Ralph Steuer from the University of Georgia, USA.
MCDM: How We Got Here and the Many Difficulties Encountered after Two Objectives: Discussed are the initial people, the early papers from around the world, and events that led to the creation of the research area of MCDM in the 1970s. Surrounded by a non-appreciative mainstream OR environment (because the ideas were too different), the authors found they needed to stay in international contact for mutual support, Iron Curtain notwithstanding. A blessing in disguise, this resulted in the formation of the Society of this conference, the benefits of which we continue to enjoy today as perhaps the most internationally-connected research area in academia. With multiple criteria models showing up in ever new applications, there is still much new and old work to be done. For example, after computing the Pareto optimal set in problems with 3 or more objectives, there is still the vexing task (exacerbated by the often overwhelming size of the set) of how to locate one’s most preferred solution in the set. With it hard to do without cognitive assistance, an example from tri-criterion portfolio selection is used to illustrate. While multi-criterion problems in finance have unique features, the idea is that some of the techniques employed will be transferable. Other issues are discussed.
José Rui Figueira from the University of Lisboa, Portugal.
A Multiple Criteria Approach for Constructing Pandemic Impact Assessment Composite Indicators: In this talk, we introduce a multiple criteria approach for constructing composite indicators. This approach is based on an additive multi-attribute value theory aggregation model and holds applicability across various real-world contexts. We illustrate its utility with an example assessing the pandemic impact in Portugal. The preference parameters of the additive model were elicited through an interactive socio-technical and co-constructive process. The deck of cards method served as the chosen technical tool to aid in both eliciting the value functions and determining the criteria weights. This talk provides a thorough mathematical and graphical exposition of our tool, offering valuable insights for practitioners and researchers alike.
Fouad Ben Abdelaziz, NEOMA Business School, France
Metaheuristics for Multiobjective optimization: The plenary is a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in multi-objective optimization achieved through the utilization of metaheuristic algorithms. Given the complex nature of managing multiple objectives with potentially conflicting interests, specialized optimization techniques are imperative. Our talk addresses various categories of these algorithms, encompassing genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization (PSO), ant colony optimization (ACO), differential evolution, among others. We assess their efficacy through both benchmark problem sets and real-world applications including business and engineering.
Hatem Masri, Applied Science University, Bahrain
Global vs. African Research Trends in MCDM and Multi-Objective Optimization: In this presentation, we provide a scientometric study comparing global and African research trends in Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and Multi-Objective Optimization (MO). Analyzing data from 1999 to 2024, the study reveals similar growth patterns in publications and citations globally and in Africa. African research, despite its smaller volume, demonstrates significant impact in terms of citations, indicating its relevance in the academic community. The analysis of disciplinary trends reveals that MCDM/MO research globally is an interdisciplinary and cross-domain frontier area, while African research is primarily concentrated in mathematics and systems. The study also identifies key contributors to MCDM/MO research and emphasizes the importance of collaboration in addressing scientific challenges and achieving innovation.