Modification of Classic Linear Assignment Method Including the Impact of the Distance between the Performances of Alternatives for Alternatives Evaluation and Ranking

Abstract

This paper introduces a new method for incorporating the performance of alternatives into their ultimate ranking in a linear assignment method. This method is one of multi-criteria decision-making methods, in which the weight of criteria is incorporated in ranking the alternatives, and the distance between the performances of alternatives do not affect in ranking the alternatives. In order to modify the linear assignment method with the aim of incorporating the distance between the performances of the alternatives, some intervals are defined first, and each alternative is primarily ranked based on the interval that belongs to. In the ultimate ranking of the alternatives, the interval to which each alternative belongs to will be considered as the ranking criterion. Hence, not only the weight of the criteria, but also the distances between the performances of the alternatives has affected the ranking. The results of the modified method are compared to the TOPSIS method, as one of the most popular multi-criteria decision-making methods, and the outcome shows a better consistency between the modified model and TOPSIS.