Grey Systems: Theory and Application

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to propose a new decision-making method using grey systems theory with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers.

Design/methodology/approach – The uncertain degrees of different indices are determined by using the grey incidence analysis. Then, the mass functions of different alternatives in different indices are obtained by using the score function of intuitionistic fuzzy sets and the uncertain degrees of different indices. Information can be fused in accordance with the D-S combination rule and the best alternative is calculated accordingly. Finally, a numerical example is utilized to illustrate that a satisfied solution can be obtained and the uncertainty can be decreased.

Findings – The results are convincing: the new decision-making method, by combining the D-S theory of evidence, can well deal with decision-making problems with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy sets. From the numerical example, it is seen that the uncertainty can be decreased by using the new method.

Practical implications – The method exposed in the paper can be used to help the decision maker make a fast and accurate decision when facing decision problems with the attribute values of corresponding alternatives in the form of intuitionistic fuzzy sets.

Originality/value – The paper succeeds in proposing a decision-making method by using the D-S theory of evidence and one of the newest developed theories: grey systems theory.