Maximizing deviation method for multiple attribute decision making in intuitionistic fuzzy setting

With respect to multiple attribute decision making problems with intuitionistic fuzzy information, some operational laws of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, score function and accuracy function of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers are introduced. An optimization model based on the maximizing deviation method, by which the attribute weights can be determined, is established. For the special situations where the information about attribute weights is completely unknown, we establish another optimization model. By solving this model, we get a simple and exact formula, which can be used to determine the attribute weights. We utilize the intuitionistic fuzzy weighted averaging (IFWA) operator to aggregate the intuitionistic fuzzy information corresponding to each alternative, and then rank the alternatives and select the most desirable one(s) according to the score function and accuracy function. Finally, an illustrative example is given to verify the developed approach and to demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness. 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.