The opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic information

Abstract Multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) is the important part in decision-making process, which has been used in many industries. Coordinating differing opinions and ultimately reaching group consensus in a group decision-making process has become an important area of research. This pa...

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Main Authors: Jianping Fan, Zhuxuan Jin, Meiqin Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-03-01
Series:Complex & Intelligent Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40747-025-01844-6
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author Jianping Fan
Zhuxuan Jin
Meiqin Wu
author_facet Jianping Fan
Zhuxuan Jin
Meiqin Wu
author_sort Jianping Fan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) is the important part in decision-making process, which has been used in many industries. Coordinating differing opinions and ultimately reaching group consensus in a group decision-making process has become an important area of research. This paper uses probabilistic uncertain linguistic term sets (PULTSs) to express the uncertainty of evaluation information, and proposes a group consensus reaching method based on the opinion dynamics model which exhaustively considers how decision-makers’ (DMs) viewpoints can influence each other and evolve over time in MCGDM environments. First, we gathers the group’s preference information regarding the alternatives and their stubbornness to peer influence. Next, an influence matrix is determined based on the authority index of the DMs, and a probabilistic uncertain linguistic Friedkin–Johnsen model (PUL-FJ) is constructed. Then, a group consensus reaching method based on the PUL-Friedkin-Johnsen model is proposed to address the feedback mechanism in the consensus-reaching process (CRP). Finally, we proposes a novel approach for ranking. To better achieve group decision-making, we constructs an improved PUL similarity measure that based on the Wasserstein distance. Additionally, this paper proposes a new approach for expert weight, resulting in a comprehensive expert weight that balances individual expertise of the different criteria and group consensus. In the end, an example is provided, and the method’s feasibility is validated through sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis.
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spelling doaj-art-e4041bc2e9dc4492858ed3aefdb849b82025-08-20T03:52:28ZengSpringerComplex & Intelligent Systems2199-45362198-60532025-03-0111512210.1007/s40747-025-01844-6The opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic informationJianping Fan0Zhuxuan Jin1Meiqin Wu2School of Economics and Management, Shanxi UniversitySchool of Economics and Management, Shanxi UniversitySchool of Economics and Management, Shanxi UniversityAbstract Multi-criteria group decision making (MCGDM) is the important part in decision-making process, which has been used in many industries. Coordinating differing opinions and ultimately reaching group consensus in a group decision-making process has become an important area of research. This paper uses probabilistic uncertain linguistic term sets (PULTSs) to express the uncertainty of evaluation information, and proposes a group consensus reaching method based on the opinion dynamics model which exhaustively considers how decision-makers’ (DMs) viewpoints can influence each other and evolve over time in MCGDM environments. First, we gathers the group’s preference information regarding the alternatives and their stubbornness to peer influence. Next, an influence matrix is determined based on the authority index of the DMs, and a probabilistic uncertain linguistic Friedkin–Johnsen model (PUL-FJ) is constructed. Then, a group consensus reaching method based on the PUL-Friedkin-Johnsen model is proposed to address the feedback mechanism in the consensus-reaching process (CRP). Finally, we proposes a novel approach for ranking. To better achieve group decision-making, we constructs an improved PUL similarity measure that based on the Wasserstein distance. Additionally, this paper proposes a new approach for expert weight, resulting in a comprehensive expert weight that balances individual expertise of the different criteria and group consensus. In the end, an example is provided, and the method’s feasibility is validated through sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40747-025-01844-6MCDGMPULTSsFriedkin–Johnsen (FJ) modelConsensus-reaching process (CRP)Wasserstein distance
spellingShingle Jianping Fan
Zhuxuan Jin
Meiqin Wu
The opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic information
Complex & Intelligent Systems
MCDGM
PULTSs
Friedkin–Johnsen (FJ) model
Consensus-reaching process (CRP)
Wasserstein distance
title The opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic information
title_full The opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic information
title_fullStr The opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic information
title_full_unstemmed The opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic information
title_short The opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic information
title_sort opinion dynamics model for group decision making with probabilistic uncertain linguistic information
topic MCDGM
PULTSs
Friedkin–Johnsen (FJ) model
Consensus-reaching process (CRP)
Wasserstein distance
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s40747-025-01844-6
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