Symmetry and Asymmetry in Engineering Decisions: Data-Driven and Expert-Based Approaches to Multi-Attribute Decision-Making
A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Engineering and Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: industrial engineering; operational research; engineering management; reliability engineering; FMEA
Interests: structural analysis; FEM; active innovative structures and materials; decision making; transport technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In modern industry and engineering practice, decision-making is often conceptualized as the selection of an option among multiple alternatives or possible solutions, which are evaluated according to various attributes or criteria. For this purpose, Multi-Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) methods are most commonly employed. Depending on the characteristics of the method itself, the type of data used, and other specific features, the application of these methods can exhibit properties of symmetry and asymmetry. MADM methods are particularly suitable for solving complex problems in engineering decision-making, as they enable the simultaneous consideration and integration of objective and subjective factors. This duality can be regarded as a manifestation of symmetry, which is reflected in the use of precise data (from records, measurements, standards, and manuals) alongside expert or team assessments, relying on the interplay between objective and subjective information.
Symmetry is one of the fundamental characteristics of various MADM approaches. While some methods allow weaknesses in certain aspects of a solution to be compensated for by strengths in other aspects (compensatory), other methods aim for more stable solutions, not allowing poor aspects to be easily offset (non-compensatory). Moreover, approaches based on utility functions and data represent diametrically opposed paradigms, illustrating symmetry in methodology.
The role of attribute (criteria) weights is also crucial and can be seen as a balance between the attributes and their influence on the final outcome. Moreover, the assignment of different attribute weights can be highlighted as an expression of asymmetry in the application of these methods, as it is precisely through this property that the optimal solution is reached.
In both scientific research and practical applications, it is essential to understand and apply the concepts of symmetry and asymmetry in MADM approaches. This enhances the reliability of these methods and ensures the robustness of the obtained results.
The focus of this Special Issue is to highlight the importance of research on symmetry and asymmetry in the application of MADM methods to engineering decision-making problems. We invite contributions to this Special Issue that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Combining data-driven (objective) and expert-based/fuzzy (subjective) data in the application of MADM approaches in engineering;
- Application and comparison of compensatory and non-compensatory (as well as balanced) approaches in solving specific problems;
- Application of combined and hybrid fuzzy MADM approaches.
Dr. Nikola Komatina
Dr. Dragan Marinkovic
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- engineering
- symmetry/asymmetry in MADM
- data-driven
- expert-based
- fuzzy sets
- decision-making
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