Card - Comprehensive Approach Based on Relative Difference for Decision-Making Problems with Dual Evaluation Forms

Multi-attribute Decision Making (MADM) allows for robust decision-making in fields where choosing between possible optimal alternatives is a complex process. Different multi-attribute decision frameworks have been proposed to improve the decision-making process in different ways. However, effectively solving an MADM problem remains an open issue. In this paper, the goal is to strengthen an MADM process in two aspects. At first, a new comprehensive MADM algorithm, called CARD method, is developed based on logarithmic relative difference measures for comparing alternatives in terms of relative superiority. In the second part, the ability of the CARD method is investigated for dealing with problems with joint preference-based and direct evaluations in a decision matrix. The main novelties of the proposed CARD method can be expressed as 1) developing a new utility function; 2) proposing a new closeness coefficient measure; and 3) the ability to take joint pairwise and direct evaluation inputs. To explore the applicability of the proposed CARD method in a real-world problem, the renewable energy source selection problem in Spain is selected as a case study, which is a significant current concern. The results show that wind turbine is still the best source of renewable energy in Spain