Title: The problem of negative total faced in the COPRAS method of multi-criteria decision-making techniques and a solution proposal

Authors: Hasan Kazak

Addresses: Department of Accounting and Financial Management, Necmettin Erbakan University, Koycegiz Campus, Koycegiz Nh., Demec St. No: 42/3, Konya, Turkey

Abstract: Multi-criteria decision-making techniques have been developed for solving complex problems with more than one alternative, and many types have emerged over time due to their importance/benefit. These models help the process of making the most accurate decision by evaluating many quantitative and qualitative criteria in a wide variety of sectors/fields. The COPRAS model is one of these methods and has been used to solve many problems and make decisions since its introduction in 1994. The COPRAS method also contains a problem that overshadows its importance. In the COPRAS method, a weighted normalised decision matrix is constructed to obtain dimensionless weighted values from comparative indices. At this stage, if the denominator is negative, this process not only fails to produce the desired result, but also reverses the ranking and prepares the ground for the selection of the wrong alternative. This study proposes a solution that eliminates this negative sum problem in the COPRAS method and ensures the smooth operation of the COPRAS method.

Keywords: multiple criteria analysis; multi-criteria decision making; COPRAS method; ideal solution; decision matrix; negative sum problem.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDSRM.2023.142154

International Journal of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management, 2023 Vol.11 No.1/2/3/4, pp.98 - 110

Received: 08 Feb 2023
Accepted: 07 Feb 2024
Published online: 10 Oct 2024 *

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