α-Cut based hierarchical fuzzy topsis for Tabung Haji pilgrimage guide selection

Tabung Haji (TH) is the Malaysian hajj pilgrims fund board that manages pilgrimage activities and provides investment services for Malaysian Muslim communities. To ensure effective service, TH has a stringent selection of her staff. In the selection process of PIHTAS (Hajj Facilitators in the Holy Land), uncertainty and subjective perception-based evaluation are inevitable. In this paper, a fuzzy approach is introduced to cater to this problem. Integration of decision-making methods between fuzzy AHP (FAHP) and fuzzy TOPSIS (FTOPSIS), known as Hierarchical Fuzzy TOPSIS is utilized for this purpose. An α-cut approach is used to perform the calculation in the method where it can give a better representation of the evaluation result as it captures a more accurate shape of the operation. Using the proposed method, the criteria weight is determined using FAHP and the ranking of alternatives is obtained using FTOPSIS. The selection procedure involves two stages which are the evaluation of the application form and the interview process. It is found that the fuzzy approach gives a consistent result as compared to the common practice of the TH selection process and the fuzzy approach has the advantage of accommodating ambiguity and subjective matters.