A fuzzy AHP approach based on the concept of possibility extent

The main purpose of this paper is to develop a fuzzy AHP method for tackling the uncertainty and imprecision existing in multi-criteria decision process. The proposed method uses fuzzy pair-wise comparison judgments in place of exact numerical values of the comparison ratios. The geometric mean technique is used to integrate all decision-makers’ opinions and construct the fuzzy positive reciprocal matrices. The algebraic operations of triangular fuzzy numbers are utilized to calculate the fuzzy suitability indices of all alternatives. The extent analysis method is used to compute the degree of possibility of priority among fuzzy suitability indices. Besides, two principles are presented to solve the multi-criteria decision problem in a fuzzy decision environment. Principle I provides a partial preorder, and Principle II gives a total preorder on the set of the possible alternatives. Finally, a numerical example of selecting the company with optimal performance in performing customer relationship management is used to demonstrate the decision process of proposed method. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013