A comparison study between fuzzy time series model and ARIMA model for forecasting Taiwan export

This study compares the application of two forecasting methods on the amount of Taiwan export, the ARIMA time series method and the fuzzy time series method. Models discussed for the fuzzy time series method include the Factor models, the Heuristic models, and the Markov model. When the sample period is prolong in our models, the ARIMA model shows smaller than predicted error and closer predicted trajectory to the realistic trend than those of the fuzzy model, resulted in more accurate forecasts of the export amount in the ARIMA model. Especially, the coefficient of the error term for the previous period has increased to 79%, implying the influential effect of external factors. These external factors attribute to the export amount of Taiwan according to the economic viewpoints. However, this impact reduces as time progressing and the export amount of the lag period of 12 or 13 do not affect current export amount anymore. In conclusion, when the sample period is shorter with only a small set of data available, the fuzzy time series models can be utilized to predict export values accurately, outperforming the ARIMA model.

Research highlights
► This study compares the forecasting methods of ARIMA time series and fuzzy time series based on the amount of Taiwan export.
► It is found that the methods of fuzzy time series models behave better in forecasting ability than that of ARIMA time series model for a short period.
► The Heuristic model is the easiest method to follow.