Multi-objective programming (MOP) can simultaneously optimize multi-objectives in mathematical programming models, but the optimization of multi-objectives triggers the issue of Pareto solutions and complicates the derived answers. To address these problems, researchers often incorporate the concepts of fuzzy sets and evolutionary algorithms into M

In the last 25 years, the fuzzy set theory has been applied in many disciplines such as operations research, management science, control theory, artificial intelligence/expert system, etc. In this volume, methods and applications of crisp, fuzzy and possibilistic multiple objective decision making are first systematically and thoroughly reviewed and classified. This state-of-the-art survey provides readers with a capsule look into the existing methods, and their characteristics and applicability to analysis of fuzzy and possibilistic programming problems. To realize practical fuzzy modelling, it presents solutions for real-world problems including production/manufacturing, location, logistics, environment management, banking/finance, personnel, marketing, accounting, agriculture economics and data analysis. This book is a guided tour through the literature in the rapidly growing fields of operations research and decision making and includes the most up-to-date bibliographical listing of literature on the topic.

This work examines all the fuzzy multicriteria methods recently developed, such as fuzzy AHP, fuzzy TOPSIS, interactive fuzzy multiobjective stochastic linear programming, fuzzy multiobjective dynamic programming, grey fuzzy multiobjective optimization, fuzzy multiobjective geometric programming, and more. Each of the 22 chapters includes practical applications along with new developments/results. This book may be used as a textbook in graduate operations research, industrial engineering, and economics courses. It will also be an excellent resource, providing new suggestions and directions for further research, for computer programmers, mathematicians, and scientists in a variety of disciplines where multicriteria decision making is needed.

This book proposes a set of models to describe fuzzy multi-objective decision making (MODM), fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), fuzzy group decision making (GDM) and fuzzy multi-objective group decision-making problems, respectively. It also gives a set of related methods (including algorithms) to solve these problems. One distinguishing feature of this book is that it provides two decision support systems software for readers to apply these proposed methods. A set of real-world applications and some new directions in this area are then described to further instruct readers how to use these methods and software in their practice.

Decision making is the process of selecting a possible course of action from all the available alternatives. In almost all such problems the multiplicity of criteria for judging the alternatives is pervasive. That is, for many such problems, the decision maker (OM) wants to attain more than one objective or goal in selecting the course of action while satisfying the constraints dictated by environment, processes, and resources. Another characteristic of these problems is that the objectives are apparently non commensurable. Mathematically, these problems can be represented as: (1. 1 ) subject to: gi(~) ~ 0, ,', . . . ,. ! where ~ is an n dimensional decision variable vector. The problem consists of n decision variables, m constraints and k objectives. Any or all of the functions may be nonlinear. In literature this problem is often referred to as a vector maximum problem (VMP). Traditionally there are two approaches for solving the VMP. One of them is to optimize one of the objectives while appending the other objectives to a constraint set so that the optimal solution would satisfy these objectives at least up to a predetermined level. The problem is given as: Max f. ~) 1 (1. 2) subject to: where at is any acceptable predetermined level for objective t. The other approach is to optimize a super-objective function created by multiplying each 2 objective function with a suitable weight and then by adding them together.

This monograph is intended for an advanced undergraduate or graduate course as well as for researchers, who want a compilation of developments in this rapidly growing field of operations research. This is a sequel to our previous works: "Multiple Objective Decision Making--Methods and Applications: A state-of-the-Art Survey" (No.164 of the Lecture Notes); "Multiple Attribute Decision Making--Methods and Applications: A State-of-the-Art Survey" (No.186 of the Lecture Notes); and "Group Decision Making under Multiple Criteria--Methods and Applications" (No.281 of the Lecture Notes). In this monograph, the literature on methods of fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) has been reviewed thoroughly and critically, and classified systematically. This study provides readers with a capsule look into the existing methods, their characteristics, and applicability to the analysis of fuzzy MADM problems. The basic concepts and algorithms from the classical MADM methods have been used in the development of the fuzzy MADM methods. We give an overview of the classical MADM in Chapter II. Chapter III presents the basic concepts and mathematical operations of fuzzy set theory with simple numerical examples in a easy-to-read and easy-to-follow manner. Fuzzy MADM methods basically consist of two phases: (1) the aggregation of the performance scores with respect to all the attributes for each alternative, and (2) the rank ordering of the alternatives according to the aggregated scores.

Under intense scrutiny for the last few decades, Multiple Objective Decision Making (MODM) has been useful for dealing with the multiple-criteria decisions and planning problems associated with many important applications in fields including management science, engineering design, and transportation. Rough set theory has also proved to be an effective mathematical tool to counter the vague description of objects in fields such as artificial intelligence, expert systems, civil engineering, medical data analysis, data mining, pattern recognition, and decision theory. Rough Multiple Objective Decision Making is perhaps the first book to combine state-of-the-art application of rough set theory, rough approximation techniques, and MODM. It illustrates traditional techniques—and some that employ simulation-based intelligent algorithms—to solve a wide range of realistic problems. Application of rough theory can remedy two types of uncertainty (randomness and fuzziness) which present significant drawbacks to existing decision-making methods, so the authors illustrate the use of rough sets to approximate the feasible set, and they explore use of rough intervals to demonstrate relative coefficients and parameters involved in bi-level MODM. The book reviews relevant literature and introduces models for both random and fuzzy rough MODM, applying proposed models and algorithms to problem solutions. Given the broad range of uses for decision making, the authors offer background and guidance for rough approximation to real-world problems, with case studies that focus on engineering applications, including construction site layout planning, water resource allocation, and resource-constrained project scheduling. The text presents a general framework of rough MODM, including basic theory, models, and algorithms, as well as a proposed methodological system and discussion of future research.

The main characteristics of the real-world decision-making problems facing humans today are multidimensional and have multiple objectives including eco nomic, environmental, social, and technical ones. Hence, it seems natural that the consideration of many objectives in the actual decision-making process re quires multiobjective approaches rather than single-objective. One ofthe major systems-analytic multiobjective approaches to decision-making under constraints is multiobjective optimization as a generalization of traditional single-objective optimization. Although multiobjective optimization problems differ from single objective optimization problems only in the plurality of objective functions, it is significant to realize that multiple objectives are often noncom mensurable and conflict with each other in multiobjective optimization problems. With this ob servation, in multiobjective optimization, the notion of Pareto optimality or effi ciency has been introduced instead of the optimality concept for single-objective optimization. However, decisions with Pareto optimality or efficiency are not uniquely determined; the final decision must be selected from among the set of Pareto optimal or efficient solutions. Therefore, the question is, how does one find the preferred point as a compromise or satisficing solution with rational pro cedure? This is the starting point of multiobjective optimization. To be more specific, the aim is to determine how one derives a compromise or satisficing so lution of a decision maker (DM), which well represents the subjective judgments, from a Pareto optimal or an efficient solution set.

Recently, many books on multiobjective programming have been published. However, only a few books have been published, in which multiobjective programming under the randomness and the fuzziness are investigated. On the other hand, several books on multilevel programming have been published, in which multiple decision makers are involved in hierarchical decision situations. In this book, we introduce the latest advances in the field of multiobjective programming and multilevel programming under uncertainty. The reader can immediately use proposed methods to solve multiobjective programming and multilevel programming, which are based on linear programming or convex programming technique. Organization of each capter is summarized as follows. In Chapter 2, multiobjective programming problems with random variables are formulated, and the corresponding interactive algorithms are developed to obtain a satisfactory solution, in which the fuzziness of human's subjective judgment for permission levels are considered. In Chapter 3, multiobjective programming problems with fuzzy random variables are formulated, and the corresponding interactive algorithms are developed to obtain a satisfactory solution, in which not only the uncertainty of fuzzy random variables but also the fuzziness of human's subjective judgment for permission levels are considered. In Chapter 4, multiobjective multilevel programming is discussed, and the interactive algorithms are developed to obtain a satisfactory solution, in which the hierarchical decision structure of multiple decision makers is reflected. In Chapter 5, two kinds of farm planning problems are solved by applying the proposed method, in which cost coefficients of crops are expressed by random variables.

Decision makers are often faced with several conflicting alternatives. How do they evaluate trade-offs when there are more than three criteria? To help people make optimal decisions, scholars in the discipline of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) continue to develop new methods for structuring preferences and determining the correct relative weights for criteria. A compilation of modern decision-making techniques, Multiple Attribute Decision Making: Methods and Applications focuses on the fuzzy set approach to multiple attribute decision making (MADM). Drawing on their experience, the authors bring together current methods and real-life applications of MADM techniques for decision analysis. They also propose a novel hybrid MADM model that combines DEMATEL and analytic network process (ANP) with VIKOR procedures. The first part of the book focuses on the theory of each method and includes examples that can be calculated without a computer, providing a complete understanding of the procedures. Methods include the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), ANP, simple additive weighting method, ELECTRE, PROMETHEE, the gray relational model, fuzzy integral technique, rough sets, and the structural model. Integrating theory and practice, the second part of the book illustrates how methods can be used to solve real-world MADM problems. Applications covered in the book include: AHP to select planning and design services for a construction project TOPSIS and VIKOR to evaluate the best alternative-fuel vehicles for urban areas ELECTRE to solve network design problems in urban transportation planning PROMETEE to set priorities for the development of new energy systems, from solar thermal to hydrogen energy Fuzzy integrals to evaluate enterprise intranet web sites Rough sets to make decisions in insurance marketing Helping readers understand how to apply MADM techniques to their decision making, this book is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students as well as practitioners.