A diversified AHP-tree approach for multiple-criteria supplier selection

A Supplier Selection Model Using Alternative Ranking Process by Alternatives’ Stability Scores and the Grey Equilibrium Product

Supply chain management begins with supplier evaluation and selection. The supplier selection deals with various criteria with different contexts which makes it a complex multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. In this paper, a novel MCDM method, called the alternative ranking process by alternatives’ stability scores (ARPASS), is proposed to solve supplier selection problems. ARPASS considers each alternative as a system that is constructed on integrated components. To perform properly, a system requires high integrity and stability. ARPASS utilizes the stability of alternatives as an effective element for ranking the alternatives. The ARPASS is developed in two forms, ARPASS and ARPASS*. The new method utilizes standard deviations and Shannon’s entropy to compute the alternatives’ stabilities. In this paper, in addition to the new MCDM methods, a new method called the grey equilibrium product (GEP) is introduced to convert grey linguistic variables into crisp values, using decision makers’ subjective perceptions and judgments. To highlight and validate the novel methods’ performance, they are applied to two sustainable supplier selection problems. For evaluation of the reliability of ARPASS and ARPASS*, their results were compared with the results of the popular MCDM methods. We compared the methods in terms of calculation time, simplicity, transparency, and information type.

Research on public opinion guidance of converging media based on AHP and transmission dynamics

In the 5G era, media convergence and technological updates lead to tremendous changes in the dissemination of public opinion information. The guidance of public opinion in the converged media environment is a new research topic. Users participate in the discussion of different media, and flow in and out from different media, which gradually generate a new complex dynamics model of the dissemination of public opinion information. An index system for evaluating the influence of converged media communication that combines the advantages of traditional media and new media is constructed. We use AHP to determine the index weights in the evaluation system and conduct consistency tests. The final weight of each media is determined through the combination of subjective and objective methods, which provides data supports for later determining the participation of various media in the dissemination process of public opinion information. Based on the SIR model, a UCIR (unknown-contact-infected-recovered) dynamic model is established. The simulation results show that the root mean square error (RMSE) of the UCIR model is 31.6% lower than that of the SIR model. Finally, by fixing the key parameters α, β, θ, ε, p, q in the UCIR model, and changing only one of them, we studied the effect of the transition probability between different states on the process of public opinion information transmission, and then proposed corresponding guidance. In addition, from the two perspectives of network media and government, the countermeasures and suggestions for the guidance of public opinion are proposed. We try to solve the problems of humanities and social sciences with the method of natural science. These research results can provide theoretical and methodological support for people to understand the law of public opinion information transmission and establish a guiding mechanism for public opinion information transmission.