Rough set-based conflict analysis model and method over two universes

Rough set theory, as a new mathematical tool to handle uncertainty decision making problems, was used to study conflict analysis decision making in late90/s, and then the Pawlak conflict analysis model was established. The approach of rough set provides a new perspective and also gives an effective tool to deal with conflict analysis decision making, both theoretically and practically. In this paper, we propose a new rough set model of conflict analysis: a conflict analysis decision model based on rough set theory over two universes. It is a natural extension of the Pawlak conflict analysis model. Subsequently, we define the conflict matrix and a consistent disagreement matrix on the basis of the model proposed in this paper. Then we can find the intrinsic reasons for conflict and attain a feasible strategy for a conflict situation. Furthermore, we define a positive alliance matrix and a negative alliance matrix for a conflict situation. These can help us analyze the opinions of different agents in the conflict situation. Moreover, we develop a matrix approach for a conflict analysis model based on rough set theory over two universes, which provides a convenient way to analyze and solve the conflict situation. Comparing to the Pawlak conflict analysis model, our proposed model not only could reveal the core causes for a conflict situation but also can find a possible optimal feasible consensus strategy to solve the conflict situation which satisfies the agents as much as possible. Finally, we illustrate the idea and the basic principles established in this paper by analyzing a conflict decision making scenario. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.