Multicriteria Decision Making Advances

in MCDM Models, Algorithms, Theory and Applications

edited by

Tomas Gal, FernUniversitat Hagen, Germany

Theodor J. Stewart, Dept of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa

Thomas Hanne, Dept of Economics & Operations Research, FernUniversitat, Hagen, Germany

INTERNATIONAL SERIES IN OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCE Volume: 21

Kluwer Academic Publishers Hardbound, ISBN 0-7923-8534-9, June 1999, 560 pp.

At a practical level, mathematical programming under multiple objectives has emerged as a powerful tool to assist in the process of searching for decisions which best satisfy a multitude of conflicting objectives, and there are a number of distinct methodologies for multicriteria decision-making problems that exist. These methodologies can be categorized in a variety of ways, such as form of model (e.g. linear, non-linear, stochastic), characteristics of the decision space (e.g. finite or infinite), or solution process (e.g. prior specification of preferences or interactive). Scientists from a variety of disciplines (mathematics, economics and psychology) have contributed to the development of the field of Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) (or Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), Multiattribute Decision Making (MADM), Multiobjective Decision Making (MODM), etc.) over the past 30 years, helping to establish MCDM as an important part of management science. MCDM has become a central component of studies in management science, economics and industrial engineering in many universities worldwide.

Multicriteria Decision Making: Advances in MCDM Models, Algorithms, Theory and Applications aims to bring together Ôstate-of-the-artÕ reviews and the most recent advances by leading experts on the fundamental theories, methodologies and applications of MCDM. This is aimed at graduate students and researchers in mathematics, economics, management and engineering, as well as at practicing management scientists who wish to better understand the principles of this new and fast developing field.

CONTENTS