Luís Alberto Duncan Rangel

Multicriteria analysis of natural gas destination in Brazil: An application of the TODIM method

This article approaches the problem of selecting the best option for the destination of the natural gas reserves recently discovered in the Mexilhao field in the Santos basin, Brazil. The aims of the study reported here were: (1) to create a mechanism which assists in the process of analyzing and selecting the best options for the destination of natural gas; (2) to enable the decision agents to choose the investment options best aligned to the expectations and objectives observed in the company strategies; and (3) to permit the decision agents the identification in the most systematic, clear and wide-ranging manner, new opportunities in which they act or are interested in acting, taking into consideration a larger and more diversified base of the principal aspects which influence the choice or recommendation. The multicriteria analysis employed in the study made use of the TODIM method, a discrete multicriteria method based on Prospect Theory. The application of the TODIM method demonstrated that it can be extremely useful when recommending options for upstream projects, owing to the fact that it can clearly identify the most important alternatives in the face of the scenarios tested and in relation to the criteria expressed.

Behavioral multi-criteria decision analysis: the TODIM method with criteria interactions

In this paper a multi-criteria decision aiding model is developed through the use of the Choquet integral. The proposed model is an extension of the TODIM method, which is based on nonlinear Cumulative Prospect Theory. The paper starts by reviewing the first steps of behavioral decision theory. A presentation of the TODIM method follows. The basic concepts of the Choquet integral as related to multi-criteria decision aiding are reviewed. It is also shown how the measures of dominance of the TODIM method can be rewritten through the application of the Choquet integral. From the ordering of decision criteria the fuzzy measures of criteria interactions are computed, which leads to the ranking of alternatives. A case study on the forecasting of property values for rent in a Brazilian city illustrates the proposed model. Results obtained from the use of the Choquet integral are then compared against a previously made usage of the TODIM method. It is concluded that significant advantages exist derived from the use of the Choquet integral. The paper closes with recommendations for future research.

Criteria Interactions in Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding: A Choquet Formulation for the TODIM Method

Abstract The problem of modeling interactions between criteria in Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding (MCDA) has been approached by a number of authors. That problem arises when there are visible redundancies and synergies among criteria. Aggregation models exist that have been conceived to take care of criteria interdependences. From these aggregation models a special attention has been given to the Choquet integral, and its possibilities and limitations have been pointed out. In this paper it is shown how measures of criteria interaction can be computed for the TODIM method of MCDA by using the Choquet integral. The key conclusions from this case study are listed below: (i) the use of the Choquet integral minimizes the calculations by TODIM since it is unnecessary to normalize the raw data; (ii) not only precise values can be used but also interval data; this second situation would lead to using a fuzzy triangular number; (iii) by using the Choquet integral more complex additive models can be used that allow for taking dependencies between criteria into consideration. As important elements of future research the authors plan to encompass in their analysis new concepts such as generalizations of Choquet integral and the bipolar Cumulative Prospect Theory.

An application of the TODIM method to the evaluation of Broadband Internet plans

This article presents a case study of the evaluation of the various types of access to the Broadband Internet available to a small company, located in Volta Redonda, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. This small company needs to implement Broadband Internet in its establishment and sought an evaluation of the companies which work providing this type of service. With the aim of carrying out a technical evaluation of the provision of the Broadband Internet service and, considering the diverse points of view and needs of this small company, a Multicriteria Decision Aiding Method, the TODIM method, was used. By means of this research, the power of this Operational Research tool was verified in the search for the solution to the problem of ranking the services offered in the city, according to the criteria chosen by this small company.

Decision theory with multiple criteria: an aplication of ELECTRE IV and TODIM to SEBRAE/RJ

This paper presents an application of two methods of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), ELECTRE IV and TODIM, in order to tackle the problem of ranking projects with important economic and social consequences in the Rio de Janeiro State. These projects are ranked under the presence of quantitative and qualitative criteria. ELECTRE IV is a method of the French School of MCDA whose use does not rely on knowledge of criteria weights. TODIM, on the other hand, is a method that is based on the paradigm of Prospect Theory and that has elements of both the French and the American School of MCDA. Although ranks obtained by both methods were different, the same project was ranked as the best alternative according in both. The practical experience described in this paper has suggested that the use of MCDA methods in the ranking of project can significantly clarify the decision making process.

A study of professional mobility in a large corporation through cognitive mapping

Decisions which are made by executives in large corporations regarding professional mobility cause changes to both their personal and professional lives. This research was carried out with the aim of creating the structuring of a professional mobility problem through the use of a decision support tool, the cognitive mapping. Through the use of this tool, a decision making structure for professional mobility was developed, taking into consideration some important aspects of this process. The cognitive mapping proposed here was a problem structuring tool which leads decision makers to a greater understanding of the problem, giving them support towards good decision making in professional mobility. Through the research carried out it was possible to identify the principal factors which lead these professionals to a professional mobility decision which is as coherent and consistent as possible with the subjective aspects of their professional reality.

O Apoio Multicritério à Decisão na avaliação de candidatos

Os metodos de Apoio Multicriterio a Decisao aplicam-se sempre que se deseje selecionar, ordenar, classificar ou descrever alternativas presentes em um processo decisorio na presenca de multiplos criterios - quantitativos e qualitativos. Este artigo aborda o emprego dos metodos UTA e UTA-CR para a determinacao das funcoes de utilidade dos criterios empregados para avaliar o ingresso de candidatos ao curso de graduacao de Engenharia Metalurgica da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Apos apresentarem-se os metodos e o problema estudado, mostra-se, por uma analise dos resultados, que as funcoes de utilidade dos criterios obtidos com o metodo UTA-CR estao mais proximas das preferencias dos decisores do que aquelas obtidas com o metodo UTA. Observa-se ainda que, pelo metodo UTA-CR, nao ha necessidade de realizar-se a analise de pos-otimizacao feita no metodo UTA, pois, com apenas uma unica implementacao de um programa linear, os resultados obtidos sao melhores que os obtidos pelo metodo UTA.

Treatment of uncertainty through the interval smart/swing weighting method: a case study

An increasingly competitive market means that many decisions must be taken, quickly and with precision, in complex, high risk scenarios. This combination of factors makes it necessary to use decision aiding methods which provide a means of dealing with uncertainty in the judgement of the alternatives. This work presents the use of the MAUT method, combined with the INTERVAL SMART/SWING WEIGHTING method. Although multicriteria decision aiding was not conceived specifically for tackling uncertainty, the combined use of MAUT and the INTERVAL SMART/SWING WEIGHTING method allows approaching decision problems under uncertainty. The main concepts which are involved in these two methods are described and their joint application to the case study concerning the selection of a printing service supplier is presented. The case study makes use of the WINPRE software as a support tool for the calculation of dominance. It is then concluded that the proposed approach can be applied to decision making problems under uncertainty.

Determinação do valor de referência do aluguel de imóveis residenciais empregando o Método TODIM

Setting rent reference values for residential housing units is normally performed under multiple, conflicting criteria. This article shows how the TODIM method of Multicriteria Decision Aiding can be of a significant help in that task. A case study was carried through in the city of Volta Redonda, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The TODIM method allows considering quantitative as well as qualitative evaluation criteria and is founded on Prospect Theory. In order to obtain a maximum adherence of rent reference values to market values, some housing units that had just been rent were taken into account in the study. The application of the TODIM method produced the ordering of all such housing units and then led to identifying ranges for rent. A sensitivity analysis complemented the study by providing useful insights on the numerical results that were obtained.

Building the Additive Utility Functions for CAD-UFRJ Evaluation Staff Criteria

This paper presents an application of the UTA method for building utility functions for the evaluation criteria defined by the Staff Evaluation Commission (CAD) of the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ). Every year, the CAD-UFRJ gives the staff evaluation results for each Postgraduate Engineering Programme. However, the method used to generate the staff evaluation is assumed unknown. Trying to find the CAD-UFRJ preference structure, the evaluation results supplied by CAD-UFRJ are used to apply the UTA method. Some additional information obtained from the CAD-UFRJ data is incorporated in the optimal solutions analysis.