Luiz Flavio Autran Monteiro Gomes

An application of the TODIM method to the multicriteria rental evaluation of residential properties

This article presents an evaluation study of residential properties carried out together with real estate agents in the city of Volta Redonda, Brazil. The study aimed to define a reference value for the rents of these properties using the TODIM method of Multicriteria Decision Aiding. By applying this method to the ordering of properties with different characteristics, a ranking of all the properties was obtained and, as a result of this, diverse ranges of rental values for the properties under analysis. The study was complemented by an analysis of the sensitivity of the numerical results obtained.

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.

Cultura e orientação empreendedora: uma pesquisa comparativa entre empreendedores em incubadoras no Brasil e em Portugal

This article describes research concerning with identifying and explaining similarities and differences in characteristics of entrepreneurs in incubators in Brazil and Portugal. The analytical fundamentals for the comparisons were Hofstedes cultural dimension model and entrepreneurial orientation (Lumpkim & Dess, 1996). The use of these two models relied on the application of a questionnaire to entrepreneurs in these two countries, and the research was therefore based on intensive field work, which was crucial to achieving the desired goals. Results from the research revealed that there were differences in cultural dimensions - power distance and uncertainty avoidance, both higher in Brazil. The entrepreneurial orientation was also higher in Brazil, especially risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness. The Brazilian entrepreneurs were more likely to reject future uncertainties and showed a greater propensity to take risks and expose themselves to uncertainty, as long as they were paid for this exposure.

Marketing decisions in small businesses: how verbal decision analysis can help

Marketing decisions are crucial in the strategic planning and are usually a starting point for the analysis. Marketing practices of small businesses are different from those of large companies and require different approaches to decision support. The paper illustrates the use of the ORCLASS method of verbal decision analysis in a real application. The ORCLASS method is based solely on the use of qualitative (verbal) information and allows the process leading to decisions to be transparent and shared with the stakeholders in a clear way. The research results show that, the adoption of a qualitative method of decision support in particular, can benefit significantly the marketing of a small business.

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.

Using the TODIM-FSE method as a decision-making support methodology for oil spill response

This paper introduces a multi-criteria method for solving classification problems, called TODIM-FSE. This name was chosen because its structure merges characteristics from two different methods: TODIM and FSE. In order to demonstrate TODIM-FSE, a model was constructed aimed at helping potential users to decide upon suitable contingency plans for oil spill situations. The model is envisaged as embedded within SISNOLEO (a Portuguese acronym for An Information System for Oil Spill Planning) which is subsequently described in the article. The fundamentals of this method, several key references and a case study are also provided.

Avaliação do tamanho de aeroportos portugueses com relações multicritério de superação

In airport studies it is quite common to define categories of airports according to their sizes. Regarding size, each airport is usually classified according to only one criterion, although the problem of determining the airport size is clearly a multicriteria one. This paper employs a new approach for classifying airports according to their sizes by making use of a variant of the multicriteria method ELECTRE I. The new approach is applied to evaluate the size of Portuguese airports and to allocate these airport to well-defined size categories. The amount of cargo and the number of passengers, as well as number of aircraft landing in the airport, are the used criteria. The obtained results are compared with two additional models based on weighted sum and data envelopment analysis.

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.