Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis最新文献

{"title":"On Generalised Minty Variational Control Inequalities and the Associated Multi-Cost Models","authors":"Savin Treanţă,&nbsp;Cristina-Florentina Pîrje,&nbsp;Cristina-Mihaela Cebuc","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70008","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this study, by using the concepts of (strictly) strongly convexity and preconvexity, associated with controlled multiple integral type functionals, and a mean value type theorem, we formulate some connections between new classes of generalised Minty (weak) variational inequalities of vector-type and the corresponding multiple-objective extremization problems. The considered classes of variational models are motivated by their applications in real-world modelling problems. The presence of control variables and controlled multiple integrals are the main tools in establishing the new outcomes.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143535955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An l1 Exact Exponential Penalty E-Function Method for E-Differentiable Vector Optimization Problems Under E-Exponential Type Invexity","authors":"Neelima Shekhawat,&nbsp;Ioan Stancu-Minasian,&nbsp;Vivek Singh","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70009","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this paper, a new concept of generalised convexity and a new class of exact exponential penalty method, namely the concept of <span></span><math>\u0000 <semantics>\u0000 <mrow>\u0000 <mfenced>\u0000 <mrow>\u0000 <mi>p</mi>\u0000 <mo>,</mo>\u0000 <mi>r</mi>\u0000 </mrow>\u0000 </mfenced>\u0000 </mrow>\u0000 <annotation>$$ left(p,rright) $$</annotation>\u0000 </semantics></math>-<i>E</i>-invexity and <span></span><math>\u0000 <semantics>\u0000 <mrow>\u0000 <msub>\u0000 <mi>l</mi>\u0000 <mn>1</mn>\u0000 </msub>\u0000 </mrow>\u0000 <annotation>$$ {l}_1 $$</annotation>\u0000 </semantics></math> exact exponential penalty <i>E</i>-function method, respectively are introduced for (not necessarily) differentiable vector optimization problem in which functions are <i>E</i>-differentiable. The conditions governing the equivalence between sets of (weak) efficient solutions of the original constrained <i>E</i>-differentiable vector optimization problem and of its associated unconstrained exponential penalised vector optimization problem are studied. Examples are given to illustrate the obtained results.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143497049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sensitivity and Robustness Analyses in Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Public Policies","authors":"Ivano Azzini,&nbsp;Giuseppe Munda","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70006","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In policy arenas, the major virtue of Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is the possibility of dealing with a plurality of multidimensional features both at technical and social levels. However, in this process there is always the danger of oversimplifying complex issues by creating false certainties. MCDA outputs may seem a precise result, while they are not, frequently. In this article, we introduce various improvements of the state of the art, in particular with reference to Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE), which has been explicitly developed for public policies. From the theoretical point of view, local and global sensitivity analyses are considered as complementary, while habitually they are considered as separate analyses; this is particularly relevant for criterion weights, which are one of the most sensitive input parameters in real-world applications. Algorithmically, our approach allows to perform exhaustive sensitivity and robustness analyses in the context of the Kemeny median ranking aggregation rule by solving its computational time issue. From an empirical point of view, we propose an approach, based on frequency matrices, to make output uncertainty transparent and easy to communicate; this helps improving the policy learning process, too. Finally, we present an illustrative example, where we summarise the whole approach and put emphasis on the role of sensitivity analysis as a tool for better understanding the decision model and explore its informative content.</p>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/mcda.70006","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143456011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A User-Customizable Hybrid Framework for Targeted Medical Decision-Making","authors":"M. Gabriela Sava,&nbsp;Luis G. Vargas,&nbsp;Jerrold H. May,&nbsp;Linda Limeri,&nbsp;James G. Dolan","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70007","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Targeted medical decision-making is a current strategy for addressing the heterogeneity in the patient population, especially when patients' preferences are included in the decision-making process. In this paper, we propose a user-customizable hybrid framework that can be adjusted at the patient group level to target a medical decision process. Our framework provides a flexible design, capable of balancing the gain from the reduction of provider time against the cost of prediction inaccuracy resulting from group customization. The framework combines a descriptive process, used to group the patients based on preference-based subjective features, with a predictive process, which uses objective features to match a new patient with a group. We illustrate our approach by applying it to the colorectal cancer-screening problem. The provider chooses what level of trade-off is appropriate, as a function of the acceptable error level. The group customization process allows decision makers to better allocate scarce resources, by potentially shortening the time-consuming process of modelling patients' preferences using individualised stability analysis. The proposed framework might be applied, with minor changes, to various medical decisions, or even to broader provider-user scenarios, in which targeted decision-making that includes user preferences is advantageous.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143423833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structuring the Prison Life Index Through Value Focused Thinking Methodology","authors":"Lola Martin-Moro,&nbsp;Meltem Öztürk,&nbsp;Florence Laufer","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70003","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Building a composite index (CI) is a task that requiring a series of decisions, the consequences of which will determine the scope of the tool. This is especially true for the very first steps of this construction: the definition of the theoretical framework and the selection of relevant indicators, usually referred to as the construction of the structure. However, the literature seems to focus more on the other aspects, quite often eluding those first steps or considering it a self-evident process. How to ensure the soundness of those tools when the values that they convey are not even clearly expressed? How to ensure the completeness of the structure according to the reality that it ought to synthesise when it is a highly complex or abstract one? Each of these steps involves hypotheses and presuppositions that must be explained and evaluated with care. In this article, we seek to identify a coherent method that will allow us to build the structure of CI answering those demands. The construction of a composite indicator can be conceptualised as a multi-criteria decision aiding problem (MCDA), given that it entails the aggregation of evaluations pertaining to distinct attributes. The MCDA is rich in structuring methodologies, such as Ralph Keeney's Value Focused Thinking (VFT) approach. Using a real-life application, the construction of the Prison Life Index (PLI), we try to show the relevance of those primary hypotheses by displaying the structure of the index and summarising the stage of its construction. This adapted methodology can guide index builders in the determination of a structure that comprehensively fits its intended purpose and that is not overly dependent on available data. Our article endeavours to underscore the importance of the structuring phase, arguing that it should take priority according to the ethical and moral values of the decision-maker. It should not be solely reliant on data availability, as it is the case with most composite indices. We demonstrate, through the implementation of the PLI structure developed using VFT, that it can achieve a high degree of conformity with internationally established standards pertaining to human rights. This approach not only facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the interconnections among various normative texts but also provides jurists with a visual representation of these relationships.</p>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/mcda.70003","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143117945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Barriers to Innovative Marketing in MSMEs: An Analysis Using a BWM-ISM Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework","authors":"Sourav Mondal,&nbsp;Saumya Singh,&nbsp;Himanshu Gupta","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70005","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In today's dynamic business landscape, organisations increasingly realise the pivotal role of innovative marketing approaches (IMA) in gaining a competitive edge and driving sustainable growth. However, many organisations encounter formidable barriers to adopting and developing IMA, despite the growing importance of innovative approaches in marketing. The purpose of this research is to identify, prioritise, establish the inter-relationships and propose a ‘level-wise structural model’ of the barriers that an organisation faces in adopting and developing IMA. The research employed a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. An exhaustive review of related literature and theoretical frameworks (namely the ‘resource-based view’ (RBV) theory, the ‘social capital theory’ (SCT) theory, the ‘innovation resistance theory’ (IRT) theory, and the ‘institutional theory’ (IT) theory), along with expert feedback, are used to categorise and finalise the barriers. Further, a case study from ‘micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) in a developing nation such as India along with hybrid ‘multi-criteria decision-making’ (MCDM), that is, best-worst method (BWM), was applied to prioritise the barriers. While ‘interpretive structural modelling’ (ISM) was used to establish contextual relationships, and ‘matrice d'impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment’ (MICMAC) analysis was employed to cluster the barriers. The findings suggest that among the main category technology-related barriers and from subcategories, infrastructure supports the top barriers and works as a driving obstacle while building IMA for sustainable development. The findings from this study can help develop effective marketing strategies that align profitability with environmental and social responsibility.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143112614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficiency Criteria for Multicost Variational Models Driven by H-Type I Functionals","authors":"Savin Treanţă,&nbsp;Anca-Oana Bibic,&nbsp;Simona-Mihaela Bibic","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70004","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This paper investigates a family of multicost variational models driven by <i>H</i>-type I functionals. Concretely, under <i>H</i>-type I assumptions of the involved functionals, we state and prove necessary and sufficient criteria of efficiency for a feasible point in the considered class of controlled variational models.</p>\u0000 <p><b>MSC 2020 Classification:</b> 49K20, 58E17, 58E25, 90C30</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"31 5-6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142851400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Why We Need Desirable Properties in Pairwise Comparison Methods?","authors":"Radomír Perzina,&nbsp;Jaroslav Ramík","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70002","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pairwise comparison matrices (PCMs) are inevitable tools in some important multiple-criteria decision-making methods, for example AHP/ANP, TOPSIS, PROMETHEE and others. In this paper, we investigate some important properties of PCMs which influence the generated priority vectors for the final ranking of the given alternatives. The main subproblem of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is to calculate the priority vectors, that is, the weights assigned to the elements of the hierarchy (criteria, sub-criteria, and/or alternatives or variants), by using the information provided in the form of a pairwise comparison matrix. Given a set of elements, and a corresponding pairwise comparison matrix, whose entries evaluate the relative importance of the elements with respect to a given criterion, the final ranking of the given alternatives is evaluated. We investigate some important and natural properties of PCMs called the desirable properties, particularly, the non-dominance, consistency, intensity and coherence, which influence the generated priority vectors. Usually, the priority vector is calculated based on some well-known method, for example, the Eigenvector Method, the Arithmetic Mean Method, the Geometric Mean Method, the Least Square Method, and so forth. The novelty of our approach is that the priority vector is calculated as the solution of an optimization problem where an error objective function is minimised with respect to constraints given by the desirable properties. The properties of the optimal solution are discussed and some illustrating examples are presented. The corresponding software tool has been developed and demonstrated in some examples.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"31 5-6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142860153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Analytical Framework for the Multiplicative Best-Worst Method","authors":"Harshit M. Ratandhara,&nbsp;Mohit Kumar","doi":"10.1002/mcda.1840","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.1840","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Best-Worst Method (BWM) is a well-known Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method. Numerous models of BWM have been developed by integrating various distance functions with the core principles of the method. This article addresses the multiplicative model of BWM. We first formulate an optimization model that is equivalent to the existing multiplicative model. This model provides a robust foundation for deriving analytical forms of optimal interval-weights, the Consistency Index (CI) and the Consistency Ratio (CR). The proposed approach eliminates the need for optimization software, enhancing its ease of implementation and time efficiency. Moreover, the derived analytical form of CR enables it to function as an input-based consistency measure. We then introduce a secondary objective function to select the best optimal weight set from the collection of all optimal weight sets. Finally, we present numerical examples to illustrate the proposed approach.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"31 5-6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142764013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Multi-Objective Optimization for Determination of Sustainable Crop Pattern Using Game Theory","authors":"Narges Ganjali,&nbsp;Caner Guney","doi":"10.1002/mcda.70000","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70000","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Amid growing concerns about environmental sustainability in agriculture, this study explores the potential of a game-theoretic approach to identify and implement sustainable crop patterns in the Marvdasht–Kherameh sub-basin, Iran. Employing a cooperative game-theoretic framework, the study considers farmers, environmental advocates and policymakers as stakeholders with distinct objectives: maximising profit, minimising environmental pollution and optimising water consumption. This research aims to develop and apply a comprehensive model that effectively integrates these diverse objectives, proposing practical, sustainable agricultural strategies for the region. The game-theoretic model is integrated with data analysis and optimization techniques to identify Pareto-optimal solutions that balance the competing objectives of stakeholders with vested interest. The advantage of this approach is its ability to produce a robust, spatially visualised solution using GIS-based mapping, which improves communication and aids in implementing sustainable crop patterns. Using regression models, an equilibrium point, defined as the intersection of the three polynomial regression models representing profit, nitrate fertiliser amount and water consumption objectives is identified. The optimised crop pattern corresponding to this equilibrium point is determined using a single-objective optimization model. Key findings include a 40% reduction in wheat cultivation and significant increases in barley (143%) and paddy rice (113%), leading to enhanced resource efficiency and sustainability by optimising water and nitrate fertiliser use. The results offer significant benefits, including detailed spatial visualisation and stakeholder-specific optimization for sustainable crop patterns, which can be adapted to other agricultural regions facing similar challenges.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45876,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis","volume":"31 5-6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142714676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}