In recent years, many versions of fuzzy sets are introduced in the literature. Spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs) concept is one of these latest developments. An SFS is a synthesis of Pythagorean fuzzy set (PFS) and neutrosophic set for providing a larger preference domain for experts and allowing them to express their hesitancy more comprehensively. The distinctive feature of SFSs is that the squared sum of membership, nonmembership, and hesitancy degrees is between 0 and 1 while each degree should be independently defined in [0,1]. The application of SFS on decision‐making field may be about describing expert evaluations more informatively and explicitly. In this study, spherical fuzzy version of DEMATEL, one of the most cited multiple criteria decision‐making approach, is introduced for considering the hesitancy degrees of experts when they evaluate the potential influences among the criteria. Another contribution made is the fuzzification of all the steps in DEMATEL until the last ones since the existing propositions in literature perform early defuzzification operations. The defuzzification is here applied as close to the end as possible for keeping the whole process fuzzy. The applicability of the proposition is shown in an illustrative example of a building contractor evaluation problem, and its robustness is shown by comparing the results with PFS‐based and neutrosophic DEMATEL versions.

中文翻译：

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DEMATEL（SF-DEMATEL）的球面模糊扩展

近年来，文献中介绍了许多版本的模糊集。球面模糊集 (SFS) 概念是这些最新发展之一。SFS 是勾股模糊集 (PFS) 和中智集的综合，用于为专家提供更大的偏好域并允许他们更全面地表达他们的犹豫。SFS 的显着特征是隶属度、非隶属度和犹豫度的平方和在 0 到 1 之间，而每个度都应在 [0,1] 中独立定义。SFS 在决策领域的应用可能是关于更翔实和明确地描述专家评估。在这项研究中，DEMATEL 的球形模糊版本是引用最多的多标准决策方法之一，引入是为了考虑专家在评估标准之间的潜在影响时的犹豫程度。另一个贡献是 DEMATEL 中所有步骤的模糊化，直到文献中现有命题执行早期去模糊化操作以来的最后一个步骤。去模糊化在这里应用尽可能接近最后以保持整个过程模糊。该命题的适用性在建筑承包商评估问题的说明性示例中显示，其稳健性通过将结果与基于 PFS 和中智 DEMATEL 版本的结果进行比较来显示。另一个贡献是 DEMATEL 中所有步骤的模糊化，直到文献中现有命题执行早期去模糊化操作以来的最后一个步骤。去模糊化在这里应用尽可能接近最后以保持整个过程模糊。该命题的适用性在建筑承包商评估问题的说明性示例中显示，其稳健性通过将结果与基于 PFS 和中智 DEMATEL 版本的结果进行比较来显示。另一个贡献是 DEMATEL 中所有步骤的模糊化，直到文献中现有命题执行早期去模糊化操作以来的最后一个步骤。去模糊化在这里应用尽可能接近最后以保持整个过程模糊。该命题的适用性在建筑承包商评估问题的说明性示例中显示，其稳健性通过将结果与基于 PFS 和中智 DEMATEL 版本的结果进行比较来显示。