Search results for "hierarchy"
showing 10 items of 312 documents
DEA-like Models for the Efficiency Evaluation of Hierarchically Structured Units
2004
Abstract The knowledge of the internal structure of decision making units (DMUs) gives further insights with respect to the “black box” perspective when considering data envelopment analysis models. We present one-level and two-level hierarchical structures of the DMUs under evaluation. Each unit is composed of consecutive stages of parallel subunits all with constant returns to scale. In particular, the maximization of the relative efficiency of a DMU is studied. For the two-stage situation, different degrees of coordination among the subunits of the hierarchical levels are discussed. When some form of coordination has to be guaranteed, we introduce balancing constraints and we compare two…
Observations Regarding Choice Behaviour in Interactive Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Environments: An Experimental Investigation
1989
Many interactive procedures have been developed for solving optimization problems having multiple criteria. In such procedures, an exploration over the feasible or efficient region is conducted for locating the most preferred solution. As Steuer (1986) notes, interactive procedures are characterized by phases of decision-making alternating with phases of computation. Generally a pattern is established that we keep repeating until termination. At each iteration, a solution, or group of solutions, is generated for a decision-maker’s (DM’s) examination. Based on the examination, the DM inputs information to the solution procedure in the form of tradeoffs, pairwise comparisons, aspiration level…
A Compact Representation of Preferences in Multiple Criteria Optimization Problems
2019
A critical step in multiple criteria optimization is setting the preferences for all the criteria under consideration. Several methodologies have been proposed to compute the relative priority of criteria when preference relations can be expressed either by ordinal or by cardinal information. The analytic hierarchy process introduces relative priority levels and cardinal preferences. Lexicographical orders combine both ordinal and cardinal preferences and present the additional difficulty of establishing strict priority levels. To enhance the process of setting preferences, we propose a compact representation that subsumes the most common preference schemes in a single algebraic object. We …
A methodology for the reduction of imprecision in the engineering process
1997
Abstract Engineering design is characterized by a high level of imprecision, vague parameters, and ill-defined relationships. In design, imprecision reduction must occur to arrive at a final product specification. Few design systems exist for adequately representing design imprecision, and formally reducing it to precise values. Fuzzy set theory has considerable potential for addressing the imprecision in design. However, it lacks a formal methodology for system development and operation. One repercussion of this is that imprecision reduction is, at present, implemented in a relatively ad-hoc manner. The main contribution of this paper is to introduce a methodology called precision converge…
A Hybrid AHP Approach and GIS-Based Methods as Fundamental Tools in the SECAP’s Decision-Making Process
2023
Adapting to climate change and mitigating its impacts are the main challenges for cities today. One objective that the European Commission has set in recent decades is reducing climate change inaction, and several political actions have been implemented. Among these actions, the Covenant of Mayors led to the development and adoption of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) by many cities worldwide. A challenge that local authorities must face during the development of a SECAP is the identification of the policies to be included in the plan. This paper presents a case study to show the validity of using a hybrid analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach and various geographic …
VLBI-resolution radio-map algorithms: Performance analysis of different levels of data-sharing on multi-socket, multi-core architectures
2012
a b s t r a c t A broad area in astronomy focuses on simulating extragalactic objects based on Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio-maps. Several algorithms in this scope simulate what would be the observed radio-maps if emitted from a predefined extragalactic object. This work analyzes the performance and scaling of this kind of algorithms on multi-socket, multi-core architectures. In particular, we evaluate a sharing approach, a privatizing approach and a hybrid approach on systems with complex memory hierarchy that includes shared Last Level Cache (LLC). In addition, we investigate which manual processes can be systematized and then automated in future works. The experiments sh…
Hierarchical multi-criteria analysis for the selection of a triathlon
2018
Sports activities have an increasingly large impact in different fields: economy, tourism, environment, applied technology, social, culture, etc. This study analyses the most important criteria that triathletes take into account when choosing a triathlon event in Spain. The methodology used was Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), which quantifies the weighting of each criterion and sub-criterion in a survey. The survey was drawn up using 14 triathlete experts and was completed by 95 triathlon participants. The results show that the internal aspects associated with the development of the triathlon event, together with the proximity to the athlete's home, the layout and signage of the circuits …
The analytic hierarchy process with stochastic judgements
2014
The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is a widely-used method for multicriteria decision support based on the hierarchical decomposition of objectives, evaluation of preferences through pairwise comparisons, and a subsequent aggregation into global evaluations. The current paper integrates the AHP with stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA), an inverse-preference method, to allow the pairwise comparisons to be uncertain. A simulation experiment is used to assess how the consistency of judgements and the ability of the SMAA-AHP model to discern the best alternative deteriorates as uncertainty increases. Across a range of simulated problems results indicate that, according to c…
COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SEVERAL MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS TOOLS FOR MANAGEMENT OF CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS
2007
Over the past several decades, environmental decision-making strategies have evolved into increasingly more sophisticated, information-intensive, and complexapproaches including expert judgment, cost-benefit analysis, toxicological risk assessment, comparative risk assessment, and a number of methods forincorporating public and stakeholder values. This evolution has led to an improved array of decision-making aids, including the development of Multi-CriteriaDecision Analysis (MCDA) tools that offer a scientifically sound decision analytical framework. The existence of different MCDA methods and the availability of corresponding software contribute to the possibility of practical implementat…
The development of rhythm at the age of 6–11 years: non-pitch rhythmic improvisation
2006
In the statistical and transcriptional analyses reported in this exploratory study, original rhythms of 6–11-year-old children (N = 36) were examined. The hypotheses were based on a new model of musical development, and tested empirically using non-pitch rhythmic improvisation in a MIDI-environment. Several representational types were found in cluster analysis. The types are comparable to those found in earlier studies of rhythm. A dimensional conflict appeared between grouping and metre, and was solved in the last substage (10–11 years). Age was found to be a significant factor in the development of the hierarchy of form, the amount of different rhythm patterns, the metrical hierarchy, as …