Multiple Criteria Problem Solving by S. ZiontsReview by: Derek W. BunnThe Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 30, No. 3 (Mar., 1979), p. 291Published by: Palgrave Macmillan Journals on behalf of the Operational Research SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3009622 .

Accessed: 28/06/2014 13:07

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

.

Palgrave Macmillan Journals and Operational Research Society are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize,preserve and extend access to The Journal of the Operational Research Society.

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 62.109.6.2 on Sat, 28 Jun 2014 13:07:45 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

Book Selection

non-quantitative approach to problems and take note of the mathematics of operational research that is blossoming all around.

GAUTAM MITRA

Multiple Criteria Problem Solving

S. ZIONTS (Editor)

Springer, Berlin, 1978. 567 pp. $23.50.

This volume, from Springer-Verlag's Lecture Notes series, contains the proceedings of a conference on multiple criteria decision analysis held at Buffalo, New York, during August 1977. Everyone concerned in its preparation should be complimented on such an expeditious publication. This has been achieved partly by the simplicity of its presen- tation: the volume contains only the papers presented, arranged in alphabetical order according to the authors' names. There is no editorial guidance through the diverse aspects of the subject for any newcomer, although Fishburn's survey paper and extensive bibliography helps to mitigate this. Likewise, the papers are not followed by any discus- sion by other participants.

However, the quality of the papers is very good. The papers included are by: Bell; Blin and Dodson; Bodily; Chankong and Haimes; Dyer and Sarin; Einhorn and McCoach; Fandel; Farquhar; Fishburn; Gal; Hansen and de Lattre; Isermann; Johnson; Keefer; Keeney and Lilien; Kirkwood; Kornbluth; Lee; Morse; Moscarola; Moskowitz, Bajgien, Bartell and Whinston; Passy and Levanon, Steuer, Tell; Wehrung, Bassler, MacCrimmon and Stanbury; Yu; Zeleny; Zionts and Deshpande. The topics include some of the theoretical and applied aspects of multi-attribute utility functions, multiple objective programming, goal programming, dominance analysis and group decision-making.

Research people who wish to maintain an interest in the subject will find this a useful reference over the next couple of years.

DEREK W. BUNN

Computer Models in the Social Sciences

R. B. COATES and A. PARKIN

Arnold, U;K., 1977. 184 pp. ?3.75.

If you are tempted to be put off this book by the typeface, which resembles standard typewriter output, do resist, at least until you have read the preface. By then the direct style will almost certainly have persuaded you to read on. The authors aim to "arouse your interest in the potential of computer models in explaining and predicting social phenomena." They assume "you have an appreciation of computers, but little or no practical experience".

The authors themselves concede that determining the assumptions which they could make about the background of their readers was their most difficult task. By and large I think they have done well. The book in effect ends at Chapter 5 which discusses the variety of computer models and presents an extensive bibliography (290 references) designed to take the student further into detail and topics. Their "explanatory" chapters can certainly be read by those without "practical experience." Whether the "example" chapters which form the second part of the book are quite such easy reading depends on your appreciation of computers.

I recommend Chapter One ("Safely skipped by those with no interest in philosophical discussion") as worth-while reading; it sets out a few home truths about the nature of experiments and models, which can easily be ignored, if not forgotten, in the day

291

This content downloaded from 62.109.6.2 on Sat, 28 Jun 2014 13:07:45 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions