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  • 标题:An integrated model for prioritizing strategies of the Iranian mining sector/Irano kasybos sektoriaus strategiju prioriteto nustatymo integruotas modelis.
  • 作者:Fouladgar, Mohammad Majid ; Yazdani-Chamzini, Abdolreza ; Zavadskas, Edmundas Kazimieras
  • 期刊名称:Technological and Economic Development of Economy
  • 印刷版ISSN:1392-8619
  • 出版年度:2011
  • 期号:September
  • 语种:English
  • 出版社:Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
  • 摘要:Organizations today deal with unprecedented challenges and opportunities in carrying out their vital mission. Managers always look for comprehensive picture of present situation of the organization and a clear understanding of its future. For this reason, they need background information of SWOT situation in order to investigate the challenges and prospects of adopting their organization. SWOT analysis is an effective framework that helps to address the effectiveness of a project planning and implementation (Taleai et al. 2009; Podvezko 2009; Podvezko et al. 2010; Diskiene et al. 2008). It is used in different sectors such as transportation industry (Kandakoglu et al. 2009; Kheirkhah et al. 2009, Ghazinoory, Kheirkhah 2008; Maskeliunaite et al. 2009), technology development (Ghazinoory et al. 2009, 2011), device design (Wu et al. 2009), food microbiology (Ferrer et al. 2009), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (Sarter et al. 2010), Environmental Impact Assessment (Paliwal 2006; Medineckiene et al. 2010), tourism management (Kajanus et al. 2004). This paper employed the SWOT analysis to identify the feasible strategies.
  • 关键词:Balanced scorecard;Business performance management;Decision making;Decision-making;Mineral industry;Mining industry;Raw materials

An integrated model for prioritizing strategies of the Iranian mining sector/Irano kasybos sektoriaus strategiju prioriteto nustatymo integruotas modelis.


Fouladgar, Mohammad Majid ; Yazdani-Chamzini, Abdolreza ; Zavadskas, Edmundas Kazimieras 等


1. Introduction

Organizations today deal with unprecedented challenges and opportunities in carrying out their vital mission. Managers always look for comprehensive picture of present situation of the organization and a clear understanding of its future. For this reason, they need background information of SWOT situation in order to investigate the challenges and prospects of adopting their organization. SWOT analysis is an effective framework that helps to address the effectiveness of a project planning and implementation (Taleai et al. 2009; Podvezko 2009; Podvezko et al. 2010; Diskiene et al. 2008). It is used in different sectors such as transportation industry (Kandakoglu et al. 2009; Kheirkhah et al. 2009, Ghazinoory, Kheirkhah 2008; Maskeliunaite et al. 2009), technology development (Ghazinoory et al. 2009, 2011), device design (Wu et al. 2009), food microbiology (Ferrer et al. 2009), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (Sarter et al. 2010), Environmental Impact Assessment (Paliwal 2006; Medineckiene et al. 2010), tourism management (Kajanus et al. 2004). This paper employed the SWOT analysis to identify the feasible strategies.

The evaluation of strategies performance has a critical importance to managers and decision makers. Many methods and techniques can be employed in order to evaluate the strategies. Balanced Scorecard (BSC) can be a good solution because it is a performance measurement framework that provides an integrated look at the business performance of a company by a set of both financial and non-financial measures (Lee et al. 2008). This technique has attracted considerable interest in recent years that it is due to its unique merits. Success stories of companies that have implemented BSC seem to confirm its high benefits (Speckbacher et al. 2003). It is a proper tool for evaluating of operational strategies in mining sector. This paper employed this technique to determine the evaluation criteria.

However, conventional BSC does not consolidate theses evaluations, and an incorporation of BSC and multi criteria decision making methods, such as analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), is an improvement.

In constructing a model, the main aim maximizes its usefulness that closely connected with the relationship among three key characteristics of every systems model: complexity, credibility, and uncertainly (Klir, Yuan 1995). Modeling the uncertainty is very valuable so that it cause to reduce complexity and increase credibility of the resulting model. Fuzzy logic is able to model the uncertainty. Fuzzy multi criteria decision making approach such as Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS) is a useful tool because of different advantages, including logical concepts, simple and fast computations, and tolerating the uncertainty.

According to, Iran is one of the most important mineral producers in the world, ranked among 15 major mineral rich countries, holding some 68 types of minerals, 37 billion tons of proven reserves and more than 57 billion tons of potential reservoirs. These include coal, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, barite, salt, gypsum, molybdenum, strontium, silica, uranium, and gold. The mines at Sar Cheshmeh in Kerman Province contain the world's second largest reserve of copper ore (5% of the world's total). According to Iran's fifth development plan, Iranian mining strategies should be determined and prioritized in order to generate value-added in the mining sector, adding the target will be achieved by preventing imports and modernizing technologies. We used an organized methodology for ranking the strategies of Iranian mining sector because of more precise, accurate, and sure results.

For achieving the aim, the SWOT analysis determines the feasible strategies. Then, the BSC technique defines main and sub-criteria. Finally, FTOPSIS is used to prioritize the strategies of Iranian mining sector to obtain the final ranking order. The importance weights of BSC evaluation indicators are calculated via FAHP.

The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Fuzzy set theory is explained in the next section. Then in section 3, fuzzy AHP method is introduced. In section 4, fuzzy TOPSIS method is explained and the steps of the method are summarized. SWOT analysis and its application for strategies development is presented in section 5. In section 6, Balanced Scorecard is discussed. Case study is explained in section 7. In section 8, a numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed method and the results that are gained with these methods are presented. And finally section concludes the paper.

2. Fuzzy set theory

Fuzzy set theory was introduced by Zadeh (1965) in order to deal with vagueness of human thought. A fuzzy set is a category of objects with a continuum of grades of membership. The latter is recognized by a membership function. Membership function is a grade of membership ranging between zero and one. A fuzzy set is a generalization of a crisp set. Crisp sets only take full membership (number 1) or non-membership (number 0) at all, whereas fuzzy sets take partial membership (Ertugrul, Karakasoglu 2008). Fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic are powerful mathematical tools in order to model uncertain in decision-making.

Uncertainty is resulted from two areas: (1) uncertainty in subjective judgments (2) uncertainty due to lack of data or incomplete information. The former is due to experts may not be 100% sure when making subjective judgments. The later is caused by sometimes information of some attributes may not be fully available or even not available at all.

Fuzzy sets are appropriate in the absence of vague and imprecise information. These sets are able to describe complex phenomena when traditional mathematical methods cannot analyze them. As well as, these sets can find a good approximate solution (Bojadziev, Bojadziev 1998).

There are miscellaneous types of fuzzy membership functions that triangular fuzzy number (TFN) is one of them (see Fig. 1).

A TFN is shown as [??] = ([a.sub.1], [a.sub.2], [a.sub.3]), where [a.sub.1]<[a.sub.2]<[a.sub.3] and [a.sub.1], [a.sub.2], [a.sub.3] are crisp numbers. The membership function of a number such as [??] is:

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (1)

Let [??] = ([a.sub.1],[a.sub.2],[a.sub.3]), [??] = ([b.sub.1],[b.sub.2],[b.sub.3]) be two fuzzy numbers, so their mathematical relations expressed as:

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]; (2)

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]; (3)

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]; (4)

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (5)

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

The distance between two TFNs [??] = ([a.sub.1], [a.sub.2], [a.sub.3]), [??] = ([b.sub.1], [b.sub.2], [b.sub.3]) can be defined by the Euclidean distance (Chen 2000):

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (6)

3. Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP)

Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was introduced by Saaty (,980) that is a mathematical technique for multi-criteria decision making. This technique is based on pair-wise comparison matrix. The AHP method is based on three principles (Dagdeviren et al. 2009): first, structure of the model; second, comparative judgment of the alternatives and the criteria; third, synthesis of the priorities.

AHP method is combined with fuzzy methodology by miscellaneous methodologies (Buckley 1985; Cheng ,997; Chang 1996).

In this study the extent FAHP is utilized, which was originally introduced by Chang (1996). Let X = [[x.sub.1],[x.sub.2], ..., [x.sub.n]} be an object set and U = {[u.sub.1], [u.sub.2], ..., [u.sub.m]} be a goal set. According to the method of Chang's extent analysis, each object is taken and extent analysis for each goal, gi, is performed, respectively. Therefore, m extent analysis values for each object can be obtained, with the following signs: [M.sup.1.sub.gi], [M.sup.2.sub.gi], [M.sup.m.sub.gi], i = 1, 2, ..., n. Where all the [M.sup.j.sub.gi] (j = 1, 2, ..., m) are TFNs.

The steps of Chang's extent analysis can be given as in the following:

Step 1: The value of fuzzy synthetic extent with respect to ith object is defined as:

[S.sub.i] = [m.summation over (j=1)][M.sup.j.sub.gi] [coss product] [[[n.summation over (i=1)][m.summation over (j=1)] ][M.sup.j.sub.gi]].sup.-1]. (7)

To obtain [[summation].sup.m.sub.j=1][M.sup.j.sub.gi], perform the fuzzy addition operation of m extent analysis values for a particular matrix such that

[m.summation over (j=1)][M.sup.j.sub.gi] = ([m.summation over (j=1)][l.sub.i], [m.summation over (j=1)] [m.sub.i], [m.summation over (j=1)][u.sub.i]). (8)

And to obtain [[[[summation].sup.n.sub.i=1][[summation].sup.m.sub.j=1] [M.sup.j.sub.gi]].sup.-1], perform the fuzzy addition operation of [M.sup.j.sub.gi] (j = 1, 2, ..., m) values such that

[n.summation over (i=1)][m.summation over (j=1)][M.sup.j.sub.gi] = ([n.summation over (i=1)][l.sub.i], [n.summation over (i=1)] [m.sub.i], [n.summation over (i=1)][u.sub.i]). (9)

And then compute the inverse of the vector in Eq. (10) such that

[[[n.summation over (n=1)][m.summation over (j=1)][M.sup.j.sub.gi]].sup.-1] = (1/[[summation].sup.n.sub.i=1][u.sub.i], 1/[[summation].sup.n.sub.i=1][m.sub.i], 1/[[summation].sup.n.sub.i=1][l.sub.i]). (10)

Step 2: The degree of possibility of [M.sub.2] = ([l.sub.2],[m.sub.2],[u.sub.2]) [greater than or equal to] [M.sub.1] = ([l.sub.1],[m.sub.1],[u.sub.1]) is defined as

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (11)

And can be equivalently expressed as follows:

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (12)

Where d is the ordinate of highest intersection point D between [[mu].sub.M1] and [[mu].sub.M2] (see Fig. 2).

To compare [M.sub.1] and [M.sub.2], we need both the values of V([M.sub.1] [greater than or equal to] [M.sub.2]) and V([M.sub.2] [greater than or equal to] [M.sub.1]).

Step 3: The degree of possibility for a convex fuzzy number to be greater than k convex fuzzy numbers [M.sub.i] (i=1, 2, ..., k) can be defined by

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (13)

Assume that

d'([A.sub.i]) = min V ([S.sub.i] [greater than or equal to] [S.sub.k]). (14)

For k = 1, 2, ..., n; k [not equal to] i. Then the weight vector is given by

W' = (d'([A.sub.1]), d'([A.sub.2]), ..., d'([A.sub.n])).sup.T], (15)

where [A.sub.i](i = 1, 2, ..., n) are n elements.

[FIGURE 2 OMITTED]

Step 4: Via normalization, the normalized weight vectors are

W = [(d([A.sub.1]), d([A.sub.2]), ..., d([A.sub.n])).sup.T], (16)

where W is a non-fuzzy number.

4. Fuzzy TOPSIS (FTOPSIS)

TOPSIS approach was developed by Hwang and Yoon (1981). This approach is used when the user prefers a simpler weighting approach. TOPSIS technique is based on the concepts that the chosen alternative should have the shortest distance from the ideal solution, and the farthest from the negative ideal solution. The usual TOPSIS approach has been applied for ranking construction and development alternative solutions since 1986 (Zavadskas 1986; Kalibatas et al. 2011; Tupenaite et al. 2010; Zavadskas et al. 1994, 2010; Jakimavicius, Burinskiene 2009; Liaudanskiene et al. 2009; Kucas 2010). Evaluation of ranking accuracy of TOPSIS was performed by Zavadskas et al. (2006). Modified method applying Mahalanobis distance was proposed by Antucheviciene et al. (2010). Fuzzy TOPSIS technique was developed as FTOPSIS to solve ranking and evaluating problems, because fuzzy allows the decision-makers to handle the incomplete information, non-obtainable information into decision model (Kulak et al. 2005). FTOPSIS and its extensions are applied to various applications (see Table 1).

The Fuzzy MCDM can be concisely expressed in matrix format as Eqs. (17) and (18).

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (17)

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], (18)

where [[??].sub.ij], i = 1, 2, ..., m; j = 1, 2, ..., n and [[??].sub.j], j = 1, 2, ..., n are linguistic triangular Fuzzy numbers, [[??].sub.ij] = ([a.sub.ij], [b.xsub.ij], [c.sub.ij]) and [[??].sub.j] = ([a.sub.j1], [b.sub.j2], [c.sub.j3]). Note that [[??].sub.ij] is the performance rating of the ith alternative, Ai, with respect to the jth criterion, Cj and [[??].sub.j] represents the weight of the jth criterion, Cj. The normalized Fuzzy decision matrix denoted by [??] is shown as Eq. (19):

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (19)

The weighted Fuzzy normalized decision matrix is shown in Eq. (20):

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (20)

The advantage of using a Fuzzy approach is to allocate the relative importance of the criteria using Fuzzy numbers instead of crisp numbers. FTOPSIS is particularly suitable for solving the group decision maker problem under Fuzzy environment. FTOPSIS procedure is defined as follows (Hwang,Yoon 1992; Yang, Hung 2007):

Step 1: Choose the linguistic ratings ([[??].sub.ij], i = 1,2,. .., m, j = 1,2, ..., n) for alternatives with respect to criteria and the appropriate linguistic variables ([[??].sub.ij], j = 1,2, ..., n) for the weight of the criteria. The fuzzy linguistic rating ([[??].sub.ij]) preserves the property that the ranges of normalized triangular fuzzy numbers belong to [0, 1].

Step 2: Construct the weighted normalized fuzzy decision matrix. The weighted normalized value is calculated by Eq. (20).

Step 3: Identify positive ideal ([A.sup.*]) and negative ideal ([A.sup.-]) solutions. The fuzzy positive ideal solution and the fuzzy negative-ideal solution are shown in Eqs. (21), (22).

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], (21)

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (22)

Step 4: Calculate separation measures. The distance of each alternative from [A.sup.*] and [A.sup.-] can be currently calculated using Eqs. (23), (24).

[d.sup.+.sub.i] = [n.summation over (j=1)]d([[??].sub.ij],[[??].sup.+.sub.j]), i = 1,2, ..., m, (23)

[d.sup.-.sub.i] = [n.summation over (j=1)]d([[??].sub.ij],[[??].sup.-.sub.j]), i = 1,2, ..., m. (24)

Step 5: Calculate the similarities to ideal solution. This step solves the similarities to an ideal solution by Eq. (25).

[CC.sup.*.sub.i] = [d.sup.-.sub.i]/[d.sup.-.sub.i] + [d.sup.*.sub.i]. (25)

Step 6: Rank preference order. Choose an alternative with maximum [CC.sup.*.sub.i] or rank alternatives according to [CC.sup.*.sub.i] in descending order.

5. SWOT analysis and its application for strategies development

The SWOT analysis has its origins in the 1960s (Kandakoglu et al. 2009). It is an environmental analysis tool that integrates the internal strengths/weaknesses and external opportunities/ threats.

This method is implemented in order to identify the key internal and external factors that are important to the objectives that the organization wishes to achieve (Houben et al. 1999). The internal and external factors are known as strategic factors and are categorized via the SWOT analysis. Based on this analysis, strategies are developed which may build on the strengths, eliminate the weaknesses, exploit the opportunities, or counter the threats (Kandakoglu et al. 2009).

SWOT maximizes strengths and opportunities, and minimizes threats and weaknesses (Amin et al. 2010), and transform the identified weaknesses into strengths, and to take advantage of opportunities along with minimizing both internal weaknesses and external threats. It can provide a good basis for successful strategy formulation (Chang, Huang 2006).

According to the high ability of the SWOT analysis, miscellaneous researches applied this method to strategies development.

Nikolaou, Evangelinos (2010) employed SWOT analysis for environmental management practices in Greek Mining and Mineral Industry, their stated policy recommendations both for the government and industry which, if adopted, could facilitate improved environmental performance. Arslan, Er (2008) developed strategic plans of action for safer tanker operation. Chang, Huang (2006) used SWOT analysis to assess the competing strength of each port in East Asia and then suggest an adoptable competing strategy for each.

Stewart et al. (2002) employed SWOT analysis in order to present a strategic implementation framework for IT/IS projects in construction. Terrados et al. (2007) developed regional energy planning through SWOT analysis and strategic planning tools, they proved that SWOT analysis is an effective tool and has constituted a suitable baseline to diagnose current problems and to sketch future action lines.

Quezada et al. (2009) used a modified SWOT analysis in order to identify strategic objectives in strategy maps. Zaerpour et al. (2008) proposed a novel hybrid approach consisting of SWOT analysis and analytic hierarchy process. Misra, Murthy (2011) developed a SWOT analysis of Jatropa with specific reference to Indian conditions and found that Jatropa indeed is a plant which can make the Indian dream of self-sufficiency in energy-a reality. Chang et al. (2002) applied SWOT analysis in order to forecast the development trends in Taiwan's machinery industry. They made SWOT analysis through an integrated professional team using the Delphi method.

Wang, Hong (2011) proposed a novel approach to strategy formulation, which utilizes the theory of competitive advantage of nations (a revised diamond model), SWOT analysis and strategy matching using the TOWS matrix and competitive benchmarking. Leskinen et al. (2006) utilized SWOT analyses to form the basis for further operations that were applied in the strategy process of the forest research station.

Halla (2007) employed SWOT analysis for planning strategic urban development using the case of Dar es Salaam City in Tanzania. Dyson (2004) applied SWOT analysis and strategic development at the University of Warwick. Taleai et al. (2009) proposed a combined method based on the SWOT and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to investigate the challenges and prospects of adopting geographic information systems (GIS) in developing countries. Lu (2010) provides an augmented SWOT analysis approach for strategists to conduct strategic planning in the construction industry.

6. Balanced Scorecard

Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is created by Kaplan and Norton (1992). It is looking for the different goals in its implementation. It tries to build a framework for strategic planning through four different areas; the four areas are Customer Perspective (CP), Learning and Growth Perspective (LGP), Financial Perspective (FP) and Internal Business Process Perspective (IBPP) (Kaplan and Norton 1992). It creates an insight for both managers and employers to better understanding the company's objectives. Figure 3 shows the relationship among various factors of BSC.

The BSC is a systemic approach, which helps integrating physical and intangible assets into a comprehensive model and builds a meaningful relationship among different criteria. Whereas ordinary accounting techniques can measure the physical assets of the companies and it means less than one--fourth of the value of the corporate sector are accountable (Niven 2008).

[FIGURE 3 OMITTED]

The concepts of BSC are widely applied to performance measurement. Lee et al. (2008) used the BSC approach for evaluating performance of IT department in the manufacturing industry, they define the hierarchy with four major perspectives of the BSC and then the FAHP approach was proposed in order to tolerate vagueness and ambiguity of information. Bremser, Chung (2005) proposed framework based on balanced scorecard methodology and existing taxonomies of e-business models. Chytas et al. (2011) developed a methodology based on fuzzy cognitive maps in order to generate a dynamic network of interconnected key performance indicators.

Wu et al. (2009) proposed a Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Making approach based on BSC for banking performance evaluation, they the three MCDM analytical tools of SAW, TOPSIS, and VIKOR were adopted to rank the banking performance. Yuan, Chiu (2009) developed a three-level feature weights design to enhance inference performance of case-based reasoning. Bobillo et al. (2009) proposed a semantic fuzzy expert system which implements a generic framework for the BSC. Wachtel et al. (1999) applied the burn center to test whether the BSC methodology was appropriate for the core business plan of a healthcare strategic business unit.

7. Case study

Mining is one of the central activities so that other activities such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation, are directly and/or indirectly related to raw mineral production. Mining plays a leading social-economic role in Iran. At its various stages--from exploration to production and selling--it generates a significant number of jobs and income for the country. Due to the rising demand for raw minerals by the industrial countries and most rapidly growing economies, mining is becoming increasingly important.

Iran is a country located in the Middle East with a non-federated governmental system. Iran is divided into thirty provinces. Iran has one of the world's largest zinc reserves and second-largest reserves of copper. It also has significant reserves of iron, uranium, lead, chromate, manganese, coal and gold.

8. The implementation of proposed model

The proposed model of this paper uses an integrated model that provides a framework for ranking the mining strategies of Iran. In order to implement the model, we first discuss the SWOT, then the BSC is analyzed; finally the strategies are prioritized the FTOPSIS method. In this framework, the weights of evaluation criteria are calculated via FAHP. Schematic diagram of the proposed model for ranking the strategies is provided in Fig. 4.

The data for the SWOT analysis are based on the aggregate mining strategy reports of the ministry of industries and mines. The term 'strengths' contains advantages and benefits from the adoption of strategic management practices. In order to explore the strengths, some typical questions were designed such as what are the benefits of such practices, what strategic management practices can do well. Similarly, weaknesses would encompass agents and parameters that are difficulties in the efforts of companies to accept any strategic management practices. Some important questions could be what are not done appropriately, what should be better or be avoided. Moreover, opportunities may include external benefits for companies from the acceptance of strategic management practices. Some relevant questions are; what benefits may take place for companies future, what competitive advantages will companies gain and what changes may occur in consumer demands. Finally, threats may encompass future problems and difficulties from the prevention of implementing any strategic management practices.

[FIGURE 4 OMITTED]

The basic parameters of the SWOT analysis are fall into two categories: external and internal. The external category contains strengths and opportunities and the internal category encompasses weaknesses and threats.

We prepared a list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and then had an interview with the experts in mining strategies of Iran to modify the list. The results of the SWOT analysis based on expert knowledge are presented in Table 2.

As shown in Table 2, six strategies are concluded from the SWOT analysis. These strategies should be ranked due to financial and time constrains. We applied BSC criteria in order to prioritize the strategies. Consequently, the weight of criteria, the BSC criteria, is gained by FAHP and also, the alternatives, strategies obtained from SWOT, are carried out by FTOPSIS.

Achieving the aim, we first prepared a list of evaluation indicators base on the four perspectives of the BSC, and then with having an interview with the mining experts, the list were modified. Two questionnaires were designed in order to obtain the weights of criteria and alternatives. One of them is based on the four perspectives of the BSC and the selected performance indicators using the AHP questionnaire format, to obtain the relative importance of the four perspectives and the relative importance of the key performance indicators under each perspective. The other is provided by using the FTOPSIS questionnaire in order to gain the appropriate weights for the alternatives with respect to criteria. The questionnaires were distributed to senior managers from mining sector.

The Proposed model is continued as follows:

Step 1: Create the hierarchical model for the BSC

The first step changes the complex and multi criteria problems into a hierarchical structure. According to the case study, the first level comprises the goal from the different criteria, the second level includes the main criteria, the third level involves the sub-criteria, and finally the forth level contains the alternatives. In the Table 3 the hierarchical structure is represented.

Step 2: Accomplish the pair-wise comparison of criteria

After building the hierarchical structure, we designed an AHP questionnaire format and arrange the pair-wise comparisons matrix. Firstly each decision maker individually carry out pair-wise comparison by using Saaty's 1-9 scale (Saaty 1980) as shown in Table 4. The consistency of the decision maker's judgments during the evaluation phase is calculated by consistency ratio (CR) that cloud be defined as follows (Aguaron et al. 2003):

CR = [[lambda].sub.max] - n/n - 1, (26)

where [[lambda].sub.max] is the principal eigenvalue and n is the rank of judgment matrix. The closer the inconsistency ratio to zero, the greater the consistency (Torfi et al. 2010). The resulting CR values for our case study are smaller than the critical value of 0.1, this show that there is no evidence of inconsistency.

The importance weights of the criteria determined by twelve decision-makers that are obtained through Eq. (27) are shown in Table 5.

[[??].sub.ij] = ([l.sub.ij], [m.sub.ij], [u.sub.ij]), [l.sub.ij] = min{[x.sup.k.sub.ij]}, [m.sub.ij] = 1/k [k.sub.k=1] [x.sup.k.sub.ij], [u.sub.ij] = max{[x.sup.k.sub.ij]}, (27)

where [[??].sub.ij] is the fuzzy importance weights of each criterion that are determined by all experts, [x.sub.ij] is the crisp weight of each criterion, k is the number of expert (here, k is equal to 12).

The responses collected from questionnaires are input to the FAHP system, and the results are analyzed by the FAHP.

According to the FAHP method, firstly synthesis values must be calculated. From (Table 5), synthesis values respect to main goal are calculated like in Eq. (8):

[S.sub.F] = (1/36.5,1/18.57,1/10.52) [cross product] (2.16,5.06,10) = (0.059,0.272,0.95);

[S.sub.I] = (1/36.5,1/18.57,1/10.52) [cross product] (2.08,3.82,7) = (0.057,0.206,0.665);

[S.sub.F1] = (1/35.5,1/20.32,1/10.6) [cross product] (4.5,7.85,11) = (0.127,0.386,1.037);

[S.sub.F2] = (1/35.5,1/20.32,1/10.6) [cross product] (2.16,6.56,11) = (0.061,0.323,1.037);

[S.sub.F4] = (1/35.5,1/20.32,1/10.6) [cross product] (1.91,2.51,6) = (0.054,0.124,0.565);

[S.sub.C1] = (1/18.5,1/10.97,1/7.7) [cross product] (4,6.09,10) = (0.216,0.555,1.29);

[S.sub.C2] = (1/18.5,1/10.97,1/7.7) [cross product] (1.45,2.1,2.5) = (0.078,0.191,0.324);

[S.sub.C3] = (1/18.5,1/10.97,1/7.7) [cross product] (2.25,2.78,6) = (0.122,0.253,0.779);

[S.sub.I1] = (1/40,1/18.87,1/9.22) [cross product] (2.16,5.21,11) = (0.054,0.276,1.193);

[S.sub.I2] = (1/40,1/18.87,1/9.22) [cross product] (2.75,6.34,14) = (0.069,0.336,1.518);

[S.sub.I3] = (1/40,1/18.87,1/9.22) [cross product] (1.78,2.43,5) = (0.045,0.129,0.54);

[S.sub.I4] = (1/40,1/18.87,1/9.22) [cross product] (2.53,4.89,10) = (0.063,0.259,1.08);

[S.sub.L1] = (1/21,1/l3.6l,1/8.l7) [cross product] (1.64,2.38,4.5) = (0.078,0.175,0.55);

[S.sub.L2] = (1/21,1/l3.6l,1/8.l7) [cross product] (5,9.08,13) = (0.238,0.667,1.59);

[S.sub.L3] = (1/21,1/l3.6l,1/8.l7) [cross product] (1.53,2.15,3.5) = (0.073,0.158,0.428).

These fuzzy values are compared by using Eq. (12) and these values are obtained:

V([S.sub.F] > [S.sub.C]) = 0.881, V([S.sub.F] > [S.sub.I]) = 1, V([S.sub.F] > [S.sub.L]) = 1,

V([S.sub.C] > [S.sub.F]) = 1, V([S.sub.C] > [S.sub.I]) = 1, V([S.sub.C] > [S.sub.L]) = 1,

V([S.sub.I] > [S.sub.F]) = 0.901, V([S.sub.I] > [S.sub.C]) = 0.752, V([S.sub.I] > [S.sub.L]) = 1,

V([S.sub.L] > [S.sub.F]) = 0.806, V([S.sub.L] > [S.sub.C]) = 0.668, V([S.sub.L] > [S.sub.I]) = 0.892,

V([S.sub.F1] > [S.sub.F2]) = 1, V([S.sub.F1] > [S.sub.F3]) = 1, V([S.sub.F1] > [S.sub.F4]) = 1,

V([S.sub.F2] > [S.sub.F1]) = 0.934, V([S.sub.F2] > [S.sub.F3]) = 1, V([S.sub.F2] > [S.sub.F4]) = 1,

V([S.sub.F3] > [S.sub.F1]) = 0.726, V([S.sub.F3] > [S.sub.F2]) = 0.806, V([S.sub.F3] > [S.sub.F4]) = 1,

V([S.sub.F4] > [S.sub.F1]) = 0.625, V([S.sub.F4] > [S.sub.F2]) = 0.717, V([S.sub.F4] > [S.sub.F3]) = 0.921,

V([S.sub.C1] > [S.sub.C2]) = 1, V([S.sub.C1] > [S.sub.C3]) = 1,

V([S.sub.C2] > [S.sub.C1]) = 0.229, V([S.sub.C2] > [S.sub.C3]) = 0.766,

V([S.sub.C3] > [S.sub.C1]) = 0.65, V([S.sub.C3] > [S.sub.C1]) = 1,

V([S.sub.I2] > [S.sub.I2]) = 0.949, V([S.sub.I1] > [S.sub.I3]) = 1, V([S.sub.I1] > [S.sub.I4]) = 1,

V([S.sub.I2] > [S.sub.I1]) = 1, V([S.sub.I2] > [S.sub.I3]) = 1, V([S.sub.I2] > [S.sub.I4]) = 1,

V([S.sub.I3] > [S.sub.I1]) = 0.768, V([S.sub.I3] > [S.sub.I2]) = 0.695, V([S.sub.I3] > [S.sub.I4]) = 1,

V([S.sub.I4] > [S.sub.I1]) = 0.984, V([S.sub.I4] > [S.sub.I2]) = 0.93, V([S.sub.I4] > [S.sub.I3]) = 1,

V([S.sub.L1] > [S.sub.L2]) = 0.388, V([S.sub.L1] > [S.sub.L3]) = 1,

V([S.sub.L2] > [S.sub.L1]) = 1, V([S.sub.L2] > [S.sub.L3]) = 1,

V([S.sub.L3] > [S.sub.L1]) = 0.95, V([S.sub.L3] > [S.sub.L2]) = 0.27.

Then priority weights are calculated by using Eq. (13):

d'(F) = min(0.881,1,1) = 0.881.

d'(C) = min(1,1,1) = 1.

d'(j) = min(0.901,0.752,1) = 0.752.

d'(1) = min(0.806,0.668,0.892) = 0.668.

d'(F1) = min(1,1,1) = 1.

d'(F2) = min(0.934,1,1) = 0.934.

d'(F3) = min(0.726,0.806,1) = 0.726.

d'(F4) = min(0.625,0.717,0.921) = 0.625.

d'(C1) = min(1,1) = 1.

d'(C2) = min(0.229,0.766) = 0.229.

d'(C3) = min(0.65,1) = 0.65.

d'(L1) = min(0.949,1,1) = 0.949.

d'(I2) = min(1,1,1) = 1.

d'(I3) = min(0.768,0.695,1) = 0.695.

d'(I4) = min(0.984,0.93,1) = 0.93.

d'(L1) = min(0.388,1) = 0.388.

d'(L2) = min(1,1) = 1.

d'(L3) = min(0.95,0.27) = 0.27.

Priority weights for each criterion are presented in Table 6, The FAHP analysis of the criteria is summarized in Fig, 5.

[FIGURE 5 OMITTED]

Step 3: Determining the final priority

At this step of the proposed model, the team members were asked to establish the decision matrix by comparing alternatives under each of the criteria separately. Linguistic values were used for evaluation of strategies in this step. The membership functions of these linguistic values, and the triangular fuzzy numbers related with these variables are shown in Fig. 6 and Table 7 respectively. The fuzzy performance ratings of the alternatives with regard to each criterion were determined by twelve decision makers that are obtained by Eq. (28).

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. (28)

Fuzzy evaluation matrix for the alternatives with regard to each criterion is determined. After the fuzzy evaluation matrix was determined, the next stage is to obtain a fuzzy normalized decision matrix as presented in Table 8. The fuzzy performance ratings are normalized into the range of [0,1] through Eqs. (29) and (30) (Yang, Hung 2007):

[r.sub.ij] = [x.sub.ij] - min{[x.sub.ij]}/[max{[x.sub.ij]} - min{[x.sub.ij]}] The larger, the better type, (29)

[r.sub.ij] = min {[x.sub.ij]} - [x.sub.ij]/[max{[x.sub.ij]} - min{[x.sub.ij]}] The smaller, the better type, (30)

[FIGURE 6 OMITTED]

Using the criteria weights calculated by FAHP in the former step, the fuzzy weighted decision matrix is established with Eq. (20). The resulting fuzzy weighted decision matrix is presented in Table 9.

Since the all criteria are benefit type, we can define the fuzzy positive-ideal solution and the fuzzy negative-ideal as [[??].sup.*.sub.j] = (1, 1, 1) and [[??].sup.-.sub.j] = (0, 0, 0) respectively. So, the distance of each alternative from [D.sup.*] and [D.sup.-] can be currently calculated using Eq. (23) and Eq. (24). Finally, FTOPSIS solves the similarities to an ideal solution by Eq. (25). In order to distinguish the matter, an example is presented as follows:

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII].

As a result,

[CC.sub.1] = [D.sup-.sub.1]/[D.sup.*.sub.1] + [D.sup.-.sub.1] = 0.701/13.33 + 0.701 = 0.0499.

[FIGURE 7 OMITTED]

Similar calculations were done for the other alternatives and the results of FTOPSIS analyses were summarized in Table 10. According to CCj values, the ranking of the alternatives in descending order are A1, A5, A6, A4, A3 and A2. The rank of alternatives is depicted in Fig. 7. Proposed model results indicate that A1 is the best alternative with CC value of 0.0499.

9. Conclusions

In this study, we developed an integrated model of the SWOT analysis as well as the BSC model to construct a framework, and gained the weights of criteria and alternatives based on FAHP and FTOPSIS respectively. Six strategies were generated by the SWOT analysis of the Iranian mining sector. Then, the BSC criteria were applied to prioritize the strategies. Fuzzy MCDM has recognized wide applications in the solution of real world decision making problems. FAHP and FTOPSIS are the preferred techniques for obtaining the criteria weights and performance ratings when information is vague and inaccurate. The results show that A1 (0.0499) has the highest weighting. As this result, decision makers are advised to improve the ability of exploitation and production. Finally, we recommend that the authorities of mining industries can use this model to evaluate their activities for development or investment purposes.

doi: 10.3846/20294913.2011.603173

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Mohammad Majid Fouladgar (1), Abdolreza Yazdani-Chamzini (2), Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas (3)

(1,2) Fateh Research Group, Department of Strategic Management, Kimia No. 7, Rates, Aghdasieh, Tehran, Iran

(3) Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Sauletekio al. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

E-mails: (1) manager@fatehidea.com; (2) a.yazdani@fatehidea.com; (3) Edmundas.Zavadskas@vgtu.lt (corresponding author)

Received 19 January 2011; accepted 21 June 2011

Mohammad Majid FOULADGAR. Master of Science in the Dept of Strategic Management, Manager of Fateh Reaserch Group, Tehran-Iran. Author of 10 research papers. In 2007 he graduated from the Science and Engineering Faculty at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran-Iran. His interests include decision support system, water resource, and forecasting.

Abdolreza YAZDANI-CHAMZINI. Master of Science in the Dept of Strategic Management, research assistant of Fateh Reaserch Group, Tehran-Iran. Author of more than 20 research papers. In 2011 he graduated from the Science and Engineering Faculty at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran-Iran. His research interests include decision making, forecasting, modeling, and optimization.

Edmundas Kazimieras ZAVADSKAS. Prof., Head of the Department of Construction Technology and Management at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania. He has a PhD in Building Structures (1973) and Dr Sc. (1987) in Building Technology and Management. He is a member of the Lithuanian and several foreign Academies of Sciences. He is Doctore Honoris Causa at Poznan, Saint-Petersburg, and Kiev universities as well as a member of international organisations; he has been a member of steering and programme committees at many international conferences. E. K. Zavadskas is a member of editorial boards of several research journals. He is the author and co-author of more than 400 papers and a number of monographs in Lithuanian, English, German and Russian. Research interests are: building technology and management, decision-making theory, automation in design and decision support systems.
Table 1. The various applications of FTOPSIS

Proposed by            Year    Used tools           Application

Chen                   2000    FTOPSIS              Fuzzy environment

Antucheviciene         2005    FTOPSIS              Evaluations of
                                                    alternatives

Wang, Elhag            2006    FTOPSIS              Risk assessment,
                                                    selecting a system
                                                    analysis engineer

Zavadskas,             2006    FTOPSIS              Sustainable
Antucheviciene                                      revitalization

Kuo et al.             2007    FTOPSIS, Fuzzy SAW   Location selection

Dagdeviren et al.      2009    FTOPSIS, AHP         Weapon selection

Continued Table 1

Ebrahimnejad et al.    2009    FTOPSIS, Fuzzy       Risk ranking
                               LINMAP

Sreeda, Sattanathan    2009    FTOPSIS, FAHP        To buy an
                                                    apartment

Wang, Lee              2009    FTOPSIS, Shannons    Software selection
                               Entropy

Ebrahimnejad et al.    2010    FTOPSIS, fuzzy       Risk assessment
                               LINMAP

Per?in, Kahraman       2010    FTOPSIS, AHP         Six Sigma project
                                                    selection

Torfi et al.           2010    AHP, FAHP, TOPSIS,   Various areas
                               FTOPSIS, DEA

Kelemenis et al.       2011    FTOPSIS              Personnel selection

Rostamzadeh, Sofian    2011    FTOPSIS, FAHP, DSS   Production systems
                                                    performance

Singh, Benyoucef       2011    FTOPSIS, entropy     E-sourcing

Table 2. SWOT analysis and strategic recommendations

            SWOT analysis                 Mining strategies

Internal    Strengths:
            S1. High potential of ore     A1. Improving the ability
            deposits,                     of exploitation and
            S2. Large mining              production: this strategy
            resources,                    is obtained according to
            S3. Miscellaneous             S1, S2, O1, O2, O3.
            minerals.                     A2. Investment in
                                          exploration sector: this
            Weakness:                     strategy is resulted by
            W1. The lack of a             O3, O4, W1, W2.
            completed mining database,
            W2. Long period from          A3. Investing in the earth
            exploration to                sciences (information,
            manufacturing,                technology, and labor
            W3. Low efficiency in         force): this strategy is
            mining activities.            extracted from W1, W3, T1,
                                          T3.
External    Opportunities:
            O1. Cheap Labor force,        A4. Making persuasive
            O2. Access to energy          policies to attract mining
            resource,                     investors and promotion of
            O3. The geopolitical          R&D: this strategy is
            situation of Iran,            obtained through S1, S2,
            O4. Increasing demand for     S3, T1, T2, T4.
            raw materials.
                                          A5. The privatization of
            Threats:                      mines and mineral
            T1. Exporting raw             industries: this strategy
            material,                     is resulted by O4, O3, W2,
            T2. Non-membership of Iran    W3.
            in WTO,
            T3. High risk involved,       A6. Revising the mining
            T4. The fluctuations of       law and cadastral system:
            raw mineral prices.           this strategy is extracted
                                          by T1, T2, T3, S2.

Table 3. The hierarchical structure

                                                        Alternatives
Goal          Perspectives     Evaluation indicators   extracted from
                                                          the SWOT
                                                          analysis

Selection     Financial (F)    F1. Enhancing the             A1
of the                         added value.                  A2
best                           F2. Increasing the            A3
strategy                       investments.                  A4
for mining                     F3. Decreasing the            A5
sector of                      costs.                        A6
Iran                           F4. Risks reduction.

              Customer (C)     C1. Improvement of
                               the level of
                               services.
                               C2. Customer
                               satisfaction.
                               C3. Management of
                               supply chain.

              Internal         I1. Increasing the
              business (I)     level of production.
                               I2. The efficiency
                               improvement.
                               I3. Raising the gross
                               domestic production
                               (GDP).
                               I4. Marketing.

              Learning and     L1. Innovation and
              growth (L)       creativeness.
                               L2. Employing the
                               high technology.
                               L3. Improving the
                               labor force
                               efficiency.

Table 4. Pair-wise comparison scale (Saaty 1980)

                                                           Numerical
Option                                                      value(s)

Equal                                                          1
Marginally strong                                              3
Strong                                                         5
Very strong                                                    7
Extremely strong                                               9
Intermediate values to reflect fuzzy inputs                2, 4, 6, 8
Reflecting dominance of second alternative compared       reciprocals
with the first

Table 5. Importance weight of criteria and sub-criteria

        BSC
     criteria                     F

         F                      (1,1,1)
         C                   (0.5, 1.04,3)
         I        (0.33,0.75,2)
         L        (0.25,0.59,3)

       Sub-
     criteria           F1                 F2

F       F1           (1,1,1)          (0.5,1.86,3)
        F2        (0.33,0.54,2)         (1,1,1)
        F3       (0.33,0.36,0.5)      (0.2,0.35,3)
        F4        (0.25,0.45,1)      (0.33,0.47,2)
C       C1
        C2
        C3
I       I1
        I2
        I3
        I4
L       L1
        L2
        L3

        BSC
     criteria                     F

         F                      (1,1,1)
         C                   (0.5, 1.04,3)
         I
         L

       Sub-
     criteria           F3                 F4

F       F1          (2,2.77,3)         (1,2.22,4)
        F2        (0.33,2.89,5)       (0.5,2.13,3)
        F3           (1,1,1)          (0.5,1.69,3)
        F4        (0.33,0.59,2)         (1,1,1)
C       C1
        C2
        C3
I       I1
        I2
        I3
        I4
L       L1
        L2
        L3

        BSC
     criteria                              C

         F                           (0.33,0.96,2)
         C                              (1,1,1)
         I                           (0.25,0.43,1)
         L                           (0.2,0.36,0.5)

       Sub-
     criteria           C1                 C2                 C3

F       F1
        F2
        F3
        F4
C       C1           (1,1,1)           (2,2.77,5)         (1,2.32,4)
        C2        (0.2,0.36,0.5)        (1,1,1)         (0.25,0.74,1)
        C3        (0.25,0.43,1)        (1,1.35,4)          (1,1,1)
I       I1
        I2
        I3
        I4
L       L1
        L2
        L3

        BSC
     criteria                     I

         F                   (0.5,1.34,3)
         C                    (1,2.33,4)
         I                      (1,1,1)
         L                   (0.33,0.61,2)

       Sub-
     criteria           I1                 I2

F       F1
        F2
        F3
        F4
C       C1
        C2
        C3
I       I1           (1,1,1)         (0.33,1.26,4)
        I2        (0.25,0.79,3)         (1,1,1)
        I3        (0.33,0.61,2)      (0.25,0.45,1)
        I4        (0.33,0.76,3)       (0.2,0.43,1)
L       L1
        L2
        L3

        BSC
     criteria                     I

         F                   (0.5,1.34,3)
         C                    (1,2.33,4)
         I                      (1,1,1)
         L                   (0.33,0.61,2)

       Sub-
     criteria           I3                 I4

F       F1
        F2
        F3
        F4
C       C1
        C2
        C3
I       I1         (0.5,1.64,3)      (0.33,1.31,3)
        I2          (1,2.21,4)        (0.5,2.34,5)
        I3           (1,1,1)          (0.2,0.37,1)
        I4          (1,2.7,5)           (1,1,1)
L       L1
        L2
        L3

        BSC
     criteria                              L

         F                           (0.33,1.76,4)
         C                             (2,2.76,5)
         I                            (0.5,1.64,3)
         L                              (1,1,1)

       Sub-
     criteria           L1                 L2                 L3

F       F1
        F2
        F3
        F4
C       C1
        C2
        C3
I       I1
        I2
        I3
        I4
L       L1           (1,1,1)        (0.14,0.21,0.5)      (0.5,1.17.3)
        L2          (2,4.76,7)          (1,1,1)           (2,3.32,5)
        L3        (0.33,0.85,2)      (0.2,0.3,0.5)         (1,1,1)

Table 6. Priority weights for each criterion

Criteria     Weights under      Normalized        Normalized
               the same        weights under     weights among
              perspective        the same       all indicators
                                perspective

    F            0,881             0,267              --
    C              1               0,303              --
    I            0,752             0,228              --
    L            0,668             0,202              --
   F1              1               0,304             0,081
   F2            0,934             0,284             0,076
   F3            0,726             0,221             0,059
   F4            0,625             0,190             0,051
   C1              1               0,532             0,161
   C2            0,229             0,122             0,037
   C3            0,65              0,346             0,105
   I1            0,949             0,266             0,060
   I2              1               0,280             0,064
   I3            0,695             0,194             0,044
   I4            0,93              0,260             0,059
   L1            0,388             0,234             0,047
   L2              1               0,603             0,122
   L3            0,27              0,163             0,033

Table 7. Linguistic values and fuzzy numbers

Linguistic values     Fuzzy numbers

Very low (VL)          (0, 0, 0.2)
Low (L)               (0, 0.2, 0.4)
Medium (M)           (0.2, 0.4, 0.6)
High (H)             (0.4, 0.6, 0.8)
Very high (VH)        (0.6, 0.8, 1)
Excellent (E)          (0.8, 1, 1)

Table 8. Fuzzy normalized decision matrix

             A1                  A2                  A3

F1    (0.45,0.73,1)       (0.0,0.27,0.55)     (0.0,0.27,0.55)
F2    (0.22,0.56,0.89)    (0.22,0.56,0.89)    (0.11,0.44,0.78)
F3    (0.4,0.7,1)         (0.3,0.6,0.8)       (0.2,0.5,0.8)
F4    (0.42,0.67,1)       (0.0,0.25,0.5)      (0.08,0.33,0.58)
c1    (0.42,0.67,0.92)    (0.0,0.25,0.5)      (0.25,0.5,0.75)
c2    (0.45,0.73,1)       (0.0,0.18,0.45)     (0.18,0.36,0.64)
c3    (0.3,0.5,0.8)       (0.0,0.3,0.6)       (0.0,0.2,0.5)
I1    (0.5,0.75,1)        (0.25,0.5,0.75)     (0.08,0.25,0.5)
I2    (0.42,0.67,0.92)    (0.0,0.17,0.42)     (0.08,0.25,0.5)
I3    (0.5,0.75,1)        (0.0,0.08,0.25)     (0.08,0.33,0.58)
I4    (0.33,0.67,1)       (0.0,0.11,0.33)     (0.0,0.22,0.56)
L1    (0.5,0.7,1)         (0.0,0.1,0.3)       (0.0,0.2,0.5)
L2    (0.36,0.64,0.91)    (0.0,0.18,0.45)     (0.09,0.27,0.55)
L3    (0.5,0.75,1)        (0.0,0.08,0.25)     (0.0,0.25,0.5)

             A4                  A5                  A6

F1    (0.09,0.36,0.64)    (0.18,0.45,0.73)    (0.0,0.27,0.55)
F2    (0.0,0.33,0.67)     (0.33,0.67,1)       (0.22,0.56,0.89)
F3    (0.0,0.3,0.6)       (0.1,0.4,0.7)       (0.2,0.5,0.8)
F4    (0.08,0.25,0.5)     (0.33,0.58,0.83)    (0.08,0.33,0.58)
c1    (0.08,0.25,0.5)     (0.17,0.42,0.67)    (0.5,0.75,1)
c2    (0.09,0.27,0.55)    (0.45,0.73,1)       (0.27,0.55,0.82)
c3    (0.2,0.5,0.8)       (0.4,0.7,1)         (0,0.3,0.6)
I1    (0.33,0.58,0.83)    (0.08,0.33,0.58)    (0,0.25,0.5)
I2    (0.08,0.33,0.58)    (0.5,0.75,1)        (0.17,0.42,0.67)
I3    (0.17,0.42,0.67)    (0.08,0.42,0.67)    (0.17,0.42,0.67)
I4    (0.0,0.22,0.56)     (0.11,0.44,0.78)    (0.11,0.44,0.78)
L1    (0.2,0.4,0.7)       (0.3,0.6,0.9)       (0.1,0.4,0.7)
L2    (0.18,0.45,0.73)    (0.45,0.73,1)       (0.0,0.36,0.64)
L3    (0.08,0.25,0.5)     (0.33,0.58,0.83)    (0.08,0.42,0.67)

      Weight

F1    0.081
F2    0.076
F3    0.059
F4    0.051
c1    0.161
c2    0.037
c3    0.105
I1    0.060
I2    0.064
I3    0.044
I4    0.059
L1    0.047
L2    0.122
L3    0.033

Table 9. Fuzzy weighted decision matrix

             A1                  A2                  A3

F1    (0.04,0.06,0.08)     (0.0,0.02,0.04)     (0.0,0.02,0.04)
F2    (0.02,0.04,0.07)    (0.02,0.04,0.07)    (0.01,0.03,0.06)
F3    (0.02,0.04,0.06)    (0.02,0.04,0.05)    (0.01,0.03,0.05)
F4    (0.02,0.03,0.05)     (0.0,0.01,0.03)     (0.0,0.02,0.03)
C1    (0.07,0.11,0.15)     (0.0,0.04,0.08)    (0.04,0.08,0.12)
C2    (0.02,0.03,0.04)     (0.0,0.01,0.02)    (0.01,0.01,0.02)
C3    (0.03,0.05,0.08)     (0.0,0.03,0.06)     (0.0,0.02,0.05)
I1    (0.03,0.05,0.06)    (0.02,0.03,0.05)    (0.01,0.02,0.03)
I2    (0.03,0.04,0.06)     (0.0,0.01,0.03)    (0.01,0.02,0.03)
I3    (0.02,0.03,0.04)     (0.0,0.0,0.01)      (0.0,0.01,0.03)
I4    (0.02,0.04,0.06)     (0.0,0.01,0.02)     (0.0,0.01,0.03)
L1     (0.02,0.03,0.5)     (0.0,0.0,0.01)      (0.0,0.01,0.02)
L2    (0.04,0.08,0.11)     (0.0,0.02,0.06)    (0.01,0.03,0.07)
L3    (0.02,0.02,0.03)     (0.0,0.0,0.01)      (0.0,0.01,0.02)

             A4                  A5                  A6

F1    (0.01,0.03,0.05)    (0.01,0.04,0.06)     (0.0,0.02,0.04)
F2     (0.0,0.03,0.05)     (0.0,0.03,0.05)    (0.02,0.04,0.07)
F3     (0.0,0.02,0.04)    (0.01,0.02,0.04)    (0.01,0.03,0.05)
F4     (0.0,0.01,0.03)    (0.02,0.03,0.04)     (0.0,0.02,0.03)
C1    (0.01,0.04,0.08)    (0.03,0.07,0.11)    (0.08,0.12,0.16)
C2     (0.0,0.01,0.02)    (0.02,0.03,0.04)    (0.01,0.02,0.03)
C3    (0.02,0.05,0.08)    (0.04,0.07,0.11)     (0.0,0.03,0.06)
I1    (0.02,0.04,0.05)    (0.01,0.02,0.04)     (0.0,0.02,0.03)
I2    (0.01,0.02,0.04)    (0.03,0.05,0.06)    (0.01,0.03,0.04)
I3    (0.01,0.02,0.03)     (0.0,0.02,0.03)    (0.01,0.02,0.03)
I4     (0.0,0.01,0.03)    (0.01,0.03,0.05)    (0.01,0.03,0.05)
L1    (0.01,0.02,0.03)    (0.01,0.03,0.04)     (0.0,0.02,0.03)
L2    (0.02,0.06,0.09)    (0.06,0.09,0.12)     (0.0,0.04,0.08)
L3     (0.0,0.01,0.02)    (0.01,0.02,0.03)     (0.0,0.01,0.02)

Table 10. FTOPSIS results

Alternatives     [D.sup.+     [D.sup.-    [CC.sub.j]   Rank
                 .sub.j]      .sub.j]

A1                13.33        0.701        0.0499      1
A2                13.71        0.346        0.0246      6
A3                13.65        0.403        0.0286      5
A4                13.63        0.428        0.0305      4
A5                13.44        0.603        0.0429      2
A6                13.56        0.504        0.0358      3
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