1. Home
  2. Issues
  3. Volume 36, Issue 3 (2025)
  4. OWA Operators in Large-Scale Group Decis ...

Informatica


OWA Operators in Large-Scale Group Decision-Making: An Analysis Based on Comprehensive Minimum Cost Consensus
Volume 36, Issue 3 (2025), pp. 557–588
Pub. online: 5 September 2025      Type: Research Article      Open accessOpen Access
Received
1 September 2024
Accepted
1 August 2025
Published
5 September 2025

Abstract

Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operators have been widely applied in Group Decision-Making (GDM) to fuse expert opinions. However, their effectiveness depends on the selection of an appropriate weighting vector, which remains a challenge due to limited research on its impact on Consensus Reaching Processes (CRPs). This paper addresses this gap by analysing the influence of different OWA weighting techniques on consensus formation, particularly in large-scale GDM (LSGDM) scenarios. To do so, we propose a Comprehensive Minimum Cost Consensus (CMCC) model that integrates OWA operators with classical consensus measures to enhance the decision-making process. Since existing OWA-based Minimum Cost Consensus (MCC) models struggle with computational complexity, we introduce linearized versions of the OWA-based CMCC model tailored for LSGDM applications. Furthermore, we conduct a detailed comparison of various OWA weight allocation methods, assessing their impact on consensus quality under different levels of expert participation and opinion polarization. Additionally, our linearized formulations significantly reduce the computational cost for OWA-based CMCC models, improving their scalability.

References

 
Beliakov, G., Bustince, H., Calvo, T. (2016). A Practical Guide to Averaging Functions. Springer.
 
Ben-Arieh, D., Easton, T. (2007). Multi-criteria group consensus under linear cost opinion elasticity. Decision Support Systems, 43(3), 713–721.
 
Bezanson, J., Edelman, A., Karpinski, S., Shah, V. (2017). Julia: a fresh approach to numerical computing. SIAM Review, 59(1), 65–98.
 
Butler, C.T.L., Rothstein, A. (2006). On Conflict and Consensus: A Handbook on Formal Consensus Decision Making. Takoma Park.
 
Chen, Z.S., Yang, L.L., Chin, K.S., Yang, Y., Pedrycz, W., Chang, J.P., Martínez, L., Skibniewski, M.J. (2021). Sustainable building material selection: an integrated multi-criteria large group decision making framework. Applied Soft Computing, 113, 107903.
 
Dunning, I., Huchette, J., Lubin, M. (2017). JuMP: a modeling language for mathematical optimization. SIAM Review, 59(2), 295–320.
 
Galand, L., Spanjaard, O. (2012). Exact algorithms for OWA-optimization in multiobjective spanning tree problems. Computers & Operations Research, 39(7), 1540–1554.
 
García-Zamora, D., Labella, Á., Rodríguez, R.M., Martínez, L. (2021). Nonlinear preferences in group decision-making. Extreme values amplifications and extreme values reductions. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 36(11), 6581–6612.
 
García-Zamora, D., Dutta, B., Massanet, S., Riera, J.V., Martínez, L. (2022). Relationship between the distance consensus and the consensus degree in Comprehensive Minimum Cost Consensus models: a polytope-based analysis. European Journal of Operational Research. 306(2), 764–776.
 
García-Zamora, D., Dutta, B., Figueira, J.R., Martínez, L. (2024). The deck of cards method to build interpretable fuzzy sets in decision-making. European Journal of Operational Research, 319(1), 246–262.
 
García-Zamora, D., Dutta, B., Jin, L., Chen, Z.-S., Martínez, L. (2025). A data-driven large-scale group decision-making framework for managing ratings and text reviews. Expert Systems with Applications, 263, 125726.
 
García-Zamora, D., Labella, Á., Rodríguez, R.M., Martínez, L. (2022). Symmetric weights for OWA operators prioritizing intermediate values. The EVR-OWA operator. Information Sciences, 584, 583–602.
 
García-Zamora, D., Dutta, B., Labella, A., Martínez, L. (2023). A Fuzzy-set based formulation for minimum cost consensus models. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 181, 109295. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360835223003194.
 
Guo, L., Zhan, J., Kou, G. (2024). Consensus reaching process using personalized modification rules in large-scale group decision-making. Information Fusion, 103, 102138.
 
Gurobi Optimization, LLC (2022). Gurobi Optimizer Reference Manual. https://www.gurobi.com.
 
Herrera-Viedma, E., Herrera, F., Chiclana, F. (2002). A consensus model for multiperson decision making with different preference structures. Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Part A: Systems and Humans, IEEE Transactions on, 32, 394–402.
 
Labella, Á., Liu, H., Rodríguez, R.M., Martínez, L. (2020). A cost consensus metric for Consensus Reaching Processes based on a comprehensive minimum cost model. European Journal of Operational Research, 281, 316–331.
 
Liu, Y., Li, Y., Liang, H., Dong, Y. (2023). Strategic experts’ weight manipulation in 2-rank consensus reaching in group decision making. Expert Systems with Applications, 216, 119432.
 
Palomares, I., Martínez, L., Herrera, F. (2014). A consensus model to detect and manage noncooperative behaviors in large-scale group decision making. IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, 22(3), 516–530.
 
Qu, S., Wei, J., Wang, Q., Li, Y., Jin, X., Chaib, L. (2023). Robust minimum cost consensus models with various individual preference scenarios under unit adjustment cost uncertainty. Information Fusion, 89, 510–526.
 
Sirbiladze, G. (2021a). New view of fuzzy aggregations. Part I: general information structure for decision-making models. Journal of Fuzzy Extension and Applications, 2(2), 130–143.
 
Sirbiladze, G. (2021b). New view of fuzzy aggregations. Part III: extensions of the FPOWA operator in the problem of political management. Journal of Fuzzy Extension and Applications, 2(4), 321–333.
 
Wang, Y.-M., Song, H.-H., Dutta, B., García-Zamora, D., Martínez, L. (2024). Consensus reaching in LSGDM: Overlapping community detection and bounded confidence-driven feedback mechanism. Information Sciences, 679, 121104.
 
Xu, W., Chen, X., Dong, Y., Chiclana, F. (2021). Impact of decision rules and non-cooperative behaviors on minimum consensus cost in group decision making. Group Decision and Negotiation, 30, 1239–1260.
 
Yager, R. (1988). On ordered weighted averaging aggregation operators in multicriteria decision making. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 18(1), 183–190.
 
Yager, R. (1993). Families of OWA operators. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 59(2), 125–148.
 
Yager, R. (1996). Quantifier guided aggregation using OWA operators. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 11(1), 49–73.
 
Zhang, B., Dong, Y., Xu, Y. (2013). Maximum expert consensus models with linear cost function and aggregation operators. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 66(1), 147–157.
 
Zhang, G., Dong, Y., Xu, Y., Li, H. (2011). Minimum-cost consensus models under aggregation operators. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics-Part A: Systems and Humans, 41(6), 1253–1261.
 
Zhang, R., Huang, J., Xu, Y., Herrera-Viedma, E. (2022). Consensus models with aggregation operators for minimum quadratic cost in group decision making. Applied Intelligence, 53, 1–21.

Biographies

García-Zamora Diego
dgzamora@ujaen.es

D. García-Zamora obtained a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Granada in 2016. In addition, he received a master’s degree in physics and mathematics in 2017 and a master’s degree in education in 2018, both from the University of Granada. He received his PhD in information and communication technologies at the University of Jaén in 2023. Nowadays, he is an assistant professor at the University of Jaén and focuses his research on fuzzy sets, decision-making, and optimization. He obtained the contract Formacion de Profesorado Universitario, granted by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. He has published works in high-quality journals such as Fuzzy Sets and Systems, European Journal of Operational Research, and IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems. Furthermore, he has participated in several international conferences, obtaining the Best Student Paper Award at the 16th International Conference on Intelligent Systems and Knowledge Engineering (ISKE 2021) and at the 15th International FLINS Conference on Machine Learning, Multi-agent and Cyber physical Systems (FLINS 2022), and the Best Paper Award at the 18th International Conference on Intelligent Systems and Knowledge Engineering (ISKE2023).

Dutta Bapi
bdutta@ujaen.es

B. Dutta is a Ramón y Cajal researcher at the University of Jaén. His research focuses on decision-making, soft computing, simulation, optimization, and machine learning, with particular emphasis on developing advanced computational models and methodologies to address complex real-world problems.

Labella Álvaro
alabella@ujaen.es

A. Labella holds a PhD in computer science (2021) from the University of Jaén, Spain, where he currently works as an associate professor and researcher in the SINBAD2 group. His research focuses on decision-making, computing with words, and software application development. He has authored 34 journal articles, 4 book chapters, and 46 conference contributions. He is involved in two research networks (AIDA and the Spanish Thematic Network on Recommender Systems) and has participated in 3 funded research projects. He has completed research stays in Greece, the UK, and Northern Ireland, the latter supported by a José Castillejo postdoctoral fellowship. He has co-developed 3 decision support systems with registered intellectual property and has organized several Special Issues and conference sessions. His work has earned him multiple awards, including the Ada Lovelace Award (2019) and Best Paper Awards at international conferences held in Istanbul, Dalian, and Fuzhou.

Martínez Luis
martin@ujaen.es

L. Martínez (senior member, IEEE) is a full professor with the Department of Computer Science, University of Jaén, Spain. He is also a visiting professor with the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Portsmouth (Isambard Kingdom Brunel Fellowship Scheme), and Wuhan University of Technology (Chutian Scholar). He has been the leading researcher in 16 research and development projects, published more than 190 papers in journals indexed by SCI, and made more than 200 contributions to international/national conferences related to his areas. His research interests include multi-criterion decision-making, fuzzy logic-based systems, computing with words, and recommender systems. He is an IFSA Fellow, in 2021 and a senior member of European Society for Fuzzy Logic and Technology. He was a Recipient of the IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems Outstanding Paper Award, in 2008 and 2012 (bestowed in 2011 and 2015, respectively). He was classified as a Highly Cited Researcher 2017–2021 in computer sciences. He is the co-editor-in-chief of International Journal of Computational Intelligence Systems and an associate editor of Information Sciences, Knowledge-Based Systems, and Information Fusion.


Full article PDF XML
Full article PDF XML

Copyright
© 2025 Vilnius University
Open access article under the CC BY license.

Keywords
Minimum Cost Consensus model OWA operators Large-Scale Group Decision-Making consensus reaching

Funding
Bapi Dutta acknowledges the support of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the Spanish State Research Agency through the Ramón y Cajal Research grant (RYC2023-045020-I), Spain.

Metrics
since January 2020
1746

Article info
views

465

Full article
views

1709

PDF
downloads

1650

XML
downloads


Share


RSS