Hesitant fuzzy methods for multiple criteria decision analysis (Q341073)

This book mainly investigates the multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) or multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problems in which the criteria values and/or the weights of criteria are expressed as hesitant fuzzy elements (HFEs). The book contains 6 chapters. Conclusions and a selective bibliography follows each chapter. The chapter headings are as follows: 1. Hesitant Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis Based on TOPSIS, 2. Hesitant Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis Based on TODIM 3. Hesitant Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis Based on QUALIFEX 4. Hesitant Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis Based on LINMAP 5. Consensus Model-Based Hesitant Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Group Decision Analysis 6. Heterogeneous Multiple Criteria Group Decision Analysis. Chapter 1 introduces a maximizing deviation model-based hesitant fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method for solving the MCDM problems in which the criteria values are expressed by HFEs and the weights of criteria are completely unknown or partially known. There are two key issues being addresses in this approach. The first one is to establish an optimization model base on the maximizing deviation method, which can be used to determine the weights of criteria. The second one is to calculate the revised closeness index of each alternative to the hesitant fuzzy positive ideal solution. Chapter 2 presents a ranking functions-based hesitant fuzzy TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese of interactive and multi-criteria decision making) approach to solve the hesitant fuzzy MCDM problems in the case of considering the decision maker's psychological behavior. Firstly, two novel ranking functions are introduced to compare the magnitudes of HFEs and interval-valued hesitant fuzzy elements, which are more reasonable and effective compared with the existing ranking functions. Then, a prospect value function is constructed for measuring the dominance degree of each alternative over the others based on novel ranking functions and distance measures. This chapter also introduces a hesitant trapezoidal fuzzy TODIM approach. Chapter 3 develops a hesitant fuzzy qualitative flexible multiple criteria method with a signed distance-based comparison method to handle the MCDM problems in which both the assessments of alternatives on criteria and the weights of criteria are expressed by HFEs. The authors propose a novel concept of hesitancy index for the HFE to measure the degree of hesistancy of the decision maker or the decision organization. They present a signed distance-based ranking method to compare the magnitude of HFEs. Chapter 4 introduces a hesitant fuzzy LINMAP group decision method with interval programming models for solving the MCGDM problems in which the criteria values are represented by HFEs and the pair-wise comparison judgements over alternative are taken as interval numbers. This chapter also develops a hesitant fuzzy programming model-based LINMAP method for handling the MCDM problems with incomplete and/or inconsistent weight information in which the ratings of alternatives with each criterion are taken as HFEs and the incomplete judgements on pair-wise comparisons of alternatives with hesitant degrees are also represented by HFEs. Chapter 5 investigates the MCGDM problem where the criteria values are take the form of HFEs and the weights of criteria are known in advance but the weights of experts are partially known or completely unknown. The authors propose a consensus model-based hesitant fuzzy group decision-making method. Chapter 6 proposes a deviation modeling method to deal with the heterogeneous MCGDM problems with incomplete weight information. The book is beautifully written. It can be used as a reference for researchers and practitioners working in the field of fuzzy mathematics, operations research, information science, management science and engineering, etc. and as a textbook for postgraduate and senior undergraduate students.