Fuzzy Random Utility Choice Models: The Case ofTelecommuting Suitability

Random utility models have been widely used in many diverse fields. Considering utility as arandom variable opened many new analytical doors to researchers in explaining behavioral phenomena.Introducing and incorporating the random error term into the utility function had severalreasons, including accounting for unobserved variables. This paper incorporates fuzziness intorandom utility models to account for the imprecision of data intrinsic in human perception andstatement. Fuzzy variables are contrasted with random variables, and a model is presented of relationshipsamong real, perceived, and stated/reported conditions. The proposed fuzzy approach isapplied to modeling telecommuting suitability, using data gathered from 242 employees in Tehran,Iran to construct fuzzy membership functions of job-tasks to the fuzzy set of telecommuting suitability.The resulting utility function can be viewed as representing the global wisdom of respondents.The enhancement in the fuzzy random utility model results, although modest, is promisingand sets the stage for further research in the field of fuzzy logit models

Keywords:

Fuzzy random utility model , global wisdom , telecommuting suitability