Nearly Convex Optimal Value Functions and Some Related Topics

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce new properties of the relative interior calculus for nearly convex sets, functions, and set-valued mappings. These properties are important for the development of duality theory in optimization. Then we investigate optimal value functions defined by nearly convex functions and nearly convex set-valued mappings, and derive the near convexity of the optimal value function under a qualification condition. We also develop formulas for subgradients and Fenchel conjugates of this class of functions, and explore their applications to duality theory.