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Special Issue "Optimization for Decision Making"

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A special issue of Mathematics (ISSN 2227-7390).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2019) | Viewed by 46779

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Prof. Dr. Víctor Yepes

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Institute of Concrete Science and Technology (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
Interests: multiobjective optimization; structures optimization; lifecycle assessment; social sustainability of infrastructures; reliability-based maintenance optimization; optimization and decision-making under uncertainty
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Prof. Dr. José Moreno-Jiménez

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Grupo Decisión Multicriterio Zaragoza (GDMZ), Facultad de Economía y Empresa, Universidad de Zaragoza, Gran Vía 2, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: multicriteria decision making; environmental selection; strategic planning; knowledge management; evaluation of systems; logistics and public decision making (e-government, e-participation, e-democracy, and e-cognocracy)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the current context of the electronic governance of society, both administrations and citizens are demanding greater participation of all the actors involved in the decision-making process relative to the governance of society. In addition, the design, planning, and operations management rely on mathematical models, the complexity of which depends on the detail of models and complexity/characteristics of the problem they represent. Unfortunately, decision-making by humans is often suboptimal in ways that can be reliably predicted. Furthermore, the process industry seeks not only to minimize cost, but also to minimize adverse environmental and social impacts. On the other hand, in order to 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 application of optimization techniques to support decisions are particularly complex and a wide range of optimization techniques and methodologies are used to minimize risks or improve quality in making concomitant decisions. In addition, a sensitivity analysis should be done to validate/analyze the influence of uncertainty regarding decision-making.

Prof. Víctor Yepes
Prof. José M. Moreno-Jiménez
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Multicriteria decision making
Optimization techniques
Multiobjective optimization

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Methods as a Part of Mathematical Optimization

Irina Vinogradova

Mathematics 2019, 7(10), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7100915 - 02 Oct 2019

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 8404

Abstract

Optimization problems are relevant to various areas of human activity. In different cases, the problems are solved by applying appropriate optimization methods. A range of optimization problems has resulted in a number of different methods and algorithms for reaching solutions. One of the problems deals with the decision-making area, which is an optimal option selected from several options of comparison. Multi-Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) methods are widely applied for making the optimal solution, selecting a single option or ranking choices from the most to the least appropriate. This paper is aimed at providing MADM methods as a component of mathematics-based optimization. The theoretical part of the paper presents evaluation criteria of methods as the objective functions. To illustrate the idea, some of the most frequently used methods in practice—Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Complex Proportional Assessment Method (COPRAS), Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis (MOORA) and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE)—were chosen. These methods use a finite number of explicitly given alternatives. The research literature does not propose the best or most appropriate MADM method for dealing with a specific task. Thus, several techniques are frequently applied in parallel to make the right decision. Each method differs in the data processing, and therefore the results of MADM methods are obtained on different scales. The practical part of this paper demonstrates how to combine the results of several applied methods into a single value. This paper proposes a new approach for evaluating that involves merging the results of all applied MADM methods into a single value, taking into account the suitability of the methods for the task to be solved. Taken as a basis is the fact that if a method is more stable to a minor data change, the greater importance (weight) it has for the merged result. This paper proposes an algorithm for determining the stability of MADM methods by applying the statistical simulation method using a sequence of random numbers from the given distribution. This paper shows the different approaches to normalizing the results of MADM methods. For arranging negative values and making the scales of the results of the methods equal, Weitendorf’s linear normalization and classical and author-proposed transformation techniques have been illustrated in this paper. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Analysis of Simulated Annealing and Variable Neighborhood Search in the ATCo Work-Shift Scheduling Problem

Faustino Tello

Antonio Jiménez-Martín

Alfonso Mateos

and

Pablo Lozano

Mathematics 2019, 7(7), 636; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7070636 - 17 Jul 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2809

Abstract

This paper deals with the air traffic controller (ATCo) work shift scheduling problem. This is a multi-objective optimization problem, as it involves identifying the best possible distribution of ATCo work and rest periods and positions, ATCo workload and control center changes in order to cover an airspace sector configuration, while, at the same time, complying with ATCo working conditions. We propose a three-phase problem-solving methodology based on the variable neighborhood search (VNS) to tackle this problem. The solution structure should resemble the previous template-based solution. Initial infeasible solutions are built using a template-based heuristic in Phase 1. Then, VNS is conducted in Phase 2 in order to arrive at a feasible solution. This constitutes the starting point of a new search process carried out in Phase 3 to derive an optimal solution based on a weighted sum fitness function. We analyzed the performance in the proposed methodology of VNS against simulated annealing, as well as the use of regular expressions compared with the implementation in the code to verify the feasibility of the analyzed solutions, taking into account four representative and complex instances of the problem corresponding to different airspace sectorings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Some Hesitant Fuzzy Hamacher Power-Aggregation Operators for Multiple-Attribute Decision-Making

Mi Jung Son

Jin Han Park

and

Ka Hyun Ko

Mathematics 2019, 7(7), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7070594 - 02 Jul 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1711

Abstract

As an extension of the fuzzy set, the hesitant fuzzy set is used to effectively solve the hesitation of decision-makers in group decision-making and to rigorously express the decision information. In this paper, we first introduce some new hesitant fuzzy Hamacher power-aggregation operators for hesitant fuzzy information based on Hamacher t-norm and t-conorm. Some desirable properties of these operators is shown, and the interrelationships between them are given. Furthermore, the relationships between the proposed aggregation operators and the existing hesitant fuzzy power-aggregation operators are discussed. Based on the proposed aggregation operators, we develop a new approach for multiple-attribute decision-making problems. Finally, a practical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed approach, and the advantages of our approach are analyzed by comparison with other existing approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

Open AccessArticle

Dual Hesitant Pythagorean Fuzzy Heronian Mean Operators in Multiple Attribute Decision Making

and

Mathematics 2019, 7(4), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7040344 - 10 Apr 2019

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 2564

Abstract

On account of the indeterminacy and subjectivity of decision makers (DMs) in complexity decision-making environments, the evaluation information over alternatives presented by DMs is usually fuzzy and ambiguous. As the generalization of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs), the Pythagorean fuzzy set (PFS) is more useful in expressing fuzzy and ambiguous information. Meanwhile, in order to consider human hesitance, dual hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy sets (DHPFSs) are presented, which can be more valid for handling real multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) problems. To fuse the information in DHPFSs more effectively, in this article, some dual hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy Heronian mean operators, which can consider the relationships between arguments being fused, are defined and studied. Evidently, the new proposed operators can obtain more exact results than other existing methods. In addition, some important properties of these Heronian mean (HM) operators are discussed. Subsequently, the defined aggregation operators are used in MADM with dual hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy numbers (DHPFNs), and the MADM model is developed. In accordance with the defined operators and the built model, the dual hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy generalized weighted Heronian mean (DHPFGWHM) operator and dual hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy generalized geometric weighted Heronian mean (DHPFGGWHM) operator are applied to deal with the green supplier selection in supply chain management, and the availability and superiority of the proposed operators are analyzed by comparing them with some existing approaches. The method presented in this paper can effectively solve the MADM problems in which the decision-making information is expressed by DHPFNs and the attributes are interactive. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

Open AccessArticle

Interval-Valued Probabilistic Hesitant Fuzzy Set Based Muirhead Mean for Multi-Attribute Group Decision-Making

and

Mathematics 2019, 7(4), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7040342 - 09 Apr 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1868

Abstract

As a powerful generalization to fuzzy set, hesitant fuzzy set (HFS) was introduced, which provided multiple possible membership values to be associated with a specific instance. But HFS did not consider occurrence probability values, and to circumvent the issue, probabilistic HFS (PHFS) was introduced, which associates an occurrence probability value with each hesitant fuzzy element (HFE). Providing such a precise probability value is an open challenge and as a generalization to PHFS, interval-valued PHFS (IVPHFS) was proposed. IVPHFS provided flexibility to decision makers (DMs) by associating a range of values as an occurrence probability for each HFE. To enrich the usefulness of IVPHFS in multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM), in this paper, we extend the Muirhead mean (MM) operator to IVPHFS for aggregating preferences. The MM operator is a generalized operator that can effectively capture the interrelationship between multiple attributes. Some properties of the proposed operator are also discussed. Then, a new programming model is proposed for calculating the weights of attributes using DMs’ partial information. Later, a systematic procedure is presented for MAGDM with the proposed operator and the practical use of the operator is demonstrated by using a renewable energy source selection problem. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal are discussed in comparison with other methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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Open AccessArticle

and

Mathematics 2019, 7(4), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7040340 - 09 Apr 2019

Cited by 105 | Viewed by 3745

Abstract

In this article, we propose another form of ten similarity measures by considering the function of membership degree, non-membership degree, and indeterminacy membership degree between the q-ROFSs on the basis of the traditional cosine similarity measures and cotangent similarity measures. Then, we utilize our presented ten similarity measures and ten weighted similarity measures between q-ROFSs to deal with multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) problems including pattern recognition and scheme selection. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to illustrate the scientific and effective of the similarity measures for pattern recognition and scheme selection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

Open AccessArticle

Homogeneous Groups of Actors in an AHP-Local Decision Making Context: A Bayesian Analysis

Alfredo Altuzarra

Pilar Gargallo

José María Moreno-Jiménez

and

Manuel Salvador

Mathematics 2019, 7(3), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7030294 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2062

Abstract

The two procedures traditionally followed for group decision making with the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) are the Aggregation of Individual Judgments (AIJ) and the Aggregation of Individual Priorities (AIP). In both cases, the geometric mean is used to synthesise judgments and individual priorities into a collective position. Unfortunately, positional measures (means) are only representative if dispersion is reduced. It is therefore necessary to develop decision tools that allow: (i) the identification of groups of actors that present homogeneous and differentiated behaviours; and, (ii) the aggregation of the priorities of the near groups to reach collective positions with the greatest possible consensus. Following a Bayesian approach to AHP in a local context (a single criterion), this work proposes a methodology to solve these problems when the number of actors is not high. The method is based on Bayesian comparison and selection of model tools which identify the number and composition of the groups as well as their priorities. This information can be very useful to identify agreement paths among the decision makers that can culminate in a more representative decision-making process. The proposal is illustrated by a real-life case study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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Open AccessArticle

Comparative Evaluation and Ranking of the European Countries Based on the Interdependence between Human Development and Internal Security Indicators

and

Mathematics 2019, 7(3), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7030293 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3235

Abstract

New solutions and techniques for developing country policies are used under real conditions. The present study aims to propose a new approach for evaluating and ranking the European countries by using the interrelation between two groups of criteria, associated with the Human Development Index (HDI) and the World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI). HDI and its components rank countries by value and detail the values of the components of longevity, education and income per capita. WISPI focuses on the effective rendering of security services and the outcome of rendered services. The priority of criteria is determined in the descending order of their correlation values with other group criteria. The criteria weights are set simultaneously for both groups by applying the weight balancing method WEBIRA. The methodology based on minimising sum of squared differences of the weighted sums within groups is used. Finally, the generalised criteria measuring the level of the country are calculated using the SAW method. Cluster analysis of the countries was carried out and compared with MCDM results. The study revealed that WEBIRA ranking of countries is basically consistent with the results of cluster analysis. The proposed methodology can be applied to develop the management policy of the countries, as well as to their evaluation and ranking by using various indices, criteria and procedures. The results of this research can also be used to reveal national policy choices, to point out government policy priorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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Open AccessArticle

Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution Method for Multiple Criteria Group Decision Making under Picture 2-Tuple Linguistic Environment

and

Mathematics 2019, 7(3), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7030243 - 08 Mar 2019

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 3339

Abstract

In this paper, we design the EDAS (evaluation based on distance from average solution) model with picture 2-tuple linguistic numbers (P2TLNs). First, we briefly reviewed the definition of P2TLSs and introduced the score function, accuracy function, and operational laws of P2TLNs. Then, we combined the traditional EDAS model for multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) with P2TLNs. Our presented model was more accurate and effective for considering the conflicting attributes. Finally, a numerical case for green supplier selection was given to illustrate this new model, and some comparisons were also conducted between the picture 2-tuple linguistic weighted averaging (P2TLWA), picture 2-tuple linguistic weighted geometric (P2TLWG) aggregation operators and EDAS model with P2TLNs, to further illustrate the advantages of the new method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

Open AccessArticle

AHP-Group Decision Making Based on Consistency

Juan Aguarón

María Teresa Escobar

José María Moreno-Jiménez

and

Alberto Turón

Mathematics 2019, 7(3), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7030242 - 07 Mar 2019

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 3544

Abstract

The Precise consistency consensus matrix (PCCM) is a consensus matrix for AHP-group decision making in which the value of each entry belongs, simultaneously, to all the individual consistency stability intervals. This new consensus matrix has shown significantly better behaviour with regards to consistency than other group consensus matrices, but it is slightly worse in terms of compatibility, understood as the discrepancy between the individual positions and the collective position that synthesises them. This paper includes an iterative algorithm for improving the compatibility of the PCCM. The sequence followed to modify the judgments of the PCCM is given by the entries that most contribute to the overall compatibility of the group. The procedure is illustrated by means of its application to a real-life situation (a local context) with three decision makers and four alternatives. The paper also offers, for the first time in the scientific literature, a detailed explanation of the process followed to solve the optimisation problem proposed for the consideration of different weights for the decision makers in the calculation of the PCCM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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Open AccessArticle

Staff Task-Based Shift Scheduling Solution with an ANP and Goal Programming Method in a Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant

Emir Hüseyin Özder

Evrencan Özcan

and

Tamer Eren

Mathematics 2019, 7(2), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7020192 - 18 Feb 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5578

Abstract

Shift scheduling problems (SSPs) are advanced NP-hard problems which are generally evaluated with integer programming. This study presents an applicable shift schedule of workers in a large-scale natural gas combined cycle power plant (NGCCPP), which realize 35.17% of the total electricity generation in Turkey alone, as at of the end of 2018. This study included 80 workers who worked three shifts in the selected NGCCPP for 30 days. The proposed scheduling model was solved according to the skills of the workers, and there were nine criteria by which the workers were evaluated for their abilities. Analytic network process (ANP) is a method used for obtaining the weights of workers’ abilities in a particular skill. These weights are used in the proposed scheduling model as concepts in goal programming (GP). The SSP–ANP–GP model sees employees’ everyday preferences as their main feature, bringing high-performance to the highest level, and bringing an objective functionality, and lowering the lowest success of daily choice. At the same time, the model introduced large-scale and soft constraints that reflect the nature of the shift requirements of this program by specifying the most appropriate program. The required data were obtained from the selected NGCCPP and the model solutions were approved by the plant experts. The SSP–ANP–GP model was resolved at a reasonable time. Monthly acquisition time was significantly reduced, and the satisfaction of the employees was significantly increased by using the obtained program. When past studies were examined, it was determined that a shift scheduling problem of this size in the energy sector had not previously been studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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Open AccessArticle

An Application of Multicriteria Decision-making for the Evaluation of Alternative Monorail Routes

Mustafa Hamurcu

and

Tamer Eren

Mathematics 2019, 7(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/math7010016 - 24 Dec 2018

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 4242

Abstract

Urban transportation planning is important for a metropolitan city. Route selection, which is among the decisions of urban transportation planning, is also important in terms of developing the urban transportation. This study contains the route selection for the planned monorail transport system that is a new system in Ankara. The most suitable monorail route was selected among the determined eight alternative monorail routes. In this decision process, we used the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, which is one of the multi-criteria decision-making methods. Finally, we provided the most suitable ranking and planning with the selection process for the development of urban transportation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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Open AccessArticle

Algorithm for Probabilistic Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Based on Aggregation Operators with New Distance Measures

Harish Garg

and

Gagandeep Kaur

Mathematics 2018, 6(12), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/math6120280 - 25 Nov 2018

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 2565

Abstract

Probabilistic dual hesitant fuzzy set (PDHFS) is an enhanced version of a dual hesitant fuzzy set (DHFS) in which each membership and non-membership hesitant value is considered along with its occurrence probability. These assigned probabilities give more details about the level of agreeness or disagreeness. By emphasizing the advantages of the PDHFS and the aggregation operators, in this manuscript, we have proposed several weighted and ordered weighted averaging and geometric aggregation operators by using Einstein norm operations, where the preferences related to each object is taken in terms of probabilistic dual hesitant fuzzy elements. Several desirable properties and relations are also investigated in details. Also, we have proposed two distance measures and its based maximum deviation method to compute the weight vector of the different criteria. Finally, a multi-criteria group decision-making approach is constructed based on proposed operators and the presented algorithm is explained with the help of the numerical example. The reliability of the presented decision-making method is explored with the help of testing criteria and by comparing the results of the example with several prevailing studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization for Decision Making)

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