Group decision making with multi-attribute interval data

The aim of this paper is to present a group decision making methodology, in which the decision information, including the attribute values, attribute weights and weights of decision makers, is expressed in interval data. An extended TOPSIS technique is twice used in the proposed method, which is first used to determine the weights of decision makers, and second used to rank the preference order of alternatives. There is no aggregation of decision information in decision process, except that the ideal decisions as auxiliary decision tools are used in decision process. We give a comparison with another method for group decision making to show the technical advance of reported method. Additionally, we also give a real life application for supplier selection and a discussion to test the effectiveness and practical implications of the proposed method.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A system methodology with intervals is proposed for group decision making. ► An extended TOPSIS technique is twice used in the proposed method. ► A new standardized method for interval data is introduced in this model. ► There is no aggregation(s) in this model except auxiliary decision tools. ► The attribute weights and obtained weights of decision makers are intervals.