On optimization problems with set-valued objective maps

In this paper, we consider constrained optimization problems with set-valued objective maps. First, we define three types of quasi orderings on the set of all non-empty subsets in n-dimensional Euclidean space and investigate their properties. Next, by using these orderings, we define the concepts of the convexities to set-valued maps and investigate their properties. Finally, based on these results, we define the concepts of optimal solutions to constrained optimization problems with set-valued objective maps and characterize their properties. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.