The relationship between goal programming and fuzzy programming

Goal programming (GP) and fuzzy programming (FP) are two approaches for solving the vector optimization problem by reducing it to a single (or sequential) objective one. These two approaches have some similarities and both of them have more than one form to handle the multiobjective problem. This paper highlights the similarities between GP and FP and answers the question how each one can lead to the other. However, we will consider in this paper the min-operator to transform the linear FP to a crisp program since this approach is more popular and applied than the others. In addition, some new forms of fuzzy programs are presented in this paper. These new forms use the concept of deviational variables of GP (and not the min-operator) to transform the FP to a crisp one. Finally, a numerical example to illustrate the relationship between the two approaches is given. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.