Fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making techniques and [620800]

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Fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making techniques and [620800]

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Review
Fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making techniques and
applications – Two decades review from 1994 to 2014
Abbas Mardania,⇑, Ahmad Jusoha, Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskasb
aDepartment of Management, Faculty of Management, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Johor 81300, Malaysia
bDepartment of Construction Technology and Management, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio al. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
article info
Article history:
Available online 10 January 2015
Keywords:Fuzzy multiple criteria decision making
Multiple criteria decision makingLiterature reviewabstract
MCDM is considered as a complex decision-making tool involving both quantitative and qualitative fac-
tors. In recent years, several fuzzy FMCDM tools have been suggested to choosing the optimal probablyoptions. The purpose of this paper is to review systematically the applications and methodologies of the
fuzzy multi decision-making (FMCDM) techniques. This study reviewed a total of 403 papers published
from 1994 to 2014 in more than 150 peer reviewed journals (extracted from online databases such asScienceDirect, Springer, Emerald, Wiley, ProQuest, and Taylor & Francis). According to experts’ opinions,these papers were grouped into four main ﬁelds: engineering, management and business, science, and
technology. Furthermore, these papers were categorized based on authors, publication date, country of
origin, methods, tools, and type of research (FMCDM utilizing research, FMCDM developing research,and FMCDM proposing research). The results of this study indicated that, in 2013, scholars have pub-
lished papers more than other years. In addition, hybrid fuzzy MCDM in the integrated method and fuzzy
AHP in the individual section were ranked as the ﬁrst and second methods in use. Additionally, Taiwanwas ranked as the ﬁrst country that contributed to this survey, and engineering was ranked as the ﬁrst
ﬁeld that has applied fuzzy DM tools and techniques.
/C2112015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
Multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) has grown as a part
of operations research, concerning with designing computational
and mathematical tools for supporting the subjective evaluation
of performance criteria by decision makers ( Banaitiene, Banaitis,
Kaklauskas, & Zavadskas, 2008; Behzadian, Khanmohammadi
Otaghsara, Yazdani, & Ignatius, 2012; Zavadskas, Skibniewski, &
Antucheviciene, 2014 ). Several studies have been carried out to
develop MCDM ( Dadelo, Turskis, Zavadskas, & Dadeliene, 2014;
Shyur & Shih, 2006; Yazdani-Chamzini, Shariati, Haji Yakhchali, &
Zavadskas, 2014 ). In recent years several previous studies have
employed MCDM tools and applications for solve areas problems
such as engineering ( Zavadskas, Antucheviciene, Hajiagha, &
Hashemi, 2014 ), science ( Zavadskas et al., 2014 ), technology
(Bagoc ˇius, Zavadskas, & Turskis, 2014; Dadelo et al., 2014;
Streimikiene, Balezentis, Krisciukaitiene ˙, & Balezentis, 2012 ). Inreal world, problems in regard to decision making are generally
uncertain in a number of ways. Lack of information can lead to
an unclear future state of the system. This uncertainty has been
addressed using the probability theory and statistics. Though, in
various situations of daily life; for evaluation, judgment, and deci-
sion, natural language is often employed in order to articulatethinking and subjective perceptions. In these natural languages,
words might not have a clear and well-deﬁned meaning. As a
result, if the word is used as a label for a set, the boundaries of
the set to which objects do or do not belong will become fuzzy.
In addition, when individuals are judging an event, even using
the same words, they may signiﬁcantly differ since each of them
has different subjective perception or personality.
To overcome this problem, fuzzy numbers are introduced in a
way to help linguistic variables be expressed appropriately. Due
to the fact that investors often evaluate investment strategies
based on their own subjective preferences in terms of numerical
values from different criteria, it is better to regard this situation
as a Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (FMCDM) problem.
The present study has the following contributions: Fuzzy
FMCDM is one of the most widely used decision methodologies
in engineering, technology, science and management and business.
FMCDM approaches improve the quality of decisions by creating
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2015.01.003
0957-4174/ /C2112015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.⇑Corresponding author. Department of Management, Faculty of Management,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Johor, Malaysia. Tel.: +601127347432.
E-mail addresses: mabbas3@live.utm.my (A. Mardani), ahmadj@management.
utm.my (A. Jusoh), Edmundas.Zavadskas@vgtu.lt (E.K. Zavadskas).Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Expert Systems with Applications
journal homepage: www.else vier.com/locate/eswa

the development more efﬁcient, rational and explicit. Several stud-
ies (Behzadian, Kazemzadeh, Albadvi, & Aghdasi, 2010; Ho, 2008;
Vaidya & Kumar, 2006 ) have demonstrated the vitality of the ﬁeld
and reported several methods proposed in the literature. A large
number of approaches and techniques have been introduced in this
area of study. However, previously-conducted surveys have not
kept the pace. Thus, we believe that there is a need for a new sys-
tematic survey to consolidate recent research conducted on this
area of study. In recent decade, the FMCDM methods have received
a great deal of attention from practitioners and researchers. This
paper attempts to document the exponentially grown interest in
the FMCDM methods and provide a state-of the-art review of the
literature regarding the FMCDM applications and methodologies.
Based on a classiﬁcation scheme, a reference repository has been
established, including 403 papers published in more than 150international journals from 1994. Papers are classiﬁed based on
the year of publication, application areas, authors’ nationality of
authors, and FMCDM approaches combined with other methods.
This paper is evolving a categorizing structure with focusing on
applicable considerations, presenting an organized review in a
way to provide a guide to previous studies on the FMCDM meth-
ods, and recognizing topics for future research. Additionally, in
our study, two new perspectives are taken into consideration to
review the articles, namely categorization of the articles into four
main ﬁelds (business, science, engineering, and technology) and
examination of the type of study (FMCDM utilizing research,
FMCDM developing research, FMCDM proposing research).
In this paper, the literature related to the descriptors of FMCDM
has been reviewed comprehensively using academic databases of
Springer, ScienceDirect, Emerald, Wiley, ProQuest, and Taylor &
Francis. Following a methodological decision analysis on the whole
collected articles, a total of 403 international journal articles pub-
lished from 1994 to 2014 were reviewed. The present paper
attempts to answer the following questions: (1) which fuzzy deci-
sion-making (DM) techniques have been used frequently? (2)
Which type of study has been conducted on these FMCDM tech-
niques? (3) Which one of the four ﬁelds (science, business, technol-
ogy, and engineering) has further used these FMCDM techniques?
(4) What kinds of FMCDM tools have been employed in these years
based on four main ﬁelds? (5) Which countries have published
articles related to these FMCDM tools based on the number of pub-
lishing in these four main ﬁelds? (6) In which one of the years
authors have further published articles related to FMCDM tools
based in the four ﬁelds?
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2
provides a brief overview on literature review and framework. Sec-
tion 3describes the research methodology and the procedure of
this study. Section 4provides ﬁndings of this review based on
the research objectives and questions. Section 5discusses the
results based on the research questions. Finally, Section 6presents
conclusion, limitations, and recommendations for future studies.
2. Literature review on the fuzzy decision-making approaches
Over the years, numerous FMCDM methods have been proposed
in the literature, which are different in areas such as the type of
questions asked, theoretical background, and type of obtained
results. A number of methods have been designed for a particular
problem, hence inapplicable to other problems. Recently, a number
of FMCDM methods have been introduced to choose the best com-
promise options. The FMCDM approaches have been developed not
only by the motivation received from various real-life problems
that require the consideration of multiple criteria, but also by the
desire of practitioners for enhancing decision-making techniques
through recent developments occurred in computer technology,
scientiﬁc computing, and mathematical optimization ( Wiecek,Ehrgott, Fadel, & Rui Figueira, 2008 ). All methods are mainly aimed
to make the decision making process better-informed and more
formalized. In a number of previous studies, MCDM and fuzzy
MCDM have been classiﬁed into various ﬁelds and approaches
(Balezˇentis, Valkauskas, & Balez ˇentis, 2010; Chen, Hwang,
Beckmann, & Krelle, 1992; Liou, 2013; Liou & Tzeng, 2012; Ölçer
& Odabas /C223i, 2005; Ribeiro, 1996; Zavadskas & Turskis, 2011 ). The
MCDM approach fall into two categories ( Bashiri, Badri, & Hejazi,
2011; Pawlak, 1982; Wang & Lee, 2007; Wang & Lee, 2009; Xu &
Da, 2002 ): classical MCDM and fuzzy FMCDM ( Wang, Lee, & Lin,
2003 ).Fig. 1 presents the Fuzzy Multicriteria decision-making pro-
cess. In the FMCDM approach, alternatives are ranked and selected
from among a set of feasible alternatives.
The MCDM problems have different nature; thus, a variety of
techniques have been proposed as the solution. The ﬁrst proposedmethods were complete aggregation ones. For example, SAW and
two stages in weighting ( MacCrimmon, 1968 ), MAUA ( Keeney &
Raiffa, 1976 ), WASPAS ( Zavadskas, Turskis, Antucheviciene, &
Zakarevicius, 2012 ), TOPSIS (C. Hwang & Yoon, 1981 ), VIKOR
(Opricovic & Tzeng, 2004 ), COPRAS ( Zavadskas, Kaklauskas, &
Sarka, 1994 ), MOORA ( Brauers & Zavadskas, 2006 ), COPRAS-G,
ARAS-F, ARAS-G and MULTIMOORA ( Brauers & Zavadskas, 2010;
Turskis & Zavadskas, 2010b; Zavadskas & Turskis, 2008 ), ARAS
(Turskis & Zavadskas, 2010a; Yager, 1994a ). As examples of partial
aggregation methods, PROMETHEE ( Mareschal & Brans, 1992 ),
ELECTRE ( Roy, 1996 ), and NAIADE ( Munda, 1998 ) can be listed,
which involve the pair-wise comparisons of alternatives. In addi-
tion, the ANP and AHP are relied on the pair-wise comparisons
(Saaty, 1988; Saaty, 2003; Saaty, 2005; Saaty & Vargas, 2006 ).
FMCDM can be categorized as a fuzzy multi objective decision-
making (FMODM) and fuzzy multi attribute decision-making
(FMADM) approach ( Kadane, 2011; Liou & Tzeng, 2012; Ölçer &
Odabas /C223i, 2005; Simões-Marques, Ribeiro, & Gameiro-Marques,
2000; Tzeng & Huang, 2011 ).Liou and Tzeng (2012) , addressed
Interpret FMCDM calculations, results and
finalize recommendations Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis: review data
quality and criteria fuzzy weighting and run
several iterationsData collection and apply fuzzy algorithm Selection of fuzzy mathematical algorithms and
procedures Review quality of data and information available
for applying fuzzy weighting and hierarchy Review all above items Fuzzy weight criteria and define hierarchy of
objectives Identify and develop alternatives Identify and select stakeholders Identify objectives, criteria or topic of relevance to
the decisionFuzzy MCDM process
Judgmental part
Analytical part
Judgmental and Analytical
part
Make decision
Fig. 1. Multicriteria decision process.A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148 4127

the development of MADM from 1738 to 2012. They put MADM
into three classes: evaluating or choosing models (e.g., DEMATEL,
fuzzy DEMATEL, ISM, fuzzy ISM, fuzzy cognitive map (FCM), linear
structure equation models (LISEM, or called ‘‘SEM’’), formal con-
cept analysis, and input–output analysis), weighting models
(ANP/fuzzy ANP, AHP/fuzzy AHP, entropy measure, neural network
weighting, and dynamic weighting), and normalizing models
(additive types: TOPSIS, SAW, VIKOR, ELECTRE, PROMETHEE, and
gray relation and non-additive types: fuzzy integral neural net-
work plus fuzzy). In another classiﬁcation related to MCDM tools
and approaches, Zavadskas and Turskis (2011) and Hwang and
Yoon (1981) have grouped MCDM tools in different way, in two
these studies, MCDM divided into three types information of actors
including; no information (dominance, Maxmin and Minmax clas-
ses), information about criteria (standard level (conjunctive andDisjunctive), ordinal (lexicographic, elimination by aspects and
permutation), cardinal (liner assignment, SAW, HSAW, TOPSIS,
ELECTRE, PROMETHEUS, ORESTE, VIKOR, COPRAS, ARAS and
MOORA) and marginal rate of substitution (hierarchical trade-
offs)) and information of alternative (pairwise preference (LINMAP
and SAW) and order of pairwise proximity (multidimensional
scaling)).
The objective of FMADM is ﬁnite and implicit, whereas the
objective of the FMODM approach is inﬁnite and explicit. In
FMADM, the decision maker’s objectives are uniﬁed under the
decision-makers’ utility that is a super function, which is depen-
dent upon the selection criteria. In FMODM, objectives of the deci-
sion-makers, e.g., optimal resource utilization and quality
improvement and remain explicit are assigned with fuzzy weights
that reﬂect their relative signiﬁcance. The most important beneﬁt
of FMCDM models is their capability of considering many selection
criteria. Bellman and Zadeh (1970) and Zimmermann (1978)
applied fuzzy sets to the MCDM ﬁeld. According to Yager (1978) ,
the fuzzy set of a decision is the intersection of the whole fuzzy
goals. Kickert (1978) , prepared a summary of applications of the
fuzzy set theory to MADM problems.
Literature contains a number of classiﬁcations of MCDM tools
with fuzzy theory sets. For instance, Peneva and Popchev (2008)
stated that if the weights are given as real numbers, the operators
such as Weighted Mean ( Chiclana, Herrera, & Herrera-Viedma,
1998 ), Weighted MaxMin and Weighted MinMax ( Fodor &
Roubens, 1995 ), and Weighted Geometric ( Chiclana, Herrera, &
Herrera-Viedma, 2000 ) can be applied to the aggregation of fuzzy
relations. In the mathematical model, there are operators in which
the weights do not present the operators: Min, Max, MaxMin
(Altrock, 1997 ), Gamma ( Altrock, 1997 ), and Generalized Mean
(da Costa Sousa & Kaymak, 2001 ). The idea of using the given
weights in this case was suggested in ( Yager, 1994b ). The two
other categories proposed by Hwang, Chen, and Hwang (1992)
consist of some ways for ﬁnding a ranking, including the degree
of optimality, linguistic ranking methods, comparison function,
Hamming distance, proportion to the ideal, fuzzy mean and spread,
centroid index, left and right scores, and area measurement. The
second category contains methods that employ different ways for
assessing the relative signiﬁcance of multiple attributes, including
analytic hierarchy process, fuzzy simple additive weighting meth-
ods, fuzzy outranking methods, fuzzy conjunctive/disjunctive
methods, and maximin methods. Inuiguchi, Ichihashi, and Tanaka
(1990) , carried out a survey on recent developments occurred in
fuzzy programming. In this work, they employed applications such
as ﬂexible programming, possibilistic programming, possibilistic
linear programming with fuzzy goals, possibilistic programming
with fuzzy preference relations, possibilistic linear programming
using fuzzy max, and robust programming.
Based on the relationship among aggregated arguments, the
aggregation operators can be divided roughly into two classes:those operators that consider the aggregated arguments depen-
dently and those that consider the aggregated arguments indepen-
dently. In case of the ﬁrst class, Yager (1986) introduced the
ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator for reordering the
arguments prior to being aggregated. This operator motivated
Chiclana et al. (2000) and Xu and Da (2002) to propose the ordered
weighted geometric (OWG) operator. Yager (2004) , used the con-
tinuous interval-valued arguments to develop the continuous
ordered weighted averaging (C-OWA) operator. Torra (2010) and
Torra and Narukawa (2009) developed the hesitant fuzzy sets
(HFSs) concept to present the hesitant fuzzy information, which
covers the arguments with a set of possible values. This is consid-
ered as a new efﬁcient tool for collecting and representing the
arguments under uncertainty, particularly in the decision making
process. Zhu, Xu, and Xia (2012) , investigated the geometric BMs
combined with hesitant fuzzy information and introduced the hes-
itant fuzzy geometric BMs (HFGBM). Yu, Wu, and Zhou (2012) ,
developed the generalized hesitant fuzzy BM (GHFBM) with its
application in the multicriteria group decision making.
The aggregation techniques have a great effect on the MCDM
problems, and the aggregation operators have been broadly
applied to MCDM. In a fuzzy environment, Chen and Tan (1994)
developed a number of functions for measuring the extent to
which each alternative is suitable regarding a set of criteria in
MCDM. Hong and Choi (2000) , used the maximum and minimum
operations for the development of some approximate techniques
of addressing the MCDM problems. In addition, the aggregation
operators have been extended to intuitionistic fuzzy environment
wherein IFSs ( Atanassov, 1986 ) play the role of basic elements
reﬂecting preference values or judgements of decision makers. Li
(2005) , designed a number of linear programming models and
introduced corresponding decision making methods by means of
IFSs. Liu and Wang (2007) , proposed new series of score functions
to be applied to the MCDM problems in accordance with the eval-
uation functions and the intuitionistic fuzzy point operators. Based
on interval-valued IFSs, Chen, Wang, and Lu (2011) developed an
approach of multi-criteria group decision making. However, com-
paratively, very few studies have been focused on the MCDM prob-
lems under the hesitant fuzzy environment. Moreover, in the
process of decision making, hesitancy and uncertainty are gener-
ally considered as unavoidable problems. To express the evaluation
information of decision makers more objectively, a number of tools
have been developed in the literature, including fuzzy set ( Zadeh,
1965 ), intuitionistic fuzzy set ( Atanassov, 1986 ) and fuzzy multi-
set ( Miyamoto, Liu, & Kunii, 2000 ;Yager, 1986 ), interval-valued
fuzzy set ( Zadeh, 1975 ), linguistic fuzzy set ( Xu, 2004a; Xu,
2004b ) and type-2 fuzzy set ( Dubois & Prade, 1980 ).
3. Research methodology
This paper reviews the literature to recognize the articles that
have been published in popular journals and provided the most
important information to practitioners and researchers who inves-
tigate issues related to the FMCDM methods. To this end, an exten-
sive search was carried out to ﬁnd FMCDM in titles, abstracts,
keywords, and research methodologies of the papers. This paper
attempts to document the exponentially grown interest in the
FMCDM methods and provide a state-of the-art review of the liter-
ature regarding the FMCDM applications and methodologies.
According to a classiﬁcation scheme, a reference repository, includ-
ing a total of 403 published papers in more than 150 journals since
1994, has been established. The papers are classiﬁed in terms of
the application areas, publication year, the authors’ nationality,
the journal’s name, and other FMCDM methods. The present paper
has three contributions: the development of a classiﬁcation4128 A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148

scheme with a focus on practical considerations, structurally
reviewing the literature to guide the research on the FMCDM
methods, and the identiﬁcation of issues to be studied in future.
Additionally, two new perspectives are taken into consideration
to review the articles, namely categorization of the articles into
four main ﬁelds (business, science, engineering, and technology)
and examination of the type of study (FMCDM utilizing research,
FMCDM developing research, FMCDM proposing research).
In particular, we targeted six library databases: Springer,
ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Emerald, John Wiley, and Taylor & Francis,
covering the most important journals in four main ﬁelds. Items
such as doctoral dissertations, master’s theses, textbooks, confer-
ence proceeding papers, and unpublished papers were ignored in
this review. For this review, the primary data were collected from
1081 cited articles related to MCDM and fuzzy MCDM methodspublished since 1994. For choose 1081 scholarly journal papers
we have used most of international journals specially related to
DM methods. Some of journals cited in this review were, Expert
Systems with Applications, Applied soft computing, Journal of Intelli-
gent and Fuzzy Systems, Information sciences, International Journal
of Production Research, Technological and Economic Development of
Economy, European Journal of Operational Research, International
Journal of Intelligent Systems, International Journal of Production Eco-
nomics, Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, Fuzzy sets and
systems, Omega, Knowledge-Based Systems, International Journal of
Information Technology & Decision Making, Computers in Industry ,
etc.The majority of papers on FMCDM have been published since
1994; as a result, this year was chosen as the starting date for this
study. It is noticeable that since online database access point is
limited, some papers could not be downloaded; for that reason,
they were overlooked in this survey. After reviewing each paper,
the paper was summarized and highlighted. An article is taken into
consideration in this review if it discusses thoroughly the applica-
tion and development of FMCDM.
MCDM and fuzzy MCDM are the most well-known branches of
decision making. In the decision making approach, the selection is
made from amongst the decision alternatives that are described by
their attributes. Over time, a large number of MCDM methods have
been proposed, which are different in their theoretical background,
the type of questions asked, and the type of obtained results. For a
given problem, a number of methods have been particularly pro-
posed, which cannot be applied to other problems. Several key-
words and criteria should be taken into account for the selection
of an MCDM method. In this review paper, for identify and ﬁnding
the scholarly papers related to DM methods in mentioned dat-
abases we have searched several keywords, these keywords were,
MCDM, fuzzy MCDM, DM (Decision Making), AHP & fuzzy AHP,
TOPSIS & fuzzy TOPSIS, VIKOR & fuzzy VIKOR, ELECTRE & fuzzyELECTRE, DEMATEL & fuzzy DEMATEL, ANP & fuzzy ANP, PROM-
ETHEE, FWA, MCGDM, MCDA, OWA, SAW, FDM, Entropy & fuzzy
Entropy, Hybrid FMCDM, Hybrid MCDM, and So on. We have
searched these keywords because some articles have integrated
MCDM methods with fuzzy numbers and mentioned in the
research methodology parts. After primary search and collecting
these scholarly articles, the articles related to fuzzy numbers and
fuzzy set theory were selected.
4. Results
4.1. Classiﬁcations and observations
This survey is based on a literature review and classiﬁcation of
international journal articles from 1994 to 2014. The majority of
the journals are specialist journals in the fuzzy and MCDM journal.
For the purpose of this part of paper, some of journals are listedbased on publishers, and some journals (e.g., Emerald, John Wiley,
Springer and Tylor and Francis expect ScienceDirect) are integrated
based on their publishers.
Research on FMCDM continued and found many applications to
different ﬁelds. Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) provides
strong decision making in domains where selection of the best
alternative is highly complex. This paper reviews the main streams
of considerations in multi criteria decision making theory and
practice in detail, and it is mainly aimed to identify various appli-
cations and approaches and suggest approaches that can be most
robustly and effectively used to identify the best alternative. This
survey also addresses the problems in fuzzy multi criteria decision
making techniques. MCDM method has been applied to many
domains to choose the best alternatives. Where many criteria have
come into existence, the best one can be obtained by analyzing dif-ferent scopes of the criteria, weights of the criteria, and the selec-
tion of the optimum ones using any multi criteria decision making
techniques.
This survey investigates the developments of various methods
of FMCDM and its applications. In our daily life, many decisions
are being made based on various criteria; thus the decision can
be made by assigning weights to different criteria and all the
weights are obtain from expert groups. It is important to determine
the structure of the problem and explicitly evaluate multi criteria.
For example, in building a nuclear power plant, certain decisions
have been taken based on different criteria. There are not only very
complex issues involving multi criteria, some criteria may have
effect on some problems; however, to have an optimum solution,
all alternatives must have common criteria, which clearly lead to
more informed and better decisions. AHP method is used in the
analysis of the health-safety and environmental risk assessment
of reﬁneries for the location of the power plant, the risk factors
such as health-safety risk, technology risk, etc. ( Rezaian & Jozi,
2012 ). TOPSIS has been applied to the selection of the best strategic
technology for the fuel cell in the automotive industry
(Sadeghzadeh & Salehi, 2011 ).
In all these works, different methods have been used for differ-
ent applications where each method has its own characteristics in
ﬁnding the best alternatives. The applications developed to solve
multi choice problems and the selected FMCDM methods provide
better performance in cases such as supplier chain management
in business applications, safety assessment in marine engineering,
watershed location, and urban distribution centers in public
sectors.
4.2. Field of category
Due to wide range of applications of fuzzy MCDM in the real
world, there is a strong motivation to categorize these applications
across several areas and particular sub-areas. The studies that have
used FMCDM are categorized into three groups: FMCDM utilizing
research, FMCDM developing research, and FMCDM proposing
research. To identify the differences and similarities, the 403
papers were categorized into four ﬁelds: (1) science, management
and business, engineering, and technology. In case of the papers
that could fall into more than one category, based on the targeted
audience deﬁned by the paper’s objectives, the best possible choice
was selected. This ensured the absence of any duplication in the
classiﬁcation scheme. In the following sections, the papers are
brieﬂy presented and each topic is further summarized using
tables corresponding to their sub-areas. In each table, the papers
are summarized and highlighted according to their introductions,
research methods, and the results of the study. Similarly, previous
studies (e.g., Behzadian et al. (2012) ) have categorized TOPSIS
papers based on area of applications like manufacturing systems,
supply chain issue, business and management, and so on.A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148 4129

4.3. Engineering ﬁeld
In this survey, engineering was considered as a ﬁeld that has
mostly used the fuzzy MCDM methods and approaches. In this
paper, engineering ﬁelds involve several speciﬁc sub-ﬁelds, some
recent applications of fuzzy MCDM approaches in including, civil
engineering ( Bagoc ˇius, et al., 2014; Dadelo et al., 2014; Yazdani-
Chamzini et al., 2014 ), industrial engineering ( Avikal, Jain, &
Mishra, 2014; Avikal, Mishra, & Jain, 2014; Keskin, 2014;
Mokhtari, Alinejad-Rokny, & Jalalifar, 2014 ), computer science
(Herrmann & Herrmann, 2014; Kaya & Kahraman, 2014; Yazdani-
Chamzini, 2014 ), electrical engineering ( Kurt, 2014 ), and mechan-
ical engineering ( Azadnia, Saman, & Wong, 2014; Bairagi, Dey,
Sarkar, & Sanyal, 2014; Hadi-Vencheh & Mohamadghasemi,
2014 ).Li, Jin, and Wang (2014) , have used TOPSIS and QFD for
selection and evaluation of KMS under fuzzy environment.
Balezˇentis and Balez ˇentis (2014) , attempted to identify the role
MOORA and MULIMOORA play in engineering areas for technolog-
ical and economic development studies to be conducted in future.
Wang and Wu (2014) , have applied F-AHP, F-DEMATEL and FDM
for evaluation of PLC. Kubler et al. (2014) , employed F-AHP for
selection of data in communicating material. Zavadskas,
Antucheviciene, et al. (2014) , developed WASPAS and results com-
pared with COPRAS-IVIF-TOPSIS-IVIF and IFOWA for improve of
WPM and WSM accuracy. Zavadskas, Turskis, et al. (2014) , used
ARAS-F and AHP for solve of problems in construction site selection
in Eastern Baltic see. Bairagi et al. (2014) , have employed F-AHP, F-
VIKOR- F-TOPSIS and COPRAS-G for selection of robots.
Mokhtarian, Sadi-nezhad, and Makui (2014a) and Mokhtarian,
Sadi-nezhad, and Makui (2014b) proposed IVF-VIKOR and IVF-
TOPSIS for solve problems in selection of facility location.
Anojkumar, Ilangkumaran, and Sasirekha (2014) , have employed
FAHP-VIKOR, FAHP-PROMTHEE, FAHP-TOPSIS and FAHP-ELECTRE
for selection of material in sugar industry. Rabbani, Zamani,
Yazdani-Chamzini, and Zavadskas (2014) , implemented of fuzzy
COPRAS, ANP and SBSC for evaluation of performance in Iranian
oil companies. Tadic ´, Zecˇevic´, and Krstic ´(2014) , Utilized fuzzy
ANP, fuzzy VIKOR and fuzzy DEMATEL for selection of city logistics.
Hashemian, Behzadian, Samizadeh, and Ignatius (2014) , have
applied F-AHP and F-PROMETHEE for assessment of supplier pro-
cess. Ghorabaee, Amiri, Sadaghiani, and Goodarzi (2014) , used of
F-COPRAS and interval type-2 for selection of supplier. Kucukvar,
Gumus, Egilmez, and Tatari (2014) , have applied F-ENTROPY and
TOPSIS for ranking of life cycle sustainability performance.
Altuntas, Selim, and Dereli (2014) , utilized F-DEMATEL for solve
problem in facility layout production systems. Yeh, Pai, and Liao
(2014) , have used F-AHP and F-DEMATEL for identifying the critical
factors in NPD. Zare Mehrjerdi (2014) , implemented of SAW, TOP-
SIS and QSPM in selection of strategic system. Akdag, Kalaycı,
Karagöz, Zülﬁkar, and Giz (2014) , applied AHP, Yager’s min–max
and TOPSIS for evaluation of service quality in hospital. As an early
study in engineering, Simões-Marques et al. (2000) , evaluated
technical and operational factors for repair of equipment under
battle conditions by employed FMADM methodology.
In this survey, the researchers have reviewed a total of 217 arti-
cle papers in different ﬁelds of engineering. According to the
obtained results, industry engineering was ranked as the ﬁrst ﬁeld
in the publication of papers among other ﬁelds. In addition, based
on review ﬁndings, most of the sub-ﬁelds in industrial engineering
were related to supply chain issues. This result was also conﬁrmed
by other scholars (e.g., Behzadian et al. (2012) , indicating that, in
the TOPSIS application, most of review papers were related to sup-
ply chain issues. The results of this ﬁeld has shown that in the type
of FMCDM utilizing research 165 (76%), 39 (17.97%) papers are in
the type of FMCDM developing research, 11 papers (5.07%) were
FMCDM proposing research. Moreover, in case of the publicationyear, 42 papers were published in 2014, 32 papers in 2013, 25
papers in 2012, 39 papers in 2011, 26 papers in 2010, 18 papers
in 2009, 13 papers in 2008, 10 papers in 2007, four papers in
2006, two papers in 2005, two papers in 2004, one paper in
2003, two papers in 2002 and one paper in 1994. In addition, in
case of tools and approaches, 90 papers have employed fuzzy TOP-
SIS and combined it with other methods, 102 papers have
employed fuzzy AHP and combined it with other methods, 32
papers have employed fuzzy ANP and combined it with other
methods, 16 papers have employed fuzzy VIKOR and combined it
with other methods, 11 papers have employed ELECTRE and com-
bined it with other methods, 13 papers have employed DEMATEL
and combined it with other methods, 10 papers have employed
PROMETHEE and combined it with other methods, and 32 papers
have employed other combined tools and approaches such asARAS, WASPAS.
4.4. Management and business ﬁeld
In the ﬁeld of management and business, 122 studies have
applied fuzzy MCDM tools and applications. In this category, there
were some speciﬁc areas of management and business, including
quality management ( Amirzadeh & Shoorvarzy, 2013; Benítez,
Martín, & Román, 2007 ;Tseng, 2009b ), strategy management
issues ( Fouladgar, Yazdani-Chamzini, Lashgari, Zavadskas, &
Turskis, 2012; Liou, Tzeng, Tsai, & Hsu, 2011 ), human resource
(Dincer & Hacioglu, 2013 ), marketing ( Lin, Lee, & Chen, 2009 ), risks
management ( Bayrakdarog ˘lu & Yalçın, 2013; Ganguly & Guin,
2013 ), information management ( Aliei, Sazvar, & Ashraﬁ, 2012;
Kahraman, Engin, Kabak, & Kaya, 2009 ), organizational perfor-
mance ( Cho, Lee, Ahn, & Hwang, 2012; Rostamzadeh & Soﬁan,
2011 ), knowledge management ( Chen & Pang, 2010 ;Li, 2013 ), eco-
nomic issues ( Balezˇentis, Balez ˇentis, & Misiunas, 2012 ), and other
ﬁelds of management and business. Liu, Qin, Mao, and Zhang
(2014) , employed F-VIKOR for personal selection in HRM section
of organization. Zamani, Rabbani, Yazdani-Chamzini, and Turskis
(2014) , have used ARAS-F and ANP for extension of brand in mar-
keting strategies. Hajiagha, Mahdiraji, Zavadskas, and Hashemi
(2014) , developed F-VIKOR for solve problem in minimizing in
ideal and anti-ideal solution. Zhang and Xu (2014) , extended
Table 1
Summary of applications of the DM techniques.
DM techniques Frequency of application Percentage (%)
Hybrid FMCDM 141 13.04
Hybrid MCDM 215 19.89
AHP 171 15.82Fuzzy AHP 103 9.53Fuzzy TOPSIS 79 7.31TOPSIS 80 7.40ANP 38 3.52Fuzzy ANP 26 2.41PROMETHEE 20 1.85
OWA 28 2.59
DEMATEL 30 2.78VIKOR 22 2.04MCGDM 16 1.48ELECTRE 10 0.93Fuzzy VIKOR 16 1.48MCDA 7 0.65
Fuzzy ELECTRE 8 0.74
Fuzzy DEMATEL 9 0.83Fuzzy PROMETHEE 5 0.46FWA 1 0.09Fuzzy ENTROPY 4 0.37Other 52 4.81Total 1081 100.004130 A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148

Table 2
Distribution based on fuzzy AHP.
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Abdullah and Najib et al. (2014) Approach proposed Proposed new scale of preference based on IVIF-AHP for decision making problems
Vahdat, Smith, and Amiri (2014) Approach developed Implemented of F-AHP for ranking risk factors for assessment of performance
Kubler et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP for selection of data in communicating material
van de Kaa, Rezaei, Kamp, and de Winter
(2014)Utilized approach Used F-AHP for selection of photovoltaic technology system
Azadnia et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP and RBWF methods for selection of sustainable supplier
Dabbaghian, Hewage, Reza, Culver, and
Sadiq (2014)Utilized approach Used F-AHP for evaluation of performance in green roof systems
Abdullah and Najib (2014) Approach presented Presented a new IF-AHP for selection of energy technology
Dragovic ´, Turajlic ´, Radojevic ´, and Petrovic ´
(2014)Utilized approach Applied F-AHP for solving problems in the web service
Gürbüz, Albayrak, and Alaybeyog ˘lu (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP for analysis of marketing decisions and marketing strategies for
development of new product
Kahraman, Süder, and Kaya (2014) Utilized approach Used F-AHP for assessment of investment in the health research
Roy, Ray, and Pradhan (2014) Utilized approach Applied F-AHP for selection of process of non-traditional machining
Najaﬁ et al. (2014) Utilized approach Applied F-AHP for mineral prospectivity mapping in the eastern of Iran
Tansel _Iç, Yurdakul, and Dengiz (2013) Utilized approach Using a FAHP approach for robot selection
Vafai, Hadipour, and Hadipour (2013) Utilized approach Applied the FAHP in GIS environment for the sensitive coastal areas in Iran
Gülgen (2014) Utilized approach Employed FAHP weights in the road network hierarchy makes
Ganguly and Guin (2013) Utilized approach Using F-AHP for understanding of supply risks evaluation
Ertay, Kahraman, and Kaya (2013) Utilized approach Using FAHP and MACBETH for the evaluation of renewable energy
Bayrakdarog ˘lu and Yalçın (2013) Utilized approach Using FAHP to evaluating of operational risk factors of commercial banks
Ishizaka and Nguyen (2013) Utilized approach Application of FAHP for selecting of students bank accounts
Fu, Chang, Kao, Chiu, and Lu (2013) Utilized approach Using FAHP for Identiﬁcation of project training course
Jing, Chen, Zhang, and Peng (2013) Approach developed Developed hybrid FSAHP to aid decision making by incorporating fuzzy and stochastic
uncertainty
Rezaei, Ortt, and Scholten (2013) Approach developed Utilized approach FAHP for evaluation of entrepreneurship orientation
Akadiri et al. (2013) Utilized approach Employed FAHP for selection of materials in the building projects
Chou, Pham, and Wang (2013) Utilized approach Proposed the FAHP regression-based simulation for bidding strategy to support decision-
making
Tan, Aviso, Huelgas, and Promentilla
(2013)Approach developed Proposed a FAHP variant to selection of process engineering problems
Calabrese, Costa, and Menichini (2013) Utilized approach Application of FAHP for assets of intellectual capital
Chou, Liang, and Chang (2013) Approach developed Presented a new FAHP method, based on the concept of possibility extent, to solve the
FMCDM problem
He, Ho, Man, and Xu (2012) Utilized approach Proposed FAHP for solve the problems of multi-criteria transshipment
Tsai and Lin (2012) Utilized approach Applied FAHP for the alternatives on the basis of the indices of the worldwide best
indicators
Sevkli et al. (2012) Utilized approach Using of AHP for rank of SWOT factors
Zheng, Zhu, Tian, Chen, and Sun (2012) Utilized approach Applied FAHP for work assessment in humid and hot environments
Javanbarg et al. (2012) Utilized approach Implemented FAHP for evaluation and optimization of swarm particle
Gao and Hailu (2012) Utilized approach Used FAHP to evaluate of ﬁshing recreational in the system of coral reef
Duru, Bulut, and Yoshida (2012) Utilized approach Used RS-FAHP to improve traditional AHP by employ regime switching model
Gao et al. (2012) Approach developed Developed hierarchical FAHP for distribution of energy-efﬁcient clustering algorithm
Bilgen and S /C223en (2012) Utilized approach Using FAHP for selection of Six Sigma projects
Shakouri and Tavassoli (2012) Approach presented Composition of a FAHP and a FIS to differentiate between the criteria and attributed
weightings to the criteria
Gao and Hailu (2012) Utilized approach Using FAHP for evaluation approach to facilitate multi-criteria decision making
Cho et al. (2012) Utilized approach Applied FAHP for performance measurement of service supply chain
Lin and Twu (2012) Utilized approach Implemented of F-AHP for evaluation of fashion trend systems
Yueh-Hsiang Chen and Chao (2012) Utilized approach Applied of FAHP for vendor selection
Ju, Wang, and Liu (2012) Utilized approach Applied of FAHP and 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic to evaluation of response capacity
Samvedi, Jain, and Chan (2012) Utilized approach Integrated the FAHP and grey relational analysis approaches for the selection of a machine
tools
Büyüközkan (2012) Utilized approach Applied a FAHP to rank the green suppliers
Das, Sarkar, and Ray (2012) Utilized approach Using COPRAS methodology and FAHP to measure relative performance of Indian technical
institutions
Rajput, Milani, and Labun (2011) Approach developed Developed FAHP for statistical weighting and time dependency of decisions
Labib (2011) Utilized approach Comparison of FAHP and fuzzy logic for selection of supplier
Li, Shi, and Wang (2011) Approach proposed Proposed FAHP for agile improvement system by using the action diagram and ECNN
Lu and Wang (2011) Utilized approach Application of FAHP to evaluation of project factors and criteria for ICP project
Zhang, Gu, Gu, and Zhang (2011) Utilized approach Utilized approach FAHP and LCA for performance evaluation in building energy
conservation
Zangoueinezhad and Moshabaki (2011) Utilized approach Using F-AHP for analysis of university performance criteria
Tseng, Lin, and Chen (2011) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP for priority and identify of e-learning systems efﬁciency
Mikaeil, Ataei, and Youseﬁ (2011) Utilized approach Application of FAHP for predicting of vibration rock sawing
Chiouy, Chou, and Yeh (2011) Utilized approach Using of F-AHP for ranking of supplier selection and evaluation
Zangoueinezhad, Azar, and Kazazi (2011) Utilized approach Using FAHP for supply chain competitiveness positioning
Ustundag and Serdar Kilinc (2011) Utilized approach Applied FAHP to select the best science park
Büyüközkan, Çifçi, and Güleryüz (2011) Utilized approach Using FAHP to evaluation of service quality framework
Padma and Balasubramanie (2011) Utilized approach Applied FAHP for the forecasting on neck and shoulder pains
Durán (2011) Utilized approach Applied FAHP for selection computer-aided maintenance management systems
An, Chen, and Baker (2011) Utilized approach Application FAHP in railway risk information system
Lee, Mogi, Lee, and Kim (2011) Utilized approach Employed FAHP for rank weights of hydrogen energy technology in the sector of hydrogen
(continued on next page )A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148 4131

Table 2 (continued )
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
economy
Majumdar (2010) Utilized approach Used FAHP for raw material selection in industry of textile spinning
Lee, Mogi, Lee, Hui, and Kim (2010) Utilized approach Utilized approach FAHP and DEA for R&D efﬁciency performance in the national hydrogen
energy
Shen et al. (2010) Utilized approach Utilized approach FAHP for solution of problems in Renewable Energy Development Bill
S/C223en and Çınar (2010) Utilized approach Combined FAHP and max–min approach for pre-allocation and evaluation of operators
Kahraman, Beskese, and Kaya (2010) Utilized approach Application of FAHP for the selection among ERP outsourcing alternatives
S/C223en, S /C223en, and Bas /C223lıgil (2010) Utilized approach Application of FAHP and max–min method for supplier pre-selection
Vadrevu, Eaturu, and Badarinath (2010) Utilized approach Integrated FAHP and GIS for evaluation of forest risk ﬁre
Kahraman and Kaya (2010) Utilized approach Suggested FAHP for the selection of energy policies indicators
Rezaei and Dowlatshahi (2010) Utilized approach Applied fuzzy logic and AHP for classiﬁcation inventory
Chen, Wang, Chen, and Lee (2010) Utilized approach Application FAHP for selection of R&D strategic alliance partner’’
Chamodrakas, Batis, and Martakos (2010) Utilized approach Application of FAHP for selection of supplier in electronic marketplaces
Ayag˘(2010) Utilized approach Applied the FAHP for the organization real-life product
Ali, Shil, Nine, Khan, and Hoque (2010) Utilized approach Using VSFI by integrating FCM algorithm with AHP for vendor selection
Heo, Kim, and Boo (2010) Utilized approach Using the FAHP to establish the criteria and factors for renewable energy
Amir Azadeh, Osanloo, and Ataei (2010) Utilized approach Using fuzzy FAHP approach Nicholas technique to selection of mining method
Jaskowski, Biruk, and Bucon (2010) Approach developed Application of FAHP for facilitates deﬁning criteria weights by aggregation
Güngör, Serhadlıog ˘lu, and Kesen (2009) Utilized approach Proposed FAHP for personnel selection system
Cebeci (2009) Utilized approach Using of FAHP for compare ERP systems solutions
Li and Huang (2009) Utilized approach Combined TRIZ and FAHP for designing the automated manufacturing systems
Naghadehi et al. (2009) Utilized approach Applied FAHP for selecting and best criteria underground mining in Iran
Sun et al. (2009) Utilized approach Used FAHP for determine weights for evaluating of dimensions
Tang (2009) Utilized approach Applied FAHP and AIP for budget allocation for aerospace company
Lin et al. (2009) Utilized approach Applied FAHP for evaluation of service performance in foreign travel industry
Tseng, Lin, and Chiu (2009) Utilized approach Applied FAHP for successful implementation and adoption of CP in Taiwan
Lee (2009) Utilized approach Evaluated of buyer–supplier forms based on FAHP technique
Tseng, Chiu, and Chen (2009) Utilized approach Using AHP, fuzzy multi-criteria and DEA to determine the business performance
Chang, Wu, and Chen (2008) Utilized approach Employed FAHP for tackling the imprecision of silicon wafer slicing and uncertainty
Cakir and Canbolat (2008) Utilized approach Using FAHP for inventory classiﬁcation system
Chang, Hung, Li, and Hsu (2008) Utilized approach Employed FAHP to for use in managing of strategies industrial development
Dag˘deviren and Yüksel (2008) Utilized approach Employed FAHP to determine FBR in work systems
Lee, Chen, and Chang (2008) Utilized approach FAHP approach applied to evaluation of BSC performance indicators
Chiang, Guo, and Pai (2008) Utilized approach Utilized F-AHP to determine levels of WIP acceptable set
Wang, Luo, and Hua (2008) Review Reviewed on FAHP and its applications
Wang and Chen (2008) Utilized approach Using FAHP to derive pairwise comparison matrices
Pan (2008) Approach developed Employed FAHP approach for selection of the suitable bridge construction
Chan and Kumar (2007) Approach developed Using of FEAHP for selection of global supplier
Wang, Chu, and Wu (2007) Utilized approach Employed FAHP to selecting the best strategies of maintenance
Ma, Chen, and Wu (2007) Utilized approach Combined FAHP and image compositing technique for choosing the optimum product
Kreng and Wu (2007) Utilized approach Employed FAHP for evaluation of KPS development tools
Kang and Lee (2007) Utilized approach Construct an FAHP method and entropy weight for rank of different priority mixes
Bozbura, Beskese, and Kahraman (2007) Utilized approach Proposed FAHP for measurement indicators of human capital
Chan, Chan, Chan, and Humphreys (2006) Utilized approach Using FAHP for classiﬁcation of technology criteria selection
Ayag˘(2005) Utilized approach Using FAHP for NPD environment evaluation
Kapoor and Tak (2005) Utilized approach Application of FAHP to selection of robot problems
Cheng, Chen, and Yu (2005) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP for evaluating of strategy in broadband services
Büyüközkan and Feyzıog~lu (2004) Utilized approach Employed FAHP for selection of strategy problem for new product development
Hsieh, Lu, and Tzeng (2004) Utilized approach Using FAHP for selection of design and planning alternatives in public ofﬁce building
Kahraman, Cebeci, and Ulukan (2003) Utilized approach Employed the FAHP for selection of suppliers
Kuo, Chi, and Kao (2002) Utilized approach Using of FAHP to develop a decision support system for locating a new CVS
Cheng (1997) Approach proposed Developed FAHP for evaluation of naval tactical missile systems
Cheng and Mon (1994) Approach developed Proposed FAHP for evaluating weapon systems
Table 3
Distribution based on fuzzy ELECTRE.
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Vahdani, Mousavi, Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, and Hashemi
(2013)Proposed
approachExtension of the ELECTRE, for FMCGDM problems
Devi and Yadav (2013) Utilized approach Applied F-ELECTRE for selecting of the best plant locations problems
Rouyendegh and Erkan (2013) Utilized approach Using F-ELECTRE for the selection of academic staffs
Hatami-Marbini, Tavana, Moradi, and Kangi (2013) Utilized approach Present a fuzzy group ELECTRE method for health assessment safety
Sepehriar, Eslamipoor, and Nobari (2013) Approach
developedEmployed F-ELECTRE for selection of the best supplier
Vahdani and Hadipour (2011) Approach
developedPresented F-ELECTRE for solving MCDM problems based on interval-value
Wu and Chen (2011) Utilized approach Proposed intuitionistic F-ELECTRE, for solving MCDM problems
Sevkli (2010) Utilized approach Proposed F-ELECTRE to determine the criteria of supplier selection
Montazer, Saremi, and Ramezani (2009) Utilized approach Employed the F-ELECTRE III for rank the vendors based on the DSS evaluations of the
vendors4132 A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148

TOPSIS based on Pythagorean under fuzzy environment. Moghimi
and Anvari (2014) , have employed F-AHP and TOPSIS for evaluat-
ing of performance in cements ﬁrms. Safaei Ghadikolaei, Khalili
Esbouei, and Antucheviciene (2014) , have employed F-AHP, F-COP-
RAS, F-VIKOR, and ARAS-F for performance evaluation in Iranian
companies. In this category, some previous studies, for example,
(Ma, Chang, & Hung, 2013 ), integrated Delphi method and fuzzy
AHP for the selection of technology process. Tsai, Chang, and Lin
(2010) , used fuzzy AHP and Delphi for evaluating the performance
in hospital organization. Tavana, Zandi, and Katehakis (2013) , have
applied group FANP and TOPSIS to assess a community’s overall e-
government readiness. From among 122 studies, 10 (8.20%) papers
have been published in 2014, 19 (15.57%) papers have been pub-
lished in 2013, 22 (18.03%) papers in 2012, 26 (21.31%) papers in
2011, 13 (10.66%) papers in 2010, 14 (11.48%) papers in 2009, 8(6.56%) papers in 2008, three papers (2.46%) in 2007, two papers
(1.64%) in 2006, two papers (1.64%) in 2004, one paper (0.82%) in
2002, two papers (1.64%) in 2000. In case of the type of study, most
previous studies have been published in ﬁeld of management and
business using fuzzy MCDM, the numbers of papers that FMCDM
utilizing research are 107 (87.70%) papers, 13 (10.66%) papers as
FMCDM developing research, in the FMCDM proposing research
only two paper (1.64%) published, and one paper (0.82%) was as
review paper. The percentages of this section show that most of
the studies in the management and business ﬁeld have imple-
mented the fuzzy MCDM as tools and methods for their decision
making problems rather than developing and proposing these
fuzzy MCDM tools and applications. In the category of tools and
application, researchers in management and business ﬁelds have
applied 45 papers fuzzy TOPSIS and mixed it with other methods,
64 papers have used fuzzy AHP and mixed it with other methods,
15 papers have used fuzzy ANP and mixed it with other methods,
13 papers have used fuzzy VIKOR and mixed it with other methods,
six papers have used fuzzy DEMATEL and mixed it with other
methods, and 15 papers have used other mixed tools and applica-
tions such as ARAS-F, F-ELECTRE, F-COPRAS and so on.
4.5. Science and technology ﬁeld
Science and technology also was two of the four categories of
this survey, which includes 63 papers. In this category there weresome speciﬁc ﬁelds of science, include mathematic ( Abdullah &
Najib, 2014a; Abdullah & Najib, 2014b; Kelemenis & Askounis,
2010 ), energy and environmental ( Akadiri, Olomolaiye, & Chinyio,
2013; Bagoc ˇius et al., 2014; Kabak, Köse, Kırılmaz, & Burmaog ˘lu,
2014; Shen, Lin, Li, & Yuan, 2010 ), transportation ( Awasthi &
Chauhan, 2011 ), natural resource and environmental management
(Lee, Mogi, Kim, & Gim, 2008; Yazdani-Chamzini, 2014 ) and oper-
ations research ( Antuchevic ˇiene, 2005; Sun, Lin, & Tzeng, 2009;
Zavadskas, Antucheviciene, et al., 2014 ), and other areas related
to the science and technology category . Najaﬁ, Karimpour, and
Ghaderi (2014) , applied F-AHP for mineral prospectively mapping
in the eastern of Iran. Ribeiro, Falcão, Mora, and Fonseca (2014) ,
proposed algorithm by applied FMCDM and mixture aggregation
operators based on weighting functions for spacecraft landing with
hazard avoidance. Hadi-Vencheh and Mohamadghasemi (2014) ,
utilized F-TOPSIS, F-VIKOR and FWA selection of materials equip-
ment problems. Gao, Jin, Song, Xu, and Wang (2012) , developed
hierarchical FAHP for distribution of energy-efﬁcient clustering
algorithm. Javanbarg, Scawthorn, Kiyono, and Shahbodaghkhan
(2012) , implemented FAHP for evaluation and optimization of
swarm particle. Gao and Hailu (2012) , used FAHP to evaluate of
ﬁshing recreational in the system of coral reef. Naghadehi,
Mikaeil, and Ataei (2009) , applied FAHP for selecting and best cri-
teria underground mining in Iran. Results of these categories
showed that From 63 published article papers, 49 studies
(77.78%) were FMCDM utilizing research, 11 studies (17.46%) were
FMCDM developing research and methods and three studies
(4.76%) have proposing new approaches and methods based on
fuzzy MCDM tools and applications. These studies have published
in the following years: 16 papers (25.40%) in 2014, six papers
(9.52%) in 2013, nine papers (14.29%) in 2012, 12 papers
(19.05%) in 2011, eight papers (12.70%) in 2010, and three papers
(4.76%) in 2009, two papers (3.17%) in 2008, two papers (3.17%)
in 2007, one paper (1.59%) in 2006, three papers (4.76%) in 2005,
and one paper (1.59%) in 1997. In case of the implementation of
tools and applications in this category, 15 cases have utilized fuzzy
TOPSIS and integrated it with other methods, 32 cases have uti-
lized fuzzy AHP and integrated it with other methods; eight papers
have utilized fuzzy DEMATEL and integrated it with other meth-
ods, ﬁve studies have utilized fuzzy VIKOR and integrated it with
other methods.
Table 4
Distribution based on fuzzy DEMATEL.
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Keskin (2014) Utilized approach Applied fuzzy C-means clustering and F-DEMATEL for selection and evaluation supplier performance
Jeng and Tzeng (2012) Utilized approach Applies DEMATEL technique to explore the UTAUT variables
Wu (2012) Utilized approach Used F-DEMATEL to success implementation of KM based on CSF’s
Zhou, Huang, and Zhang (2011) Utilized approach F-DEMATEL to ﬁgure out CSFs in accordance with potentially numerous criteria
Lee, Li, Yen, and Huang (2011) Approach developed Developed F-DEMATEL for evaluation of technology acceptance models problems
Tseng (2010) Utilized approach Employed F-DEMATEL for evaluation of EKMC ﬁrms
Tseng (2009) Utilized approach Application of F-DEMATEL to ranking of real estate agent service quality expectation
Lin and Wu (2008) Utilized approach Proposed F-DEMATEL to selection of R&D project in Taiwanese companies
Wu and Lee (2007) Utilized approach Used F-DEMATEL for better promoting the competency development of global managers
Table 5
Distribution based on fuzzy PROMETHEE.
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Gupta, Sachdeva, and Bhardwaj (2012) Utilized approach Employed the F-PROMETHEE method for logistic provider selection
Yilmaz and Dag ˘deviren (2011) Approach developed Combined zero–one goal programming and F-PROMETHEE for equipment selection
Chen, Wang, and Wu (2011) Utilized approach Applied F-PROMETHEE to evaluate suppliers
Saidi Mehrabad and Anvari (2010) Utilized approach Application of fuzzy C-Means and F-PROMETHEE for evaluation of FMS
Halouani, Chabchoub, and Martel (2009) Approach developed Integrated linguistic 2-tuples and PROMETHEE for selection of facilitate project taskA. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148 4133

Table 6
Distribution based on fuzzy TOPSIS.
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Zagorskas et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed fuzzy gray TOPSIS for selection of best alternatives in the brick wall insulation
Liu, Ren, Wu, and Lin (2014) Utilized approach Implemented of ITL-TOPSIS for selection of optimal robots in manufacturing
Kurt (2014) Utilized approach Used of F-TOPSIS and Choquet fuzzy for selection of nuclear power plant location
Mokhtari et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed of F-TOPSIS for selection of well control system in oil industry
Wang (2014) Approach developed Developed FMCDM to solve problems in FMCDM based on TOPSIS
Mokhtarian, Sadi-nezhad, and Makui (2014) Approach proposed Proposed IVF-TOPSIS for solve problems in selection of facility location
Li et al., 2014 Utilized approach Used TOPSIS and QFD for selection and evaluation of KMS under fuzzy environment
Mokhtarian (2014) Approach developed Extended the F-TOPSIS for solve problem in MCDM methods based on previous studies
Maldonado-Macías, Alvarado, García, and
Balderrama (2014)Utilized approach Used F-TOPSIS for assessment of ergonomic compatibility in advance manufacturing
technology
Arabzad, Ghorbani, Razmi, and Shirouyehzad
(2014)Utilized approach Employed F-TOPSIS for selection of supplier and allocation problem
Zhang and Xu (2014) Approach developed Extended TOPSIS based on Pythagorean under fuzzy environment
Kilic (2013) Approach developed Integrated of FTOPSIS and linear programming model for selection of suppliers
Roshandel, Miri-Nargesi, and Hatami-Shirkouhi
(2013)Utilized approach Using the hierarchical FTOPSIS for selection of suppliers in Iran
Kim, Chung, Jun, and Kim (2013) Utilized approach Developed an F-TOPSIS for treated wastewater (TWW)
Dymova, Sevastjanov, and Tikhonenko (2013) Approach Proposed Proposed a new TOPSIS method which is free of known methods limitations and heuristic
assumptions
Wang and Chan (2013b) Utilized approach Using hierarchical F-TOPSIS to evaluation of different green initiatives
Wang and Chan (2013) Utilized approach Implemented of hierarchical F-TOPSIS for evaluation of green supply chain performance
Li (2013) Utilized approach Using F-TOPSIS for evaluation and selection of knowledge management system
Amirzadeh and Shoorvarzy (2013) Utilized approach Application of FTOPSIS for evaluation of banks quality elements by SERVQUAL
Singh and Benyoucef (2013) Utilized approach Using F-TOPSIS for coordination of supply chain, i.e., selection problems
Shen, Olfat, Govindan, Khodaverdi, and Diabat
(2013)Utilized approach Applied F-TOPSIS to generate an overall performance score for supplier
Vinodh, Mulanjur, and Thiagarajan (2013) Utilized approach Proposed F-TOPSIS to select the criteria for sustainability among several sustainability
criteria
Maity and Chakraborty (2013) Utilized approach Applied F-TOPSIS to solve grinding wheel abrasive material selection problem
Dymova, Sevastjanov, and Tikhonenko (2013) Approach developed Extended F-TOPSIS for compromise solution to a FMCDM problem
Tansel _Iç (2012) Utilized approach Proposed FTOPSIS and LP approaches for the banks to determine the credit risks
Rouhani, Ghazanfari, and Jafari (2012) Approach developed Application of F-TOPSIS for business intelligence system
Huang and Peng (2012) Approach developed Employed the Fuzzy Rasch in TOPSIS to analyze the TDC in nine Asian countries
Uysal and Tosun (2012) Utilized approach Implemented of F-TOPSIS for selection of maintenance systems
Arslan and Çunkas /C223(2012) Utilized approach Applied F-TOPSIS for evaluation performance in Sugar Plants
Vahdani, Mousavi, and Tavakkoli-Moghaddam
(2011)Approach developed Proposed fuzzy modiﬁed TOPSIS for rapid prototyping process selection and the robot
selection
Boran, Genç, and Akay (2011) Approach developed Extended and proposed the F-TOPSIS to select appropriate personnel among candidates
Chamodrakas, Leftheriotis, and Martakos (2011) Approach developed A fuzzy approach for ranking alternatives in MADM problems based on TOPSIS
Awasthi, Chauhan, Omrani, and Panahi (2011) Utilized approach Presented an F-TOPSIS for evaluation of service quality in urban transportation systems
Afshar, Mariño, Saadatpour, and Afshar (2011) Utilized approach Employed F-TOPSIS for solve the problems in real water resource management in Iran
Awasthi, Chauhan, and Omrani (2011) Utilized approach Employed F-TOPSIS for assessment and selection of transportation systems
Yang, Bonsall, and Wang (2011) Utilized approach Using F-TOPSIS for vessel selection under uncertain environment
Soner Kara (2011) Utilized approach Used F-TOPSIS for ranking and selection of potential suppliers’ problems
Singh and Benyoucef (2011) Utilized approach Used F-TOPSIS to solution of MCDM problems in selection of supply chain coordination
Kaya and Kahraman (2011) Approach developed Modiﬁed F-TOPSIS methodology for the selection of the best energy technology
La Scalia, Aiello, Rastellini, Micale, and Cicalese
(2011)Approach developed Utilized TOPSIS for transplantation of the pancreatic islet
Eraslan and Iç (2011) Utilized approach Employed F-TOPSIS for socio-economic level of geographical investment regions
Kelemenis, Ergazakis, and Askounis (2011) Utilized approach Extended of F-TOPSIS for selection of support managers
Liao and Kao (2011) Utilized approach This study proposes integrated fuzzy TOPSIS and MCGP for supplier selection problem
Torlak, Sevkli, Sanal, and Zaim (2011) Utilized approach Using F-TOPSIS for business competition in the Turkish domestic airline industry
Tan (2011) Approach developed Developed FGDM using Choquet integral based TOPSIS
Amiri and Golozari (2011) Proposed approach Application of F-TOPSIS for critical path by using quality, cost, time, risk criteria
Jiang, Chen, Chen, and Yang (2011) Approach developed Proposed F-TOPSIS and Fuzzy BS for solve Group Belief MCDM problems
Krohling and Campanharo (2011) Utilized approach Applies F-TOPSIS for GDM in accidents with oil spill in the sea
Iç and Yurdakul (2010) Utilized approach Applied F-TOPSIS for model of credit scoring in manufacturing industries
Kelemenis and Askounis (2010) Utilized approach Applied F-TOPSIS for personal selection and ranking alternatives
Kaya and Kahraman (2010) Proposed approach Modiﬁed FTOPSIS for the selection of the energy technology alternatives
Sadi-Nezhad and Khalili Damghani (2010) Approach developed Developed a TOPSIS for a FMCGDMP
Cavallaro (2010) Utilized approach Proposed F-TOPSIS to investigate the feasibility of utilizing a molten salt
Roghanian, Rahimi, and Ansari (2010) Proposed approach Evolution of ﬁrst aggregation and last aggregation in fuzzy group TOPSIS
Yu and Hu (2010) Utilized approach Employed F-TOPSIS method to evaluate the performance of multiple manufacturing
plants
(Sun and Lin (2009) Utilized approach Application of F-TOPSIS for evaluation of competitive advantages of shopping websites
Saremi, Mousavi, and Sanayei (2009) Utilized approach Using F-TOPSIS for selection of TQM external consultant environment
Ashtiani, Haghighirad, and Makui (2009) Approach developed Presented new approach of FTOPSIS for solving MCDM problems in which the weights of
criteria are unequal
Chu and Lin (2009) Approach developed Suggested an F-TOPSIS for the interval arithmetic
Kahraman et al. (2009) Utilized approach Application of F-TOPSIS for selection of information systems outsourcing
Zeydan and Çolpan (2009) Utilized approach Application of DEA and F-TOPSIS for measurement performance
Athanasopoulos, Riba, and Athanasopoulou
(2009)Utilized approach Combined the F-TOPSIS and Max–Min set for calculation the ordering value of the
alternatives
Yurdakul and _Iç (2009) Utilized approach Using of F-TOPSIS to derive quality indexes for electronic packages4134 A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148

4.6. Distribution based on fuzzy MCDM and MCDM tools and
approaches
Table 1 shows frequency of both fuzzy MCDM and MCDM tools
and approaches. Based on results presented in this table, a total of
1081 studies have employed these two kinds of DM tools and
approaches, whereas 403 studies have used fuzzy MCDM and
745 studies have utilized MCDM. This table shows that hybrid
FMCDM has been used more than other tools and approaches.
The second one is the MCDM tools and approaches and traditionalAHP is the third in this ranking. The frequency of other tools and
approaches are presented in Table 1 .
4.7. Distribution based on fuzzy MCDM tools and approaches
Tables 2–9 show implementation of each fuzzy MCDM tools
and approaches. Based on results presented in these tables, a total
of 403 studies have employed fuzzy DM tools and approaches,
these tables show that fuzzy AHP with 100 papers has been used
more than other tools and approaches. The second one is the otherTable 6 (continued )
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Chen and Tsao (2008) Approach developed Presented interval-valued F-TOPSIS rankings determined by different distance measures
Wang (2008) Utilized approach Utilized F-TOPSIS for evaluation of airlines ﬁnancial performance
Mahdavi, Mahdavi-Amiri, Heidarzade, and
Nourifar (2008)Approach developed Designed an F-TOPSIS for obtain the ideal solutions in fuzzy environment
Kahraman, Çevik, Ates, and Gülbay (2007) Proposed approach Proposed a fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS for the evaluation of multi-criteria in the industrial
robotic systems
Kahraman, Ates, Çevik, and Gülbay (2007) Utilized approach Developed fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS and applied to an e-service provider selection
problem
Benítez et al. (2007) Utilized approach Application of F-TOPSIS for service quality measurement in hotel industry
Wang and Lee (2007) Approach developed Generalized TOPSIS to FMCGDM in a fuzzy environment
Kahraman, Ates, Çevik, Gülbay, and Erdogan
(2007)Utilized approach Applied the ‘‘Hierarchical F-TOPSIS for selection of logistics information
Wang and Chang (2007) Utilized approach Employed F-TOPSIS for evaluation initial training aircraft
Dimova, Sevastianov, and Sevastianov (2006) Approach developed Proposed F-TOPSIS for supplier selection problems in the supply chain system
Chen, Lin, and Huang (2006) Approach developed Developed F-TOPSIS to deal with the supplier selection problems in the supply chain
Yong (2006) Utilized approach Using F-TOPSIS for selection of plant location
Wang and Elhag (2006) Approach developed Proposed a F-TOPSIS method for evaluation of risk assessment
Yong and Qi (2005) Utilized approach Proposed a new centroid-index ranking method of fuzzy numbers by using TOPSIS
Antuchevic ˇiene (2005) Approach developed Developed F-TOPSIS for solving problems in the crisp value to model real-life situations
Karsak (2002) Approach developed Developed F-TOPSIS to considering strategic performance and economic criteria
Chen (2000) Approach developed Extended the F-TOPSIS for group decision making environment
Chen (2000) Approach developed Developed TOPSIS in fuzzy environment for group decision making
Table 7
Distribution based on fuzzy ANP.
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Rabbani et al. (2014) Utilized approach Implemented of fuzzy COPRAS, ANP and SBSC for evaluation of performance in
Iranian oil companies
Kabak et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-ANP for evaluation of performance in building energy
Gürbüz and Albayrak (2014) Utilized approach Used ANP and Choquet Integral under fuzzy environment for assessment of HRM
performance
Palanisamy and Zubar (2013) Utilized approach Using F-QFD, ANP and mathematical for rank of vendor
Tavana, Momeni, Rezaeiniya, Mirhedayatian, and
Rezaeiniya (2013)Utilized approach Using of COPRAS-G and FANP for selection of social media platform
Lin (2012) Utilized approach Integrated FANP with FMOLP for selection the best suppliers
Kang, Lee, and Yang (2012) Utilized approach Applied the FANP for selection of supplier about IC packaging
Vahdani, Hadipour, and Tavakkoli-Moghaddam (2012) Approach developed Proposed FANP to solution of MCDM problems
Yang and Chang (2012) Utilized approach Applied F-ANP for decision process of customers in bundles selection
Kuo and Liang (2011) Utilized approach Using the FANP construct fuzzy weights of all criteria for locations selection
Liou et al. (2011) Utilized approach Combined FANP and fuzzy preference programming to selection of strategic
alliances partners
Büyüközkan and Çifçi (2011) Utilized approach Employed the FANP for selection of supplier with incomplete information
Vinodh, Anesh Ramiya, and Gautham (2011) Utilized approach Employed the FANP for selection of supplier in manufacturing organization
Chang, Horng, and Lin (2011) Utilized approach Using FANP for experts’ knowledge-based systems algorithm
Chang, Horng, and Lin (2011) Utilized approach Using F-ANP for evaluation of management decision making
Özgen and Tanyas (2011) Utilized approach Proposed the FANP for selection of international roads and broker agencies
Ayag˘and Özdemir (2011) Utilized approach Using of FANP for evolution the selection of machine tool
Boran and Goztepe (2010) Utilized approach Proposed an FANP for evaluation of vendor alternatives
Chen and Pang (2010) Utilized approach Using FANP for distribution of existing knowledge to create new knowledge
Vinodh, Gautham, Anesh Ramiya, and Rajanayagam
(2010)Utilized approach Using the FANP for selection concept selection in agile manufacturing
Ayag˘and Özdemir (2009) Utilized approach Employed the FANP for selection of ERP software problems
Tseng, Chiang, and Lan (2009) Utilized approach Applied FANP for selection the optimal supplier in SCMS
Tuzkaya and Önüt (2008) Utilized approach Applied FANP for large-sized real-life problem in the transportation projects
Ayag˘and Özdemir (2007) Utilized approach Presented FANP for selection of ERP software problem
Mikhailov and Tsvetinov (2004) Proposed approach Proposed FANP for imprecision of the service evaluation process and tackling the
uncertainty
Pang and Bai (2013) Utilized approach Using FANP for selection a supplier alternative and evaluation
Moalagh and Ravasan (2013) Utilized approach Using FANP for assessment ERP post-implementation successA. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148 4135

and integrated papers of fuzzy MCDM tools and approaches and
fuzzy TOPSIS is the third in this ranking.
4.8. Distribution based on publication year
Fig. 2 presents important evidence based on the frequency of
distribution by the year of publication. The results indicate that
from 1994 to 2014, the information about the use of fuzzy MCDM
and MCDM tools and approaches have grown increasingly. Accord-
ing to the ﬁndings of this section, the use of these tools and
approaches in 1994 was four papers and this number increasedto 10 papers in 1996. Surprisingly, from 2008 to 2009, the numbers
of studies have dramatically increased. Although the use of fuzzy
MCDM and MCDM tools and approaches have increased in each
year, the number of those papers in 2012 (171) have decreased
compared to 2011 (176). Another interesting result in this table
is about 2013 which previous studies have applied tools and tech-
niques more than other years. This year has the highest number of
publications (188). Accordingly, it can be indicated that research-
ers in different ﬁelds and categories use the fuzzy MCDM and
MCDM tools and approaches nowadays in their research, and it
can be predicted that in coming years, these numbers will increase.
4.9. Author distribution by nationality
Table 10 presents the nationality of the authors who have uti-
lized the fuzzy MCDM and MCDM approaches in their studies. As
can be seen, 59 countries have contributed to this survey. In addi-tion, the table reveals that most of the papers are from Taiwan
(21.46%), Turkey (12.21%), Iran (11.19%) and China (10.73%). These
results with a few differences and similarities were conﬁrmed by
other review papers such as Behzadian et al. (2012) that ranked
Taiwan as the ﬁrst country, China as the second, and Iran as the
third one.
5. Discussion
This study attempted to review papers published during
20 years (1994–2014) about fuzzy MCDM in popular international
journals, which are accessible database systems such as ScienceDi-
rect, Springer, Emerald, John Wiley, ProQuest, and Taylor & Francis.
The ﬁrst aim of this paper was systematically reviewing the studies
conducted based on fuzzy MCDM tools and approaches. To this
end, in the ﬁrst step, a total of 1081 published papers about fuzzyMCDM and MCDM were systematically and carefully chosen and
summarized based on title, abstract, introduction, research
method, and conclusion. In the next step, according to the prede-
ﬁned objective of this study, those papers related to fuzzy MCDM
tools and approaches were selected. From 1081 articles, 403 stud-
ies (37.28%) have been focused on fuzzy DM tools and approaches
and 678 studies (62.72%) have used DM tools and approaches. In
this review, the obtained results were analyzed based on six
research questions; these questions were (1) which fuzzy and
non-fuzzy DM techniques have frequently been applied? (2) Which
type of study has applied these fuzzy MCDM techniques? (3)
Which one of the four ﬁelds (i.e., science, business, technology,
and engineering) has used further the fuzzy MCDM techniques
types? (4) What kind of fuzzy MCDM techniques have been
employed in these years based on the four ﬁelds? (5) Which coun-
tries have published these fuzzy MCDM tools based on the number
of publications in these four ﬁelds? And ﬁnally, (6) in which year
authors have further published fuzzy MCDM tools based on fre-
quency in the four ﬁelds? To answer the ﬁrst question, we consid-
ered the results presented in Table 1 that showed the number and
percentage of those DM tools and approaches in both fuzzy and
non-fuzzy MCDM. This table revealed that hybrid fuzzy MCDM
was ranked as the ﬁrst tool among other tools and approaches;
additionally, in the individual tools and approaches, AHP and fuzzy
AHP were ranked as the second and third tools. The results
obtained for this question were presented in Table 1 . To answer
the second question, we read the methodology section of eachpaper very carefully and classiﬁed the studies in three types. Based
on our reading, some studies have used fuzzy and non-fuzzy DM as
tool and technique for solve decision-making problems. Based on
our experience and discussions held with some experts on fuzzy
and non-fuzzy DM issues about this type of studies, we decided
to call this type of study FMCDM utilizing research. Some scholars
have attempted to develop fuzzy and non-fuzzy DM tools and
approaches based on their objectives; therefore, the FMCDM devel-
oping research is considered as the second type of study. Further-
more; our review indicated that some researchers have proposed
new approach based on fuzzy and non-fuzzy DM tools and tech-
niques, which we named FMCDM proposing research type. The
answers to questions three and four were presented sections
4.3–4.5 . These sections indicated that 90 papers have employed
fuzzy TOPSIS and combined it with other methods, 102 papers
have employed fuzzy AHP and combined it with other methods,
32 papers have employed fuzzy ANP and combined it with other
methods, 16 papers have employed fuzzy VIKOR and combined itTable 8
Distribution based on fuzzy VIKOR.
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Mokhtarian et al. (2014) Approach proposed Proposed IVF-VIKOR for solve problems in selection of facility location
Liu et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-VIKOR for personal selection in HRM section of organization
Hajiagha et al. (2014) Approach developed Developed F-VIKOR for solve problem in minimizing in ideal and anti-ideal solution
Kim and Chung (2013) Utilized approach Evaluated the vulnerability of the water supply in the South Korean by fuzzy VIKOR approach
Liao and Xu (2013) Approach developed Proposed the hesitant F-VIKOR for effective solving MCDM problems
Kumar, Singh, and Dureja (2012) Utilized approach Applied the F-VIKOR and CFPR for solution of logistic outsourcing problem
Yücenur and Demirel (2012) Utilized approach Applied extended VIKOR for the selection of best solution in Turkish insurance ﬁrms
Kuo and Liang (2012) Utilized approach Presented F-VIKOR to solve MCDM problems and performances
Jeya Girubha and Vinodh (2012) Utilized approach Extended the VIKOR for selection of materials problems
Kuo (2011) Proposed approach Proposed F-VIKOR, fuzzy sets and GRA improve levels of service quality
Shemshadi, Shirazi, Toreihi, and Tarokh
(2011)Approach developed Extended the VIKOR with a mechanism to extract and deploy objective weights based on
Shannon entropy concept
Park, Cho, and Kwun (2011) Approach developed Extended F-VIKOR for ranking and selection of optimal alternatives
Opricovic (2011) Approach developed Developed F-VIKOR for rank of fuzzy numbers
Sasikumar and Haq (2011) Utilized approach Proposed the F-VIKOR to determine the best 3PRLP selection process
Vahdani, Hadipour, Sadaghiani, and
Amiri (2010)Approach developed Presented F-VIKOR for solving MCDM problems based on interval-valued
Chen and Wang (2009) Utilized approach Using F-VIKOR for selection partners in IS/IT outsourcing projects4136 A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148

Table 9
Distribution based on other fuzzy tools and integrated studies such as F- COPRAS, ARAS-F and F-WASPAS.
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Akdag et al. (2014) Utilized approach Applied AHP, Yager’s min–max and TOPSIS for evaluation of service quality in hospital
Zare Mehrjerdi (2014) Utilized approach Implemented of SAW, TOPSIS and QSPM in selection of strategic system
Hadi-Vencheh and Mohamadghasemi (2014) Utilized approach Utilized F-TOPSIS, F-VIKOR and FWA selection of materials equipment problems
Yazdani-Chamzini et al. (2014) Utilized approach Used of AHP, TOPSIS and DEMATEL for investment strategy selection under fuzzy
environment
Gil-Lafuente, Merigó, and Vizuete (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP and FDM to evaluate of luxury resort hotels criteria
Rikhtegar et al. (2014) Utilized approach Applied F-SAW and ANP for assessment of risks pertaining in the mining projects
Azadnia et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP and RBWF methods for selection of sustainable supplier
Rabbani et al. (2014) Utilized approach Implemented of fuzzy COPRAS, ANP and SBSC for evaluation of performance in Iranian oil
companies
Tadic ´et al. (2014) Utilized approach Utilized fuzzy ANP, fuzzy VIKOR and fuzzy DEMATEL for selection of city logistics
Zavadskas, Antucheviciene et al. (2014) Approach developed Developed WASPAS and results compared with COPRAS-IVIF-TOPSIS-IVIF and IFOWA for
improve of WPM and WSM accuracy
Zavadskas, Turskis, and Bagoc ˇius (2014) Utilized approach Used ARAS-F and AHP for solve of problems in construction site selection in Eastern Baltic
see
Avikal, Mishra et al. (2014) Utilized approach Applied F-AHP and PROMETHEE approaches for selection tasks in disassembly line
Akdag et al. (2014) Utilized approach Used fuzzy set, AHP, TOPSIS, OWA and Yager’s min–max to evaluated of hospital service
quality
Rabbani et al. (2014) Utilized approach Used ANP, COPRAS and BSC approaches for assessment of performance in oil companies
Kucukvar et al. (2014) Utilized approach Applied F-ENTROPY and TOPSIS for ranking of life cycle sustainability performance
Vinodh, Prasanna, and Hari Prakash (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP and TOPSIS for selection and assessment of performance in plastic
recycling
Yeh et al. (2014) Utilized approach Used F-AHP and F-DEMATEL for identifying the critical factors in NPD
Tavana, Khalili-Damghani, and Rahmatian
(2014)Utilized approach Employed F-ANP, DEMATEL and F-DEA for evaluation of performance in pharmaceutical
companies
Wang and Wu (2014) Utilized approach Applied F-AHP, F-DEMATEL and FDM for evaluation of PLC
Anojkumar et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed FAHP-VIKOR, FAHP-PROMTHEE, FAHP-TOPSIS and FAHP-ELECTRE for selection
of material in sugar industry
Zavadskas, Antucheviciene, Hajiagha, and
Hashemi (2014)Approach developed Developed WASPAS-IVIF for evaluation of performance in MCDM problems
Hashemian et al. (2014) Utilized approach Applied F-AHP and F-PROMETHEE for assessment of supplier process
Ghorabaee et al. (2014) Utilized approach Used of F-COPRAS and interval type-2for selection of supplier
Moghimi and Anvari (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP and TOPSIS for evaluating of performance in cements ﬁrms
Uygun, Kaçamak, and Kahraman (2014) Utilized approach Utilized F-ANP and DEMATEL for selecting and evaluating of outsourcing provider
Avikal, Jain et al. (2014) Utilized approach Implemented of F-AHP, M-TOPSIS and KANO model for ranking the tasks in work stations
bade on their assignment
Liou, Chuang, and Tzeng (2014) Utilized approach Applied ANP and DEMATEL for improve and evaluate supplier
Safaei Ghadikolaei et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP, F-COPRAS, F-VIKOR, ARAS-F for performance evaluation in Iranian
companies
Kabir and Sumi (2014) Utilized approach Utilized F-AHP and PROMETHEE for selection of TQM consultant
Baykasoglu and Durmusoglu (2014) Utilized approach Implemented of FCM, ANP and DEMATEL for evaluation of private school in the primary
level
Bairagi et al. (2014) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP, F-VIKOR- F-TOPSIS and COPRAS-G for selection of robots
Keršuliene ˙and Turskis (2014) Utilized approach Utilized ARAS-F and AHP for selection of chief ofﬁcer in the accounting department
Zamani et al. (2014) Utilized approach Used ARAS-F and ANP for extension of brand in marketing strategies
Kaya and Kahraman (2014) Utilized approach Implemented of F-TOPSIS and F-AHP for performance evaluation of intelligent building
Yazdani-Chamzini (2014) Utilized approach Applied F-AHP and F-TOPSIS for selection and evaluation of the feasible handling
equipment
_Intepe, Bozdag, and Koc (2013) Utilized approach Applied MOLP and TOPSIS in order to determine assembly process
Sakthivel et al. (2013) Utilized approach Proposed TOPSIS, GRA and FAHP to assess the best fuel blend
Ghorbani, Mohammad Arabzad, and Shahin
(2013)Utilized approach Employed FAHP and F-TOPSIS to selection of supplier based on F-Kano
Tavana, Zandi et al. (2013) Utilized approach Applied group FANP and TOPSIS to assess a community’s overall e-government readiness
Samvedi, Jain, and Chan (2013) Utilized approach Integrated FAHP and F-TOPSIS for selection of risks in a supply chain
Jun, Chung, Kim, and Kim (2013) Utilized approach Using of TOPSIS, F-TOPSIS and WSM for determine the risks of ﬂood in South Korea
Hsu, Liou, and Chuang (2013) Approach developed Combined ANP and DEMATEL methods for selection of outsourcing provider
Tavana, Khalili-Damghani, and Abtahi (2013) Utilized approach Application of ANP and F-TOPSIS for selection of location international distribution center
Baykasog ˘lu, Kaplanog ˘lu, Durmus /C223og˘lu, and S /C223ahin
(2013)Utilized approach Integrating fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS and F-DEMATEL for selection of truck
Dincer and Hacioglu (2013) Utilized approach Employed of F-VIKOR and F-AHP for satisfy of customer in Turkish banks
Vinodh, Varadharajan, and Subramanian (2013) Utilized approach Employed F-TOPSIS and VIKOR for best concept to enhance the agility in product design
Lin (2013) Utilized approach Utilized of FDM, FAHP for evaluation of fashion design scheme criteria
Kahraman, Suder, and Cebi (2013) Utilized approach Employed F-AHP and F-TOPSIS to evaluation of NPD performance
Ma et al. (2013) Utilized approach Integrated Delphi method and FAHP for selection of technology process
Sari (2013) Utilized approach Integrated F-TOPSIS, FAHP and Monte Carlo simulation for RFID selection
Liu, Wu, and Li (2013) Utilized approach Proposed OWA operator and VIKOR- for evaluation HCW disposal methods
Zouggari and Benyoucef (2012) Utilized approach Employed FAHP and F-TOPSIS for suppliers’ selection
Kabak, Burmaog ˘lu, and Kazançog ˘lu (2012) Utilized approach Combined FANP, F-TOPSIS and F-ELECTRE sniper selection
Büyüközkan and Çifçi (2012) Utilized approach Combined F-DEMATEL, F-TOPSIS and F-ANP for supplier selection
Chou and Cheng (2012) Utilized approach Combined FANP and F-VIKOR for evaluation of website quality
Fouladgar, Yazdani-Chamzini, Lashgari et al.
(2012)Utilized approach Employed FAHP and COPRAS for evaluation of maintenance strategy
Choudhary and Shankar (2012) Utilized approach Applied F-AHP-TOPSIS for selecting and evaluating of optimal locations in TTPs
Yalcin, Bayrakdaroglu, and Kahraman (2012) Utilized approach Using FAHP, TOPSIS and VIKOR for evaluation of ﬁnancial performance
(continued on next page )A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148 4137

Table 9 (continued )
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Fouladgar, Yazdani-Chamzini, Zavadskas, and
Haji Moini (2012)Utilized approach Employed F-ANP and fuzzy COPRAS for working evaluation strategies
Balezˇentis et al. (2012) Utilized approach Using F-VIKOR, F-TOPSIS, and F-ARAS for economic sectors assessment
Aliei et al. (2012) Utilized approach Using FAHP and F-TOPSIS for technology information assessment
Hsu, Wang, and Tzeng (2012) Utilized approach Combined DEMATEL and ANP with VIKOR to solve the recycled materials
Chou, Sun, and Yen (2012) Utilized approach Using FAHP and F-DEMATEL to evaluate Taiwanese universities performance
Chen and Chen (2012) Utilized approach Application F-DEMATEL, FANP and FAHP for TQM measurement criteria performance
Zeki Ayag˘and Gürcan Özdemir (2012) Utilized approach Using ANP and modiﬁed TOPSIS for evaluation of machine tool alternatives
Taha and Rostam (2012) Utilized approach Employed FAHP and PROMETHEE to determine the weights of the criteria
Kutlu and Ekmekçiog ˘lu (2012) Utilized approach Application of FAHP and F-TOPSIS for failure effects and modes
Paksoy, Pehlivan, and Kahraman (2012) Utilized approach Using FAHP and F-TOPSIS for development of organization strategy in distribution
channel management
Demirel, Yücenur, Demirel, and Mus /C223dal (2012) Utilized approach Using FAHP and FANP for the evaluation of alternate land cover policies
Büyüközkan and Çifçi (2012) Utilized approach Application of F-DEMATEL, F-TOPSIS and FANP to evaluate the green supplier
Atalay and Eraslan (2012) Utilized approach Applied FAHP, F-TOPSIS, and FADT for electronic devices evaluation
Büyüközkan, Arsenyan, and Ruan (2012) Utilized approach Applied FAHP and F-TOPSIS for determine weights of criteria for selecting logistics tool
Chen and Yang (2011) Approach developed Employed the F-TOPSIS and FAHP for supplier selection
Kuo (2011) Approach developed Developed F-DEMATEL and TOPSIS for selection of location in center of international
distribution
Ka (2011) Utilized approach Applied F-ELECTRE and FAHP to selection of China dry port location
Tuzkaya, Gülsün, and Önsel (2011) Utilized approach Evaluation of MHESP by employ the FANP and F-PROMETHEE approaches
Deng and Chan (2011) Approach developed Combination of FST, TOPSIS and DST to deal with selection of supplier problem
Yu, Guo, Guo, and Huang (2011) Utilized approach Using AHP and F-TOPSIS for ranking of B2C e-commerce websites
Lashgari, Fouladgar, Yazdani-Chamzini, and
Skibniewski (2011)Utilized approach Combined FAHP F-TOPSIS in order to select a proper shaft sinking method
Shaﬁa, Mazdeh, Vahedi, and Pournader (2011) Utilized approach Used F-TOPSIS and SAW for evaluation of CRM performance based on BSC
Aydogan (2011) Utilized approach Integrated Rough-AHP and F-TOPSIS for ranking performance measurement in Turkish
aviation ﬁrms
Liao (2011) Utilized approach Applied FAHP and MSGP for select the best pricing strategy for NPD
Shen, Lin, and Tzeng (2011) Utilized approach Integrated FDM, DEMATEL and ANP for construct a technology selection model
Rostamzadeh and Soﬁan (2011) Utilized approach Using of FAHP and F-TOPSIS for prioritization effective of 7Ms performance
Kaya and Kahraman (2011) Utilized approach Integrated F-VIKOR and FAHP for selection of alternative forestation areas in Istanbul
Hung (2011) Utilized approach Integrated DEMATEL, FGP and ANP for activity-based divergent supply chain
Hadi-Vencheh and Mohamadghasemi (2011) Approach developed Implemented of FAHP, DEA and SAW for classify of ABC inventory
Dalalah, Hayajneh, and Batieha (2011) Utilized approach Modiﬁed F-DEMATEL and TOPSIS for evaluation and selection supplier based on criteria
Pires, Chang, and Martinho (2011) Utilized approach Employed AHP based on F-TOPSIS for evaluation of solid waste management in Portugal
Kahraman and Kaya (2011) Utilized approach Using F-AHP and F-ELECTURE for evaluation of websites quality levels
Fu, Chu, Chao, Lee, and Liao (2011) Utilized approach Applied FAHP and VIKOR for evaluation performance in 26 international hotels
Azadeh, Nazari-Shirkouhi, Hatami-Shirkouhi,
and Ansarinejad (2011)Utilized approach Combined FAHP and TOPSIS for productive operators’ assignment
Rathod and Kanzaria (2011) Utilized approach Application AHP, TOPSIS and F-TOPSIS to solve PCM selection problem
Ekmekçiog ˘lu, Kaya, and Kahraman (2010) Utilized approach Applied FAHP and modiﬁed F-TOPSIS for the selection of appropriate disposal method
and site for MSW
Chen and Chen (2010) Utilized approach Applied FAHP and VIKOR to complete the construction of the AIS
Liou and Chuang (2010) Utilized approach Used FMCDM and FAHP for determine reputation and n corporate image criteria
Tuzkaya, Gülsün, Kahraman, and Özgen (2010) Utilized approach Implemented of F-ANP and F-PROMETHEE for evaluation of material handling equipment
Kaya (2010) Utilized approach Application of FAHP and F-TOPSIS- for website quality evaluation
Dursun and Karsak (2010) Utilized approach Using of F-TOPSIS and OWA operator for personnel selection
Wang, Fan, and Wang (2010) Utilized approach Integrated FAHP, TOPSIS and FPP methods for aero engine health assessment’’
Önüt, Efendigil, and Soner Kara (2010) Utilized approach Combined FAHP and F-TOPSIS for selection the shopping center site
Chatterjee, Manikrao Athawale, and Chakraborty
(2010)Utilized approach Using VIKOR and ELECTRE to solve the robot selection problems
Chen and Hung (2010) Utilized approach Using F-AHP and F-TOSIS for selection of partners’ strategic manufacturing
Tsai et al. (2010) Utilized approach Employed FAHP and Delphi for evaluation of performance in hospital organization
Amiri (2010) Utilized approach Using F-TOPSIS and AHP to analyze the structure of the project selection problem
Chen and Wang (2010) Utilized approach Using FDM and FAHP for evaluation ﬁrms adjust business strategy
Sun (2010) Utilized approach Employed FAHP and FTOPSIS, for the evaluation of performance
Chen and Chen (2010) Utilized approach Applied VIKOR and FAHP for complete the construction of the AIS
Torﬁ, Farahani, and Rezapour (2010) Proposed approach Applied FTOPSIS and FAHP to determine the relative weights and rank the alternatives
Önüt, Kara, and Is /C223ik (2009) Utilized approach Developed a supplier evaluation approach based on the TOPSIS and ANP
Boran, Genç, Kurt, and Akay (2009) Utilized approach Combined F-TOPSIS and IFWA for select supplier in group decision making
Gumus (2009) Utilized approach Applied FAHP and TOPSIS for evolution of hazardous waste in transportation ﬁrms
Demirel, Mus /C223dal, Demirel, and Yücenur (2009) Utilized approach Using FAHP and FANP for agricultural strategy selection
Bashiri and Hosseininezhad (2009) Proposed approach Employed of FAHP and FIS for multi-facility location problems
Ertug ˘rul and Karakas /C223og˘lu (2009) Utilized approach Using FAHP and TOPSIS for evaluation of performance in Turkish cement ﬁrms
Wu, Tzeng, and Chen (2009) Utilized approach Using FAHP, TOPSIS, SAW and VIKOR for rank banking performance
Zaerpour, Rabbani, Gharehgozli, and Tavakkoli-
Moghaddam (2009)Utilized approach Employed FAHP and TOPSIS for classify of make to stock, make to order and hybrid
products
Mahdavi, Heidarzade, Sadeghpour-Gildeh, and
Mahdavi-Amiri (2009)Proposed approach Deﬁned FPIS and FNIS based of TOPSIS concept for decision making problems
Ilangkumaran and Kumanan (2009) Utilized approach Using of FAHP and F-TOPSIS for maintenance policy selection in textile industry
Büyüközkan and Ruan (2008) Utilized approach Presented the F-VIKOR and FMCDM for measuring of software development projects
performance
Hsia, Chen, and Chen (2008) Utilized approach Proposed FAHP and FMCDM to determine the relative weights between each independent
common factor4138 A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148

with other methods, 11 papers have employed ELECTRE and com-
bined it with other methods, 13 papers have employed DEMATEL
and combined it with other methods, 10 papers have employed
PROMETHEE and combined it with other methods, and 32 papers
have employed other combined tools and approaches such as
ARAS, WASPAS. In the category of tools and application, research-
ers in management and business ﬁelds have applied 45 papers
fuzzy TOPSIS and mixed it with other methods, 64 papers have
used fuzzy AHP and mixed it with other methods, 15 papers have
used fuzzy ANP and mixed it with other methods, 13 papers have
used fuzzy VIKOR and mixed it with other methods, six papers
have used fuzzy DEMATEL and mixed it with other methods, and
15 papers have used other mixed tools and applications such as
ARAS-F, F-ELECTRE, F-COPRAS and so on. In case of the implemen-
tation of tools and applications in this category, 15 cases have uti-
lized fuzzy TOPSIS and integrated it with other methods, 32 cases
have utilized fuzzy AHP and integrated it with other methods;
eight papers have utilized fuzzy DEMATEL and integrated it with
other methods, ﬁve studies have utilized fuzzy VIKOR andTable 9 (continued )
Authors Type of study Tools and approaches
Önüt, Kara, and Efendigil (2008) Utilized approach Application of FAHP and F-TOPSIS approaches for the selection of machine tools
Sheu (2008) Utilized approach Application of FAHP, FMCDM and TOPSIS in global logistics management
Lee et al. (2008) Utilized approach Implemented of FAHP and AHP for evaluation of hydrogen technology sector in Korea
Önüt and Soner (2008) Utilized approach Applied F-TOPSIS and FAHP to solve the solid waste transshipment site selection
Perçin (2008) Utilized approach Applied F-AHP, FTOPSIS for assessment of information sharing decision problems
Ertug ˘rul and Karakas /C223og˘lu (2008) Utilized approach Applied FAHP and F-TOPSIS for selection of facility location
Gharehgozli, Rabbani, Zaerpour, and Razmi
(2008)Utilized approach Employed TOPSIS and AHP for manufacturing system capacity
Kwok, Zhou, Zhang, and Ma (2007) Approach developed Using of fuzzy OWA operator and AHP for selection of students IS group projects
Bilsel, Büyüközkan, and Ruan (2006) Utilized approach Using AHP and F-PROMETHEE for determine the weights of hospital Web sites
Tesfamariam and Sadiq (2006) Utilized approach Used FAHP and AHP for vagueness type uncertainty in risk environments
Chen and Tzeng (2004) Approach developed Applied FAHP and FTOPSIS for selection expatriate host country
Tsaur, Chang, and Yen (2002) Utilized approach Using FAHP and F-TOPSIS for performance evaluation of three airline service quality
0 20040060080010001200
Fig. 2. Distribution of publications year.Table 10
Author Distribution by Nationality.
No. Country Frequency Percent (%) No. Country Frequency Percent (%)
1 Taiwan 232 21.46 31 Tunisia 4 0.37
2 Turkey 132 12.21 32 Saudi Arabia 3 0.283 Iran 121 11.19 33 Montenegro 3 0.28
4 China 116 10.73 34 Singapore 3 0.28
5 India 74 6.85 35 Jordan 2 0.196 USA 46 4.26 36 Oman 2 0.197 Republic of Korea 33 3.05 37 Denmark 2 0.198 UK 32 2.96 38 Slovenia 2 0.199 Italy 27 2.50 39 Kuwait 2 0.1910 Lithuania 22 2.04 40 Chile 2 0.1911 Canada 22 2.04 41 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 0.09
12 Spain 20 1.85 42 Hungary 1 0.09
13 Australia 17 1.57 43 Austria 1 0.0914 Malaysia 18 1.67 44 Israel 1 0.0915 Greece 14 1.30 45 Romania 1 0.0916 Hong Kong 12 1.11 46 Cuba 1 0.0917 France 12 1.11 47 Indonesia 1 0.0918 Poland 11 1.02 48 Yugoslavia 1 0.0919 Finland 10 0.93 49 Sweden 1 0.09
20 Portugal 9 0.83 50 Norway 1 0.09
21 Japan 7 0.65 51 Pakistan 1 0.0922 Germany 7 0.65 52 New Zealand 1 0.0923 Netherlands 7 0.65 53 Bangladesh 1 0.0924 South Africa 6 0.56 54 Cyprus 1 0.0925 Belgium 6 0.56 55 Morocco 1 0.0926 Serbia 6 0.56 56 Algeria 1 0.09
27 Brazil 5 0.46 57 Ireland 1 0.09
28 Mexico 5 0.46 58 Argentina 1 0.0929 Egypt 4 0.37 59 Philippines 1 0.0930 Thailand 4 0.37A. Mardani et al. / Expert Systems with Applications 42 (2015) 4126–4148 4139

integrated it with other methods. Question ﬁve was; which coun-
tries have published these fuzzy MCDM tools based on the number
of publications in these four ﬁelds? The results related to this ques-
tion were shown in Table 1 ). According to this table, the most con-
tributing countries are Taiwan (21.46%), Turkey (12.21%), Iran
(11.19%) and China (10.73%). The results for the last question were
presented in Table 10 . Question six was; which year authors have
further published fuzzy MCDM tools based on frequency in the
four ﬁelds? Accordingly, it can be indicated that, the use of these
tools and approaches in 1994 was four papers and this number
increased to 10 papers in 1996. Surprisingly, from 2008 to 2009,
the numbers of studies have dramatically increased. Although
the use of fuzzy MCDM and MCDM tools and approaches have
increased in each year, the number of those papers in 2012 (171)
have decreased compared to 2011 (176). Another interesting resultin this table is about 2013 which previous studies have applied
tools and techniques more than other years. This year has the high-
est number of publications (188).
6. Conclusion
In decision-making fuzzy applications and theories, different
modeling techniques have been offered, a number of suitable
approaches have been provided for modeling decision aiding, help
is provided for the development of alternatives as they consider
the complexity of the process. Choosing a problem solution
approach and a model is dependent upon the actors that are
involved in the process of decision making, desired goals, available
information, time, and so on. A number of branches of the fuzzy
decision theory have departed from the stand expected utility par-
adigm. The most important advantage of the fuzzy multiple criteria
methods is their capability of addressing the problems that are
marked by different conﬂicting interests. Using these techniques,
actors are capable of solving the problems that are not possible
to be solved by the use of common optimization models. This
review paper is mainly focused on the overview of the utilization
of fuzzy decision support tools, e.g., recent developments of fuzzy
models of multicriteria decision analysis. These tools are being
employed increasingly for the evaluation of alternatives and com-
parative analysis. Moreover, a number of signiﬁcant concepts are
discussed, which have not been addressed in previous studies.
We provide a systematically review of FMCDM which classify
papers in four difference main ﬁelds including engineering, sci-
ence, technology and science. Several signiﬁcant papers in FMCDM
issues are introduced by this paper.
In this paper, the literature was reviewed for the classiﬁcation
and interpretation of the emerging issues that make use of theFMCDM methodology. In the present review, a total of 413 papers
were collected from 150 journals, published since 1994, and they
were categorized into four main ﬁelds. The papers were classiﬁed
based on the journal’s name, publication year, authors’ nationality,
application areas, and other combined FMCDM methods. This
paper contributed to the development of a classiﬁcation scheme
focusing on practical considerations, reviewing structurally the lit-
erature to create a guide for further studies on the FMCDM meth-
ods, and the identiﬁcation of issues for future studies. Additionally,
in our study, two new perspectives are taken into consideration to
review the articles, namely categorization of the articles into four
main ﬁelds (business, science, engineering, and technology) and
examination of the type of study (FMCDM utilizing research,
FMCDM developing research and FMCDM proposing research).
Generally, the FMCDM methodology has been used successfully
in various applications and industrial sectors with different sub-
jects and terms; although, interdisciplinary and social decision
problems should be further emphasized. Future study on the fuzzyMCDM anatomy can be further developed. In this study, a number
of techniques have been studied as fuzzy individual techniques and
they are integrated or combined with other techniques; however,
many other conventional MCDM techniques have not been stud-
ied. Another recommendation for future research is the investiga-
tion on the distinct differences and similarities among fuzzy
MCDM methods. The insights that were provided in the present
review help channel research efforts and fulﬁll practitioners’ and
researchers’ requirements for an easy reference to fuzzy MCDM
publications and studies.
This study has some major limitations that can be considered as
recommendations for future studies. First, this review is focused on
the use of fuzzy DM techniques. Articles published in late 2014, if
any, are not included in the present paper due to the limitation of
reporting time. A future review can be expanded further in scope.In addition; our paper more focuses on four main ﬁelds of engi-
neering, management and business, science and technology. In this
regard, future studies can use this paper for classify based on dif-
ferent sub-ﬁelds and sub-areas. Another limitation is that the data
were collected from journals, not including papers conference
papers, textbooks, doctoral and master dissertations and thesis
and unpublished papers in the FMCDM issues. As a result, in a
future study, data can be collected from these scholarly journals
and the obtained results can be compared with our results. The
next limitation is that the all of papers were found on English lan-
guage journals; then, the scholarly journals in the other languages
were not involved in our review paper. It may mean that our paper
is not complete; however, we believe that our paper comprehen-
sively reviews and includes most of the papers presented by
high-ranking journals. As a result, our review paper can provides
a better understanding of FMCDM methods for future academic
scholars. This study is hoped to be employed by academics and
managers as a basis for further research, help practitioners make
more appropriate decisions using these techniques, and guide
scholars to enhance these methodologies. This paper selected and
summarized carefully those papers that were available in some
available publishers in web of science, although, a number of rele-
vant outlets may have remained outside the scope of this study.
Therefore, future studies can review those papers which did not
mentioned in this review paper.
Recently, development of hybrid and modular methods is
becoming increasingly important. They are based on previously
developed well-known methods, such as FTOPSIS, FSAW, FDEA,
FAHP, FANP, FVIKOR, FDEMATEL, FDEA, FPROMETHEE, FELECTRE
and their modiﬁcation, by applying fuzzy and gray number theory.
Relatively recently developed MCDM methods, such as COPRAS,
ARAS-F, MOORA, MULTIMOORA, SWARA and WASPAS are rapidly
developed and applied to solve real life problems. In order to helpresearchers and practitioners interested in hybrid FMCDM tech-
niques and applications of hybrid FMCDM methods, it is necessary
to publish reviews on these issues in future. As another limitation
the paper presents synopsis of numerous publications, which
describe the use of FMCDM methods in journals and some of the
relatively recently developed methods. However, this review does
not cover recent methods that have not yet been reviewed in
books.
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