Construction of nonreciprocal fuzzy preference relations with the use of preference functions

Abstract

In order to model the preferences of a decision-maker (DM) by means of fuzzy preferencerelations, a DM can utilize different preference formats (such as ordering of the alternatives, utility values, multiplicative preference relations, fuzzy estimates, and reciprocal as well as nonreciprocal fuzzy preference relations) to express his/her judgments. Afterward, the obtained information is utilized to constructfuzzy preference relations. Here we introduce a procedure that allows the use of so-called preference functions (which is a preference format utilized in the methods of PROMETHEE family) to construct nonreciprocal fuzzy preference relations. With diverse preference formats being offered, a DM can select the onethat is the most convenient to articulate his/her preferences. In order to demonstrate the applicability of theproposed procedure a multicriteria decision-making problem related to the site selection for constructing anew hospital is considered here.