A decision-making framework for China’s rare earth industry security evaluation by neutrosophic soft CoCoSo method

The financial risk evaluation is critically vital for enterprises to identify the potential financial risks, provide decision basis for financial risk management, and prevent and reduce risk losses. In the case of considering financial risk assessment, the basic problems that arise are related to strong fuzziness, ambiguity and inaccuracy. q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (q-ROFS), portrayed by the degrees of membership and non-membership, is a more resultful tool to seize fuzziness. In this article, the novel q-rung orthopair fuzzy score function is given for dealing the comparison problem. Later, the and operations are explored and their interesting properties are discussed. Then, the objective weights are calculated by CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation). Moreover, we present combined weights that reflects both subjective preference and objective preference. In addition, the q-rung orthopair fuzzy MCDM (multi-criteria decision making) algorithm based on CoCoSo (Combined Compromise Solution) is presented. Finally, the feasibility of algorithm is stated by a financial risk evaluation example with corresponding sensitivity analysis. The salient features of the proposed algorithm are that they have no counter-intuitive case and have a stronger capacity in differentiating the best alternative.

It is important to perform to find the most appropriate normalization procedure in MCDM methods. Normalization procedures proposed in the literature have tended to focus on cost and benefit type criteria. Some of the criteria discussed in MCDM problems may be required not to exceed a certain lower bound or upper bound, while others may be required to meet a certain target value. However, some criteria require target and boundary values-based normalizations, and these types of procedures receive much less attention despite their importance in many decision-making problems such as workers’ physical workload evaluation. Criteria affecting physical workload require target and boundary values-based normalizations because these normalization procedures best match the properties of human physiological capacities. In this context, this study proposes new normalization procedures based on target and boundary values. These new normalizations are applied in Criteria Importance through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC), Preference Selection Index (PSI) to obtain criteria weights and Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method to prioritize workers for their physical workload levels. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to interpret the ranking differences for CRITIC-CoCoSo and PSI-CoCoSo integrations based on proposed normalization procedures.

Purpose The study responds to address the practical problem faced by the digital marketers, content creators and digital business agencies on creating content, which is both human-readable and LLM-compatible. The present study identifies and analyses the key factors influencing content optimization for Large Language Models (LLMs) to develop a strategic framework for Large Language Model Optimization (LLMO) that aligns with modern search paradigms. Design/methodology/approach This research employs a two-phases multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach combining CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) to determine factor weights, and DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) to map causal relationships. A panel of 15 experts across three countries (India, UAE and USA) rated the influence of five identified factors. Findings The study identifies five critical factors for LLMO: Retrieval Augmentation, Readability Enhancement, Content Quality Assurance, Filtering of Unsafe Content and User-Centric Content Design. Retrieval Augmentation and User-Centric Design emerged as key causal factors, while Readability and Content Quality acted as bridges or effects. Although factor weights were relatively balanced, the DEMATEL analysis revealed interdependencies highlighting the dynamic nature of LLMO. Practical implications The results provide actionable guidance to digital marketing experts and agencies, content strategists, marketing heads and developers to structure web content that is both human-readable and LLM-compatible. The study offers insights to organizations on how they can enhance their digital visibility and authority in AI-powered search ecosystems. Originality/value This study fills a critical gap by offering the first integrated CRITIC-DEMATEL framework for LLMO. It distinguishes LLMO from traditional SEO and offers a novel causal model to support the development of holistic, future-ready content strategies.

The growth of medical tourism has contributed to the expansion of dental tourism. With the rise of tourism in Albania, dental tourism has similarly progressed. This research aims to evaluate the quality of dental tourism services in Tirana, applying fuzzy methods such as CRITIC (CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) and CoCoSo (Combined Compromise Solution). These two methods were integrated into a hybrid approach, as described in this paper. Seven experts evaluated dental practices using linguistic values. The CRITIC method results indicated that, among the ten criteria, the most significant was the variety of services. According to the CoCoSo method, Biodent Denti e Sorrisi, Diamond Dental, and Dental Med Austria practices demonstrated the highest quality in dental tourism services. As research results indicate, these clinics could serve as models for improving dental tourism in Albania through a focus on quality development.

There has been a paradigm shift in the automobile industry due to e-mobility which reduces green-house gas emission and air pollution. In this context, selection of the most feasible automotive passenger vehicle is a complex decision-making problem due to the use of different power source, technology, specification and price. In this paper, five alternative vehicles based on fuel cell, hybrid electric, battery electric, plug in hybrid electric and compressed natural gas bi-fuel are evaluated using an integrated criteria importance through inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) - Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method. CRITIC method is used to obtain the weights of the vehicle selection criteria, whereas, CoCoSo method is employed to rank the vehicles considering different technical and operational criteria such as greenhouse gas emission, fuel economy, vehicle range, accelerating time, annual fuel cost and vehicle base model cost. It is found that battery electric vehicle out performs all other considered alternatives. The validity of the results is verified by comparing with other well popular MCDM methods. Further, a sensitivity analysis is conducted by changing the criteria weights to establish the stability of the model.

A novel multilevel decision-making evaluation approach for the renewable energy heating systems: A case study in China

Rare earth is not only a global strategic resource, but also can affect the local economy, society and culture for areas with abundant reserves. Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China is the region with the richest rare earth reserves in the world. The rare earth industry here not only drives the local economic development, but also provides necessary conditions for the vigorous development of related industries. Based on this reality, this paper collected and classified the social science research of rare earth industry in Baotou, and summarized and analyzed these data.

Rare earth is an important strategic mineral resource for national economy and national security. As the largest producer and exporter of rare earth, China’s rare earth industry has problems associated with excessive production, mismatched pricing power and environmental pollution. Therefore, an in-depth study of the rare earth industry security is necessary. Based on proposed definition for mineral resource security, this paper established a rare earth resource security evaluation model based on the “driver-pressure-state-impact-response” conceptual model using an extended TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese for interactive and multi-criteria decision-making) method combined with the E-DEMATEL (entropy and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory) method. The model was then applied to Chinese rare earth data from 2006–2015 to assess the security, from which it was found that while the security level was not high, the overall trend was improving. Moreover, some critical response factors affecting REEs (rare earth elements) security are identified, including tariffs, research investment, etc. This paper not only introduces a new evaluation of REEs security but also explores the crucial indicators and the response mechanism.

Rare earth elements (also referred to as rare earth minerals, rare earth metals, green elements, rare earths or simply REEs) are comprised of 17 elements of the periodic table. The metals are often found combined together in ores and must be separated into its individual elements. On the supply side of the market, China is currently the largest producer of rare earth elements in the world, mining at least 90% of total world production. Consequently, many countries around the world rely on imports of these REEs to facilitate production of the various systems and products that are dependent on the rare earth metals as raw materials. With one supplier effectively monopolizing the rare earth industry, this imposes severe supply-chain risks to the producers of products that rely on rare earth minerals. After several actions that have restricted the supply, the United States, the European Union, and Japan have challenged China for violating provisions of its membership in the World Trade Organization. This paper will examine the rare earth industry, Chinas near-monopoly, global supply-chain risks, and strategies to reduce dependence on China, including the invocation of the WTOs dispute resolution process.

This study aims to improve the productivity and flexibility of the mushroom house to increase the production of straw mushrooms. Determining the design of technical specifications and material requirements of the mushroom house is a process that is quite important in determining the success or failure of increasing straw mushroom production. QFD (Quality Function Deployment) is used to obtain the best design based on the needs of the mushroom farmers. The needs of the mushroom farmers are then translated through QFD into technical specifications. MCDM (Multi Criteria Decision Making) is used to determine the material for the frame and blanket of the mushroom house according to the technical specifications of the QFD. CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) is one of the methods of MCDM that performs an objective weighting of the criteria. A mushroom house was built based on the technical and material specifications obtained from QFD and CRITIC. Tests were carried out by comparing the productivity and flexibility between traditional mushroom houses and designed mushroom houses. The peroductivity of the mushroom house includes cleanliness, stability in temperature and humidity, the rate of growth of straw mushrooms in media. Flexibility includes the ability to assembled and disassembled, easily mobilize from one place to another.

Multi-criteria decision-based hybrid energy selection system using CRITIC weighted CODAS approach

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate and identify the most suitable logistics service providers within the framework of Logistics 4.0, shaped by digital transformation and Industry 4.0 technologies. Logistics 4.0 seeks to optimize logistics processes using innovative technologies such as smart systems and big data analytics. In this context, selecting the right service provider is of strategic importance for businesses. This study intends to assist companies in making accurate decisions in this complex process. Method: The CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) based WASPAS (Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment) method was employed. The CRITIC method was used to determine the objective weights of the criteria, while the WASPAS method utilized these weights to calculate the overall performance scores of the alternatives. Findings: The results of the study reveal the key criteria that businesses should consider when selecting Logistics 4.0 service providers and identifying the top-performing service providers. Originality: This study highlights the advantages and effectiveness of using the combined CRITIC and WASPAS methods in the selection of service providers in the logistics sector. Additionally, it contributes to the literature on the selection of Logistics 4.0 service providers.

A hybrid MCDM framework for assessing urban competitiveness: A case study of European cities

With the rapid development of science and technology, rare earths (REs) are playing a vital role in economic and social development due to their unique electronic structure and physicochemical properties. REs are widely used in lighting, electrical, and magnetic field as a crucially strategic resource. Being the upstream of the RE industry supply chain, RE separation is crucial throughout the whole industry. The primary issues about RE separation are reviewed in this chapter. Conventional organic solvent extractants expose some inherent questions in the long-term application, while ionic liquids as “green solvents” show great potential in the separation processes. This chapter also overviewed RE resources in the world and the issues associated with these separation processes. A brief introduction to ionic liquid-based RE functional materials has been also made.

China rare earth industry relatively small in scale, features a low concentration rate with numerous businesses, serious waste of resources and ecological damage as well as high-end application development lag. In May 2011, China began to carry out a series of polices to adjustments the rare earth industry, lead it into corporate restructuring and intensive development path. First, this paper give a presentation about China’s rare earth industry, and then analyzes the mergers and acquisitions of rare earth industry in recent years, review of the relevant laws, regulations and policy documents, summed up the basis of the characteristics and the effectiveness of mergers and acquisitions, and at the end proposed appropriate advice for future development of rare earth industry.