Visualization of preference aggregation based on Weber point in social network group decision-making problem

Purpose This study aims to construct a Weber point-based model to complete the visualization of preference aggregation in group decision-making problem, in which decision-makers are associated with trust relationship. Design/methodology/approach This study mainly comprises four parts: trust propagation, preference aggregation, opinion adjustment and alternative selection. Firstly, the incomplete trust between decision-makers is completed with trust transfer operators and propagation probability in trust propagation process. Secondly, a preference aggregation model based on Weber point is proposed to aggregate the group preference visually. Thirdly, opinions are adjusted to reach a consensus. Finally, the ranking of alternatives is determined by the correlation coefficient with the group preference as a reference. Findings The Weber point-based model proposed in this study can minimize the gap in the preference of alternatives between the group and all decision-makers, and realize the visualization of aggregation result. A case of plan selection is introduced to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model. Originality/value By comparing the result with the weighted average-based preference aggregation method, the Weber point-based model proposed in this study can show the result of preference aggregation intuitively and improve group consensus.