Article Info
Authors: Francesco Ciardiello, Andrea Genovese
Journal: Annals of Operations Research
Published online: 10 May 2023
Issue publication: June 2023
Volume: 325
Pages: 967–994
DOI: 10.1007/s10479-023-05339-w
Research Focus
The article compares the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), two widely used approaches for aggregating performances in Multi-Criteria Decision-Making.
Methodological Comparison
The study examines common features of TOPSIS and SAW with particular attention to the additive properties of the value function and the sensitivity of that function to trade-off weights. Both methods are considered within the value function approach and are often combined with other MCDM methods to rank alternatives.
Computational Experiment
The paper performs an experimental comparison using randomly generated criteria weights and alternatives’ ratings. TOPSIS is evaluated with three Minkowski distances: Euclidean, Manhattan, and Tchebichev. Similarity between the resulting rankings is assessed through a set of statistical indices.
Findings
The reported results show that TOPSIS used with Manhattan distance produces rankings extremely similar to those generated by SAW. The experimental results also confirm that TOPSIS rankings are closer to SAW rankings when similar formal properties are satisfied.
Key Takeaways
- TOPSIS and SAW share important value-function features.
- Trade-off weights affect the sensitivity of aggregation results.
- Distance selection influences the similarity of TOPSIS rankings.
- Manhattan-distance TOPSIS most closely resembles SAW in the reported comparison.
Cite this paper
APA: Ciardiello, F., & Genovese, A. (2023). A comparison between TOPSIS and SAW methods. Annals of Operations Research, 325, 967–994. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-023-05339-w
MLA: Ciardiello, Francesco, and Andrea Genovese. “A comparison between TOPSIS and SAW methods.” Annals of Operations Research, vol. 325, 2023, pp. 967–994. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-023-05339-w.
IEEE: F. Ciardiello and A. Genovese, “A comparison between TOPSIS and SAW methods,” Annals of Operations Research, vol. 325, pp. 967–994, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s10479-023-05339-w.
Source
Read the original Springer article online for complete source details.