(R1509) TOPSIS and VIKOR Methods for Spherical Fuzzy Soft Set Aggregating Operator Framework

The Spherical Fuzzy Soft (SFS) set is a generalization of the Pythagorean fuzzy soft set and the intuitionistic fuzzy soft set. We introduce the concept of aggregating SFS decision matrices based on aggregated operations. The techniques for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and viekriterijumsko kompromisno rangiranje (VIKOR) for the SFS approaches are the strong points of multi criteria group decision making (MCGDM), which is various extensions of fuzzy soft sets. We define a score function based on aggregating TOPSIS and VIKOR methods to the SFS-positive and SFS-negative ideal solutions. The TOPSIS and VIKOR methods provide decision-making weights. To find the optimal alternative under this condition, closeness is introduced. Also, we obtain an algorithm that deals with the MCGDM problems based on an aggregating operator. Finally, a numerical example of the MCGDM problem is given to verify the practicality of the aggregating operators

VIKOR method for multiple criteria group decision making under 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic environment

In this article, the VIKOR method is proposed to solve the multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) with 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic numbers (2TLNNs). Firstly, the fundamental concepts, operation formulas and distance calculating method of 2TLNNs are introduced. Then some aggregation operators of 2TLNNs are reviewed. Thereafter, the original VIKOR method is extended to 2TLNNs and the calculating steps of VIKOR method with 2TLNNs are proposed. In the proposed method, it’s more reasonable and scientific for considering the conflicting criteria. Furthermore, the VIKOR are extended to interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic numbers (IV2TLNNs). Moreover, a numerical example for green supplier selection has been given to illustrate the new method and some comparisons are also conducted to further illustrate advantages of the new method

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 novel TODIM based on prospect theory to select green supplier with q-rung orthopair fuzzy set

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (#JBK2001043, and #JBK190969), the FEDER funds provided in the National Spanish project PID2019-103880RB-I00 and also it has been partially supported by grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (#71910107002).Green supply chain has developed rapidly due to the advocacy of ecological civilization, and choosing a proper green supplier is a crucial issue. Considering the fuzziness of evaluation information and the psychological states of decision makers (DMs) in selecting process, a novel TODIM based on prospect theory with q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (q-ROFS) is proposed. The novel TODIM concerns both the perceived transformed probability weighting function and the differences in risk attitudes. A new distance, which concerns the herd mentality, is carried out to measure the perceived difference of the q-ROFS. Besides, a new systematic evaluation index system, named as PCEM (Product, Cooperation ability, Environment, Market), has been established. A case related to pork supplier companies is presented and fully demonstrates the effectiveness of the novel TODIM when compared with the extended one, the intuitionistic fuzzy TODIM, the Pythagorean fuzzy TODIM as well as the TOPSIS with q-ROFS. Finally, a series of comparative analyses illustrate the advantages of the proposed TODIM.Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities JBK2001043 JBK190969FEDER funds provided in the National Spanish project PID2019-103880RB-I00National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) 7191010700

Pythagorean fuzzy combinative distance-based assessment with pure linguistic information and its application to financial strategies of multi-national companies

This article addresses the issue of selecting Financial Strategies in Multi-National companies (F.S.M.). The F.S.M. typically has to consider multiple factors involving multiple stakeholders and, hence, can be handled by applying an appropriate Multi-Criteria Group Decision-Making (M.C.G.D.M.) approach. To address this issue, we develop an M.C.G.D.M. framework to tackle the F.S.M. problem. To handle inherent uncertainty in business decisions as reflected by linguistic reasoning, we embark on constructing a Linguistic Pythagorean Fuzzy (L.P.F.) M.C.G.D.M. framework that is capable of tackling both uncertain decision information and linguistic variables. The proposed approach extends the combinative distancebased assessment (C.O.D.A.S.) method into the L.P.F. environment, and processes decision input expressed as Pythagorean fuzzy sets (P.F.S.) and pure linguistic variables (rather than converting linguistic information into fuzzy numbers). The developed L.P.F.- C.O.D.A.S. technique aggregates the L.P.F. information and is applied to the F.S.M. problem with uncertain linguistic information. A comparative analysis is carried out to compare the results obtained from the proposed L.P.F.-C.O.D.A.S. approach with those from other extensions of C.O.D.A.S. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to check the impact of changes in a distance threshold parameter on the ranking results

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

A method based on TOPSIS and distance measures for hesitant fuzzy multiple attribute decision making

The aim of this paper is to provide a methodology to hesitant fuzzy multiple attribute decision making using technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and distance measures. Firstly, the inadequacies of the existing hesitant fuzzy TOPSIS method are analyzed in detail. Then, based on the developed hesitant fuzzy ordered weighted averaging weighted aver-aging distance (HFOWAWAD) measure, a modified hesitant fuzzy TOPSIS, called HFOWAWAD-TOPSIS is introduced for hesitant fuzzy multiple attribute decision making problems. Moreover, the advantages and some special cases of the HFOWAWAD-TOPSIS are presented. Finally, a numerical example about energy policy selection is provided to illustrate the practicality and feasibility of the developed approach

Using Pythagorean Fuzzy Sets (PFS) in Multiple Criteria Group Decision Making (MCGDM) Methods for Engineering Materials Selection Applications

The process of materials’ selection is very critical during the initial stages of designing manufactured products. Inefficient decision-making outcomes in the material selection process could result in poor quality of products and unnecessary costs. In the last century, numerous materials have been developed for manufacturing mechanical components in different industries. Many of these new materials are similar in their properties and performances, thus creating great challenges for designers and engineers to make accurate selections. Our main objective in this work is to assist decision makers (DMs) within the manufacturing field to evaluate materials alternatives and to select the best alternative for specific manufacturing purposes. In this research, new hybrid fuzzy Multiple Criteria Group Decision Making (MCGDM) methods are proposed for the material selection problem. The proposed methods tackle some challenges that are associated with the material selection decision making process, such as aggregating decision makers’ (DMs) decisions appropriately and modeling uncertainty. In the proposed hybrid models, a novel aggregation approach is developed to convert DMs crisp decisions to Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFS). This approach gives more flexibility to DMs to express their opinions than the traditional fuzzy and intuitionistic sets (IFS). Then, the proposed aggregation approach is integrated with a ranking method to solve the Pythagorean Fuzzy Multi Criteria Decision Making (PFMCGDM) problem and rank the material alternatives. The ranking methods used in the hybrid models are the Pythagorean Fuzzy TOPSIS (The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) and Pythagorean Fuzzy COPRAS (COmplex PRoportional Assessment). TOPSIS and COPRAS are selected based on their effectiveness and practicality in dealing with the nature of material selection problems. In the aggregation approach, the Sugeno Fuzzy measure and the Shapley value are used to fairly distribute the DMs weight in the Pythagorean Fuzzy numbers. Additionally, new functions to calculate uncertainty from DMs recommendations are developed using the Takagai-Sugeno approach. The literature reveals some work on these methods, but to our knowledge, there are no published works that integrate the proposed aggregation approach with the selected MCDM ranking methods under the Pythagorean Fuzzy environment for the use in materials selection problems. Furthermore, the proposed methods might be applied, due to its novelty, to any MCDM problem in other areas. A practical validation of the proposed hybrid PFMCGDM methods is investigated through conducting a case study of material selection for high pressure turbine blades in jet engines. The main objectives of the case study were: 1) to investigate the new developed aggregation approach in converting real DMs crisp decisions into Pythagorean fuzzy numbers; 2) to test the applicability of both the hybrid PFMCGDM TOPSIS and the hybrid PFMCGDM COPRAS methods in the field of material selection. In this case study, a group of five DMs, faculty members and graduate students, from the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, were selected to participate as DMs. Their evaluations fulfilled the first objective of the case study. A computer application for material selection was developed to assist designers and engineers in real life problems. A comparative analysis was performed to compare the results of both hybrid MCGDM methods. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to show the robustness and reliability of the outcomes obtained from both methods. It is concluded that using the proposed hybrid PFMCGDM TOPSIS method is more effective and practical in the material selection process than the proposed hybrid PFMCGDM COPRAS method. Additionally, recommendations for further research are suggested