A method for multiple attribute decision-making with the fuzzy preference relation on alternatives Zhi-Ping Fan * , Guo-Fen Hu, Si-Han Xiao School of Business Administration, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110004, China Abstract This paper investigates the multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) problem with preference information on alternatives. A new method is proposed to solve the MADM problem, where the decision maker (DM) gives his/her preference on alternatives in a fuzzy relation. To reflect the DM’s subjective preference information, a linear goal programming model is constructed to determine the weight vector of attributes and then to rank the alternatives. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the use of the proposed method. q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Multiple attribute decision-making; Fuzzy preference relation; Goal programming; Alternative ranking 1. Introduction In multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) problems, a decision maker (DM) is often faced with the problem of selecting or ranking alternatives associated with non-commensurate and conflicting attributes (Chen & Hwang, 1992; Hwang & Yoon, 1981; Ma et al., 1999). MADM problems arise in many real-world situations (Chen & Hwang, 1992; Hwang & Yoon, 1981). One of the hot research topics is how to solve MADM problems with fuzzy preference information (Chen & Hwang, 1992; Chiclana, Herrera, & Herrrea-Viedma, 1998; Tanino, 1999). In a MADM problem, the DM’s preference information is often used to rank alternatives. However, the DMs’ judgement varies in form and depth. A DM may not indicate his/her preference at all or may represent his/her preference in the form of attributes or alternatives. The DMs’ judgement skill also varies. The methods for solving MADM problems can be classified into three categories, according to different forms of preference information given by a DM (Chen & Hwang, 1992; Hwang & Yoon, 1981): (1) the methods without preference information (Calpine & Golding, 1976; Foerster, 1979); (2) the methods with information on attributes (Bernardo & Blin, 1979; Dasarathy, 1976; Eilon, 1972); and 0360-8352/$ - see front matter q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.cie.2003.12.011 Computers & Industrial Engineering 46 (2004) 321–327 www.elsevier.com/locate/dsw * Corresponding author. Tel.: þ 86-24-83680312; fax: þ 86-24-23891569. E-mail address: zhipingfan@yahoo.com (Z.-P. Fan).