Minimum Cost Consensus Modeling Considering Opinion-Based Variable Cost and Trust-Based Tolerance Constraints

In group decision making, reaching consensus is a complex process that requires a lot of time, energy, or resources to persuade decision makers (DMs) to make compromises. Consequently, how to balance the consensus cost and the tolerance constraints of DM to promote a harmonious consensus is a challenge. This article investigates the minimum cost consensus modeling (MCCM) considering opinion-based variable cost and trust-based tolerance constraints. Given that the existing models ignore the preference strategy manipulation of DMs, a dynamic opinion-based variable unit cost allocation mechanism is presented to prevent the preference manipulation behavior of DMs to a certain extent. To effectively reveal the adjust willingness of DMs in the consensus reaching process, an improved tolerance level measurement which incorporates the tolerance threshold, opinion deviation, and individual return satisfaction is developed to evaluate the compromise willingness of DMs. On this basis, a trust relationship-based tolerance threshold adjustment mechanism for the consensus feedback of MCCM is proposed. Meanwhile, a relative opinion similarity-based trust relationship updating approach is presented to promote the consensus efficiency. A case of regional air pollution collaborative governance is given to verify the practicability of the proposed model. Comparative studies show that the proposed model has stable consensus performance and lower consensus cost compared with existing models.