A gradient method for inconsistency reduction of pairwise comparisons matrices

We investigate an application of a mathematically robust minimization method -- the gradient method -- to the consistencization problem of a pairwise comparisons (PC) matrix. Our approach sheds new light on the notion of a priority vector and leads naturally to the definition of instant priority vectors. We describe a sample family of inconsistency indicators based on various ways of taking an average value, which extends the inconsistency indicator based on the "$\sup$"- norm. We apply this family of inconsistency indicators both for additive and multiplicative PC matrices to show that the choice of various inconsistency indicators lead to non-equivalent consistencization procedures.Comment: 1 figure, several corrections and precision

Repairing the Inconsistent Fuzzy Preference Matrix Using Multiobjective PSO

This paper presents a method using multiobjective particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach to improve the consistency matrix in analytic hierarchy process (AHP), called PSOMOF. The purpose of this method is to optimize two objectives which conflict each other, while improving the consistency matrix. They are minimizing consistent ratio (CR) and deviation matrix. This study focuses on fuzzy preference matrix as one model comparison matrix in AHP. Some inconsistent matrices are repaired successfully to be consistent by this method. This proposed method offers some alternative consistent matrices as solutions

Multi-criteria decision-making in whole process design

PhD ThesisIn recent years, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries have faced increased development times and costs with fewer novel chemicals being discovered. This has resulted in many companies focusing on innovative research and development as they consider this key to business success. In particular, a number of leading industrial organisations have adopted the principles of Whole Process Design (WPD). WPD considers the optimisation of the entire product development process, from raw materials to end product, rather than focusing on each individual unit operation. The complexity involved in the implementation of WPD requires rationalised decision-making, often with limited or uncertain information. This thesis assesses the most widely applied methods in Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in conjunction with the results of two interviews and two questionnaires that identified the industrial requirements for decision-making during WPD. From the findings of this work, a novel decision-making methodology was proposed, the outcome of which allows a decision-maker to visually interpret their decision results with associated levels of uncertainty. To validate the proposed methodology, a software framework was developed that incorporates two other decision-making approaches, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalité trois (ELECTRE III). The framework was then applied to a number of industrial case studies to validate the application of the proposed methodology.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Chemistry Innovatio

Pairwise comparison matrix in multiple criteria decision making

The measurement scales, consistency index, inconsistency issues, missing judgment estimation and priority derivation methods have been extensively studied in the pairwise comparison matrix (PCM). Various approaches have been proposed to handle these problems, and made great contributions to the decision making. This paper reviews the literature of the main developments of the PCM. There are plenty of literature related to these issues, thus we mainly focus on the literature published in 37 peer reviewed international journals from 2010 to 2015 (searched via ISI Web of science). We attempt to analyze and classify these literatures so as to find the current hot research topics and research techniques in the PCM, and point out the future directions on the PCM. It is hoped that this paper will provide a comprehensive literature review on PCM, and act as informative summary of the main developments of the PCM for the researchers for their future research. First published online: 02 Sep 201

An enhanced supplier selection model based on optimized analytic network process towards sustainable information technology outsourcing

Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) has become part of the organization’s strategy as it offers benefits such as high-quality products, cost reduction, and increased productivity. Essentially, ITO is a complex process in which selecting the right supplier involves evaluation of multi criteria. To ensure the sustainable of the ITO project, the evaluation criteria should consider risk factors and other sustainability criteria of the project. However, existing ITO supplier selection models lack of sustainability criteria and risk factors. Moreover, these methods rely on human judgment in weight allocation. Therefore, this study proposes an Enhanced Supplier Selection Model (ESS) for sustainable ITO mainly to eliminate human judgment in Analytical Network Process (ANP) method. The ESS Model was constructed through theoretical, exploratory and experimental studies. The exploratory study was carried in Thailand using survey which involved 45 respondents. Findings from the study was used to construct evaluation criteria and become datasets for ESS. The proposed ESS Model was evaluated using expert reviews and case studies in Thailand. The ESS model contains two main components: evaluation criteria and a decision-making method. The first has nineteen (19) sustainability criteria and seven (7) risk factors. While the latter is an enhanced ANP with Firefly Algorithm (ANP-FA). The evaluation results indicate that the Consistency Ratio (CR) for ANP-FA is smaller than ANP, which is 0.003 compared to 0.031. This outcome shows that the ESS model is feasible in removing human judgment in supplier selection of ITO projects. The study’s contributions can be interpreted from two perspectives. The proposed ESS model is a theoretical contribution in Multi-Criteria Decision-Making and Supplier Selection in ITO project. In terms of practicality, the model has been realized in Thailand organizations to ensure the sustainability of ITO projects

Optimization for Decision Making II

In the current context of the electronic governance of society, both administrations and citizens are demanding the greater participation of all the actors involved in the decision-making process relative to the governance of society. This book presents collective works published in the recent Special Issue (SI) entitled “Optimization for Decision Making II”. These works give an appropriate response to the new challenges raised, the decision-making process can be done by applying different methods and tools, as well as using different objectives. In real-life problems, the formulation of decision-making problems and the application of optimization techniques to support decisions are particularly complex and a wide range of optimization techniques and methodologies are used to minimize risks, improve quality in making decisions or, in general, to solve problems. In addition, a sensitivity or robustness analysis should be done to validate/analyze the influence of uncertainty regarding decision-making. This book brings together a collection of inter-/multi-disciplinary works applied to the optimization of decision making in a coherent manner

Framework for evaluating water quality information system performance

1994 Fall.Includes bibliographic references (pages 280-308).Water resource and water quality managers are being held increasingly accountable for the programs they manage. Much progress has been made in applying total systems perspectives to the design and operation of water quality monitoring and information programs, and towards rationalizing those programs with respect to management objectives and information needs. A recent example of that progress is the development of data analysis protocols to enhance the information system design process. However, further work is necessary to develop approaches which can help managers confront the water quality management environment of the future, which will be characterized by: (1) fewer purely technical questions, (2) more complex problems with social, economic, political and legal ramifications, and (3) actively managed and continuously improved water quality information systems. This research concludes that the management of water quality information systems for continuous improvement requires: (1) a competent system design process, (2) comprehensive documentation of system design and operation, and (3) a routine and thorough performance measurement and evaluation process. The framework for evaluating water quality information system performance presented in this dissertation integrates the experience of several disciplines into an instrument to help water quality managers accomplish these requirements. The framework embodies four phases: (1) evaluation planning, (2) watershed and management system analyses, (3) information system analysis, and (4) information system performance evaluation. The application of the framework is demonstrated in the evaluation of water quality monitoring programs associated with a unique municipal water transfer project. Water quality professionals of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey are surveyed as to its potential application to large (e.g., regional or national) systems. Those exercises indicate the framework to be a convenient, economic, and flexible instrument useful towards enhancing water quality information system performance. Recommendations for future research to refine the framework and to extend its scope and utility are also presented

Entwicklung einer Methodik zur Unterstützung der Entscheidungsfindung auf der Grundlage heuristischer Entscheidungen in der Produktentwicklung und im Innovationsmanagement = Developing a method to support decision making based on heuristic decisions in product development and inno-vation management

Die Entscheidungsfindung ist ein wichtiger Faktor, der die Produktentwicklung so steuert, dass sie auf dem Markt erfolgreich ist oder scheitert. Die meisten Entschei-dungen beruhen auf den verfügbaren Informationen, Berechnungen und Analysen verschiedener systematischer Methoden. Diese Methoden können jedoch keine definitiv richtige und gute Entscheidung liefern, insbesondere unter Unsicherheit und begrenzten Informationen. Die Entscheidungsfindung mit einfachen Strategien und mentalen Prozessen, die heuristische Entscheidungen genannt werden, wird dann automatisch angewendet, um eine Lösung zu finden. Obwohl Heuristiken in vielen Situationen hilfreich sind, können sie zu Entscheidungsverzerrungen führen. Diese Forschung zielt darauf ab, das Auftreten Entscheidungsverzerrungen bei der Verwendung von Heuristiken zur Entscheidungsfindung zu untersuchen. Dies zu verstehen und sich dessen bewusst zu sein, ist wichtig für die Verbesserung der Entscheidungseffizienz. Darüber hinaus wurden die De-Biasing Techniken entwi-ckelt, um kognitive Probleme zu lösen und Entscheidungsfehler zu reduzieren, die durch Entscheidungsverzerrungen verursacht werden. Informationen aus der Literatur und empirischen Studien zeigen viele Erscheinungen von heuristischen Entscheidungen und Verzerrungen während der Entscheidungs-findung in verschiedenen Aktivitäten der Produktentwicklung - insbesondere bei der Priorisierung von Alternativen und der Auswahl der Lösung. Methoden zum Umgang mit den Entscheidungsverzerrungen bei der Entscheidungsfindung in der Produkt-entwicklung wurden dann durch die Modifizierung verfügbarer Techniken aus anderen Bereichen entwickelt und zur Behandlung der kognitiven Vorurteile bei der Entscheidungsfindung in der Produktentwicklung angewandt. Es wurden vier Arten von De-Biasing Techniken entwickelt und in einem Rahmenwerk vorgeschlagen, die in Experimenten unter simulierten und realen Situationen angewandt und ausgewer-tet wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Entscheidungsverzerrungen mit verschiedenen Entzer-rungstechniken auf der Grundlage der Ziele und Ableitung von Vorurteilen behandelt werden kann. Diese Techniken können mit einer Art von Verzerrung umgehen, aber auch zu einer anderen Art von Verzerrung führen. Darüber hinaus gibt es keine Antwort darauf, dass Entscheidungen mit oder ohne Verzerrungen eine korrekte Lösung bieten können. Daher ist die geeignetste Methode zur Behandlung von Entscheidungsverzerrungen in der Produktentwicklung, das Bewusstsein der Ent-scheidungsträger für heuristische Entscheidungen und Verzerrungen zu schärfen. Somit kann der Entscheidungsträger entscheiden, die Entscheidungen und Lösun-gen zu akzeptieren oder abzulehnen