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Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II

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A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Computer".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 27102

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Prof. Dr. Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas

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Research Institute of Sustainable Construction, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: operations research; optimization and decision analysis; multicriteria decision making; multiattribute decision making (MADM); decision support systems; civil engineering; energy; sustainable development; fuzzy sets theory; fuzzy multicriteria decision making; sustainability; management; game theory and economical computing knowledge management
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Dr. Dragan Pamucar

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Department of logistics, University of Defence, Belgrade, Pavla Jurišića Šturma 33, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: multi-criteria decision making problems; computational intelligence; sustainability neuro-fuzzy systems; fuzzy; rough and intuitionistic fuzzy set theory; neutrosophic theory
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Dr. Željko Stević

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Guest Editor

Department for Transport Engineering, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of East Sarajevo, Vojvode Mišića 52, 74000 Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Interests: logistics; supply chain management; transport; traffic engineering; multicriteria decision-making problems; rough set theory; sustainability; fuzzy set theory; neutrosophic theory
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Dr. Abbas Mardani

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Guest Editor

Muma College of Business at University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, FL, USA
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The success of any activity and process depends fundamentally on the possibility of balancing (symmetry) needs and their satisfaction, that is, the ability to properly define a set of success indicators. The application of the developed new multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods can be eliminated or decreased by decision-makers’ subjectivity, which leads to consistency or symmetry in the weight values of the criteria. Decision making on complex engineering problems, including individual process decisions, requires an appropriate and reliable decision support system. Fuzzy set theory, rough set theory, and neutrosophic set theory, which belong to MCDM techniques, are very useful for modeling complex engineering problems with imprecise, ambiguous, or vague data. Sustainability in engineering is one of the most discussed topics in recent years and represents one of the key factors in engineering sustainable development and optimization. Sustainable multidisciplinary approaches based on MCDM techniques enable easier process technology in the future.

This Special Issue on “Multicriteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes” aims to incorporate recent developments in the area of sustainable engineering processes. Topics include but are not limited to the following:

MCDM optimization in sustainable engineering;
Environmental sustainability in engineering processes;
Sustainable multicriteria production and logistics processes planning;
Integrated approach for modelling processes in engineering;
New trends in the multicriteria evaluation of sustainable processes;
Multicriteria decision making in strategic management based on sustainable criteria.

Conclusion:

Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles for practical objectives such as the processes, manufacture, design, and operation of products, while accounting for constraints invoked by environmental, economic, and social factors. There are various factors needing to be considered in order to address engineering sustainability, which is critical for the overall sustainability of human development and activity. In this regard, in recent decades, decision-making theory has been a subject of intense research activities due to its wide applications in different areas, such as sustainable engineering and environmental sustainability. The decision-making theory approach has become an important means of providing real-time solutions to uncertainty problems, especially for sustainable engineering and environmental sustainability problems in engineering processes. We hope that this Special Issue will stimulate both theoretical and applied research in the related fields of sustainability engineering processes. It is certainly impossible to provide in this short editorial a more comprehensive description for all articles in this Special Issue. However, we sincerely hope that our effort in compiling these articles will enrich our readers and inspire researchers with regard to the seemingly common, but actually important issue of decision-making and fuzzy decision-making approaches for sustainable engineering processes.

Prof. Dr. Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas
Dr. Dragan Pamučar
Dr. Željko Stević
Dr. Abbas Mardani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptive Autonomous Robot Navigation by Neutrosophic WASPAS Extensions

by Rokas Semenas and Romualdas Bausys

Symmetry 2022, 14(1), 179; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/sym14010179 - 17 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1479

Abstract

In this research, a novel adaptive frontier-assessment-based environment exploration strategy for search and rescue (SAR) robots is presented. Two neutrosophic WASPAS multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method extensions that provide the tools for addressing the inaccurate input data characteristics are applied to measure the utilities of the candidate frontiers. Namely, the WASPAS method built under the interval-valued neutrosophic set environment (WASPAS-IVNS) and the WASPAS method built under the m-generalised q-neutrosophic set environment (WASPAS-mGqNS). The indeterminacy component of the neutrosophic set can be considered as the axis of symmetry, and neutrosophic truth and falsity membership functions are asymmetric. As these three components of the neutrosophic set are independent, one can model the input data characteristics applied in the candidate frontier assessment process, while also taking into consideration uncertain or inaccurate input data obtained by the autonomous robot sensors. The performed experiments indicate that the proposed adaptive environment exploration strategy provides better results when compared to the baseline greedy environment exploration strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II)

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19 pages, 3816 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a New Risk Assessment Methodology for Light Goods Vehicles on Two-Lane Road Sections

by Marko Subotić, Veljko Radičević, Zoran Pavlović and Goran Ćirović

Symmetry 2021, 13(7), 1271; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/sym13071271 - 15 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1437

Abstract

Increasing mobility directly affects traffic frequency and thus increases the possible risk of traffic accident occurrences. Taking this into account, it is necessary to create models for determining risk and to act preventively based on these models; this is of great importance both to society and science. In this paper, six measuring sections of a road network are considered on the basis of eight geometric-exploitation road parameters, taking into account the data for light goods vehicles. An original methodology is proposed for identifying risk levels of road sections through their evaluation. For identifying risk levels, the Dombi Logarithmic Methodology of Additive Weights (D’LMAW) was used, which was combined with the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution (MARCOS) method. Statistical indicators were processed using a hybrid methodology based on the application of rough numbers and Dombi–Bonferroni functions. The performance of the presented methodology was verified on a real-world example, processing the statistical parameters of six two-lane road sections, with the sixth measuring section showing the best performance, since it had the minimum risk. Research has shown that measuring sections with increasing longitudinal gradients are safer. The analysis of measuring sections from fall to rise reduces the deviation of speeds from the speed limit on the roads. The effectiveness, rationality, and robustness of the solution of the proposed methodology was confirmed through a sensitivity analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II)

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28 pages, 4242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel CRITIC-Fuzzy FUCOM-DEA-Fuzzy MARCOS Model for Safety Evaluation of Road Sections Based on Geometric Parameters of Road

by Jelena Mitrović Simić, Željko Stević, Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas, Vuk Bogdanović, Marko Subotić and Abbas Mardani

Symmetry 2020, 12(12), 2006; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/sym12122006 - 04 Dec 2020

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 3357

Abstract

Trends of globalization very often cause the emergence of phenomena that asymmetrically affect the overall sustainability of the transport system. In order to predict certain situations and potentially be able to manage the transport system, it is necessary to manage risk situations and traffic safety in a timely manner. This study has conducted an investigation which implies defining the level of safety of a total of nine sections of two-lane roads. The main aim of the paper is to create a new multiphase model consisting of CRITIC (The CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation), Fuzzy FUCOM (Full Consistency Method), DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis), and Fuzzy MARCOS (Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the COmpromise Solution) methods for determining the level of traffic safety on road sections under the conditions of uncertainty. In order for the created model to be adequately applied, eight parameters were created, and they were classified through four inputs and four outputs. To calculate the significance of the inputs, the CRITIC method based on the symmetric correlation matrix was used, and taking into account the nature of the outputs, the Fuzzy FUCOM method based on averaged values using the fuzzy Bonferroni Mean (BM) operator was applied to determine their weights. To determine the degree of safety, the DEA model was created. After that, the Fuzzy MARCOS method was used in order to determine the final ranking of the remaining five sections of the road network. Finally, the verification of results was performed through three phases of Sensitivity Analysis (SA). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II)

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23 pages, 7702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Media and E-mail Marketing Campaigns: Symmetry versus Convergence

by Vasile-Daniel Păvăloaia, Ionuț-Daniel Anastasiei and Doina Fotache

Symmetry 2020, 12(12), 1940; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/sym12121940 - 25 Nov 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4866

Abstract

Companies use social business intelligence (SBI) to identify and collect strategically significant information from a wide range of publicly available data sources, such as social media (SM). This study is an SBI-driven analysis of a company operating in the insurance sector. It underlines the contribution of SBI technology to sustainable profitability of a company by using an optimized marketing campaign on Facebook, in symmetry with a traditional e-mail campaign. Starting from a campaign on SM, the study identified a client portfolio, processed data, and applied a set of statistical methods, such as the index and the statistical significance (T-test), which later enabled the authors to validate research hypotheses (RH), and led to relevant business decisions. The study outlines the preferences of the selected group of companies for the manner in which they run a marketing campaign on SM in symmetry with an e-mail-run campaign. Although the study focused on the practical field of insurance, the suggested model can be used by any company of any industry proving that BI technologies is the nexus of collecting and interpreting results that are essential, globally applicable, and lead to sustainable development of companies operating in the age of globalization. The results of the study prove that symmetrical unfolding (time and opportunity symmetry) of SM marketing campaigns, and using email, could lead to better results compared to two separate marketing campaigns. Moreover, the outcomes of both campaigns showed convergence on SBI platforms, which led to higher efficiency of management of preferences of campaign beneficiaries in the insurance sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II)

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19 pages, 759 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Approach for the Global Stability of Mathematical Model of an Infectious Disease

by Mojtaba Masoumnezhad, Maziar Rajabi, Amirahmad Chapnevis, Aleksei Dorofeev, Stanford Shateyi, Narges Shayegh Kargar and Hassan Saberi Nik

Symmetry 2020, 12(11), 1778; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/sym12111778 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3902

Abstract

The global stability analysis for the mathematical model of an infectious disease is discussed here. The endemic equilibrium is shown to be globally stable by using a modification of the Volterra–Lyapunov matrix method. The basis of the method is the combination of Lyapunov functions and the Volterra–Lyapunov matrices. By reducing the dimensions of the matrices and under some conditions, we can easily show the global stability of the endemic equilibrium. To prove the stability based on Volterra–Lyapunov matrices, we use matrices with the symmetry properties (symmetric positive definite). The results developed in this paper can be applied in more complex systems with nonlinear incidence rates. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the analytical results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II)

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14 pages, 1150 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Critical Success Factors of the Reliability-Centred Maintenance Implementation in the Oil and Gas Industry

by Masoomeh Zeinalnezhad, Abdoulmohammad Gholamzadeh Chofreh, Feybi Ariani Goni and Jiří Jaromír Klemeš

Symmetry 2020, 12(10), 1585; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/sym12101585 - 23 Sep 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4088

Abstract

Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM) is a strategic process to improve the maintenance planning of companies which contributes to sustainable production. This method has been applied by numerous industries to achieve an efficient maintenance process, but many have not fully completed their goals. The reason for this failure is that RCM implementation is complex, and organisations need to have adequate preparations before they implement it. In the pre-implementation phase, it is necessary to know the number of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) as a critical measure for implementing the RCM method successfully. Therefore, it is important for practitioners to apply a symmetric mechanism involving fuzzy systems to achieve the desired RCM implementation. There are a limited number of studies that have observed these factors regarding the characteristics of oil and gas companies, especially in the pre-implementation phase. Addressing RCM pre-implementation issues is of high importance from the economic perspective of sustainability for oil and gas organisations. The objective of this study is to investigate significant items in RCM pre-implementation through a combination of quantitative and qualitative analyses. The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) method is applied by gaining the opinion of experts to determine the factors and prioritising them using mathematical modelling. A group of related experts from the oil and gas industry were initially interviewed and surveyed to determine the critical success factors. These identified factors were then analysed using quantitative analysis to identify the important degrees and scored using Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP). Fifteen major factors affecting the criticality of successful RCM implementation have been identified and prioritised, based on their weights. The model proposed in this study could be used as a guideline for assessing CSFs in other countries. To apply the proposed model in different contexts, it needs to be modified according to the needs, policies, and perspectives of each country. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II)

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23 pages, 1301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Entropy-Fuzzy PIPRECIA-DEA Model for Safety Evaluation of Railway Traffic

by Aleksandar Blagojević, Željko Stević, Dragan Marinković, Sandra Kasalica and Snježana Rajilić

Symmetry 2020, 12(9), 1479; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/sym12091479 - 09 Sep 2020

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 2567

Abstract

The conditions of globalization often dictate the functioning of transport markets, so it is necessary to conduct frequent research in order to achieve sustainable business. This is achieved through adequate risk and safety management at all levels. The research carried out in this paper includes determining the state of railway traffic safety in a total of nine railway sections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The aim of this paper is to develop a new integrated Entropy-Fuzzy PIPRECIA (PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment)-DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) model for determining the state of safety in B&H under particular conditions of uncertainty. Additionally, the aim is to combine the advantages of linear programming (DEA), an objective method (Entropy), and a subjective method (Fuzzy PIPRECIA). In this way, an integrated objective–subjective model is created that provides accurate and balanced decision-making through their integration. Eleven sustainable criteria were defined and divided into six inputs and five outputs. The Entropy model was used to determine the weight values of the inputs, while due to the nature of the outputs, Fuzzy PIPRECIA was used to evaluate them. After the application of the two methods, the way of averaging their values was defined. The DEA model, which implies an input- and output-oriented model, was applied to determine which railway sections have satisfactory performance in terms of safety. Two sections were eliminated from further computation due to extremely poor performance and high risk. Then, the weighted overall efficiency ranking method was applied to determine the final ranking of the railway sections. The results obtained were verified through a sensitivity analysis, which involved changing the impact of the five most significant criteria and a comparison with two Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II)

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21 pages, 1445 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hesitant Fuzzy SWARA-Complex Proportional Assessment Approach for Sustainable Supplier Selection (HF-SWARA-COPRAS)

by Pratibha Rani, Arunodaya Raj Mishra, Raghunathan Krishankumar, Abbas Mardani, Fausto Cavallaro, Kattur Soundarapandian Ravichandran and Karthikeyan Balasubramanian

Symmetry 2020, 12(7), 1152; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/sym12071152 - 09 Jul 2020

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 3966

Abstract

The selection of sustainable supplier is an extremely important for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). The assessment process of sustainable supplier selection is a complicated task for decision experts due to involvement of several qualitative and quantitative criteria. As the uncertainty is commonly occurred in sustainable supplier selection problem and hesitant fuzzy set (HFS), an improvement of Fuzzy Set (FS), has been proved as one of the efficient and superior ways to express the uncertain information arisen in practical problems. The present study proposes a novel framework based on COPRAS (Complex Proportional Assessment) method and SWARA (Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) approach to evaluate and select the desirable sustainable supplier within the HFSs context. In the proposed method, an extended SWARA method is employed for determining the criteria weights based on experts’ preferences. Next, to illustrate the efficiency and practicability of the proposed methodology, an empirical case study of sustainable supplier selection problem is taken under Hesitant Fuzzy (HF) environment. Further, sensitivity analysis is performed to check the stability of the presented methodology. At last, a comparison with existing methods is conducted to verify the strength of the obtained result. The final outcomes confirm that the developed framework is more consistent and powerful than other existing approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processes II)

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