International Journal of Multicriteria Decision Making (6 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Selection of polar vessels using multicriteria and capability-based methods  
  by Felipe Augusto Soares Salgado, Luiz Gavião, Leonardo Augusto Dos Santos Oliveira, Jose Pereira 
  Abstract: This paper examines the selection of polar research vessels as a reference for procurement by the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR). The methodology is based on a hybrid model, combining multicriteria decision support methods (AHP and TOPSIS) and capability-based planning to improve the navy’s decision-making process. Four modern research vessels were analysed in this research. The dataset for the AHP and TOPSIS assessments was obtained from questionnaires to Brazilian Navy officers with a background in naval sciences, management of Antarctic operations and experience with polar vessels. The expected divergences in the assessments were submitted to a Monte Carlo simulation procedure, emulating new data with probability distributions to alleviate these disturbances. The results presented an order of preference for these vessels, in addition to illustrating the application of a new model to support the navy’s decision-making process.
  Keywords: Antarctic vessel; polar vessel; AHP-TOPSIS; capability-based planning; CBP.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMCDM.2023.10052045
   
  
• A Two-Phase Method based on the Branch and Bound Algorithm for Solving the Bi-Oobjective Set Covering Problem  
  by HAMIDI Imane, CHAABANE Djamal 
  Abstract: Multicriteria set covering problem (SCP) is classified in the category of NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, we propose a new exact approach to solve the Bi-Objective Set Covering Problem (BOSCP); where Branch and Bound (B&B) technique is the pivot of the procedure skeleton, in both phases. We focus, particularly, on the second phase where a new branching architecture and a new priority order of branching variables are introduced. A rich set of experiments containing a numerical illustration and some MCDM-benchmark BOSCP instances are used to validate our developed method. Some comparisons to an existing two-phase method have been done using the MCDM-benchmark BOSCP instances.
  Keywords: Multi-Objective Integer Linear Programming; Combinatorial problem; Set Covering Problem; Branch and Bound; Two-phase Method.
  
  
• Selection of appropriate age management measures using multicriteria decision making methods with interrelationships  
  by Jiří Franek, Terezie Krestova 
  Abstract: Age management is an approach that reflects the age of employees to support organization performance. Organizations set age management goals and try to achieve them through specific measures. To effectively apply age management, it must be aligned with the general and human resource strategy of organizations. A limitation in the implementation of age management can be found in the procedure that is vaguely described in the available literature. This paper proposes a new application of multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) methods in the field of age management to evaluate age management goals and select the most preferred measures for a specific organization. To evaluate age management measures, we applied AHP, ANP, and WINGS multiple attribute decision-making methods. The evidence suggests that the relationships among measures are complex, and that the application of matrix-based MADM methods is beneficial. However, the ranking of alternatives estimated by the AHP, ANP, and WINGS was identical.
  Keywords: age management; human resource management; analytic hierarchy process; analytic network process; Weighted influence nonlinear gauge system; WINGS; multiple attribute decision-making methods.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMCDM.2023.10054247
   
  
• A Decision-Making Approach for Open Innovation Model Selection in the Turkish Automotive Industry  
  by Ay?e Demir, Iskender Peker, A. Cansu Gök K?sa 
  Abstract: The concept of open innovation (OI) has become crucial in the sustainable competitiveness of industries. The selection and application of appropriate OI models for businesses also compose an important research question. This study aims to decide the most suitable OI model in the Turkish automotive industry through a three-step multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model. Firstly, the criteria that may affect the evaluation of the OI models are stated and weighted by analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Afterward, VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) is used to rank the OI models that can be implemented in the automotive industry. In the last phase, the impacts of differentiation in criteria weights are tested with one-dimensional sensitivity analysis. According to the results, the coupled open innovation model is ranked as the best alternative and the differentiation in criterion weights does not affect this ranking. This study is the first attempt that attains the most suitable OI model in the automotive industry by a hybrid MCDM approach.
  Keywords: open innovation models; multi-criteria decision-making; MCDM; automotive industry; VIKOR.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMCDM.2023.10054865
   
  
• Development of a Best-Worst Method based MCDM approach for solar power plant location selection: An Application to Tunceli, Turkey  
  by Yunus Emre Aykac, Melih Yucesan, Muhammet Gul 
  Abstract: Solar energy stands out with its increasing potential in the world. The decision to choose the location of a solar power plant is very important due to the investment return. In this study, a solar power plant site selection for Tunceli, Turkey is studied with a two-stage multi-criteria decision-making approach. In the first stage, the importance levels of the determined nine factors are obtained by the best-worst method (BWM). In the second stage, the most appropriate site is selected among the eight districts of Tunceli. As a result of the first stage, solar and fault line emerged as the most and least important factor, respectively. The second stage showed that Pertek district is the most suitable place. A comparative framework has been created, including five different MCDM methods, which strengthens the final decision's accuracy and reveals whether each method's results are correlated.
  Keywords: solar energy; power plant location; multi-criteria decision-making; best-worst method; BWM; Tunceli; Turkey.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMCDM.2023.10056276
   
  
• Factors Influencing Commercial Bank Selection Choices by Customers in Bhutan- An Analysis using Analytic Hierarchy Process  
  by Madan Gurung 
  Abstract: This research paper presents the most recent findings to provide a validated instrument for assessing bank customers' selection decisions in Bhutan. The study's goal was to identify and examine the main factor which was influencing the customers' choice of commercial banks in Bhutan. A convenience sampling method was used, and data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire from a sample of 150 bank customers in Thimphu. The findings revealed that one of the most important factors of customers' bank selection decisions was service delivery, followed by convenience. Bank of Bhutan Limited was ranked first with the highest global priority weight and Druk Punjab National Bank Limited was ranked last with the lowest global priority weight when determining consumers' preference of bank based on each criterion evaluated in this study.
  Keywords: bank selection; customers; commercial banks; analytic hierarchy process; AHP; Bhutan.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMCDM.2023.10056611