IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/opsear/v62y2025i1d10.1007_s12597-024-00794-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A novel integrated multi-criteria decision making approach for solving delivery drone selection problem

Author

Listed:
  • Saikat Chatterjee

    (Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Sikkim Manipal University)

  • Partha Protim Das

    (Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Sikkim Manipal University)

  • Shankar Chakraborty

    (Jadavpur University)

Abstract

Due to rapid advancements in microelectronics and computerization, drones are being widely used, and have gained significant attention in multiple military, industrial and commercial applications. Selection of the most appropriate drone for a specific application, especially for delivery operation, appears as a challenging task, and can be treated as a typical multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem due to presence of numerous choices available in the market and set of conflicting criteria. To resolve the issue, this paper proposes application of a novel MCDM approach hybridizing symmetry point of criterion (SPC) with preference ranking on the basis of ideal-average distance (PROBID) and its simple variant sPROBID. Its effectiveness is demonstrated based on an illustrative example consisting of eight delivery drones and eight evaluation criteria. The SPC method identifies ‘cost’ and ‘maximum speed’ as the most important and least important criteria respectively, while Power Vision Power Eye drone is identified to be the best choice using both PROBID and sPROBID methods. The corresponding statistical tests (Spearman’s rank correlation and Kendall’s tau-b) validate solution accuracy and reliability of the proposed approach against other popular MCDM techniques. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses with respect to variations in criteria weights prove robustness of this approach. Thus, it can serve as a viable MCDM tool for effectively identifying the most suitable drone for a given delivery operation from a large number of feasible options leading to faster delivery, higher efficiency with reduced operating cost, minimum environmental impact, increased accessibility and improved inventory management, resulting in sustainable supply chain management.

Suggested Citation

  • Saikat Chatterjee & Partha Protim Das & Shankar Chakraborty, 2025. "A novel integrated multi-criteria decision making approach for solving delivery drone selection problem," OPSEARCH, Springer;Operational Research Society of India, vol. 62(1), pages 119-148, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:opsear:v:62:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12597-024-00794-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s12597-024-00794-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12597-024-00794-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12597-024-00794-w?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 search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Saikat Chatterjee & Shankar Chakraborty, 2022. "A multi-attributive ideal-real comparative analysis-based approach for piston material selection," OPSEARCH, Springer;Operational Research Society of India, vol. 59(1), pages 207-228, March.
    2. Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas & Valentinas Podvezko, 2016. "Integrated Determination of Objective Criteria Weights in MCDM," International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making (IJITDM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(02), pages 267-283, March.
    3. Zamani-Sabzi, Hamed & King, James Phillip & Gard, Charlotte C. & Abudu, Shalamu, 2016. "Statistical and analytical comparison of multi-criteria decision-making techniques under fuzzy environment," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 3(C), pages 92-117.
    4. Mustafa Hamurcu & Tamer Eren & Ming-Sheng Liu, 2020. "Selection of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by Using Multicriteria Decision-Making for Defence," Journal of Mathematics, Hindawi, vol. 2020, pages 1-11, June.
    5. Dragisa STANUJKIC & Edmundas Kazimieras ZAVADSKAS & Darjan KARABASEVIC & Florentin SMARANDACHE & Zenonas TURSKIS, 2017. "The Use Of The Pivot Pairwise Relative Criteria Importance Assessment Method For Determining The Weights Of Criteria," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 0(4), pages 116-133, December.
    6. Snežana Tadić & Mladen Krstić & Ljubica Radovanović, 2024. "Assessing Strategies to Overcome Barriers for Drone Usage in Last-Mile Logistics: A Novel Hybrid Fuzzy MCDM Model," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-25, January.
    7. Ecer, Fatih & Pamucar, Dragan, 2022. "A novel LOPCOW‐DOBI multi‐criteria sustainability performance assessment methodology: An application in developing country banking sector," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    8. Rezaei, Jafar, 2015. "Best-worst multi-criteria decision-making method," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 49-57.
    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. Marcio Pereira Basilio & Valdecy Pereira & Fatih Yigit, 2023. "New Hybrid EC-Promethee Method with Multiple Iterations of Random Weight Ranges: Applied to the Choice of Policing Strategies," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-34, October.
    2. Aytekin, Ahmet & Korucuk, Selçuk & Görçün, Ömer Faruk, 2024. "Determining the factors affecting transportation demand management and selecting the best strategy: A case study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 150-166.
    3. Alptekin Ulutaş & Darjan Karabasevic & Gabrijela Popovic & Dragisa Stanujkic & Phong Thanh Nguyen & Çağatay Karaköy, 2020. "Development of a Novel Integrated CCSD-ITARA-MARCOS Decision-Making Approach for Stackers Selection in a Logistics System," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Ali, Tausif & Aghaloo, Kamaleddin & Chiu, Yie-Ru & Ahmad, Munir, 2022. "Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in planning the future energy systems of developing countries using an integrated MCDM approach in the off-grid areas of Bangladesh," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 25-38.
    5. Apichit Maneengam, 2023. "Multi-Objective Optimization of the Multimodal Routing Problem Using the Adaptive ε-Constraint Method and Modified TOPSIS with the D-CRITIC Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, August.
    6. Mohammadi, Majid & Rezaei, Jafar, 2020. "Bayesian best-worst method: A probabilistic group decision making model," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    7. Dragisa STANUJKIC & Darjan KARABASEVIC & Gabrijela POPOVIC & Cipriana SAVA, 2021. "Simplified Pivot Pairwise Relative Criteria Importance Assessment (Piprecia-S) Method," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 0(4), pages 141-154, December.
    8. Ecer, Fatih & Pamucar, Dragan, 2022. "A novel LOPCOW‐DOBI multi‐criteria sustainability performance assessment methodology: An application in developing country banking sector," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    9. Zeng, Shouzhen & Zhang, Na & Zhang, Chonghui & Su, Weihua & Carlos, Llopis-Albert, 2022. "Social network multiple-criteria decision-making approach for evaluating unmanned ground delivery vehicles under the Pythagorean fuzzy environment," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    10. James J. H. Liou & Perry C. Y. Liu & Huai-Wei Lo, 2020. "A Failure Mode Assessment Model Based on Neutrosophic Logic for Switched-Mode Power Supply Risk Analysis," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-19, December.
    11. Mahmut BAKIR & Şahap AKAN & Kasım KIRACI & Darjan KARABASEVIC & Dragisa STANUJKIC & Gabrijela POPOVIC, 2020. "Multiple-Criteria Approach of the Operational Performance Evaluation in the Airline Industry: Evidence from the Emerging Markets," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 0(2), pages 149-172, July.
    12. Wenyao Niu & Yuan Rong & Liying Yu & Lu Huang, 2022. "A Novel Hybrid Group Decision Making Approach Based on EDAS and Regret Theory under a Fermatean Cubic Fuzzy Environment," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(17), pages 1-30, August.
    13. Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas & Fausto Cavallaro & Valentinas Podvezko & Ieva Ubarte & Arturas Kaklauskas, 2017. "MCDM Assessment of a Healthy and Safe Built Environment According to Sustainable Development Principles: A Practical Neighborhood Approach in Vilnius," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-30, April.
    14. Zarei, Esmaeil & Khan, Faisal & Abbassi, Rouzbeh, 2021. "Importance of human reliability in process operation: A critical analysis," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    15. Sarfaraz Hashemkhani Zolfani & Ramin Bazrafshan & Fatih Ecer & Çağlar Karamaşa, 2022. "The Suitability-Feasibility-Acceptability Strategy Integrated with Bayesian BWM-MARCOS Methods to Determine the Optimal Lithium Battery Plant Located in South America," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(14), pages 1-18, July.
    16. Paul, Ananna & Shukla, Nagesh & Trianni, Andrea, 2023. "Modelling supply chain sustainability challenges in the food processing sector amid the COVID-19 outbreak," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).
    17. Liang, Fuqi & Brunelli, Matteo & Rezaei, Jafar, 2020. "Consistency issues in the best worst method: Measurements and thresholds," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    18. Martín-García, Jaime & Gómez-Limón, José A. & Arriaza, Manuel, 2024. "Conversion to organic farming: Does it change the economic and environmental performance of fruit farms?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    19. Juuso Pajasmaa & Kaisa Miettinen & Johanna Silvennoinen, 2025. "Group Decision Making in Multiobjective Optimization: A Systematic Literature Review," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 329-371, April.
    20. Salimi, Negin & Rezaei, Jafar, 2018. "Evaluating firms’ R&D performance using best worst method," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 147-155.

    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:spr:opsear:v:62:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12597-024-00794-w. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    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.