Integrating Fuzzy SWARA and TOPSIS Methods for Cloud Service Selection
Keywords:
Cloud services, fuzzy approach, fuzzy SWARA, fuzzy TOPSISAbstract
This research employs a hybrid framework for cloud service selection that integrates multi-criteria decision-making methods with a fuzzy approach. Specifically, fuzzy SWARA (Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) and fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) are applied. The fuzzy SWARA method is used to determine the weights of ten selected criteria based on expert assessments. The results obtained from 16 experts indicate that cost (C1) and security (C3) are the most important criteria for cloud service selection. The fuzzy TOPSIS method is used to rank six cloud services. Services A6 and A1 achieve the best results, making them the most suitable choices for companies in Serbia. Additional comparative and sensitivity analyses confirm these findings and demonstrate the need to balance cost, security, and performance when selecting cloud services. The contribution of this research lies in the application of a flexible decision-making model based on fuzzy SWARA and fuzzy TOPSIS. The model can also be applied to other decision-making problems, provided that appropriate adjustments are made to the criteria and alternatives.
Downloads
References
Araujo, J., Maciel, P., Andrade, E., Callou, G., Alves, V., & Cunha, P. (2018). Decision making in cloud environments: an approach based on multiple-criteria decision analysis and stochastic models. Journal of Cloud Computing Advances Systems and Applications, 7(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13677-018-0106-7
Jatoth, C., Gangadharan, G. R., Fiore, U., & Buyya, R. (2019). SELCLOUD: a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making model for selection of cloud services. Soft Computing, 23(13), 4701–4715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-018-3120-2
Abdel-Basset, M., Mohamed, M., & Chang, V. (2018). NMCDA: A framework for evaluating cloud computing services. Future Generations Computer Systems, 86, 12–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2018.03.014
Abdullah, S., Saifullah, & Almagrabi, A. O. (2023). An Integrated Group Decision-Making Framework for the Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Cloud Platforms Based on Fractional Fuzzy Sets. Mathematics, 11(21), 4428. https://doi.org/10.3390/math11214428
Gyani, J., Ahmed, A., & Haq, M. A. (2022). MCDM and various prioritization methods in AHP for CSS: A comprehensive review. IEEE Access: Practical Innovations, Open Solutions, 10, 33492–33511. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2022.3161742
Hosseinzadeh, M., Hama, H. K., Ghafour, M. Y., Masdari, M., Ahmed, O. H., & Khezri, H. (2020). Service selection using multi-criteria decision making: A comprehensive overview. Journal of Network and Systems Management, 28(4), 1639–1693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10922-020-09553-w
Rahimi, M., Jafari Navimipour, N., Hosseinzadeh, M., Moattar, M. H., & Darwesh, A. (2022). Toward the efficient service selection approaches in cloud computing. Kybernetes, 51(4), 1388–1412. https://doi.org/10.1108/k-02-2021-0129
Ghorui, N., Mondal, S. P., Chatterjee, B., Ghosh, A., Pal, A., De, D., & Giri, B. C. (2023). Selection of cloud service providers using MCDM methodology under intuitionistic fuzzy uncertainty. Soft Computing. 27(5), 2403–2423 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-022-07772-8
Faiz, M., & Daniel, A. K. (2024). A multi-criteria cloud selection model based on fuzzy logic technique for QoS. International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, 15(2), 687–704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13198-022-01723-0
Monika, & Sangwan, O. P. (2022). A framework for evaluating cloud computing services using AHP and TOPSIS approaches with interval valued spherical fuzzy sets. Cluster Computing. 25, 4383–4396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10586-022-03679-z
Kahraman, C., Cevik Onar, S., & Oztaysi, B. (2022). Cloud service provider selection using interval-valued picture fuzzy TOPSIS. In INFUS 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 504, (pp. 498–507). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09173-5_59
Mostafa, A. M. (2024). A group multi-criteria decision-making approach based on the best-only method for cloud service selection. IEEE Access: Practical Innovations, Open Solutions, 12, 119946–119957. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2024.3450280
Tiwari, K., Sharma, A. K., & Tiwari, R. K. (2026). Integration of fuzzy BWM and G-TOPSIS for optimal cloud service provider selection under uncertainty. 2026 5th International Conference on Distributed Computing and Electrical Circuits and Electronics (ICDCECE), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICDCECE68961.2026.11646063
Liu, Z., Wang, D., Wang, W., & Liu, P. (2022). An integrated group decision‐making framework for selecting cloud service providers based on regret theory and EVAMIX with hybrid information. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 37(6), 3480–3513. https://doi.org/10.1002/int.22698
Goyal, P., & Deora, S. S. (2025). Robust cloud service ranking with deep learning and multi-criteria analysis. Journal of Web Engineering, 24(5), 739-772 https://doi.org/10.13052/jwe1540-9589.2453
Kumar, A., Singh, A. K., & Garg, A. (2023). Application of MCDM methods in cloud computing: A literature review. In Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Computing and Security Volume 1 (pp. 868–873). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003393580-129
Youssef, A. E. (2020). An integrated MCDM approach for cloud service selection based on TOPSIS and BWM. IEEE Access: Practical Innovations, Open Solutions, 8, 71851–71865. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2020.2987111
Tomar, A., Kumar, R. R., & Gupta, I. (2022). Decision making for cloud service selection: a novel and hybrid MCDM approach. Cluster Computing. 26(6), 3869–3887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10586-022-03793-y
T., T., Kalaiarasan, C., & Venkatesh, K. A. (2022). Cloud Provider Selection Based on Accountability and Security Using Interval-Valued Fuzzy TOPSIS. International Journal of Decision Support System Technology (IJDSST), 14(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJDSST.286684
Mandal, S., & Khan, D. A. (2022). Cloud-CoCoSo: Cloud model-based combined compromised solution model for trusted cloud service provider selection. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 47(8), 10307–10332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-06512-8
Liu, M., Shao, Y., Yu, C., & Yu, J. (2020). A heterogeneous QoS-based cloud service selection approach using entropy weight and GRA-ELECTRE III. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2020, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1536872
Makwe, A., Kanungo, P., Kautish, S., Madhu, G., Almazyad, A. S., Xiong, G., & Mohamed, A. W. (2024). Cloud service prioritization using a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making technique in a cloud computing environment. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 15(7), 102785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2024.102785
Zhang, S., Tang, J., Meng, F., & Yuan, R. (2021). A group decision making method with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations and its application in the selection of cloud computing vendors for SMEs. Informatica, 32(1), 163-193. https://doi.org/10.15388/20-infor416
Keršulienė, V., Zavadskas, E. K., & Turskis, Z. (2010). Selection of rational dispute resolution method by applying new step‐Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (Swara). Journal of Business Economics and Management, 11(2), 243–258. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2010.12
Hwang, C. L., Yoon, K. (1981). Multiple Attribute Decision Making: Methods and Applications. Springer-Verlag, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-48318-9
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Petar Bosiljčić (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
