Shervin Zakeri, Fatih Ecer, Dimitri Konstantas and Naoufel Cheikhrouhou
This paper proposes a new multi-criteria decision-making method, called the vital-immaterial-mediocre method (VIMM), to determine the weight of multiple conflicting and subjective…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper proposes a new multi-criteria decision-making method, called the vital-immaterial-mediocre method (VIMM), to determine the weight of multiple conflicting and subjective criteria in a decision-making problem.
Design/methodology/approach
The novel method utilizes pairwise comparisons, vector-based procedures and a scoring approach to determine weights of criteria. The VIMM compares alternatives by the three crucial components, namely the vital, immaterial and mediocre criteria. The vital criterion has the largest effect on the final results, followed by the mediocre criterion and then the immaterial criterion, which is the least impactful on the prioritization of alternatives. VIMM is developed in two forms where the first scenario is designed to solve one-goal decision-making problems, while the second scenario embraces multiple goals.
Findings
To validate the method’s performance and applicability, VIMM is applied to a problem of sustainable supplier selection. Comparisons between VIMM, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and best-worst method (BWM) reveal that VIMM significantly requires fewer comparisons. Moreover, VIMM works well with both fractional and integer numbers in its comparison procedures.
Research limitations/implications
As an implication for research, we have added the development of the VIMM under fuzzy and grey environments as the direction for optimization of the method.
Practical implications
As managerial implications, VIMM not only provides less complex process for the evaluation of the criteria in the managerial decision-making process, but it also generates consistent results, which make VIMM a reliable tool to apply to a large number of potential decision-making problems.
Originality/value
As a novel subjective weighting method, there exist five major values that VIMM brings over AHP and BWM methods: VIMM requires fewer comparisons compared with AHP and BWM; it is not sensitive to the number of criteria; as a goal-oriented method, it exclusively takes the decision-making goals into account; it keeps the validity and reliability of the Decision-Makers’ (DMs’) opinions and works well with integer and fractional numbers.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to propose a new MCDM method called ranking based on optimal points (RBOP).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a new MCDM method called ranking based on optimal points (RBOP).
Design/methodology/approach
By employing two abstract groups of alternatives as the optimum alternatives and an optimal alternative, in order to offer the most desirable alternative, RBOP imitates human behavior in the decision-making process. RBOP policy is to find the best alternative through measuring alternatives distances from optimum alternatives and optimal alternative, thus, the best alternative must be sitting on the closest distance to its optimum points and the closest distance to the optimal points simultaneously.
Findings
In this paper, the author introduced a ten-step gray form of RBOP which is applied in a case of buying running shoes and results compared to the existing MCDM methods. Results showed the considerable differences.
Originality/value
Generally, in order to select the best alternative(s), and to aid decision makers (DMs) to make better decisions for the real-world problems, MCDM methods evaluate a number of alternatives via a number of criteria through the proposed mathematical algorithms. Frequently, for the direct impact of the DMs on the decision-making process, MCDM methods have inflexible algorithms. They only allow DMs to make an impact on the criteria analysis. The inflexibility emerges as a problem when perfect information is available for DMs and MCDM final results are not desirable. The process of the new method completely depends on DMs’ decisions, their interpretation of the periphery and their personal impressions. Hence, the output of RBOP is not necessarily the best alternative, but it offers the most desirable alternative to DM.
Details
Keywords
Shervin Zakeri, Yingjie Yang and Melika Hashemi
The purpose of this paper is to implement the strategies selection process in a proposed formulated mathematical framework to prioritize selected strategies with the interaction…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to implement the strategies selection process in a proposed formulated mathematical framework to prioritize selected strategies with the interaction of other groups of strategies, known as the strategies interaction model (SIM).
Design/methodology/approach
SWOT analysis is a popular useful strategic planning tool, which analyzes organizations internal and external factors. The traditional SWOT procedure lists internal and external factors and derives four groups of strategies based on the organization’s strategic position. SWOT is easy to use as a business analyzing tool, while it is not competent enough for strategic formulation. With the emergence of the economy’s vicissitudes, undulations in the markets and multiple changes, and various variables in the industrial competitive environment, selection of the organization strategies confront uncertainty in decision making. The SIM framework presents a solution to select alternative strategies for organizations in unpredictable situations.
Findings
The findings show that SIM is a reliable approach to evaluate, select and rank organization’ strategies. SIM proposes alternative strategies due to the uncertainty of the organization’ environment with respect to the four strategic positions. The SIM’ proposed ranking process is in accordance with the highest impact of each strategy on each other. Furthermore, it possesses advantages of AHP, ANP and other applied multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques in SWOT analysis.
Practical implications
In this paper SIM is applied within a dairy company located in the north of Iran.
Originality/value
SIM has the advantages of the classic SWOT and fills the gaps of MCDM methods application in the SWOT analysis. Moreover, it provides a formulated algorithm for the organizations to face the uncertainty of the environment. SIM philosophy can be widely used in the decision and managerial implications.
Details
Keywords
Shervin Zakeri and Mohammad Ali Keramati
Supplier selection is a complex multiple criteria decision (MCDM) problem which directly depends on decision makers’ choice. Some decisions are getting involved with linguistic…
Abstract
Purpose
Supplier selection is a complex multiple criteria decision (MCDM) problem which directly depends on decision makers’ choice. Some decisions are getting involved with linguistic variables and they are not mathematically operable. To solve a typical decision problem through MCDM techniques, a number or a numerical interval should be defined. The purpose of this paper is to focus on that numerical interval and in a case of supplier selection, the aim is to close the decisions to the real number that the decision maker mentions and this number is in a numerical interval.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed method deals with grey relational analysis (GRA) and develops it by applying triangular fuzzy numbers. The grey numbers have two defined bounds; the proposed method defines two fuzzy bounds for each grey attribute. In the proposed method, the fuzzy membership function has been employed for each bounds of grey attribute to make them to fuzzy bounds with two undefined bounds. Also to make comparison, with employing of TOPSIS technique, both of the grey fuzzy combination decision matrix and the original grey decision matrix are obtained.
Findings
The results indicate that, except to the ideal solutions, the grey relation coefficient for each alternative is too close to each other. Indeed, they are too close to zero. Applying the proposed method in problem of supplier selection shows the difference between two selected supplier in proposed method and the original grey method.
Originality/value
As mentioned heretofore this paper aims to make decision makers’s decision more accurate and actually there is no other researches which used this combination method.