Rank Improvement Optimization Using PROMETHEE and Trigonometric Differential Evolution

Abstract

This chapter investigates the modelling of the ability to improve the rank position of an alternative in relation to those of its competitors. PROMETHEE is one such technique for ranking alternatives based on their criteria values. In conjunction with the evolutionary algorithm Trigonometric Differential Evolution, the minimum changes necessary to the criteria values of an alternative are investigated, for it to achieve an improved rank position. This investigation is compounded with a comparison of the differing effects of two considered objective functions that measure the previously mentioned minimization. Two data sets are considered, the first concerns the ranking of environmental projects, and the second the ranking of brands of a food product. The notion of modelling preference ranks of alternatives and the subsequent improvement of alternative’s rank positions is the realism of a stakeholders’ appreciation of their alternative in relation to their competitors.