In this paper, we propose a new approach in performing trade-off analysis between multiple criteria: called criteria trade-off analysis (CTA). Conflicting degree and cooperative degree between any two criteria are first formulated. Relationships between criteria are identified based upon their conflicting and cooperative degrees, Criteria are converted into their disjunctive normal form to obtain a uniform representation of the criteria, and then arranged into a four-level hierarchical aggregation structure. A set of parameterized aggregation operator, fuzzy and I of, is selected to aggregate the judgements for the alternatives. A compromise alternative, which is proved to satisfy pareto optimality, can thus be obtained through the aggregation of judgements based on the aggregation hierarchical structure. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
