Grey conflict analysis approach with constraints

Purpose We attempt to construct a grey three-way conflict analysis model with constraints to deal with correlated conflict problems with uncertain information. Design/methodology/approach In order to address these correlated conflict problems with uncertain information, considering the interactive influence and mutual restraints among agents and portraying their attitudes toward the conflict issues, we utilize grey numbers and three-way decisions to propose a grey three-way conflict analysis model with constraints. Firstly, based on the collected information, we introduced grey theory, calculated the degree of conflict between agents and then analyzed the conflict alliance based on the three-way decision theory. Finally, we designed a feedback mechanism to identify key agents and key conflict issues. A case verifies the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed model. Findings The results show that the proposed model can portray their attitudes toward conflict issues and effectively extract conflict-related information. Originality/value By employing this approach, we can provide the answers to Deja’s fundamental questions regarding Pawlak’s conflict analysis: “what are the underlying causes of conflict?” and “how can a viable consensus strategy be identified?”