Adaptive multi-criteria group decision-making model based on consistency and consensus with intuitionistic reciprocal preference relations: a case study in energy storage technology selection

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to present a multi-criteria group decision-making model with intuitionistic reciprocal preference relations that incorporates a new feedback mechanims adapting its operation to the decision-makers' consistency. Methods: A new adaptive feedback mechanism is developed within a multi-criteria group decision-making model. Assuming different kinds of decision-makers classified according to their consistency, this feedback mechanism customizes the recommendations given by adopting three strategies to identify the problematic assessments that the decision-makers should change if they want to collaborate to increase the consensus. Results: The performance of the proposed model is shown in a case study for the selection of an energy storage technology. It shows that the decision-makers providing assessments with low consistency must modify more assessments, allowing the most consistent decision-makers to be the leaders of the negotiation and persuade the others to adjust their assessments to improve the agreement achieved. Conclusion: In this study, a novel multi-criteria group decision-making model is developed. It includes an adaptive feedback mechanism adjusting the advice provided by considering the decision-makers' consistency. It allows that the assessments of the most consistent decision-makers never be strongly modified during the decision process.