A graph model for conflict resolution with inconsistent preferences among large-scale participants

As a flexible and powerful method to resolve strategy conflicts, the graph model for conflict resolution has drawn much attention. In the graph model for conflict resolution, decision-makers need to provide their preference information for all possible scenarios. Most existing studies assumed that decision-makers adopt quantitative representation formats. However, in some real-life situations, decision-makers may tend to use qualitative assessments due to their cognitive expression habits. In addition, stakeholders involved in a graph model can be a group that is composed of a large number of participants. How to manage these participants’ inconsistent preference assessments is also a debatable issue. To fit these gaps, in this study, we propose a graph model for conflict resolution with linguistic preferences, and this model allows participants to use inconsistent assessments. To do this, we first construct a linguistic preference structure, with the necessary concepts being defined. Then, four stability definitions for both a two-decision-maker scenario and an n-decision-maker scenario are introduced. To illustrate the usefulness of the proposed model, an illustrative example regarding the Huawei conflict is provided.