A multi-valued neutrosophic qualitative flexible approach based on likelihood for multi-criteria decision-making problems

ABSTRACT

In this paper, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems based on the qualitative flexible multiple criteria method (QUALIFLEX), in which the criteria values are expressed by multi-valued neutrosophic information, are investigated. First, multi-valued neutrosophic sets (MVNSs), which allow the truth-membership function, indeterminacy-membership function and falsity-membership function to have a set of crisp values between zero and one, are introduced. Then the likelihood of multi-valued neutrosophic number (MVNN) preference relations is defined and the corresponding properties are also discussed. Finally, an extended QUALIFLEX approach based on likelihood is explored to solve MCDM problems where the assessments of alternatives are in the form of MVNNs; furthermore an example is provided to illustrate the application of the proposed method, together with a comparison analysis.

KEYWORDS:

• Multi-valued neutrosophic sets
• multi-criteria decision-making
• likelihood
• QUALIFLEX

Acknowledgment

The authors thank the editors and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 71571193], [grant number 71401185]; the Humanities and Social Sciences Youth Foundation of Ministry of Education of China [grant number 15YJCZH127]; the Science Foundation for Doctors of Hubei University of Automotive Technology [grant number BK201405]; and the Humanities and Social Science Foundation of Hubei Province [grant number 15Q130].

Notes on contributors

Juan-juan Peng

Juan-juan Peng received her Ph.D. degree in Management Science and Engineering from Central South University, Changsha, China, in 2015. She is a lecturer in School of Economics and Management, Hubei University of Automotive Technology, China. Her current research focuses on decision-making theory and application and information management.

Jian-qiang Wang

Jian-qiang Wang received his Ph.D. degree in Management Science and Engineering from Central South University, Changsha, China, in 2005. He is currently a professor in Business School, Central South University. His current research interests include decision-making theory and application, risk management and control, and information management.

Wu-E Yang

Wu-E Yang received his Ph.D. degree in Management Science and Engineering from Central South University, Changsha, China, in 2013. He is currently a professor in Economics College, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, China. His current research focuses on decision-making theory and information management.