scholarly journals A Fuzzy Network DEA Approach to the Selection of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4236
Author(s):  
Tim Lu

The selection of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) is an essential yet complex decision that requires careful consideration of various performance criteria. In real-world applications, there are cases that observations are difficult to measure precisely, observations are represented as linguistic terms, or the data need to be estimated. Since the growth of engineering sciences has been the key reason for the increased utilization of AMTs, this paper develops a fuzzy network data envelopment analysis (DEA) to the selection of AMT alternatives considering multiple decision-makers (DMs) and weight restrictions when the input and output data are represented as fuzzy numbers. By viewing the multiple DMs as a network one, the data provided by each DM can then be taken into account in evaluating the overall performances of AMT alternatives. In the solution process, we obtain the overall and DMs efficiency scores of each AMT alternative at the same time, and a relationship in which the former is a weighted average of the latter is also derived. Since the final evaluation results of AMTs are fuzzy numbers, a ranking procedure is employed to determine the most preferred one. An example is used to illustrate the applicability of the proposed methodology.

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 765-778
Author(s):  
Julio Rojas-Mora ◽  
Jaime Gil-Lafuente

In this paper, we present a tool to help reduce the uncertainty presented in the resource selection problem when information is subjective in nature. The candidates and the ?ideal? resource required by evaluators are modeled by fuzzy subsets whose elements are trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TrFN). By modeling with TrFN the subjective variables used to determine the best among a set of resources, one should take into account in the decision-making process, not only their expected value, but also the uncertainty that they reflect. Respecting this condition, for each candidate an asymmetric index evaluates the distance between the TrFNs for each of the variables and the corresponding TrFNs of the ?ideal? candidate, consolidating them through a weighted average that lets the decision-maker make the final comparison between the candidates, and the selection of the one best suited. We apply this contribution to the case of the selection of the product that is best suited for a ?pilot test? to be carried out in some market segment.


Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Konstantinos A. Chrysafis ◽  
Basil K. Papadopoulos

The major drawback of the classic approaches for project appraisal is the lack of the possibility to handle change requests during the project’s life cycle. This fact incorporates the concept of uncertainty in the estimation of this investment’s worth. To resolve this issue, the authors use fuzzy numbers, possibilistic moments of fuzzy numbers and the hybrid (fuzzy statistic) fuzzy estimators’ method in order to introduce a fuzzy possibilistic version of the expanded net present value method (FPeNPV). This approach consists of two factors: the fuzzy possibilistic NPV and the fuzzy option premium. For the estimation of the fuzzy NPV, some basic assumptions are taken into consideration: (1) the opportunity cost of capital, used as the present value interest factor calculated through the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), (2) the equity cost, determined through the possibilistic set-up of the capital asset pricing model CAPM, and (3) the inflation factor, also included in the estimation of the NPV. The fuzzy estimators’ method is used for the computation of the fuzzy option premium. An algorithm of nine major steps leads to the computation of the FPeNPV. This gives the administration the opportunity to adapt to potential changes in the company’s internal and external environments. In this way, the symmetry between the planning and execution phase of a project can be reinstated. The results validate the statement that fuzzy and intelligent methods remain valuable tools to express uncertainty in various scientific areas. Finally, an illustrative example aims at a thorough comprehension of this new approach of the expanded NPV method.


Author(s):  
Ali Ebrahimnejad ◽  
Mohammad Enayattabr ◽  
Homayun Motameni ◽  
Harish Garg

AbstractIn recent years, numerous researchers examined and analyzed several different types of uncertainty in shortest path (SP) problems. However, those SP problems in which the costs of arcs are expressed in terms of mixed interval-valued fuzzy numbers are less addressed. Here, for solving such uncertain SP problems, first a new procedure is extended to approximate the summation of mixed interval-valued fuzzy numbers using alpha cuts. Then, an extended distance function is introduced for comparing the path weights. Finally, we intend to use a modified artificial bee colony (MABC) algorithm to find the interval-valued membership function of SP in such mixed interval-valued fuzzy network. The proposed algorithm is illustrated via two applications of SP problems in wireless sensor networks and then the results are compared with those derived from genetic and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms, based on three indexes convergence iteration, convergence time and run time. The obtained results confirm that the MABC algorithm has less convergence iteration, convergence time and implementation time compared to GA and PSO algorithm.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guiwu Wei ◽  
Xiaofei Zhao

With respect to decision making problems by using probabilities, immediate probabilities and information that can be represented with linguistic labels, some new decision analysis are proposed. Firstly, we shall develop three new aggregation operators: generalized probabilistic 2-tuple weighted average (GP-2TWA) operator, generalized probabilistic 2-tuple ordered weighted average (GP-2TOWA) operator and generalized immediate probabilistic 2-tuple ordered weighted average (GIP-2TOWA) operator. These operators use the weighted average (WA) operator, the ordered weighted average (OWA) operator, linguistic information, probabilistic information and immediate probabilistic information. They are quite useful because they can assess the uncertain information within the problem by using both linguistic labels and the probabilistic information that considers the attitudinal character of the decision maker. In these approaches, alternative appraisal values are calculated by the aggregation of 2-tuple linguistic information. Thus, the ranking of alternative or selection of the most desirable alternative(s) is obtained by the comparison of 2-tuple linguistic information. Finally, we give an illustrative example about selection of strategies to verify the developed approach and to demonstrate its feasibility and practicality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunna Wu ◽  
Lei Qin ◽  
Chuanbo Xu ◽  
Shaoyu Ji

Site selection of waste-to-energy (WtE) plant is critically important in the whole life cycle. Some research has been launched in the WtE plant site selection, but there is still a serious problem called Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) effect that needs to be solved. To solve the problem, an improved multigroup VIKOR method is proposed to choose the optimal site and compromised sites. In the proposed method, the public satisfaction is fully considered where the public is invited as an evaluation group far more than creating general indicators to represent the public acceptance. First of all, an elaborate criteria system is built to evaluate site options comprehensively and the weights of criteria are identified by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Then, the interval 2-tuple linguistic information is adopted to assess the ratings for the established criteria. The interval 2-tuple linguistic ordered weighted averaging (ITL-OWA) operator is utilized to aggregate the opinions of evaluation committee while the opinions of the public are aggregated using weighted average operator. Finally, a case from south China which shows the computational procedure and the effectiveness of the proposed method is proved. Last but not least, a sensitivity analysis is conducted by comparing the results with different weights of evaluation group assessments.


Author(s):  
Jiu-Ying Dong ◽  
Li-Lian Lin ◽  
Feng Wang ◽  
Shu-Ping Wan

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach to interactive multi-attribute group decision making with triangular Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TAIFNs). The contribution of this study is fivefold: (1) Minkowski distance between TAIFNs is firstly defined; (2) We define the possibility attitudinal expected values of TAIFNs and thereby present a novel risk attitudinal ranking method of TAIFNs which can sufficiently consider the risk attitude of decision maker; (3) The weighted average operator (TAIFWA) and generalized ordered weighted average (TAIFGWA) operator of TAIFNs are defined as well as the hybrid ordered weighted average (TAIFHOWA) operator; (4) To study the interaction between attributes, we further develop the generalized Choquet (TAIF-GC) integral operator and generalized hybrid Choquet (TAIF-GHC) integral operator of TAIFNs. Their desirable properties are also discussed; (5) The individual overall value of alternative is obtained by TAIF-GC operator and the collective one is derived through TAIFWA operator. Fuzzy measures of attribute subsets and expert weights are objectively derived through constructing multi-objective optimization model which is transformed into the goal programming model to solve. The system analyst selection example verifies effectiveness of the proposed approach.


2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Robinson ◽  
Stefania Fatone

In today’s healthcare environment it is increasingly important to be able to quantify the amount of change associated with a given intervention; this can be accomplished using one or more appropriate outcome measures. However, the selection and integration of outcome measures within clinical practice requires careful consideration. This includes identification of the measure construct which can be assisted by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health; selection of outcome measures based on need, appropriateness and feasibility; and careful use in regular clinical practice including data collection, analysis and re-assessment of the process. We describe this process, focusing on orthotic management of stroke, in particular the improvement of mobility as a common goal. Clinical relevance The growing emphasis on improved documentation of patient care and outcomes requires that clinicians integrate clinically relevant outcome measures into their practice. We suggest a process to assist clinicians integrate outcome measures into clinical practice with a particular emphasis on the orthotic management of stroke.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Saghafi ◽  
Mohamad Fotouhi ◽  
Giangiacomo Minak

This paper reviews recent works on the application of nanofibers and nanoparticle reinforcements to enhance the interlaminar fracture toughness, to reduce the impact induced damage and to improve the compression after impact performance of fiber reinforced composites with brittle thermosetting resins. The nanofibers have been mainly used as mats embedded between plies of laminated composites, whereas the nanoparticles have been used in 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D dimensional patterns to reinforce the matrix and consequently the composite. The reinforcement mechanisms are presented, and a comparison is done between the different papers in the literature. This review shows that in order to have an efficient reinforcement effect, careful consideration is required in the manufacturing, materials selection and reinforcement content and percentage. The selection of the right parameters can provide a tough and impact resistant composite with cost effective reinforcements.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 839-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeng Shouzhen ◽  
Wang Qifeng ◽  
José Merigó ◽  
Pan Tiejun

We present the induced intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted averaging-weighted average (I-IFOWAWA) operator. It is a new aggregation operator that uses the intuitionistic fuzzy weighted average (IFWA) and the induced intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted averaging (I-IFOWA) operator in the same formulation. We study some of its main properties and we have seen that it has a lot of particular cases such as the IFWA and the intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted averaging (IFOWA) operator. We also study its applicability in a decision-making problem concerning strategic selection of investments. We see that depending on the particular type of I-IFOWAWA operator used, the results may lead to different decisions.


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