Weak Minimizers, Minimizers and Variational Inequalities for set valued Functions. A blooming wreath?

In the literature, necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of variational inequalities are introduced to characterize minimizers of convex set valued functions with values in a conlinear space. Similar results are proved for a weaker concept of minimizers and weaker variational inequalities. The implications are proved using scalarization techniques that eventually provide original problems, not fully equivalent to the set-valued counterparts. Therefore, we try, in the course of this note, to close the network among the various notions proposed. More specifically, we prove that a minimizer is always a weak minimizer, and a solution to the stronger variational inequality always also a solution to the weak variational inequality of the same type. As a special case we obtain a complete characterization of efficiency and weak efficiency in vector optimization by set-valued variational inequalities and their scalarizations. Indeed this might eventually prove the usefulness of the set-optimization approach to renew the study of vector optimization

Variational inequalities characterizing weak minimality in set optimization

We introduce the notion of weak minimizer in set optimization. Necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of scalarized variational inequalities of Stampacchia and Minty type, respectively, are proved. As an application, we obtain necessary and sufficient optimality conditions for weak efficiency of vector optimization in infinite dimensional spaces. A Minty variational principle in this framework is proved as a corollary of our main result.Comment: Includes an appendix summarizing results which are submitted but not published at this poin

A Minty variational principle for set optimization

Extremal problems are studied involving an objective function with values in (order) complete lattices of sets generated by so called set relations. Contrary to the popular paradigm in vector optimization, the solution concept for such problems, introduced by F. Heyde and A. L\"ohne, comprises the attainment of the infimum as well as a minimality property. The main result is a Minty type variational inequality for set optimization problems which provides a sufficient optimality condition under lower semicontinuity assumptions and a necessary condition under appropriate generalized convexity assumptions. The variational inequality is based on a new Dini directional derivative for set-valued functions which is defined in terms of a "lattice difference quotient": A residual operation in a lattice of sets replaces the inverse addition in linear spaces. Relationships to families of scalar problems are pointed out and used for proofs: The appearance of improper scalarizations poses a major difficulty which is dealt with by extending known scalar results such as Diewert's theorem to improper functions

Two approaches toward constrained vector optimization and identity of the solutions

In this paper we deal with a Fritz John type constrained vector optimization problem. In spite that there are many concepts of solutions for an unconstrained vector optimization problem, we show the possibility “to double” the number of concepts when a constrained problem is considered. In particular we introduce sense I and sense II isolated minimizers, properly efficient points, efficient points and weakly efficient points. As a motivation leading to these concepts we give some results concerning optimality conditions in constrained vector optimization and stability properties of isolated minimizers and properly efficient points. Our main investigation and results concern relations between sense I and sense II concepts. These relations are proved mostly under convexity type conditions. Key words: Constrained vector optimization, Optimality conditions, Stability, Type of solutions and their identity, Vector optimization and convexity type conditions.

Increase-along-rays property for vector functions

In this paper we extend to the vector case the notion of increasing along rays function. The proposed definition is given by means of a nonlinear scalarization through the so-called oriented distance function from a point to a set. We prove that the considered class of functions enjoys properties similar to those holding in the scalar case, with regard to optimization problems, relations with (generalized) convex functions and characterization in terms of Minty type variational inequalities. Key words: generalized convexity, increase-along-rays property, star-shaped set, Minty variational inequality.

Variational inequalities in vector optimization

In this paper we investigate the links among generalized scalar variational inequalities of differential type, vector variational inequalities and vector optimization problems. The considered scalar variational inequalities are obtained through a nonlinear scalarization by means of the so called ”oriented distance” function [14, 15]. In the case of Stampacchia-type variational inequalities, the solutions of the proposed ones coincide with the solutions of the vector variational inequalities introduced by Giannessi [8]. For Minty-type variational inequalities, analogous coincidence happens under convexity hypotheses. Furthermore, the considered variational inequalities reveal useful in filling a gap between scalar and vector variational inequalities. Namely, in the scalar case Minty variational inequalities of differential type represent a sufficient optimality condition without additional assumptions, while in the vector case the convexity hypothesis was needed. Moreover it is shown that vector functions admitting a solution of the proposed Minty variational inequality enjoy some well-posedness properties, analogously to the scalar case [4].

First order optimality conditions in set-valued optimization

A a set-valued optimization problem minC F(x), x 2 X0, is considered, where X0 X, X and Y are Banach spaces, F : X0 Y is a set-valued function and C Y is a closed cone. The solutions of the set-valued problem are defined as pairs (x0, y0), y0 2 F(x0), and are called minimizers. In particular the notions of w-minimizer (weakly efficient points), p-minimizer (properly efficient points) and i-minimizer (isolated minimizers) are introduced and their characterization in terms of the so called oriented distance is given. The relation between p-minimizers and i-minimizers under Lipschitz type conditions is investigated. The main purpose of the paper is to derive first order conditions, that is conditions in terms of suitable first order derivatives of F, for a pair (x0, y0), where x0 2 X0, y0 2 F(x0), to be a solution of this problem. We define and apply for this purpose the directional Dini derivative. Necessary conditions and sufficient conditions a pair (x0, y0) to be a w-minimizer, and similarly to be a i-minimizer are obtained. The role of the i-minimizers, which seems to be a new concept in set-valued optimization, is underlined. For the case of w-minimizers some comparison with existing results is done. Key words: Vector optimization, Set-valued optimization, First-order optimality conditions.

First order optimality condition for constrained set-valued optimization

A constrained optimization problem with set-valued data is considered. Different kind of solutions are defined for such a problem. We recall weak minimizer, efficient minimizer and proper minimizer. The latter are defined in a way that embrace also the case when the ordering cone is not pointed. Moreover we present the new concept of isolated minimizer for set-valued optimization. These notions are investigated and appear when establishing first-order necessary and sufficient optimality conditions derived in terms of a Dini type derivative for set-valued maps. The case of convex (along rays) data is considered when studying sufficient optimality conditions for weak minimizers. Key words: Vector optimization, Set-valued optimization, First-order optimality conditions.

Minty variational inequalities, increase-along-rays property and optimization

Let E be a linear space, K E and f : K ? R. We put in terms of the lower Dini directional derivative a problem, referred to as GMV I(f ,K), which can be considered as a generalization of the Minty variational inequality of differential type (for short, MV I(f ,K)). We investigate, in the case of K star-shaped (for short, st-sh), the existence of a solution x of GMV I(f ,K) and the property of f to increase-along-rays starting at x (for short, f IAR(K, x )). We prove that GMV I(f ,K) with radially l.s.c. function f has a solution x ker K if and only if f IAR(K, x ). Further, we prove, that the solution set of GMV I(f ,K) is a convex and radially closed subset of kerK. We show also that, if GMV I(f ,K) has a solution x K, then x is a global minimizer of the problem f(x) ? min, x K. Moreover, we observe that the set of the global minimizers of the related optimization problem, its kernel, and the solution set of the variational inequality can be different. Finally, we prove, that in case of a quasi-convex function f, these sets coincide. Key words: Minty variational inequality, Generalized variational inequality, Existence of solutions, Increase along rays, Quasi-convex functions.

A note on a proof of F. Hahn concerning the gross substitutability

The aim of this note is to investigate the assumptions and the proofs of some results by F. Hahn, which have been stated in several other classics of Economic Theory. The results deal with the relations between the gross substitutability and the weak axiom of revealed preference, in a pure exchange economy, ruled by the Walras law