A likelihood-based TODIM approach based on multi-hesitant fuzzy linguistic information for evaluation in logistics outsourcing

•A method of obtaining multi-hesitant linguistic information in practice is clarified.•The likelihood function of multi-hesitant fuzzy linguistic term elements (MHFLTEs) is proposed.•A likelihood-based TODIM approach with multi-hesitant fuzzy linguistic information is proposed.•This approach can effectively solve MCDM problems in selecting and evaluating TPLSPs.