSO) algorithm is implemented for fuzzy unrelated parallel machine scheduling problem as well. The results show that the hACO has better performance than dPSO not only in solution quality in terms of RPD value, but also in computational time

Fuzzy Set Ranking Methods and Multiple Expert Decision Making

The present report further investigates the multi-criteria decision making tool named Fuzzy Compromise Programming. Comparison of different fuzzy set ranking methods (required for processing fuzzy information) is performed. A complete sensitivity analysis concerning decision maker’s risk preferences was carried out for three water resources systems, and compromise solutions identified. Then, a weights sensitivity analysis was performed on one of the three systems to see whether the rankings would change in response to changing weights. It was found that this particular system was robust to the changes in weights. An inquiry was made into the possibility of modifying Fuzzy Compromise Programming to include participation of multiple decision makers or experts. This was accomplished by merging a technique known as Group Decision Making Under Fuzziness, with Fuzzy Compromise Programming. Modified technique provides support for the group decision making under multiple criteria in a fuzzy environment.https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/wrrr/1001/thumbnail.jp

A New Algorithm for Solving Shortest Path Problem on a Network with Imprecise Edge Weight

Nayeem and Pal (Shortest path problem on a network with imprecise edge weight, Fuzzy Optimization and Decision Making 4, 293-312, 2005) proposed a new algorithm for solving shortest path problem on a network with imprecise edge weight. In this paper the shortcomings of the existing algorithm, (Nayeem and Pal, 2005) are pointed out and to overcome these shortcomings a new algorithm is proposed. To show the advantages of the proposed algorithm over existing algorithm the numerical examples presented in (Nayeem and Pal, 2005) are solved using the proposed algorithm and obtained results are discussed

A discriminative analysis of approaches to ranking fuzzy numbers in fuzzy decision making

This paper presents a discriminative analysis of approaches to ranking fuzzy numbers in fuzzy decision making based on a comprehensive review of existing approaches. The consistency and effectiveness of the approaches to ranking fuzzy numbers are examined in terms of two objective measures developed, leading to a better understanding of the relative performance of individual approaches in ranking fuzzy numbers. Representative fuzzy numbers are selected for carrying out the comparative study of several typical approaches in ranking fuzzy numbers. Several interesting findings are identified which may be of practical significance to fuzzy decision making in real situations

Bibliometric analysis of scientific production on methods to aid decision making in the last 40 years

Purpose: Multicriteria methods have gained traction in both academia and industry practices for effective decision-making over the years. This bibliometric study aims to explore and provide an overview of research carried out on multicriteria methods, in its various aspects, over the past forty-four years. Design/Methodology/Approach: The Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases were searched for publications from January 1945 to April 29, 2021, on multicriteria methods in titles, abstracts, and keywords. The bibliographic data were analyzed using the R bibliometrix package. Findings: This bibliometric study asserts that 29,050 authors have produced 20,861 documents on the theme of multicriteria methods in 131 countries in the last forty-four years. Scientific production in this area grows at a rate of 13.88 per year. China is the leading country in publications with 14.14%; India with 10.76%; and Iran with 8.09%. Islamic Azad University leads others with 504 publications, followed by the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University with 456 and the National Institute of Technology with 336. As for journals, Expert Systems With Applications; Sustainability; and Journal of Cleaner Production are the leading journals, which account for more than 4.67% of all indexed literature. Furthermore, Zavadskas E. and Wang J have the highest publications in the multicriteria methods domain regarding the authors. Regarding the most commonly used multicriteria decision-making methods, AHP is the most favored approach among the ten countries with the most publications in this research area, followed by TOPSIS, VIKOR, PROMETHEE, and ANP. Practical implications: The bibliometric literature review method allows the researchers to explore the multicriteria research area more extensively than the traditional literature review method. It enables a large dataset of bibliographic records to be systematically analyzed through statistical measures, yielding informative insights. Originality/value: The usefulness of this bibliometric study is summed in presenting an overview of the topic of the multicriteria methods during the previous forty-four years, allowing other academics to use this research as a starting point for their research

A hybrid performance evaluation system for notebook computer ODM companies

[[abstract]]The aim of the paper is to fulfill this need by building a conceptual framework for measuring the business performance of notebook computer ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) companies carried out to investigate how performance is understood and to identify the potential dimensions to improvement. In the process, a multiple criteria procedure is used to assess the performance in these companies. We explore the performance-evaluation systems by using fuzzy AHP and VIKOR techniques. The evidence from the investigation showed that supply chain capability and manufacturing capability are the top two indicators for the notebook computer ODM companies’ performance. Furthermore, it was found that Quanta and Compal have the relative high business performance among these companies. The research provides evidence which establishes whether benchmarking provides a real and lasting benefit to notebook computer ODM companies. A series of managerial implications are set forth and discussed.[[journaltype]]國外[[incitationindex]]SSCI[[booktype]]紙本[[countrycodes]]NG

Determine of Surface Water Quality Index in Iran

In modeling complex of environmental problems, researchers often fail to define precise statements about input and outcomes of contaminants, but fuzzy logic could help to dominate this logical indecision. The goal of this work is to propose a new river water quality indicator using fuzzy logic. The proposed index combines six indicators, and not only does it exhibit a tool that accounts for the discrepancy between the two base indices, but also provides a quantifiable score for the determined water quality. These classifications with a membership grade can be of a sound support for decision-making, and can help assign each section of a river a gradual quality sub-objective to be reached. To show the applicability of the proposed approach, the new indicator was used to classify water quality in a number of stations along the basins of Qarah-chai and Siminehrood. The obtained classifications were then compared to the conventional physicochemical water quality indicator currently in use in Iran. The results revealed that the fuzzy indicator provided stringent classifications compared to the conventional index in 38% and 44% of the cases for the two basins respectively. These noted exceptions are mainly due to the big disagreement between the different quality thresholds in the two standards, especially for fecal coliform and total phosphorus. These large disparities put forward an argument for the Iranian water quality law to be upgraded. Keywords: Fuzzy logic; Qarah-chai basin; Siminehrood; Water quality inde

Preferencias entre unidades eficientes : una aplicación de supereficiencia fuzzy basada en niveles de exigencias

En el contexto económico actual, lograr el máximo de eficiencia es una cuestión clave para las empresas. En ocasiones, los métodos clásicos de análisis de la eficiencia, como el Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), no ofrecen al empresario información suficiente al clasificar las unidades de decisíon en dos grupos, las eficientes y las ineficientes. Los gestores demandan más información sobre la eficiencia de su empresa, de modo que la puedan comparar con la del resto de firmas y conocer su posición relativa dentro del grupo de empresas eficientes o ineficientes. En este trabajo se propone un enfoque, basado en la lógica fuzzy, que completa los modelos DEA clásicos y permite, a partir de los modelos de super-eficiencia fuzzy, llegar a una ordenación de las empresas clasificadas en primera instancia como eficientes. La aplicabilidad práctica del enfoque propuesto se ilustra con un ejemplo real en el campo de las empresas textiles

Uncertainty assessment in climate change scenarios: a methodological proposal for management of forest ecosystem services

The work introduces a method to quantify potential impact of climate change on cultural ecosystem services in forests. The technique of Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Term Set is applied to face with the uncertainty due to climate change as well as subjective opinion of forest experts. Two forest management scenario (current practices as well as climate change-oriented silviculture) are investigated for different time horizons. Results highlight the increasing uncertainty on climate change impact evaluation related to longer time horizons. Potential losses connected to current cultural ecosystem services provision are quantified from spatial as well as economic viewpoint. The method is tested for an illustrative example in the Tuscany region - central Italy