IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/proeco/v282y2025ics0925527325000192.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A representative product configuration ranking approach considering requirement interactions and inconsistent group preferences

Author

Listed:
  • Zhang, Xinwei
  • Feng, Qiong
  • Li, Yihang
  • Zheng, Chen
  • Corrente, Salvatore

Abstract

Configuration solving is essential in product configuration because it supports decisions on selecting final configuration alternatives to satisfy stakeholders' preferences. However, the inherent interaction of product Design Requirements (DRs) and multiple stakeholders involved lead to three limitations in developing an appropriate configuration solving model: (i) the existing models have limitations in balancing the tractability of the model and the diversity of interactions; (ii) it is impractical to assume that different stakeholders have consistent preferences for the alternatives, and directly removing inconsistent preferences can lead to the loss of preference information; (iii) the representativeness of preference functions built from incomplete preference information is doubtful. To address these limitations, a robust product configuration ranking approach is proposed. First, the Choquet integral with the k-interactive fuzzy measure is applied to evaluate alternatives with DRs’ interactions, improving the tractability by reducing the number of parameters and related constraints. Second, an interactive method of identifying a minimum set of adjustable inconsistent preferences is proposed to adjust them among different stakeholders, avoiding the preferences loss and ensuring the trade-off among stakeholders. Third, a representative ranking model based on the k-interactive Choquet integral and nonadditive robust ordinal regression is proposed to select the robust alternative concerning individual and group stakeholders' preferences. To validate its feasibility and effectiveness, the proposed approach is applied to an example of configuration solving for a robotic manufacturing system.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Xinwei & Feng, Qiong & Li, Yihang & Zheng, Chen & Corrente, Salvatore, 2025. "A representative product configuration ranking approach considering requirement interactions and inconsistent group preferences," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:282:y:2025:i:c:s0925527325000192
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2025.109534
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925527325000192
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ijpe.2025.109534?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.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miłosz Kadziński & Salvatore Greco & Roman Słowiński, 2013. "Selection of a Representative Value Function for Robust Ordinal Regression in Group Decision Making," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 429-462, May.
    2. Linda Zhang & Sara Shafiee, 2022. "Developing separate or integrated configurators? A longitudinal case study," Post-Print hal-03707380, HAL.
    3. Benjamin Armbruster & Erick Delage, 2015. "Decision Making Under Uncertainty When Preference Information Is Incomplete," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 61(1), pages 111-128, January.
    4. Qinyu Song & Yaodong Ni & Dan A. Ralescu, 2021. "The impact of lead-time uncertainty in product configuration," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(3), pages 959-981, February.
    5. Kadziński, Miłosz & Greco, Salvatore & Słowiński, Roman, 2012. "Selection of a representative value function in robust multiple criteria ranking and choice," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 217(3), pages 541-553.
    6. Chen Zheng & Yushu An & Zhanxi Wang & Xiansheng Qin & Benoît Eynard & Matthieu Bricogne & Julien Le Duigou & Yicha Zhang, 2023. "Knowledge-based engineering approach for defining robotic manufacturing system architectures," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(5), pages 1436-1454, March.
    7. Qinyu Song & Yaodong Ni & Dan A. Ralescu, 2021. "Product configuration using redundancy and standardisation in an uncertain environment," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(21), pages 6451-6470, November.
    8. Arnaud De Bruyn & John C. Liechty & Eelko K. R. E. Huizingh & Gary L. Lilien, 2008. "Offering Online Recommendations with Minimum Customer Input Through Conjoint-Based Decision Aids," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 27(3), pages 443-460, 05-06.
    9. Yue Wang & Xiang Li & Linda L. Zhang & Daniel Mo, 2022. "Configuring products with natural language: a simple yet effective approach based on text embeddings and multilayer perceptron," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(17), pages 5394-5406, September.
    10. Paul Pitiot & Luis Garces Monge & Michel Aldanondo & Elise Vareilles & Paul Gaborit, 2020. "Optimisation of the concurrent product and process configuration: an approach to reduce computation time with an experimental evaluation," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(2), pages 631-647, January.
    11. Linda Zhang & Carman K.M. Lee & Pervaiz Akhtar, 2020. "Towards customization: Evaluation of integrated sales, product, and production configuration," Post-Print hal-03276827, HAL.
    12. Delphine Guillon & Rania Ayachi & Élise Vareilles & Michel Aldanondo & Éric Villeneuve & Christophe Merlo, 2021. "Product⋎service system configuration: a generic knowledge-based model for commercial offers," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(4), pages 1021-1040, February.
    13. Mousseau, Vincent & Figueira, Jose & Dias, Luis & Gomes da Silva, Carlos & Climaco, Joao, 2003. "Resolving inconsistencies among constraints on the parameters of an MCDA model," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 147(1), pages 72-93, May.
    14. Wu, Xingli & Liao, Huchang, 2023. "Value-driven preference disaggregation analysis for uncertain preference information," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    15. Zhang, Linda L. & Shafiee, Sara, 2022. "Developing separate or integrated configurators? A longitudinal case study," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    16. Angilella, Silvia & Greco, Salvatore & Matarazzo, Benedetto, 2010. "Non-additive robust ordinal regression: A multiple criteria decision model based on the Choquet integral," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 201(1), pages 277-288, February.
    17. Zhang, Linda L. & Lee, Carman K.M. & Akhtar, Pervaiz, 2020. "Towards customization: Evaluation of integrated sales, product, and production configuration," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    18. Yao Jiao & Yu Yang, 2019. "A product configuration approach based on online data," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 30(6), pages 2473-2487, August.
    19. Dunbing Tang & Qi Wang & Inayat Ullah, 2017. "Optimisation of product configuration in consideration of customer satisfaction and low carbon," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(12), pages 3349-3373, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Dong Yang & Jia Li & Bill Wang & Yong-ji Jia, 2020. "Module-Based Product Configuration Decisions Considering Both Economical and Carbon Emission-Related Environmental Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Greco, Salvatore & Słowiński, Roman & Wallenius, Jyrki, 2025. "Fifty years of multiple criteria decision analysis: From classical methods to robust ordinal regression," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 323(2), pages 351-377.
    3. Sarah Ben Amor & Fateh Belaid & Ramzi Benkraiem & Boumediene Ramdani & Khaled Guesmi, 2023. "Multi-criteria classification, sorting, and clustering: a bibliometric review and research agenda," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 325(2), pages 771-793, June.
    4. Miłosz Kadziński & Salvatore Greco & Roman Słowiński, 2013. "Selection of a Representative Value Function for Robust Ordinal Regression in Group Decision Making," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 429-462, May.
    5. Silvia Angilella & Marta Bottero & Salvatore Corrente & Valentina Ferretti & Salvatore Greco & Isabella M. Lami, 2016. "Non Additive Robust Ordinal Regression for urban and territorial planning: an application for siting an urban waste landfill," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 245(1), pages 427-456, October.
    6. Liu, Jiapeng & Liao, Xiuwu & Huang, Wei & Liao, Xianzhao, 2019. "Market segmentation: A multiple criteria approach combining preference analysis and segmentation decision," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 1-13.
    7. Xinxin Luo & Zaiwu Gong & Weiwei Guo & Guo Wei & Ting Jin, 2025. "On disaggregation modeling of uncertainty group preferences considering trust networks," Fuzzy Optimization and Decision Making, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 29-68, March.
    8. Sara Shafiee & Linda L. Zhang & Kourosh Marjani Rasmussen, 2024. "Improving Financial Literacy and Supporting Financial Decisions: Developing a Personalized Configurator," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 14256-14285, September.
    9. Ru, Zice & Liu, Jiapeng & Kadziński, Miłosz & Liao, Xiuwu, 2023. "Probabilistic ordinal regression methods for multiple criteria sorting admitting certain and uncertain preferences," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 311(2), pages 596-616.
    10. Arcidiacono, Sally Giuseppe & Corrente, Salvatore & Greco, Salvatore, 2021. "Robust stochastic sorting with interacting criteria hierarchically structured," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 292(2), pages 735-754.
    11. Akhtar, Pervaiz & Ghouri, Arsalan Mujahid & Ashraf, Aniqa & Lim, Jia Jia & Khan, Naveed R & Ma, Shuang, 2024. "Smart product platforming powered by AI and generative AI: Personalization for the circular economy," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    12. Beccacece, Francesca & Borgonovo, Emanuele & Buzzard, Greg & Cillo, Alessandra & Zionts, Stanley, 2015. "Elicitation of multiattribute value functions through high dimensional model representations: Monotonicity and interactions," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 246(2), pages 517-527.
    13. Cinelli, Marco & Kadziński, Miłosz & Gonzalez, Michael & Słowiński, Roman, 2020. "How to support the application of multiple criteria decision analysis? Let us start with a comprehensive taxonomy," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    14. Salvatore Corrente & Salvatore Greco & Benedetto Matarazzo & Roman Słowiński, 2016. "Robust ordinal regression for decision under risk and uncertainty," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 86(1), pages 55-83, January.
    15. Kun Zhou & Zaiwu Gong & Xiaoqing Chen & Roman Słowiński, 2024. "Determination of a Representative Collective Value Function Through a Value Function-Based Consensus-Reaching Process," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 33(5), pages 1089-1113, October.
    16. Zhang, Linda L. & Lee, Carman K.M. & Akhtar, Pervaiz, 2020. "Towards customization: Evaluation of integrated sales, product, and production configuration," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    17. Salvatore Corrente & José Figueira & Salvatore Greco, 2014. "Dealing with interaction between bipolar multiple criteria preferences in PROMETHEE methods," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 217(1), pages 137-164, June.
    18. Sobrie, Olivier & Gillis, Nicolas & Mousseau, Vincent & Pirlot, Marc, 2018. "UTA-poly and UTA-splines: Additive value functions with polynomial marginals," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 264(2), pages 405-418.
    19. Zhang, Linda L. & Jiao, Roger J. & Huang, George & MacCarthy, Bart L., 2025. "Extended guest editorial: Smart product platforming in the industry 4.0 era and beyond," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    20. Zhou, Kun & Gong, Zaiwu & Wei, Guo & Słowiński, Roman, 2025. "Preference disaggregation analysis with criteria selection in a regularization framework," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).

    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:proeco:v:282:y:2025:i:c:s0925527325000192. 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.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with 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/ijpe .

    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.