A comparative study of multiple-criteria decision-making methods under stochastic inputs

This paper presents an application and extension of multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods to account for stochastic input variables. More in particular, a comparative study is carried out among well-known and widely-applied methods in MCDM, when applied to the reference problem of the selection of wind turbine support structures for a given deployment location. Along with data from industrial experts, six deterministic MCDM methods are studied, so as to determine the best alternative among the available options, assessed against selected criteria with a view toward assigning confidence levels to each option. Following an overview of the literature around MCDM problems, the best practice implementation of each method is presented aiming to assist stakeholders and decision-makers to support decisions in real-world applications, where many and often conflicting criteria are present within uncertain environments. The outcomes of this research highlight that more sophisticated methods, such as technique for the order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) and Preference Ranking Organization method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE), better predict the optimum design alternative

Saw-Dmss Model For Intuitionistic Fuzzy Multi Attribute Decision Making Problems

This work introduces a new SAW-DMSS (Simple Additive Weighting-Decision Making Support System) technique for decision-makers to choose the most ideal alternative that has been provided. This also deals with the problem based on SAW algorithm which is a multiple criteria decision making approach with weight determining methods which gives the weights to indicators which is partially or completely unknown or not presented by the decision makers. The SAW algorithm deals with the conflicts between indicators based on certain way to sort the scheme and choose the best scheme. A numerical example is proposed to illustrate the effectiveness of this algorithm. However, comparison of two weight determining methods based on Gaussian distribution and Linguistic quantifier guided aggregation is performed to make the result of evaluations more objective and accurate

Fuzzy Logic in Decision Support: Methods, Applications and Future Trends

During the last decades, the art and science of fuzzy logic have witnessed significant developments and have found applications in many active areas, such as pattern recognition, classification, control systems, etc. A lot of research has demonstrated the ability of fuzzy logic in dealing with vague and uncertain linguistic information. For the purpose of representing human perception, fuzzy logic has been employed as an effective tool in intelligent decision making. Due to the emergence of various studies on fuzzy logic-based decision-making methods, it is necessary to make a comprehensive overview of published papers in this field and their applications. This paper covers a wide range of both theoretical and practical applications of fuzzy logic in decision making. It has been grouped into five parts: to explain the role of fuzzy logic in decision making, we first present some basic ideas underlying different types of fuzzy logic and the structure of the fuzzy logic system. Then, we make a review of evaluation methods, prediction methods, decision support algorithms, group decision-making methods based on fuzzy logic. Applications of these methods are further reviewed. Finally, some challenges and future trends are given from different perspectives. This paper illustrates that the combination of fuzzy logic and decision making method has an extensive research prospect. It can help researchers to identify the frontiers of fuzzy logic in the field of decision making

Algebraic Structures of Neutrosophic Triplets, Neutrosophic Duplets, or Neutrosophic Multisets

Neutrosophy (1995) is a new branch of philosophy that studies triads of the form (, , ), where is an entity {i.e. element, concept, idea, theory, logical proposition, etc.}, is the opposite of , while is the neutral (or indeterminate) between them, i.e., neither nor .Based on neutrosophy, the neutrosophic triplets were founded, which have a similar form (x, neut(x), anti(x)), that satisfy several axioms, for each element x in a given set.This collective book presents original research papers by many neutrosophic researchers from around the world, that report on the state-of-the-art and recent advancements of neutrosophic triplets, neutrosophic duplets, neutrosophic multisets and their algebraic structures – that have been defined recently in 2016 but have gained interest from world researchers. Connections between classical algebraic structures and neutrosophic triplet / duplet / multiset structures are also studied. And numerous neutrosophic applications in various fields, such as: multi-criteria decision making, image segmentation, medical diagnosis, fault diagnosis, clustering data, neutrosophic probability, human resource management, strategic planning, forecasting model, multi-granulation, supplier selection problems, typhoon disaster evaluation, skin lesson detection, mining algorithm for big data analysis, etc

Location Planning of Urban Distribution Center under Uncertainty: A Case Study of Yogyakarta Special Region Province, Indonesia

Purpose: The paper aims at proposing a framework of hybrid spatial-fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making and demonstrating application of the framework to evaluate and select the appropriate location for Urban Distribution Center in Yogyakarta Special Region Province, Indonesia. The study has been inspired by the need to evaluate the Urban Distribution Center initiative, i.e., Jogja Inland Port by local government that has been hampered due to lack of participating companies. Design/methodology/approach: The proposed framework consists of two steps of analysis. First, spatial analysis to generate alternative locations using weighted Geographical Information System data; second, fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making to select the best location. Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution was applied to deal with multi-criteria, multiple stakeholders, and uncertainty. Accessibility, security, connectivity of multi-modal transport, costs, environmental impact, proximity to customers, proximity to suppliers, resource availability, expansion possibility, service quality, are taken as the decision criteria. Local government of Yogyakarta province, practitioners, and logistic expert, are involved as representative participants in evaluating the Urban Distribution Center location of Yogyakarta Special Region Province. Findings: The proposed framework has indicated that the Jogja Inland Port is not the best alternative. A joint warehouse managed by a group of private companies located in Berbah (Sleman district) appears to be the best alternative location for Urban Distribution Center. Consistent results are also found by using other approaches (Intuitionistic Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution and Set Pair Analysis). Research limitations/implications: In addition to the government, expert, and practitioners that involved in this study, future research could engage local residents as decision makers to refine the results, as various stakeholders may come up with different preferences. Practical implications: From a practical point of view, the application of combined approach (integrating spatial analysis using weighted Geographical Information System data and fuzzy multi-criteria decision making) is a promising approach in dealing with Urban Distribution Center location problem which is characterized by multi-criteria, multiple stakeholders, spatial-related issues, and uncertainty. Social implications: The unsuccessful establishment of Jogja Inland Port implies that Urban Distribution Center location problem is a complex system, involving multifaceted factors that should be considered simultaneously. Originality/value: The research proposes a framework to evaluate and select the appropriate location for Urban Distribution Center through combined approach of weighted Geographical Information System data and fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making which involves relevant stakeholders.Peer Reviewe

COMPARISON OF THREE FUZZY MCDM METHODS FOR SOLVING THE SUPPLIER SELECTION PROBLEM

The evaluation and selection of an optimal, efficient and reliable supplier is becoming more and more important for companies in today’s logistics and supply chain management. Decision-making in the supplier selection domain, as an essential component of the supply chain management, is a complex process since a wide range of diverse criteria, stakeholders and possible solutions are embedded into this process. This paper shows a fuzzy approach in multi – criteria decision-making (MCDM) process. Criteria weights have been determined by fuzzy SWARA (Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) method. Chosen methods, fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for the Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), fuzzy WASPAS (Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment) and fuzzy ARAS (Additive Ratio Assessment) have been used for evaluation and selection of suppliers in the case of procurement of THK Linear motion guide components by the group of specialists in the “Lagerton” company in Serbia. Finally, results obtained using different MCDM approaches were compared in order to help managers to identify appropriate method for supplier selection problem solving

A Fuzzy Inference System Approach for Evaluating the Feasibility of Product Remanufacture

In the recent past, efforts have been made in enhancing sustainable manufacturing aimed at protecting the environment and saving natural resources. Among the efforts that have been explored include strategies to ensure responsible end-of-life product management so as reduce the impact on the environment and achieve effective use of resources. Towards this end, reduce, reuse and recycle product disposal strategies have found a lot of consideration in manufacturing. Of the product reuse strategies, remanufacturing has been widely applied owing to its unique feature of rendering the remanufactured product as good as new. For remanufacturers, this strategy leads to provision of quality products comparable to new their new counterparts at a reduced cost. Remanufacturing also leads to a sustainable environment through energy and material savings, as well as minimized solid wastes. Remanufacturing however, poses challenges related to collection of the returns or cores, manufacturing process planning, resource allocation, warranty estimation and redistribution. These challenges are due to product and process complexities, customer requirements, and uncertainties associated with product take back and the remanufactured products’ market-base. Key among these challenges is the remanufacturing process which is complicated, labor intensive with varying process times. In most cases the routing of these processes is stochastic in nature, based on the condition of the returned product. There is also the negative perception among consumers that remanufactured products are less superior to new ones, which calls for the need to allocate preferably longer warranty periods for the remanufactured product to induce confidence in the consumer while at the same time keeping the warranty costs low. The objectives of this study were informed by challenges faced by a local remanufacturing firm. They include: (1) a detailed study of the current remanufacturing process of the firm’s products; (2) identification of bottlenecks in the process to make recommendations for improvement; (3) develop a decision support system for assessing product remanufacture; (4) assess warranty allocation options for remanufactured product reuse. The study revealed that there are bottlenecks in the current remanufacturing process and suggested an improvement to enhance efficiency. This bottlenecks include overutilization of some of the process centers such as the diagnostic testing and the after-repair testing centers which lead to the product spending more time in the system than necessary. To improve the system performance the capacities of the bottleneck centers were increased which yielded significant reduction in the time the product spends in the system. The key contribution of this dissertation is the development of a decision support system based on a bi-level fuzzy linguistic computing approach. This model integrates qualitative and quantitative product attributes in determining the remanufacturability of a product. The fuzzy-based model established remanufacturability metric, herein referred to as an index, is applied to assess the feasibility of remanufacturing two products that were used as a case study. A number of warranty scenarios are considered to ascertain the impact of different warranty periods on the cost of warranty. The results show that the additional warranty cost for product reuse is a function of the period of first use and the residual life of the produc

Mathematical Fuzzy Logic in the Emerging Fields of Engineering, Finance, and Computer Sciences

Mathematical fuzzy logic (MFL) specifically targets many-valued logic and has significantly contributed to the logical foundations of fuzzy set theory (FST). It explores the computational and philosophical rationale behind the uncertainty due to imprecision in the backdrop of traditional mathematical logic. Since uncertainty is present in almost every real-world application, it is essential to develop novel approaches and tools for efficient processing. This book is the collection of the publications in the Special Issue “Mathematical Fuzzy Logic in the Emerging Fields of Engineering, Finance, and Computer Sciences”, which aims to cover theoretical and practical aspects of MFL and FST. Specifically, this book addresses several problems, such as:- Industrial optimization problems- Multi-criteria decision-making- Financial forecasting problems- Image processing- Educational data mining- Explainable artificial intelligence, etc