An extended VIKOR method based on prospect theory for multiple attribute decision making under interval type-2 fuzzy environment

A generalized interval-valued p,q Rung orthopair fuzzy Maclaurin symmetric mean and modified regret theory based sustainable supplier selection method

A novel interval valued p,q Rung orthopair fuzzy (IVPQ-ROF) multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) method for sustainable supplier selection (SSS) is proposed in this paper. This study mainly contains two research points: (1) tackling the interrelation between attributes; and (2) describing the psychological state and risk attitude of decision makers (DMs). For the first research point, we introduce the Archimedean operation rules for interval valued p,q Rung orthopair fuzzy sets (IVPQ-ROFSs), then the generalized interval valued p, q Rung orthopair fuzzy Maclaurin symmetric mean (GIVPQ-ROFMSM) operator and the generalized interval valued p, q Rung orthopair fuzzy weighted Maclaurin symmetric mean (GIVPQ-ROFWMSM) operator are defined to reflect the correlation between attributes. For the second research point, we introduce the positive ideal degree (PID) and negative ideal degree (NID) based on projection of IVPQ-ROFSs, and modified regret theory. Both of them consider the best alternative and worst alternative, so as to reflect the psychological state and risk attitude of DMs. Finally, a SSS problem is presented to manifest the effectiveness of the designed method. We also provide sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis to further demonstrate the rationality and validity of the proposed method.

Vaccine selection for COVID-19 by AHP and novel VIKOR hybrid approach with interval type-2 fuzzy sets

Decisions in the health industry have a significant impact on human lives. With the COVID-19 pandemic, a global war is being waged. Vaccination is a critical component in this fight. The governments are attempting to offer their citizens the best vaccine for the public based on limitations. However, due to the unique characterizations of countries and the people who live in the country, the definition of "the ideal vaccination" is indefinite. Fuzzy set theory has been an ideal tool to cope with problems involving imprecise information such as the meaning of "ideal" in this case. In this study Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets (IT2FSs) will be used to describe uncertainty. This IT2FS structure will be the framework of the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), to determine the criteria weights, and the VIKOR (VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje), to generate a set of optimal choices. The main objective of this study is to sustain the necessary effect of uncertainty of fuzzy sets via the Interval Type-2 Fuzzy (IT2F) metric to the VIKOR method and thus propose an extended VIKOR. The presented new approach will be applied to the problem of vaccine selection for COVID-19. Hence, for the first time in the literature, an application with a multilevel hierarchy will be used in IT2FAHP-VIKOR. Also, obtained optimal solution set with this hybrid framework will be compared with fuzzy AHP-VIKOR and the rankings evaluated with the IT2FTOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) and sensitivity analysis will be performed.

Type-II fuzzy approach with explainable artificial intelligence for nature-based leisure travel destination selection amid the COVID-19 pandemic

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is difficult for travelers to choose suitable nature-based leisure travel destinations because many factors are related to health risks and are highly uncertain. This research proposes a type-II fuzzy approach with explainable artificial intelligence to overcome this difficulty. First, an innovative type-II alpha-cut operations fuzzy collaborative intelligence method was used to derive the fuzzy priorities of factors critical for nature-based leisure travel destination selection. Subsequently, a type-II fuzzy Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje method, which is also novel, was employed to evaluate and compare the overall performance of nature-based leisure travel destinations. Furthermore, several measures were taken to enhance the explainability of the selection process and result. The effectiveness of the proposed type-II fuzzy approach was evaluated in a regional experiment conducted in Taichung City, Taiwan, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An efficiency-based interval type-2 fuzzy multi-criteria group decision making for makeshift hospital selection

Since makeshift hospitals have strong ability in blocking the spread of the virus, how to design some methods to select the reasonable sites of makeshift hospitals is vitally important for containing COVID-19. This paper investigates an efficiency-based multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) method by combining the best-worst method (BWM) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) in trapezoidal interval type-2 fuzzy (TrIT2F) environment. This MCGDM method is called TrIT2F-BWM-DEA, where the TrIT2F-BWM is used to determine the weights of criteria and decision-makers, and the TrIT2F-DEA is employed to rank alternatives by measuring their overall efficiencies. Based on cut set theory, the expectation and average expectation (AE) of TrIT2FSs are successively defined. To solve three key issues in the development of the TrIT2F-BWM, this paper proposes a flexible ranking relation of TrIT2FSs to transform the TrIT2F constraints, initiates an efficient theorem to normalize the TrIT2F weights, and designs an input-based consistency ratio to check the reliability of the determined weights. A fully TrIT2F-DEA model is originally built to measure the TrIT2F efficiencies of alternatives. The alternatives are finally ranked according to the AEs of alternatives’ TrIT2F efficiencies. A site selection case of Fangcang hospitals and some comparative analyses are provided to confirm the validity and merits of the proposed TrIT2F-BWM-DEA.

A new multi-criteria group decision-making method based on consensus mechanism in an interval type-2 fuzzy environment

The consensus problem is a very important aspect of group decision making (GDM). In order to deal with the multiple criteria group decision consensus problem in the interval type-2 fuzzy environment, a consensus measure based on similarity measurement is proposed in this paper. In this paper, first, a new similarity measure of two interval type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs) is defined and the consensus measure is defined by the similarity measure between two IT2FSs. Then, a new consensus feedback mechanism is proposed. In the stage of alternatives selection, the entropy of IT2FSs is defined, and the entropy weight method is used to determine the weights of the criteria. Finally, the feasibility of the method proposed in this paper is illustrated by a comprehensive evaluation of old-age institutions.

Decision-Making under Uncertainty for the Deployment of Future Hyperconnected Networks: A Survey

Among the several emerging dimensioning, control and deployment of future communication network paradigms stands out the human-centric characteristic that creates an intricate relationship between telematics and human activities. The hard to model dynamics of user behavior introduces new uncertainties into these systems that give rise to difficult network resource management challenges. According to this context, this work reviews several decision-making computational methods under the influence of uncertainties. This work, by means of a systematic literature review, focuses on sensor-based Internet of Things scenarios such as Smart Spaces and Industry 4.0. According to our conclusions, it is mandatory to establish a means for modeling the human behavior context in order to improve resource assignment and management.

Innovative Supplier Selection from Collaboration Perspective with a Hybrid MCDM Model: A Case Study Based on NEVs Manufacturer

In the context of Chinese innovation-driven strategy, the role of suppliers has been attracting much attention. Since not every supplier can contribute to the buyer’s innovation, scientifically selecting an innovative supplier is highly valued by decision-makers from the new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers. This paper focuses on proposing a novel decision framework in the context of collaborative innovation, which helps NEV manufacturers to select an innovative supplier who can work hand in hand with them to enhance their innovation performance. First, a novel capability-willingness-risk (C-W-R) evaluation indicator system is established, considering supply risk from a multi-proximity perspective which is tightly tied to collaborative innovation performance, only considered from geographical proximity in previous supplier selection research. Then a hybrid fuzzy-symmetrical multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model is proposed that integrates fuzzy linguistic sets, best–worst method (BWM), prospect theory (PT) and VIKOR. With this approach, a final ranking is obtained for innovative supplier selection by NEV manufacturers in China. Moreover, sensitivity analysis and comparison analysis illustrate the proposed decision framework’s effectiveness and reliability and dig deep into the buyer−supplier collaborative innovation. Finally, some managerial suggestions are given for supplier selection from the standpoint of NEV manufacturers.

A Framework for Early Stages of Socially Sustainable Renovation of Multifamily Buildings with Occupants’ Participation

Research shows that in most cases occupants are not actively involved in the design process but only informed about the decisions already made. This paper proposes a framework for the early phases of socially sustainable renovation design of multifamily buildings enabling occupants’ active and timely involvement by defining appropriate mechanisms for participation in a structured manner. It further considers the interdependence of the social, environmental and economic aspects of renovation design and underlines the significance of their simultaneous consideration. The presented research shows the existence of significant heterogeneity, complexity and interdependence of a number of factors that need to be considered in order to adequately conceptualize sustainable building renovations. Finally, the paper discusses future directions for the development of the proposed model.

Decision support framework for the risk ranking of agroforestry biomass power generation projects with picture fuzzy information

With the rapid growth of the global population and economy, energy consumption and demad are increasing sharply. As an essential renewable energy, biomass energy can promote the reform of energy production and consumption. Considering the characteristics of long investment cycle and large investment scale of agroforestry biomass power generation (AFBPG) projects, this study establishes a decision support framework for risk ranking of AFBPG project under picture fuzzy environment. The proposed framework considers not only the fuzziness and uncertainty of decision-making problems but also the decision-makers’ (DMs) psychological behavior. First, given the integrity of information representation, DMs provide risk assessment information expressed with picture fuzzy numbers, and then gives the distance of the picture fuzzy set (PFS) to maximize the PFS information. Second, the entropy weight method is used to compute the objective weight. Third, the VIKOR (Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) – TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese for an interactive multi-criteria decision making) method is suggested for ranking risk factors, which reflects the behavioral psychology of DMs. Moreover, the proposed evaluation model is successfully applied in a practical case. The results show that the model is valid for ranking risk factors under picture fuzzy environment. Last but not least, comparison and sensitivity analysis are implemented to verify the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method and some suggestions for practical application are put forward.

VIKOR Method for MAGDM Based on Q-Rung Interval-Valued Orthopair Fuzzy Information and Its Application to Supplier Selection of Medical Consumption Products

The VIKOR model has been considered a viable tool for many decision-making applications in the past few years, given the advantages of considering the compromise between maximizing the utility of group and minimizing personal regrets. The q-rung interval-valued orthopair fuzzy set (q-RIVOFS) is a generalization of intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) and Pythagorean fuzzy set (PFS) and has emerged to solve more complex and uncertain decision making problems which IFS and PFS cannot handle. In this manuscript, the key innovation is to combine the traditional VIKOR model with q-RIVOFS to develop the q-rung interval-valued orthopair fuzzy VIKOR model. In the new developed model, to express more information, the attribute’s values in MAGDM problems are depicted by q-RIVOFNs. First of all, some basic theories and aggregation operators of q-RIVOFNs are simply introduced. Then we develop the origin VIKOR model to q-RIVOFS environment and briefly express the computing steps of this new established model. Thereafter, the effectiveness of the model is verified by an example of supplier selection of medical consumer products and through comparative analysis, the superiority of the new method is further illustrated.

Evaluation of Influenza Intervention Strategies in Turkey with Fuzzy AHP-VIKOR

In this study, a fuzzy AHP-VIKOR method is presented to help decision makers (DMs), especially physicians, evaluate and rank intervention strategies for influenza. Selecting the best intervention strategy is a sophisticated multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem with potentially competing criteria. Two fuzzy MCDM methods, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP) and fuzzy VIsekriterijumska optimizacija i KOmpromisno Resenje (F-VIKOR), are integrated to evaluate and rank influenza intervention strategies. In fuzzy AHP-VIKOR, F-AHP is used to determine the fuzzy criteria weights and F-VIKOR is implemented to rank the strategies with respect to the presented criteria. A case study is given where a professor of infectious diseases and clinical microbiology, an internal medicine physician, an ENT physician, a family physician, and a cardiologist in Turkey act as DMs in the process.

Evaluating the Performance of Systemic Innovation Problems of the IoT in Manufacturing Industries by Novel MCDM Methods

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an important technological innovation that can enhance industrial competitiveness and sustainability. Thus, governments need to carefully construct an innovation portfolio that promotes sustainable IoT development. To help define an accurate innovation policy and promote development of the IoT industries, potential problems in terms of systemic perspectives should be examined. Such problems, so-called “systemic innovation problems”, influence and block sustainable development of IoT technology as well as the IoT industry. However, past studies that explored systemic innovation problems in IoT-related industries are limited. Thus, this research aims to explore systemic innovation problems related to configuring an IoT innovation policy portfolio. A hybrid Bayesian rough based evaluation model was used to derive the most feasible policy instruments. The modified Delphi, Bayesian Rough Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Based Network Procedures (BR-DNP), and the modified Bayesian rough Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (MBR-VIKOR) were introduced. Gaps in performance corresponding to each systemic innovation problem can thus be assessed based on the features of technological innovation systems. The applicability of the proposed model for promoting industrial sustainability of IoT in the Taiwanese smart manufacturing industry (based on the opinions provided by Taiwanese experts) was verified by an empirical study. Eleven systemic innovation problems that influence the development of the IoT for the smart manufacturing industry were compared and ranked. Based on the results of the empirical study, the performance-gap ratio of “low level of interdisciplinary collaboration” problem is the lowest, as compared to other systemic innovation problems. In addition, the systemic functions of entrepreneurial activities and knowledge development are relatively more important than other systemic functions. The empirical results can serve as a basis for planning an IoT innovation policy portfolio definition and roadmap. Moreover, suggestions for enhancing current systemic innovation problems are provided for policy makers and industrial researchers, according to the results of the evaluation.

An Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Similarity-Based MABAC Approach for Patient-Centered Care

Patient-centered care is an essential part of the implementation of integrated medicine, integrating humanistic care into nursing services, enhancing communication between caregivers and patients, and providing personalized service to patients. Based on the similarity of interval type-2 fuzzy numbers (IT2FNs), a novel similarity-based methodology is presented for the selection of the most suitable medical treatment under a patient-centered environment. First, we propose a new similarity based on the geometric properties of interval type-2 fuzzy numbers and present a new property based on the center of gravity. Meanwhile, in order to better highlight the advantages of the proposed similarity, we selected 30 samples for comparative experiments. Second, considering the straightforward logic of the multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) method, we extended it based on similarity to make the decision more accurate. Finally, a realistic patient-centered type-2 diabetes treatment selection problem is presented to verify the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. A comparative analysis with existing methods is also described.

An Extended VIKOR Method for Multiple Criteria Group Decision Making with Triangular Fuzzy Neutrosophic Numbers

In this article, we combine the original VIKOR model with a triangular fuzzy neutrosophic set to propose the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic VIKOR method. In the extended method, we use the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic numbers (TFNNs) to present the criteria values in multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problems. Firstly, we summarily introduce the fundamental concepts, operation formulas and distance calculating method of TFNNs. Then we review some aggregation operators of TFNNs. Thereafter, we extend the original VIKOR model to the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic environment and introduce the calculating steps of the TFNNs VIKOR method, our proposed method which is more reasonable and scientific for considering the conflicting criteria. Furthermore, a numerical example for potential evaluation of emerging technology commercialization is presented to illustrate the new method, and some comparisons are also conducted to further illustrate advantages of the new method.

Novel Method for Perceiving Key Requirements of Customer Collaboration Low-Carbon Product Design

Low-carbon product design is an important way to reduce greenhouse gas emission. Customer collaborative product innovation (CCPI) has become a new worldwide product design trend. Based on this popularity, we introduced CCPI into the low-carbon product design process. An essential step for implementing low carbon CCPI is to clarify key low carbon requirements of customers. This study tested a novel method for perceiving key requirements of customer collaboration low-carbon product design based on fuzzy grey relational analysis and genetic algorithm. Firstly, the study considered consumer heterogeneity, allowing different types of customers to evaluate low carbon requirements in appropriate formats that reflected their degrees of uncertainty. Then, a nonlinear optimization model was proposed to establish the information aggregation factor of customers based on the genetic algorithm. The weight of customers was obtained simultaneously. Next, the key low carbon requirements of customer were identified. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method was illustrated with a case related to a low carbon liquid crystal display.

Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Preference Utility Set and Its Application in Selection of Fire Rescue Plans

Hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set provides an effective tool to represent uncertain decision information. However, the semantics corresponding to the linguistic terms in it cannot accurately reflect the decision-makers’ subjective cognition. In general, different decision-makers’ sensitivities towards the semantics are different. Such sensitivities can be represented by the cumulative prospect theory value function. Inspired by this, we propose a linguistic scale function to transform the semantics corresponding to linguistic terms into the linguistic preference values. Furthermore, we propose the hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference utility set, based on which, the decision-makers can flexibly express their distinct semantics and obtain the decision results that are consistent with their cognition. For calculations and comparisons over the hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference utility sets, we introduce some distance measures and comparison laws. Afterwards, to apply the hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference utility sets in emergency management, we develop a method to obtain objective weights of attributes and then propose a hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference utility-TOPSIS method to select the best fire rescue plan. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is verified by some comparisons of the method with other two representative methods including the hesitant fuzzy linguistic-TOPSIS method and the hesitant fuzzy linguistic-VIKOR method.