The grey decision model and its application based on generalized greyness of interval grey number

PurposeIn order to solve the decision-making problem that the attributive weight and attributive value are both interval grey numbers, this paper tries to construct a multi-attribute grey decision-making model based on generalized greyness of interval grey number.Design/methodology/approachFirstly, according to the nature of the generalized gresness of interval grey number, the generalized weighted greyness distance between interval grey numbers is given, and the transformation relationship between greyness distance and real number distance is analyzed. Then according to the objective function that the square sum of generalized weighted greyness distances from the decision scheme to the best scheme and the worst scheme is the minimum, a multi-attribute grey decision-making model is constructed, and the simplified form of the model is given. Finally, the grey decision-making model proposed in this paper is applied to the evaluation of technological innovation capability of 6 provinces in China to verify the effectiveness of the model.FindingsThe results show that the grey decision-making model proposed in this paper has a strict mathematical foundation, clear physical meaning, simple calculation and easy programming. The application example shows that the grey decision model in this paper is feasible and effective. The research results not only enrich the grey system theory, but also provide a new way for the decision-making problem that the attributive weights and attributive values are interval grey numbers.Practical implicationsThe decision-making model proposed in this paper does not need to seek the optimal solution of the attributive weight and the attributive value, and can save the decision-making labor and capital investment. The model in this paper is also suitable for the decision-making problem that deals with the coexistence of interval grey numbers and real numbers.Originality/valueThe paper succeeds in realizing the multi-attribute grey decision-making model based on generalized gresness and its simplified forms, which provide a new method for grey decision analysis.