Trust modeling based on a combination of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy VIKOR

In this paper, we use a combination of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy VIKOR approaches from the domain of multi-criteria decision making to formulate trust. The VIKOR method was originally developed to solve decision problems with conflicting and non-commensurable criteria. The VIKOR method assumes that compromise is acceptable for conflict resolution and the decision maker wants a solution that is the closest to the ideal. In this method, the alternatives are evaluated according to all the established criteria. By using this method, we can rank the trustee alternatives and determine the compromise solution. Combining fuzzy logic with this approach lets us model the vague, uncertain and subjective nature of trust. The proposed formulation gives a structural way to make decisions to trust an entity, which is required in computational domains. As a result, it is possible to make recommendations in a referral trust scheme and aggregate the trust scores assigned by the recommenders. Through an illustrative example and by performing experimental evaluations, we have shown that the proposed method can make better trust decisions by taking into account the subjective preferences of the trustor about the existing trustworthiness criteria.