An enhanced VIKOR method for multi-criteria group decision-making with complex Fermatean fuzzy sets

This paper aims to propose a new decision-making approach retaining the fascinating traits of the conventional VIKOR method in the context of the enrich multidimensional complex Fermatean fuzzy N-soft set. The VIKOR technique is contemplated as the most reliable decision-making approach among others which employs a strategy to identify the compromise solution with advantageous distance from the positive ideal solution possesses maximum majority utility and minimum individual regret. At the same time, the paramount characteristic of the complex Fermatean fuzzy N-soft set considers the proclivity to capture two-dimensional uncertain and imprecise information along with the multi-valued parameters. This article expands the literature to handle the multi-attribute group decision-making strategy by introducing a technique, namely, the complex Fermatean fuzzy N-soft VIKOR method that amalgamates the unconventional traits of complex Fermatean fuzzy N-soft with the capability of the VIKOR method. The proposed technique permits the assignment of the N-soft grades to the decision-makers, alternatives, and attributes based on their performances. Firstly, we unify these individual opinions of all decision-makers about the alternatives by employing the complex Fermatean fuzzy N-soft weighted average operator. After that, all entities of the aggregated decision matrix are converted into crisp data by utilizing the score function. Furthermore, we calculate the ranking measures of the group utility and the individual regret by assigning the weight of strategy belongs to the interval [0, 1]. To find the compromise solution, we arrange the ranking measures in ascending order, and the alternative that possesses the conditions of compromise solution is selected. We demonstrate the presented multi-attribute group decision-making technique by selecting the best location for a nuclear power plant. We conduct the comparative analysis of the presented technique with Fermatean fuzzy TOPSIS to endorse the veracity and accuracy of our method. Finally, we explain the merits and limitations of our strategy and give some concluding remarks.