IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ejores/v330y2026i2p558-574.html

A Probabilistic preference learning approach for multiple criteria ranking in dynamic decision context

Author

Listed:
  • Zhao, Siyuan
  • Liu, Jiapeng
  • Kadziński, Miłosz
  • Liao, Xiuwu
  • Wang, Yao

Abstract

We address the challenge of multiple criteria ranking in dynamic decision contexts, where a decision maker’s (DM’s) preferences evolve in response to changing environments. Traditional ranking methods assume static preferences, but real-world scenarios often involve fluctuating decision factors, necessitating a more flexible approach. We propose a novel probabilistic preference learning framework using a linear Gaussian state space model to capture the DM’s evolving preferences. The model tracks time-varying contingent preferences and offers decision recommendations accordingly. We develop an efficient inference algorithm based on machine learning techniques to estimate value-based model parameters. Its effectiveness is demonstrated via practical application in the military context and computational experiments, comparing the novel approach with the state-of-the-art preference learning methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao, Siyuan & Liu, Jiapeng & Kadziński, Miłosz & Liao, Xiuwu & Wang, Yao, 2026. "A Probabilistic preference learning approach for multiple criteria ranking in dynamic decision context," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 330(2), pages 558-574.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:330:y:2026:i:2:p:558-574
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2025.08.008
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377221725006241
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ejor.2025.08.008?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:330:y:2026:i:2:p:558-574. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/eor .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.