Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Why pairwise comparison methods may fail in MCDM rankings

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Operations Research Proceedings 2011

Part of the book series: Operations Research Proceedings ((ORP))

Abstract

This article is based on previous author’s articles on a correct way for ranking alternatives inMulti-criteria Decision-Making (MCDM). A straightforward but robust Weighed-Sum Procedure (WSP) is presented. It consists in combining additively ranks or scores evaluated against a dimensionless scale, common to all criteria. MCDM methodologies based on pair-wise comparison methods are on the contrary not providing the correct rankings in many practical situations. The roots of the observed failures are made clearer for the well-known Promethee method by means of a simple example.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Brans, J.P.,Mareschal, B.: PROMETHEE methods. In Figueira J., Greco S., Ehrgott M. (eds.) Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis: state of the art surveys, pp. 163-195. Springer, New York (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kunsch, P.L.: A Statistical Approach to Complex Multi-Criteria Decisions. In: Ruan D. (ed.) Computational Intelligence in Complex Decision Systems, pp. 147-182. Atlantis Press, Paris (2010)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Kunsch, P.L.: A Statistical multi-criteria procedure with stochastic preferences. International Journal of Multicriteria Decision Making 1, 49-73 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Roy B.: The Outranking Approach and the Foundations of the ELECTRE Methods. Theory and Decision 31, 49-73 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang, X., Triantaphyllou, E.: Ranking irregularities when evaluating alternatives by using some ELECTRE methods, Omega 36, 45-63 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium

    PL Kunsch

Authors
  1. PL Kunsch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to PL Kunsch .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für, Betriebswirtschaftslehre, Universität Zürich, Moussonstrasse, Zurich, 8044, Switzerland

    Diethard Klatte

  2. Inst. Operations Research, ETH Zürich, Rämistr. 101, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland

    Hans-Jakob Lüthi

  3. Institut für, Betriebswirtschaftslehre, Universität Zürich, Moussonstrasse 15, Zurich, 8044, Switzerland

    Karl Schmedders

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Kunsch, P. (2012). Why pairwise comparison methods may fail in MCDM rankings. In: Klatte, D., Lüthi, HJ., Schmedders, K. (eds) Operations Research Proceedings 2011. Operations Research Proceedings. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29210-1_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation