The kernel-based comprehensive aggregation PROMETHEE (PROMETHEE-KerCA) method for multi-criteria decision making with application to policy modelling

As the economic and technological problems become more complex require effective multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tools for analysis thereof, there is a need comprehensive MCDM techniques that would be capable to ensure robust optimization with minimum arbitrary assumptions. This paper proposes new method – Kernel-based Comprehensive Aggregation PROMETHEE (PROMETHEE-KerCA). The proposed approach relies on kernel density estimation which provides bandwidths scaling differences in performance of alternatives. kernel-based distances are aggregated establish measures thus following principle outranking. Then, four different manners (additive, multiplicative, maximum values) construct overall utility score. does not choosing preference functions or parameters thereof. empirical illustration provided show feasibility approach. European Union Member States ranked by means KerCA regards objectives strategy Europe 2020. isolated pooled ranking allows comparing progress countries compared their initial situation other sample.