Optimal decision procedures for finite Markov chains. Part III: General convex systems

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the general problem of finding an optimal transition matrix for a finite Markov chain, where the probabilities for each transition must be chosen from a given convex family of distributions. The immediate cost is determined by this choice, but it is required to minimise the average expected cost in the long run. The problem is investigated by classifying the states according to the accessibility relations between them. If an optimal policy exists, it can be found by considering the convex subsystems associated with the states at different levels in the classification scheme.