Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Discourse of Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) Approaches

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Maritime Studies and Logistics

Part of the book series: International Series in Operations Research & Management Science ((ISOR,volume 260))

Abstract

During a decision making process, decision makers often need to handle large amount of information in order to reach a rational decision. Such information can be incomplete, uncertain and even contradictory to each other. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods provide effective and popular solutions to aid decisions under uncertainty. Well-established MCDM methodologies such as AHP, TOPSIS, VIKOR, ELECTRE, and PROMETHEE are reviewed with particular reference to their standard frameworks in this chapter to provide a holistic knowledge base on their applications individually and/or collectively in the other chapters in this book.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Not a few of its acronyms and full names in the existing literature have typos. The last author of this chapter has confirmed them from Opricovic by email.

References

  • Akyuz E, Karahalios H, Celik M (2015) Assessment of the maritime labour convention compliance using balanced scorecard and analytic hierarchy process approach. Marit Policy Manag 42(2):145–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aly MF, Attia HA, Mohammed AM (2013) Integrated fuzzy (GMM)-TOPSIS model for best design concept and material selection process. Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol 2:6464–6486

    Google Scholar 

  • Ananda J, Herath G (2009) A critical review of multi-criteria decision making methods with special reference to forest management and planning. Ecol Econ 68(10):2535–2548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beşikçi EB, Kececi T, Arslan O, Turan O (2016) An application of fuzzy-AHP to ship operational energy efficiency measures. Ocean Eng 121:392–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan BG, Shortliffe EH (1984) Rule based expert systems: the mycin experiments of the stanford heuristic programming project. Addison-Wesley, Reading

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulut E, Duru O, Kececi T, Yoshida S (2012) Use of consistency index, expert prioritization and direct numerical inputs for generic fuzzy-AHP modeling: a process model for shipping asset management. Expert Syst Appl 39(2):1911–1923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behzadian M, Kazemzadeh RB, Albadvi A, Aghdasi M (2010) PROMETHEE: a comprehensive literature review on methodologies and applications. Eur J Oper Res 200(1):198–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benayoun R, Roy B, Sussman B(1996) ELECTRE: Une méthode pour guider le choix en présence de points de vue multiples. Note de travail 49, SEMAMETRA International, Direction Scientifique

    Google Scholar 

  • Brans JP (1982) L’ingenierie de la decision. Elaboration dinstruments daide a la decision. Methode PROMETHEE. In: Nadeau R, Landry M (eds) Laide a la Decision: Nature, Instrument set Perspectives Davenir. Presses de Universite Laval, Quebec, pp 183–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Brans JP, Mareschal B (1992) PROMETHEE V: MCDM problems with segmentation constraints. INFOR: Inf Syst Oper Res 30(2):85–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Brans JP, Mareschal B (1994) The PROMCALC and GAIA decision support system for MCDA. Decis Support Syst 12:297–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brans JP, Mareschal B (1995) The PROMETHEE VI procedure: how to differentiate hard from soft multicriteria problems. J Decis Syst 4(3):213–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brans JP, Mareschal B (2005) PROMETHEE methods. In: Multiple criteria decision analysis: state of the art surveys. Springer, New York, pp 163–196

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brans JP, Mareschal B, Vincke P (1984) PROMETHEE: a new family of outranking methods in multicriteria analysis. In: Brans JP (ed) Operational research, IFORS 84. North-Holland, Amsterdam, pp 477–490

    Google Scholar 

  • Brans JP, Vincke P (1985) A preference ranking organization method (the PROMETHEE method for multiple criteria decision making). Manag Sci 31(6):647–656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlos Perez-Mesa J, Galdeano-Gomez E, Salinas Andujar JA (2012) Logistics network and externalities for short sea transport: an analysis of horticultural exports from southeast Spain. Transp Policy 24:188–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao S-L, Lin Y Jr (2011) Evaluating advanced quay cranes in container terminals. Transp Res Part E-Logist Transp Rev 47(4):432–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen N, Xu Z (2015) Hesitant fuzzy ELECTRE II approach: a new way to handle multi-criteria decision making problems. Inf Sci 292:175–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen TL, Lin KL (2006) Complementing AHP with habitual domains theory to identify key performance indicators for service industry. In: IEEE international conference on service operations and logistics and informatics, pp 84–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou C-C (2010) Application of FMCDM model to selecting the hub location in the marine transportation: a case study in southeastern Asia. Math Comput Model 51(5–6):791–801

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou CC, Ding JF (2016) An AHP Model for the choice of ship flag: a case study of Tawanese shipowners. Int J Marit Eng 185:A61–A68

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempster AP (1967) Upper and lower probabilities induced by a multivalued mapping. Ann Math Stat 38(2):325–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duckstein L, Opricovic S (1980) Multiobjective optimization in river basin development. Water Res J 16(1):14–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durbach IN, Stewart TJ (2012) Modeling uncertainty in multi-criteria decision analysis. Eur J Oper Res 223(1):1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fahmi A, Kahraman C, Bilen Ü (2016) ELECTRE I Method using hesitant linguistic term sets: an application to supplier selection. Int J Comput Intell Syst 9(1):153–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Figueira J, Mousseau V, Roy B (2005) ELECTRE methods. In: Multiple criteria decision analysis: state of the art surveys. Springer, New York, pp 133–153

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gavade RK (2014) Multi-criteria decision making: an overview of different selection problems and methods. Int J Comput Sci Inf Technol 5(4):5643–5646

    Google Scholar 

  • Govindan K, Jepsen MB (2016) Supplier risk assessment based on trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and ELECTRE TRI-C: a case illustration involving service suppliers. J Oper Res Soc 67(2):339–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta R, Sachdeva A, Bhardwaj A (2012) Selection of logistic service provider using fuzzy PROMETHEE for a cement industry. J Manuf Technol Manag 23(7):899–921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang C-L, Yoon K (1981) Multiple attributes decision making methods and applications. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu W-KK (2012) Ports’ service attributes for ship navigation safety. Saf Sci 50(2):244–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kannan D, Lopes De Sousa Jabbour AB, Chiappetta Jabbour CJ (2014) Selecting green suppliers based on GSCM practices: using fuzzy TOPSIS applied to a Brazilian electronics company. Eur J Oper Res 233(2):432–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karahalios H, Yang ZL, Williams V, Wang J (2011) A proposed system of hierarchical scorecards to assess the implementation of maritime regulations. Saf Sci 49(3):450–462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaya T, Kahraman C (2010) Multicriteria renewable energy planning using an integrated fuzzy VIKOR & AHP methodology: the case of Istanbul. Energy 35(6):2517–2527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lam JSL, Dai J (2012) A decision support system for port selection. Transp Plan Technol 35(4):509–524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macharis C, Brans JP, Mareschal B (1998) The GDSS PROMETHEE procedure – a PROMETHEE–GAIA based procedure for group decision support. J Decis Syst 7:283–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Mantaras RLD (1990) Approximate reasoning models. Ellis Harwood Ltd., Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Mousavi M, Gitinavard H, Mousavi SM (2017) A soft computing based-modified ELECTRE model for renewable energy policy selection with unknown information. Renew Sust Energ Rev 68:774–787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Opricovic S (1998) Multicriteria optimization of civil engineering systems (in Serbian, Visekriterijumska optimizacija sistema u gradjevinarstvu). Faculty of Civil Engineering, Belgrade

    Google Scholar 

  • Opricovic S (2007) A fuzzy compromise solution for multicriteria problems. Int J Uncertain Fuzziness Knowledge-based Syst 15(3):363–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Opricovic S (2011) Fuzzy VIKOR with an application to water resources planning. Expert Syst Appl 38:12983–12990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Opricovic S, Tzeng GH (2003) Multicriteria expansion of a competence set using genetic algorithm. In: Tanino T, Tanaka T, Inuiguchi M (eds) Multi-objective programming and goal-programming: theory and applications. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 221–226

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Opricovic S, Tzeng GH (2004) Compromise solution by MCDM methods: a comparative analysis of VIKOR and TOPSIS. Eur J Oper Res 156(2):445–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Opricovic S, Tzeng GH (2007) Extended VIKOR method in comparison with outranking methods. Eur J Oper Res 178(2):514–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pai RR, Kaflepalh VR, Caudill RJ, Zhou MC, Ieee I (2003) Methods toward supply chain risk analysis. In: 2003 I.E. international conference on systems, man and cybernetics, vols 1–5, conference proceedings, pp 4560–4565

    Google Scholar 

  • Pohekar SD, Ramachandran M (2004) Application of multi-criteria decision making to sustainable energy planning—a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 8(4):365–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pomerol JC, Romero SB (2000) Multicriterion decision in management: principles and practice. 1st ed. (2000) (trans: James C from French). Kluwer, Norwell

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy B (1978) ELECTRE III: un algorithme de classements fonde sur une representation floue des preference en presence de criteres multiples. Cahiers de CERO 20(1):3–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy B, Bertier P (1973) La methode ELECTRE II: une methode au media-planning. In: Ross M (ed) Operational research. North-Holland, Amsterdam, p 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Saaty TL (1980) The analytic hierarchy process. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Saaty TL (1990) How to make a decision – the analytical hierarchy process. Eur J Oper Res 48(1):9–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saaty TL (1995) Transport planning with multiple criteria: the analytic hierarchy process applications and progress review. J Adv Transp 29(1):81–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sahin B, Senol YE (2015) A novel process model of marine accident analysis by using generic fuzzy-AHP algorithm. J Navig 68:162–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sevkli M (2010) An application of the fuzzy ELECTRE method for supplier selection. Int J Prod Res 48(12):3393–3405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shafer G (1976) A mathematical theory of evidence. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Shemshadi A, Shirazi H, Toreihi M, Tarokh MJ (2011) A fuzzy VIKOR method for supplier selection based on entropy measure for objective weighting. Expert Syst Appl 38(10):12160–12167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shirinfar M, Haleh H (2011) Supplier selection and evaluation by Fuzzy multi-criteria decision making methodology. Int J Ind Eng Prod Res 22(4):271–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Sii HS, Ruxton T, Wang J (2001) A Fuzzy-logic-based approach to subjective safety modelling for maritime products. Reliab Eng Syst Saf 73:19–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sii HS, Wang J (2003) A design-decision support framework for evaluation of design options/proposals using a composite structure methodology based on the approximate reasoning approach and the evidential reasoning method. Proc Inst of Mech Eng Part E-J Process Mech Eng 217(E1):59–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tavakoli M, Tabriz AA, Farahani R, Rezapour E (2013) Application of fuzzy goal programming and F-PROMETHEE approaches in evaluating and selecting the best suppliers in supply chain. J Basic Appl Sci Res 3(2):1115–1127

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsai W, Leu J, Liu J, Lin S, Shaw M (2010) A MCDM approach for sourcing strategy mix decision in IT projects. Expert Syst Appl 37(5):3870–3886

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ugboma C, Ibe C, Ogwude IC (2004) Service quality measurements in ports of a developing economy: Nigerian ports survey. Manag Serv Qual Int J 14(6):487–495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ung ST, Williams V, Chen HS, Bonsall S, Wang J (2006) Human error assessment and management in port operations using fuzzy AHP. Mar Technol Soc J 40(1):73–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaidya OS, Kumar S (2006) Analytic hierarchy process: an overview of applications. Eur J Oper Res 169(1):1–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang P., Li, Y., Wang, Y.H. and Zhuo, Z.Q. 2015. A New method based on TOPSIS and response surface method for MCDM problems with interval numbers. Math Probl Eng 2015, 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/938535

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang YJ, Lee HS (2010) Evaluating financial performance of Taiwan container shipping companies by strength and weakness indices. Int J Comput Math 87:38–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie X, Xu D-L, Yang J-B, Wang J, Ren J, Yu S (2008) Ship selection using a multiple-criteria synthesis approach. J Mar Sci Technol 13(1):50–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu DL (2012) An introduction and survey of the evidential reasoning approach for multiple criteria decision analysis. Ann Oper Res 195(1):163–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yager RR (1992) On the specificity of a possibility distribution. Fuzzy Sets Syst 50(3):279–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yager RR (1995) An approach to ordinal decision-making. Int J Approx Reason 12(3–4):237–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang JB, Sen P (1994) A general multi-level evaluation process for hybrid MADM with uncertainty. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern 34(10):1458–1473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang JB, Singh MG (1994) An evidential reasoning approach for multiple-attribute decision-making with uncertainty. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern 24(1):1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang JB, Xu DL (2002) On the evidential reasoning algorithm for multiple attribute decision analysis under uncertainty. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern Part a-Syst Hum 32(3):289–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang JB (2001) Rule and utility based evidential reasoning approach for multiattribute decision analysis under uncertainties. Eur J Oper Res 131(1):31–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang W-E, Wang J-Q (2013) Multi-criteria semantic dominance: a linguistic decision aiding technique based on incomplete preference information. Eur J Oper Res 231(1):171–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang ZL, Mastralis L, Bonsall S, Wang J (2009a) Incorporating uncertainty and multiple criteria in vessel selection. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part M-J Eng Marit Environ 223(M2):177–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang ZL, Ng AKY, Wang J (2014) Incorporating quantitative risk analysis in port facility security assessment. Transp Res A Policy Pract 59:72–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang ZL, Wang J, Bonsall S, Fang QG (2009b) Use of fuzzy evidential reasoning in maritime security assessment. Risk Anal 29(1):95–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Z, Wang J, Bonsall S, Yang J-B, Fang Q-G (2005) A subjective risk analysis approach for container supply chains. Int J Autom Comput 2(1):85–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yazdani M, Graeml FR (2014) VIKOR and its applications: a state-of-the-art survey. Int J Strateg Decision Sci (IJSDS) 5(2):56–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeh C-H, Chang Y-H (2009) Modeling subjective evaluation for fuzzy group multicriteria decision making. Eur J Oper Res 194(2):464–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeo G-T, Ng AKY, Lee PT-W, Yang Z (2014) Modelling port choice in an uncertain environment. Marit Policy Manag 41(3):251–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeo GT, Song DW, Dinwoodie J, Roe M (2010) Weighting the competitiveness factors for container ports under conflicting interests. J Oper Res Soc 61(8):1249–1257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu PL (1973) A class of solutions for group decision problems. Manag Sci 19(8):936–946

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu R, Tzeng GH (2006) A soft computing method for multi-criteria decision making with dependence and feedback. Appl Math Comput 180:63–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu W (1992) ELECTRE TRI (aspects méthodologiques et manuel d’utilisation). Document-Université de Paris-Dauphine, LAMSADE

    Google Scholar 

  • Zadeh LA (1965) Fuzzy sets. Inf Control 8(3):338–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zavadskas EK, Turskis Z (2011) Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods in economics: an overview. Technol Econ Dev Econ 17(2):397–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeleny M (1973) Compromise programming. In: Cochrane JL, Zeleny M (eds) Multiple criteria decision making. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, pp 262–375

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann HJ (2000) An application-oriented view of modeling uncertainty. Eur J Oper Res 122(2):190–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zouggari A, Benyoucef L (2012) Simulation based fuzzy TOPSIS approach for group multi-criteria supplier selection problem. Eng Appl Artif Intell 25(3):507–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the EU FP7 Marie Curie IRSES project “ENRICH” (612546) for its financial support to this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

    Zhuohua Qu

  2. Intelligent Transportation Systems Research Center (ITSC), Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China

    Chengpeng Wan

  3. National Engineering Research Center for Water Transport Safety (WTSC), Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China

    Chengpeng Wan

  4. Liverpool Logistics, Offshore and Marine (LOOM) Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

    Chengpeng Wan

  5. Liverpool Logistics, Offshore and Marine Research Institute (LOOM), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

    Zaili Yang

  6. Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, 316021, Zhejiang Province, China

    Paul Tae-Woo Lee

Authors
  1. Zhuohua Qu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chengpeng Wan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zaili Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Paul Tae-Woo Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul Tae-Woo Lee .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Maritime Logistics, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China

    Paul Tae-Woo Lee

  2. School of Maritime and Mechanical Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom

    Zaili Yang

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Qu, Z., Wan, C., Yang, Z., Lee, P.TW. (2018). A Discourse of Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) Approaches. In: Lee, PW., Yang, Z. (eds) Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Maritime Studies and Logistics. International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, vol 260. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62338-2_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation