PDHL-EDAS method for multiple attribute group decision making and its application to 3D printer selection

With the rapid development of 3D printing technology, 3D printers are manufactured based on the principle of 3D printing technology are more and more widely used in the manufacturing industry. Choosing high quality 3D printers for industrial production is of great significance to the economic growth of enterprises. In fact, it is difficult to select the most optimal 3D printers under a single and simple standard. Therefore, this paper establishes the probabilistic double hierarchy linguistic EDAS (PDHL-EDAS) method for the multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM). Then the CRITIC model is introduced to derive objective weight and the cumulative prospect theory is leaded into obtain the cumulative weight of PDHLTS. In addition, what’s more, the PDHL-EDAS method is built and applied to the choice of high-quality 3D printer. Finally, compared with the available MAGDM methods under PDHLTS, the built method is proved to be scientific and effective. First published online 15 December 202

COPRAS method for multiple attribute group decision making under picture fuzzy environment and their application to green supplier selection

The green supplier selection (GSS) is a significant part in green supply chain management (GSCM). Choosing optimal green supplier can not only realize the sustainable development of enterprises, but also maximize the utilization rate of resources and diminish the negative effect of environmental issues, which conforms to the theme of green development. As a multiple attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) issue, selecting optimal green supplier is of vital important to enterprises. However, how to select the optimal supplier for enterprises is a great challenge. To handle this issue, a novel picture fuzzy COPRAS (COmplex PRoportional Assessment) method is devised. First, some necessary theories related to picture fuzzy sets (PFSs) are briefly reviewed. In addition, a method called CRITIC (Criteria Importance Though Intercrieria Correlation) is utilized to calculate criteria’s weights. Afterwards, the conventional COPRAS method is extended to the PFSs to calculate each alternative’s utility degree. At last, the designed method is exacted to an application which is related to GSS and there also conduct some comparative analysis to demonstrate the designed method’s superiority. The final results show that the proposed model can be utilized to decide the optimum green supplier

Multi-Objective and Multi-Attribute Optimisation for Sustainable Development Decision Aiding

Optimization is considered as a decision-making process for getting the most out of available resources for the best attainable results. Many real-world problems are multi-objective or multi-attribute problems that naturally involve several competing objectives that need to be optimized simultaneously, while respecting some constraints or involving selection among feasible discrete alternatives. In this Reprint of the Special Issue, 19 research papers co-authored by 88 researchers from 14 different countries explore aspects of multi-objective or multi-attribute modeling and optimization in crisp or uncertain environments by suggesting multiple-attribute decision-making (MADM) and multi-objective decision-making (MODM) approaches. The papers elaborate upon the approaches of state-of-the-art case studies in selected areas of applications related to sustainable development decision aiding in engineering and management, including construction, transportation, infrastructure development, production, and organization management

Uncertain Multi-Criteria Optimization Problems

Most real-world search and optimization problems naturally involve multiple criteria as objectives. Generally, symmetry, asymmetry, and anti-symmetry are basic characteristics of binary relationships used when modeling optimization problems. Moreover, the notion of symmetry has appeared in many articles about uncertainty theories that are employed in multi-criteria problems. Different solutions may produce trade-offs (conflicting scenarios) among different objectives. A better solution with respect to one objective may compromise other objectives. There are various factors that need to be considered to address the problems in multidisciplinary research, which is critical for the overall sustainability of human development and activity. In this regard, in recent decades, decision-making theory has been the subject of intense research activities due to its wide applications in different areas. The decision-making theory approach has become an important means to provide real-time solutions to uncertainty problems. Theories such as probability theory, fuzzy set theory, type-2 fuzzy set theory, rough set, and uncertainty theory, available in the existing literature, deal with such uncertainties. Nevertheless, the uncertain multi-criteria characteristics in such problems have not yet been explored in depth, and there is much left to be achieved in this direction. Hence, different mathematical models of real-life multi-criteria optimization problems can be developed in various uncertain frameworks with special emphasis on optimization problems

Renewable energy challenges and opportunities. The prospect of adopting a new policy and legal paradigm in Ghana

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonGlobal consumption of fossil fuels has wreaked havoc on the environment through anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Meeting the ever-increasing demand for energy and limiting its impact on the environment are the two intertwined issues that confront the world. Against this backdrop, national and international stakeholders have been called to transition to renewable energy (RE) to provide energy security and stem climate change. As such, governments around the world have been formulating legal and policy frameworks to encourage the deployment of RE along with technological innovations. However, poor legal frameworks and policies, insufficient financial support, and incentives have rendered the adoption of RE technologies, especially in developing countries, woefully inadequate and Ghana is no exception. In Ghana, various legal and policy frameworks have been deployed for the development of hydro and non-hydro RE. However, the contribution of non-hydro RE (solar and wind) to the country's electricity generation mix is paltry due to various challenges. The research uses desktop analysis, empirical research, and comparative analysis to critically examine the existing Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832) and policies on RE in Ghana to ascertain the extent to which they effectively address energy security challenges. The results reveal many challenges as follows: a general poor implementation of the provisions of the Act, poor funding, obsolete grid network, transmission and distribution losses, and bureaucratic processes in licence acquisition to be responsible for the paltry diffusion of non-hydro RE in Ghana whose share was 0.3% in 2020. The research recommends that the government of Ghana (GoG) reviews the existing Renewable Energy Act, policies, and regulatory frameworks currently in operation to address deployment constraints. The thesis concludes by calling on the GoG to focus on specific legal and policy frameworks that would promote solar photovoltaic deployment as the country is endowed with abundant solar energy