Multiple-attribute group decision making with different formats of preference information on attributes

Area of Science:

• Operations Research
• Decision Science
• Fuzzy Mathematics

Background:

• Decision-making often involves uncertainty, with preferences expressed through interval utility values, interval fuzzy preference relations, and interval multiplicative preference relations.
• Existing methods may struggle to integrate diverse uncertain preference formats effectively in group decision-making scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a unified goal-programming model for multiple-attribute group-decision-making (MAGDM) problems with uncertain attribute values and preferences.
• To integrate three distinct uncertain preference formats: interval utility values, interval fuzzy preference relations, and interval multiplicative preference relations.

Main Methods:

• Normalization of the uncertain decision matrix and transformation into an expected decision matrix.
• Establishment of a goal-programming model to integrate decision matrices and preference formats, deriving attribute weights and overall alternative values.
• Development of specific models for utility values, fuzzy preference relations, and multiplicative preference relations.

Main Results:

• The proposed goal-programming model effectively integrates diverse uncertain preference information, reflecting both subjective and objective data.
• Attribute weights and overall attribute values for alternatives are successfully derived.
• The model avoids information loss and distortion during the integration process, enabling accurate alternative ranking.

Conclusions:

• The developed models provide a robust framework for solving MAGDM problems with various uncertain preference formats.
• The approach demonstrates effectiveness and applicability through practical examples, enhancing decision-making under fuzziness.