Which is better: Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) or Grey Relational Analysis (GRA)? I ask this question because I see many publications using AHP or GRA, for example, to select materials in the ecodesign concept of products/processes. However, the methodological approach of each of these two tools is different. So, I'm afraid that you can find different results applying AHP or GRA for the same study.
I'll appreciate your feedback!
I have used AHP (Saaty, 1980) before in my prior research studies. It seems like a very rigorous multicriteria method as it allows you to check for consistency in value judgements. But if you look at the literature in this area, there are tonnes of methods TOPSIS, ELECTRA etc. If different tools yield different results it would be an interesting conclusion in itself.
According to Hyde (2006): "There are many MCDA techniques available but it is often
not clear which method is most appropriate for a particular decision making situation". Furthermore she quotes "there is no universally agreed set of guidelines allowing the appropriate MCDA method to be selected for a given decision situation (Hersh, 1999; Mysiak et al., 2005)".
To tell the thuth, I have never applied GRA and therefore I cannot provide a comparison. However, in my experience with AHP, I have to agree with Renard that the method allows you to check for consistency in value judgements or in the provided preferences when expert opinion is asked. Neverhteless, the data consistency can easily become a useless feature. More specifically, the data may be consistent but the logic behind the pair-wise preferences (criteria weights) may be ill structured meaning that the users need to be vigilant.
In your question, I would encourage you to apply more than one techniques agreeing with Renard that different results would be an interesting conclusion in itself.
Hyde, K.M., 2006. Uncertainty analysis methods for multi-criteria decision analysis. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Adelaide, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Hersh, M. A. (1999). Sustainable decision making: the role of decision support
systems. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, And Cybernetics Part C: Applications
and Reviews. Vol 29, Iss 3, pp 395-408.
Mysiak, J., Giupponi, C., Rosato, P. (2005). Towards the development of a decision
support system for water resource management. Environmental Modelling &
Software. Vol 20, Iss 2, pp 203-214.
Dear Diogo,
You can find an application of MCDM in watershed management in the below link. Hope it can be helpful.
Article Analysis of vegetation-based management scenarios using MCDM...
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