Incorporating competence sets of decision makers by deduction graphs

This paper proposes an optimization model of incorporating competence sets of group decision makers to maximize the total benefit of the whole group. Such an incorporation model is formulated as finding a deduction graph linked from the nodes of existing competencies to the nodes of desired competencies. Compared with other methods treating competence set problems (Yu and Zhang 1991, Li and Yu 1994, and Shi and Yu 1996), the proposed model can solve problems involving multiple decision makers; in addition it allows the network to be cyclic and to contain compounds nodes.