One　important　issue　of　aggregating　preference　rankings　is　to　determine　the　weights　of　different　ranking　places.　This　paper　proposes　the　use　of　ordered　weighted　averaging　(OWA)　operator　weights　to　aggregate　preference　rankings,　which　allows　the　weights　associated　with　different　ranking　places　to　be　determined　in　terms　of　a　decision　maker　(DM)＇s　optimism　level　characterized　by　an　orness　degree.　By　adjusting　the　DM＇s　optimism　level,　ties　can　be　avoided　and　winner　can　be　selected.　Two　numerical　examples　are　examined　using　OWA　operator　weights　to　show　their　applications,　simplicity　and　flexibility　in　aggregating　preference　rankings.　(C)　2007　Elsevier　Inc.　All　rights　reserved.