Evaluation of Cardinal Utility Based on Weighted Paired-Comparisons

Abstract

While several decision support systems (DSS) for quantitative problems with multiple attributes have been developed (e.g. [1],[2]), approaches to DSS for qualitative problems are insufficient. One of the more practical ways to achieve them is through paired-comparisons. The method addressed in [3] presents decision maker’s preference as weighted digraphs through paired-comparisons with categorical weights. The weighted digraphs, however, do not provide numerical values for the alternatives. Preferential values on a cardinal scale are often necessary for the evaluation process. Saaty [4] has developed an effective approach for cardinal values based on weighted paired-comparisons on a ratio scale.