The spatial framework for weight sensitivity analysis in AHP-based multi-criteria decision making

  • Authors:

  • Yun Chen;Jia Yu;Shahbaz Khan

  • Affiliations:

  • CSIRO Land and Water, GPO Box 1666, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia and Department of Geography, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China;Department of Geography, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China and Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 2000 ...;UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, Jakarta, Indonesia

  • Venue:
  • Environmental Modelling & Software
  • Year:
  • 2013

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Abstract

Criteria weights determined from pairwise comparisons are often the greatest contributor to the uncertainties in the AHP-based multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). During an MCDM process, the weights can be changed directly by adjusting the output from a pairwise comparison matrix, or indirectly by recalculating the matrix after varying its input. Corresponding weight sensitivity on multi-criteria evaluation results is generally difficult to be quantitatively assessed and spatially visualized. This study developed a unique methodology which extends the AHP-SA model proposed by Chen et al. (2010) to a more comprehensive framework to analyze weight sensitivity caused by both direct and indirect weight changes using the one-at-a-time (OAT) technique. With increased efficiency, improved flexibility and enhanced visualization capability, the spatial framework was developed as AHP-SA2 within a GIS platform. A case study with in-depth discussion is provided to demonstrate the new toolset. It assists stakeholders and researchers with better understanding of weight sensitivity for characterising, reporting and minimising uncertainty in the AHP-based spatial MCDM.