Intelligent group decision support under multiple criteria

Abstract

Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) refers to making decisions in the presence of multiple, usually conflicting, criteria which must be traded off in almost every engineering, business or personal decision. In actual practice the classification of MCDM problem is well fitted to the facets of problem solving; MADM is for selection (evaluation), MODM is for design. In the real world problem, it is necessary to combine MADM results with MODM method in order to perform best selection and optimal design of organizational resources. But, the united framework to implementing selection and design phases in the help of decision support systems (DSS) has not been suggested. Furthermore, most complex decisions in organizations are made by groups of people considering multiple criteria. As complexity of organizational decision making increases, the need for multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) and for working in group increases. Although many researchers are interested in developing methods and useful group decision support for MCDM, they have paid little attention to reduce considerable cognitive burdens on the decision makers and to integrate resource planning problem with MAGDM results. Therefore, the aim of this research is to synthesize the methodologies of MCDM with intelligent DSS to utilize their benefits. For this purpose, this dissertation suggested two integrated directions: 1. An intelligent group decision support system (GDSS) for MAGDM is developed - group members’ preferences of alternative are represented a range-type, interactive procedures are provided to help the group reach a consensus, and group’s dominance conditions with group’s utility range are applied. 2. Knowledge based decision support system for goal directed resource planning is developed - a suitable MODM method for designing a set of optimal alternatives, resources, is examined, and a guideline for modeling and system development is suggested. It is difficult for...