A systematic review on multi-criteria group decision-making methods based on weights: analysis and classification scheme

Interest in group decision-making (GDM) has been increasing prominently over the last decade. Access to global databases, sophisticated sensors which can obtain multiple inputs or complex problems requiring opinions from several experts have driven interest in data aggregation. Consequently, the field has been widely studied from several viewpoints and multiple approaches have been proposed. Nevertheless, there is a lack of general framework. Moreover, this problem is exacerbated in the case of experts’ weighting methods, one of the most widely-used techniques to deal with multiple source aggregation. This lack of general classification scheme, or a guide to assist expert knowledge, leads to ambiguity or misreading for readers, who may be overwhelmed by the large amount of unclassified information currently available. To invert this situation, a general GDM framework is presented which divides and classifies all data aggregation techniques, focusing on and expanding the classification of experts’ weighting methods in terms of analysis type by carrying out an in-depth literature review. Results are not only classified but analysed and discussed regarding multiple characteristics, such as MCDMs in which they are applied, type of data used, ideal solutions considered or when they are applied. Furthermore, general requirements supplement this analysis such as initial influence, or component division considerations. As a result, this paper provides not only a general classification scheme and a detailed analysis of experts’ weighting methods but also a road map for researchers working on GDM topics or a guide for experts who use these methods. Furthermore, six significant contributions for future research pathways are provided in the conclusions.The first author acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministry of Universities [grant number FPU18/01471]. The second and third author wish to recognize their support from the Serra Hunter program. Finally, this work was supported by the Catalan agency AGAUR through its research group support program (2017SGR00227). This research is part of the R&D project IAQ4EDU, reference no. PID2020-117366RB-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A systematic literature review of soft set theory

[EN] Soft set theory, initially introduced through the seminal article ‘‘Soft set theory—First results’’ in 1999, has gained considerable attention in the field of mathematical modeling and decision-making. Despite its growing prominence, a comprehensive survey of soft set theory, encompassing its foundational concepts, developments, and applications, is notably absent in the existing literature. We aim to bridge this gap. This survey delves into the basic elements of the theory, including the notion of a soft set, the operations on soft sets, and their semantic interpretations. It describes various generalizations and modifications of soft set theory, such as N-soft sets, fuzzy soft sets, and bipolar soft sets, highlighting their specific characteristics. Furthermore, this work outlines the fundamentals of various extensions of mathematical structures from the perspective of soft set theory. Particularly, we present basic results of soft topology and other algebraic structures such as soft algebras and sigma-algebras. This article examines a selection of notable applications of soft set theory in different fields, including medicine and economics, underscoring its versatile nature. The survey concludes with a discussion on the challenges and future directions in soft set theory, emphasizing the need for further research to enhance its theoretical foundations and broaden its practical applications. Overall, this survey of soft set theory serves as a valuable resource for practitioners, researchers, and students interested in understanding and utilizing this flexible mathematical framework for tackling uncertainty in decision-making processes

Aggregation functions for typical hesitant fuzzy elements and the action of automorphisms

This work studies the aggregation operators on the set of all possible membership degrees of typical hesitant fuzzy sets, which we refer to as H, as well as the action of H-automorphisms which are defined over the set of all finite non-empty subsets of the unitary interval. In order to do so, the partial order ≤H, based on α-normalization, is introduced, leading to a comparison based on selecting the greatest membership degrees of the related fuzzy sets. Additionally, the idea of interval representation is extended to the context of typical hesitant aggregation functions named as the H-representation. As main contribution, we consider the class of finite hesitant triangular norms, studying their properties and analyzing the H-conjugate functions over such operators. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer Reviewe

Ranked hesitant fuzzy sets for multi-criteria multi-agent decisions

This paper introduces and investigates ranked hesitant fuzzy sets, a novel extension of hesitant fuzzy sets that is less demanding than both probabilistic and proportional hesitant fuzzy sets. This new extension incorporates hierarchical knowledge about the various evaluations submitted for each alternative. These evaluations are ranked (for example by their plausibility, acceptability, or credibility), but their position does not necessarily derive from supplementary numerical information (as in probabilistic and proportional hesitant fuzzy sets). In particular, strictly ranked hesitant fuzzy sets arise when no ties exist, i.e., when for any fixed alternative, each submitted evaluation is either strictly more plausible or strictly less plausible than any other submitted evaluation. A detailed comparison with similar models from the literature is performed. Then in order to produce a natural strategy for multi-criteria multi-agent decisions with ranked hesitant fuzzy sets, canonical representations, scores and aggregation operators are designed in the framework of ranked hesitant fuzzy sets. In order to help implementation of this model, Mathematica code is provided for the computation of both scores and aggregators. The decision-making technique that is prescribed is tested with a comparative analysis with four methodologies based on probabilistic hesitant fuzzy information. A conclusion of this numerical exercise is that this methodology is reliable, applicable and robust. All these evidences show that ranked hesitant fuzzy sets are an intuitive extension of the hesitant fuzzy set model designed by V. Torra, that can be implemented in practice with the aid of computationally assisted algorithms.Junta de Castilla y León y European Regional Development Fun

Expanding Grey Relational Analysis With the Comparable Degree for Dual Probabilistic Multiplicative Linguistic Term Sets and Its Application on the Cloud Enterprise

Under the cloud trend of enterprises, how do traditional businesses get on the cloud becomes a worth pondering question. To help those traditional businesses that have no experience to dispel the clouds and see the sun as soon as possible, we are planning to choose one corporation with rich experience to take them into the cloud market. The quintessence of dual probabilistic linguistic term sets (DPLTSs) is that it uses the combination of several linguistic terms and their proportions to reveal decision information by opposite angles. This paper proposes the dual probabilistic multiplicative linguistic preference relations (DPMLPRs) based upon the dual probabilistic multiplicative linguistic term sets (DPMLTSs). Then, it de nes the comparable degree between the DPMLPRs and studies the consensus of the group DPMLPR. Moreover, it probes the expanding grey relational analysis (EGRA) under the proposed comparable degree between the DPMLTSs. After that, one example of choosing the experienced cloud cooperative partner is simulated under the dual probabilistic linguistic circumstance. Besides, the comparative analysis is performed by considering the similarity among the EGRA, TODIM, and VIKOR.Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province under Grant KYCX18_0199Scientific Research Foundation of the Graduate School of Southeast University under Grant YBJJ1832FEDER Financial Support under Grant TIN2016-75850-

Introducing disruption on stagnated Group Decision Making processes using Fuzzy Ontologies

In Group Decision Making processes, experts debate about how to rank a set of alternatives. It is usual that, at a certain point of the discussion, the debate gets stuck. In this paper, a novel Group Decision Making method for environments with a high number of alternatives is presented. Fuzzy Ontologies are used in order to represent the alternatives and their characteristics. Moreover, a novel stagnation analysis is used in order to determine if the debate gets stuck. If it does, the method modifies the alternatives set in order to introduce new options and remove the least popular ones. This way, the debate can revive since that the new alternatives provide different points of view. The presented method helps experts to conduct long and thorough debates in order for them to be able to make effective and reliable decisions.MCIN/AEI PID2019-103880RB-I00FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades B-TIC-590-UGR20Andalusian government P20_00673Ministry of Education and King Abdulaziz University, DSR, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia IFPHI-049-135-2020Universidad de Granada/CBU

An Extended VIKOR Method for Multiple Criteria Group Decision Making with Triangular Fuzzy Neutrosophic Numbers

In this article, we combine the original VIKOR model with a triangular fuzzy neutrosophic set to propose the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic VIKOR method. In the extended method, we use the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic numbers (TFNNs) to present the criteria values in multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problems. Firstly, we summarily introduce the fundamental concepts, operation formulas and distance calculating method of TFNNs. Then we review some aggregation operators of TFNNs. Thereafter, we extend the original VIKOR model to the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic environment and introduce the calculating steps of the TFNNs VIKOR method, our proposed method which is more reasonable and scientific for considering the conflicting criteria. Furthermore, a numerical example for potential evaluation of emerging technology commercialization is presented to illustrate the new method, and some comparisons are also conducted to further illustrate advantages of the new method

Reconciliation, Restoration and Reconstruction of a Conflict Ridden Country

Conflict has sadly been a constant part of history. Winning a conflict and making a lasting peace are often not the same thing. While a peace treaty ends a conflict and often dictates terms from the winners’ perspective, it may not create a lasting peace. Short of unconditional surrender, modern conflict ends with a negotiated cessation of hostilities. Such accords may have some initial reconstruction agreements, but Reconciliation, Restoration and Reconstruction (RRR) is a long term process. This study maintains that to achieve a lasting peace: 1) The culture and beliefs of the conflict nation must be continuously considered and 2) RRR is a long term effort which will occur over years not just in the immediate wake of signing a treaty or agreement. To assure the inclusion of all stakeholders and gain the best results in dealing with this “wicked problem”, an array of Operations Research techniques can be used to support the long term planning and execution of a RRR effort. The final decisions will always be political, but the analysis provided by an OR support team will guide the decision makers to better execute consensus decisions that consider all stakeholder needs. The development of the value hierarchy framework in this dissertation is a keystone of building a rational OR supported long term plan for a successful RRR. The primary aim of the research is to propose a framework and associated set of guidelines derived from appropriate techniques of OR, Decision Analysis and Project Management (right from development of a consensus based value hierarchy to its implementation, feedback and steering corrections) that may be applied to help RRR efforts in any conflict ridden country across the globe. The framework is applicable to any conflict ridden country after incorporating changes particular to any country witnessing a prolonged conflict