An Extended VIKOR Method Using Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Combination Weights for Supplier Selection

Jiansen Zhao, Xiao-Yue You, Hu-Chen Liu, Song-Man Wu
2017 Symmetry  
Supplier selection is a complex multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem, which considers a number of alternative suppliers as well as conflicting and noncommensurable criteria. Considering the fact that it is difficult to precisely determine criteria weights and the ratings of alternatives on each criterion in real-life situations, the VIKOR (VIsekriterijumska optimizacija i KOmpromisno Resenje) method has been modified for intuitionistic fuzzy data in this study for supplier
more » ... and selection. Further, we take into account both subjective and objective weights of criteria in the decision-making process, as most supplier selection approaches consider only subjective criteria weights. Finally, two supplier selection examples are provided to illustrate the proposed intuitionistic fuzzy hybrid VIKOR (IFH-VIKOR) method, and its merits are highlighted by comparing it with other relevant approaches. Symmetry 2017, 9, 169 2 of 16 successfully implemented in lots of real-world decision-making problems. For example, Hafezalkotob and Hafezalkotob [8] proposed an interval target-based VIKOR model supported on interval distance and preference degree to solve machine selection problems. proposed a hybrid model combining Delphi, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and the VIKOR technique for the selection of a rehabilitation project considering social, economic, and landscape indicators. Büyüközkan and Karabulut [10] presented a combination approach integrating AHP and VIKOR for energy project performance evaluation with a sustainability perspective. Xu et al. [11] used a VIKOR-based method to evaluate the service performance of electric vehicle sharing programs in Beijing, China. Soner et al. [12] applied AHP and VIKOR methods within an interval type-2 fuzzy context for selecting a hatch cover type for bulk carriers. Sharma et al. [13] employed a novel Entropy-VIKOR approach for optimizing the performance of discrete V obstacles in a solar air flow channel. Ghorabaee et al. [14] presented an extended VIKOR method with interval type-2 fuzzy sets for solving the multi-criteria project selection problem. In Sari [15], a decision framework based on Monte Carlo simulation, AHP, and the VIKOR method under a fuzzy environment was reported for evaluating green supply chain management practices. Moreover, the use of the VIKOR for supplier selection is practical and has demonstrated satisfactory results [4, [16] [17] [18] [19] . Therefore, it is natural to utilize the the VIKOR approach to manage supplier selection problems involving comprehensive criteria. On the other hand, it is often hard to precisely assess the performance of each alternative in the supplier selection process, as human judgments are imprecise and vague under many circumstances [20] . As a result, a lot of supplier selection methods under a fuzzy environment have been suggested in the literature [18, 21, 22] . In many real-life situations, however, the information obtained is not enough for the exact definition of a membership degree for a certain element [23] . That is, there may be some amount of a hesitation degree among membership and non-membership. To address this problem, Atanassov [24] introduced the concept of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) as an extension of fuzzy set theory [25] . Each IFS is described by a membership function and a non-membership function. Because of insufficiency in information availability, the IFS theory has been widely used to solve many MCDM problems. For instance, Rodríguez et al. [26] presented an intuitionistic fuzzy method for the selection of the most suitable risk management option in information technology projects. Mehlawat and Grover [27] developed an MCDM method using triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers to handle the critical path selection problem. Liu et al. [28] proposed a method based on sentiment analysis technique and IFSs to rank products through online reviews. In Botía et al. [29] , a method based on fuzzy cellular automata and IFSs was used for analyzing optical frequency comb behavior and the spectral shape in terms of phase and intensity. In Atalay and Can [30], a hybrid approach combining intuitionistic fuzzy AHP and intuitionistic fuzzy multi-objective optimization by ratio analysis (MOORA) was proposed for new product selection. In addition, other intuitionistic fuzzy decision-making approaches have been proposed by researchers for radio frequency identification technology selection [31], failure mode and effect analysis [32], construction site layout [33] , and so on. Therefore, the IFSs are more flexible and precise for tackling imprecise and uncertain decision information in supplier selection due to their capability of accommodating hesitation in a decision-making process. Given the strengths and wide applications of the VIKOR method and IFSs, this paper extends the classical VIKOR to develop a new method, called intuitionistic fuzzy hybrid VIKOR (IFH-VIKOR), for solving supplier selection problems. The primary contributions of this study are summarized as follows: (1) to deal with the uncertainty and vagueness in supplier selection, performance ratings of alternatives are taken as linguistic terms denoted by intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs); (2) to combine the merits of both subjective and objective weighting methods, a combination weighting method is proposed to define criteria weights in solving the supplier selection problem; and (3) to identify the most appropriate supplier, an extended VIKOR method is developed for the ranking of the considered alternatives. Furthermore, two empirical examples of supplier selection are provided to illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of our proposed hybrid method.
doi:10.3390/sym9090169 fatcat:sry7wzwx4nee7mfnitssrajnsq