Applications of Operations Research and Decision Making

A special issue of Mathematics (ISSN 2227-7390). This special issue belongs to the section "D2: Operations Research and Fuzzy Decision Making".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 March 2026 | Viewed by 636

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: operational research; decision support models; supply chain management; logistics; transportations
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will advance both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Operations Research (OR) by emphasizing the integration of Optimization Models and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with Fuzzy Decision Making Techniques and Optimization Techniques. In today’s complex and uncertain environment, traditional OR models often struggle to capture the ambiguity and imprecision inherent in real-world decision-making. This Special Issue will showcase innovative approaches that incorporate optimization models and fuzzy logic, linguistic variables, the Dempster–Shafer theory, and probabilistic reasoning into MCDA frameworks, enabling more flexible, robust, and human-centered decision support systems. We invite contributions that explore novel models, algorithms, and hybrid methodologies combining fuzzy MCDA with optimization techniques, artificial intelligence, and data-driven strategies. The scope covers, but is not limited to, applications in supply chain optimization, risk analysis, smart city development, emergency responses, and digital governance.

A non-exhaustive list of topics is as follows:

  • Integer linear programming and combinatorial optimization approaches;
  • Heuristics, meta-heuristics, matheuristics, and model-based metaheuristics for integer linear programming and combinatorial optimization;
  • Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Fuzzy Decision Making Techniques;
  • Real-world applications in industry and services: operations management, supply chain management, logistics and transportation, scheduling, production management and distribution, warehousing, location, energy, telecommunications, project management, and healthcare;
  • Optimization Applications and Decision Support Systems.

Dr. Maria Teresa Pereira
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • hybrid methodologies
  • MCDA
  • fuzzy models
  • optimization models
  • decision support systems

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 2907 KB  
Article
Embedding Public Opinion in Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Planning: A Fuzzy–Grey Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework
by Hezheng Mao and Yicheng Chu
Mathematics 2025, 13(21), 3553; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13213553 - 5 Nov 2025
Viewed by 446
Abstract
Urban infrastructure planning is central to advancing sustainable cities, but project success increasingly depends on public acceptance as well as technical, economic, and environmental performance. This study develops a fuzzy–grey multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework that embeds public opinion as a formal evaluation dimension. [...] Read more.
Urban infrastructure planning is central to advancing sustainable cities, but project success increasingly depends on public acceptance as well as technical, economic, and environmental performance. This study develops a fuzzy–grey multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework that embeds public opinion as a formal evaluation dimension. A novel POI, derived from online discourse data, integrates multi-dimensional emotions, polarization, and participation intensity to capture societal legitimacy. The framework employs entropy weighting and applies three established MCDM methods: TOPSIS, VIKOR, and EDAS, to evaluate project alternatives under uncertainty and incomplete information. An empirical case study in Nanjing demonstrates that incorporating Public Opinion Index (POI) significantly alters decision outcomes: the ecological park gained priority due to strong public support, while the wastewater treatment plant declined in ranking despite environmental benefits. These results underscore the decisive role of societal legitimacy in shaping sustainable infrastructure decisions. The framework contributes to sustainable urban planning by providing a replicable tool for balancing technical feasibility, environmental responsibility, and social acceptance in future infrastructure projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Operations Research and Decision Making)
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