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Inconsistency thresholds for incomplete pairwise comparison matrices

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  • Ágoston, Kolos Csaba
  • Csató, László

Abstract

Pairwise comparison matrices are increasingly used in settings where some pairs are missing. However, there exist few inconsistency indices for similar incomplete data sets and no reasonable measure has an associated threshold. This paper generalises the famous rule of thumb for the acceptable level of inconsistency, proposed by Saaty, to incomplete pairwise comparison matrices. The extension is based on choosing the missing elements such that the maximal eigenvalue of the incomplete matrix is minimised. Consequently, the well-established values of the random index cannot be adopted: the inconsistency of random matrices is found to be the function of matrix size and the number of missing elements, with a nearly linear dependence in the case of the latter variable. Our results can be directly built into decision-making software and used by practitioners as a statistical criterion for accepting or rejecting an incomplete pairwise comparison matrix.

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  • Ágoston, Kolos Csaba & Csató, László, 2022. "Inconsistency thresholds for incomplete pairwise comparison matrices," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jomega:v:108:y:2022:i:c:s0305048321001857
    DOI: 10.1016/j.omega.2021.102576
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zsombor Szádoczki & Sándor Bozóki & Patrik Juhász & Sergii V. Kadenko & Vitaliy Tsyganok, 2023. "Incomplete pairwise comparison matrices based on graphs with average degree approximately 3," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 326(2), pages 783-807, July.
    2. Ágoston, Kolos Csaba & Csató, László, 2024. "A lexicographically optimal completion for pairwise comparison matrices with missing entries," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 314(3), pages 1078-1086.
    3. Ausloos, Marcel, 2024. "Hierarchy selection: New team ranking indicators for cyclist multi-stage races," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 314(2), pages 807-816.
    4. Tekile, Hailemariam Abebe & Brunelli, Matteo & Fedrizzi, Michele, 2023. "A numerical comparative study of completion methods for pairwise comparison matrices," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 10(C).

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