On the use of aggregation operations in information fusion processes

This position paper discusses the role of the existing body of fuzzy set aggregation operations in various kinds of problems where the process of fusion of items coming from several sources is central. Several kinds of membership functions can be useful according to the nature of the information to be merged: numerical vs. ordinal inputs, preferences vs. uncertain data, observations vs. constraints. In each case, some aggregation operations look more plausible or feasible than others. The aim of this discussion is to suggest directions for putting at work the results of recent mathematical investigations in the structure of aggregation operations.