A classification model based on goal programming with non-standard preference functions with application to the prediction of cinema-going behaviour

This paper presents a goal programming model that allows for the flexible handling of the two group classification problem. The goal programming model is based around the concepts of non-standard preference functions and penalty function modelling. An extension to a generalised distance metric case is given. The inclusion of multiple levels of classification based upon different levels of certainty is incorporated into the model. The model is tested on a real-life data set pertaining to cinema-going attendance and conclusions are drawn both in the context of the methodology and of the application.