An Overview of the Analytic Hierarchy Process （AHP） and Its Applications to Determine Benchmarking Criteria in Industrial Companies

This paper determines benchmarking criteria from the actors＇ point of view, who are involved in benchmarking processes within four Libyan industrial companies （LICs）. It also describes an application of the analytic hierarchy process （AHP）, which can help an organization to determine its benchmarking criteria. It presents a structured hierarchy for assessing the key capabilities using the AHP. The hierarchy is illustrated using the four main criteria that manufacturing companies will consider when carrying out benchmarking. AHP and benchmarking techniques make the implementation and analysis studies more effective, easy, and applicable to companies. Further, AHP is used to calculate the relative weights of criteria, sub-criteria, and specific sub-criteria, to prioritize them, and finally to select the important benchmarking criteria within each of the four companies investigated. The overall findings suggest that quality control is the most important criterion considered to be benchmarked in companies Q and R. Meanwhile, cost control is considered as the most important criterion to be benchmarked in companies S and T1.

Measuring the Complexity of Business Organization and Business Software Using Analytic Hierarchy Process （AHP）

The paper shows a proposition of metrics for measuring the complexity of the business organization and business software. The metrics is based on a subjective estimation of complexity of the elements from a part of the structure of business organization or business software in relation to other elements from the observed part. Estimation is performed based on the measuring scale for comparison of complexity of elements, and reaching a final conclusion on the complexity of elements in relation to other elements, through the Analytic Hierarchy Process （AHP）. Defined in this manner, the metrics represents a unique metrics for measuring the complexity of elements of business organization and business software, which enables their comparison. The paper also presents a short overview of existing metrics for measuring the complexity of business organization and business software.

The Use of Analytic Hierarchy Process （AHP） in the Determination of Earnings Quality： The Case of UAE

The purpose of this study is to review and demonstrate how analytic hierarchy process （AHP） can be employed to determine earnings quality. The AHP technique can make the analysis studies more effective, easy, and applicable to companies to calculate the relative weights of each dimension, sub-dimension, and specific sub-dimension of earnings quality. A common understanding of earnings quality is difficult to define and even more difficult to measure precisely. In addition to this, the earnings quality is influenced by factors which are often intangible and immeasurable and, as such, when assessing earnings quality, judgments will be largely subjective. Further, earnings quality is related to business concepts or practices and affected by other factors such as the nature and source of earnings. In relation to this, earnings quality would be directly influenced by the conservatism of the chosen methods. However, earnings quality relates to the persistence of earnings and to the likelihood of cash realization on reported eamings. Overall, the results presented from the paramorphic model under AHP are meant to be descriptive of the decision process of five investment analysts within three different companies. The results in this study offer valuable insights into how a small population of investment analysts actually decides the relative importance of various earnings quality dimensions.

The suitability assessment on site selection for bottom seeding scallop culture based on analytic hierarchy process

Scallop culture is an important way of bottom-seeding marine ranching,which is of great significance to improve the current situation of fishery resources.However,there are some problems in site-selection evaluation of marine ranching,such as imperfect criteria system,complex structure,untargeted criteria quantification,etc.In addition,no site-selection evaluation method of bottom-seeding culture areas for scallops is available.Therefore,we established a hierarchy structure model according to the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)theory,in which social,physical,chemical,and biological environments are used as main criteria,and marine functional zonation,water depth,current,water temperature,salinity,substrate type,water quality,sediment quality,red tide,phytoplankton,and zooplankton are used as sub-criteria,on which a multi-parameter evaluation system is set up.Meanwhile,the dualism method,assignment method,and membership function method were used to quantify sub-criteria,and a quantitative evaluation for the entire criteria was added,including the evaluation and analysis of two types of unsuitable environmental situations.By overall consideration in scallop yield,quality,and marine ranching construction objectives,the weight of the main criteria could be determined.Five grades in the suitability corresponding to the evaluation result were divided,and the Python language was used to create an evaluation system for efficient calculation and intuitive presentation of the evaluation outcome.Eight marine cases were simulated based on existing survey data,and the results prove that the method is feasible for evaluating and analyzing the site selection of bottom-seeding culture areas for scallops under various environmental situations.The proposed evaluation method can be promoted for the site selection of bottom-seeding marine ranching.This study provided theoretical and methodological references for the site selection evaluation of other types of marine ranching.

A Quality Evaluation System for Dissertation Based on Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process

A dissertation is a research report or scientific paper written by an author to obtain a certain degree. It reflects postgraduates’ research achievements and the educational quality of an institute, even a country. To construct an optimized quality evaluation system for postgraduate dissertation (QESPD), we summarized the influencing factors and invited 10 experienced specialists to rate and prioritize them based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. Four primary indicators (innovation, integrity, scientificity and normativity) and 16 sub-indicators were selected to form the evaluation system. The order of primary indicators by weight, was innovation (0.4269), scientificity (0.2807), integrity (0.1728) and normativity (0.1196). The top five sub-dimensions were theoretical originality, scientific value, data reliability, design rationality and evidence credibility. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system, a case study was performed. In the case study, it was demonstrated that the established two-index-hierarchy QESPD in this study was a more scientific and reasonable evaluation system worthy of promotion and application.

Research on Detection of Food additives Based on Terahertz Spectroscopy and Analytic Hierarchy Process

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy is a kind of far-infrared spectroscopy technology,and its spectrum reflects the internal properties of substances with rich physical and chemical information,so the use of terahertz waves can be used to qualitatively identify food additives containing nitrogen elements.Analytic hierarchy process(AHP)was originally used to solve evaluation-type problems,and this paper introduces it into the field of terahertz spectral qualitative analysis,proposes a terahertz time-domain spectral qualitative identification method combined with analytic hierarchy process,and verifies the feasibility of the method by taking four common food additives(xylitol,L-alanine,sorbic acid,and benzoic acid)and two illegal additives(melamine,and Sudan Red No.I)as the objects of study.Firstly,the collected terahertz time-domain spectral data were pre-processed and transformed into a data set consisting of peaks,peak positions,peak numbers and overall trends;then,the data were divided into comparison and test sets,and a qualitative additive identification model incorporating analytic hierarchy process was constructed and parameter optimisation was performed.The results showed that the qualitative identification accuracies of additives based on single factors,i.e.,overall trend,peak value,peak position,and peak number,were 80.23%,70.93%,67.44%,and 40.70%,respectively,whereas the identification accuracy of the analytic hierarchy process qualitative identification method based on multi-factors could be improved to 92.44%.In addition,the fuzzy characterisation of the absorption spectrum data was binarised in the data pre-processing stage and used as the base data for the overall trend,and the recognition accuracy was improved to 94.19%by combining the fuzzy characterisation method of such data with the hierarchical analysis qualitative recognition model.The results show that it is feasible to use terahertz technology to identify different varieties of additives,and this paper constructs a hierarchical analytical qualitative model with better effect,which provides a new means for food additives detection,and the method is simple in steps,with a small demand for samples,which is suitable for the rapid detection of small samples.

Analytic Hierarchy Process for Technological Risks in the Process of Innovative Drug Development in China

Objective To identify the critical risks in the process of innovative drug research and development,and to provide reference for improving the efficiency of innovative drug development and risk control in China.Methods Expert investigation and analytic hierarchy process were used to determine the weights of different risks.Results and Conclusion The research and analysis results showed that the risks at different stages of development had different effects on the success rate of drug development,among which the risk at the drug discovery stage influenced the most.In the drug discovery stage,inappropriate target selection had the greatest impact on the success rate of drug development.The lack of appropriate cell tissue or animal models had the greatest impact on the success rate of drug development from the discovery of a compound to the application for clinical trials.The difference in changes between nonclinical and clinical studies had the greatest impact on the success rate of drug development from early clinical studies to pivotal clinical studies.Incorrect dose selection had the greatest impact on the success rate of drug development from pivotal clinical studies to marketing authorization applications.The biggest impact from the marketing authorization application to the approval stage was inadequate communication with regulators.After investigating the weight of risk factors in the process of innovative drug development based on scientific methods,a new perspective for the risk control of new drug development and improving the research and development efficiency is provided.

Landfill Site Suitability Assessment Using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Butuan City, Philippines

Landfilling is one of the most effective and responsible ways to dispose of municipal solid waste(MSW).Identifying landfill sites,however,is a challenging and complex undertaking because it depends on social,environmental,technical,economic,and legal issues.This study aims to map the optimal sites that were environmentally suitable for locating a landfill site in Butuan City,Philippines.With reference to the policy requirements from DENR Section I,Landfill Site Identification Criteria and Screening Guidelines of National Solid Waste Management Commission,the integration of a Geographic Information System(GIS)model builder and Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP)has been used in this study to address the aforementioned challenges related to the landfill site suitability analysis.Based on the generated sanitary landfill suitability map,results showed that Barangay Tungao(1131.42967 ha)and Florida(518.48 ha)were able to meet and consider the three(3)main components,namely economic,environmental,and physical criteria,and are highly suit­able as landfill site locations in Butuan City.It is recommended that there will conduct a geotechnical evaluation,involv­ing rigorous geological and hydrogeological assessment employing a combination of site investigation and laboratory techniques.In addition,additional specific social,ecological,climatic,and economic factors need to be considered(i.e.including impact on humans,flora,fauna,soil,water,air,climate,and landscape).

Shale Fracturability Graphic Template Based onMixed Analytic Hierar-chy Process andMutation Theory

Due to the depletion of conventional energy reserves,there has been a global shift towards non-conventional energy sources.Shale oil and gas have emerged as key alternatives.These resources have dense and heterogeneous reservoirs,which require hydraulic fracturing to extract.This process depends on identifying optimal fracturing layers,also known as‘sweet spots’.However,there is currently no uniform standard for locating these sweet spots.This paper presents a new model for evaluating fracturability that aims to address the current gap in the field.The model utilizes a hierarchical analysis approach and a mutation model,and is distinct in its use of original logging data to generate a fracturability evaluation map.Using this paper’s shale fracturing sweet spot evaluation method based on a two-step mutation model,four wells in different blocks of Fuling and Nanchuan Districts in China were validated,and the results showed that the proportion of high-yielding wells on the sweet spot line could reach 97.6%,while the proportion of low-producing wells was only 78.67%.Meanwhile,the evaluation results of the model were compared with the microseismic data,and the matching results were consistent.

Construction of Value Models of Consumer Creation for Agricultural Products Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)

With the increased competition of modern economy and globalization,consumer creation which based on the analysis of consumer behavior was more and more attentioned and respected by business.Based on the meaning and characteristics of agricultural product consumer creation,index system of value model of agricultural product consumer creation was put forward through analytical hierarchy process（AHP）.The weights of the indicators and related indicators of impact on the value were analyzed,and value models of agricultural product consumer creation were constructed to provide ideas for development of agricultural product consumer market and research of consumer value.Consumer creation was constructed to provide ideas for development of agricultural product consumer market and research of consumer value.

Assessment and Application of Beach Quality Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process in Yangkou Beach, Qingdao

The whole-beach quality assessment is the basis of building and preserving beautiful beaches.The beach quality assessment index system and assessment standard have been established based on the attributes of beaches(including the width,slope,landform,and types),sorting coefficient,and softness degree of surface sediment.The assessment weight of each index for quality evaluation was analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process,and comprehensive scores of selected beach profiles were calculated in accordance with the light assessment standard.A beach quality evaluation model based on index weight and scores was established in this paper.The factors of 12 profiles of Yangkou Beach in Qingdao City were surveyed to carry out a quality assessment,and the comprehensive scores of each profile were calculated in accordance with the evaluation model.The results showed that the quality of Yangkou Beach can be divided into four ratings:excellent,good,medium,and poor.The excellent-quality area includes a wide and flat dry beach zone and soft,flat,and clean intertidal and subtidal zones covered with well-sorted fine sand,and leisure sports,such as volleyball,running,and swimming,are suitable for tourists.The good-quality area features a slightly narrow and dry beach zone,moderately soft and uneven intertidal and subtidal zones covered with fine sand and a small tidal gully,and a small amount of foreign matter;leisure sports,such as walking and running,are suitable for tourists.This study recommends the building of fixed drainage ditches or underground culverts to reduce the tidal gully.The medium-quality area consisted of a narrow and dry beach zone,moderately soft and uneven intertidal and subtidal zones covered by poorly sorted medium sand,a tide ditch,and a small amount of foreign matter.In this area,walking is suitable for tourists.Sand should be supplemented in the intertidal zone.The poor-quality area contained a very narrow and dry beach zone covered with poor-sorted gravel,a very chaotic intertidal zone with a considerable amount of foreign matters,such as bricks and rocks,wide tidal ditches,and an uneven subtidal zone with some reefs;leisure sports are unsuitable here.Thus,foreign matter and reefs should be removed,and the dry beach zone should be supplemented with sand.Therefore,the beach quality assessment is a very useful tool for building beautiful beaches.

Application of GIS based analytical hierarchy process and multicriteria decision analysis methods to identify groundwater potential zones in Jedeb Watershed, Ethiopia

The hydrogeological situation of the study area requires the identification of groundwater potential.Remote sensing and satellite data have proven to be reliable tools for understanding various factors that affect groundwater occurrence and movement.This study employed weighted overlay analysis based on satellite imagery and secondary data to create a thematic map for characterizing groundwater potentials in the study area located within Abbay Basin,Ethiopia.Remote sensing(RS)and GIS-based Fuzzy-Analytical Hierarchy Process methods were utilized to classify groundwater potential(GWP)zones into five categories:Very good,good,moderate,poor,and very poor.The central and eastern parts of the study area were identified as having high(33.186%)and very high(2.351%)groundwater potentials,while the western part exhibited poor and very poor potential areas.The groundwater potential map delineated higher and moderate potentials,suitable for installing shallow and production bores.This research demonstrates the effectiveness of RS and GIS techniques for delineating groundwater potential zones,which can aid in the planning and management of groundwater resources.The research findings have the potential to contribute to the formulation of improved groundwater management programs in the study area.

The Research on the Impact Factors of the Comprehensive Evaluation of Communication Unit Camps Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process

Currently, the comprehensive assessment of the communication troops’ camp planning project is primarily qualitative, with limited quantitative evaluation. Drawing upon the relevant spirit of the Military Commission’s documents and leveraging the author’s own work experience in branch offices, this article thoroughly explores the factors influencing the comprehensive assessment of the project and proposes quantitative representation methods for these factors. Utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a hierarchical structure model and judgment matrix for the evaluation factors of the communication troops’ camp construction planning project are constructed, enabling the determination of the weightage of each factor. This provides a certain level of support and reference for the project approval and management by branch offices, while also offering valuable insights for the approval and management of camp planning and construction projects in other types of troops and battlefield projects.

Sustainability Assessment and Ranking of Run of the River(RoR) Hydropower Projects Using Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP):A Study from Western Himalayan Region of India

In the present scenario,tapping the unutilised hydropower potential is one of the highest priorities in developing countries of the world.Special emphasis is being imparted to run of the river(RoR)mode of power generation.However,the governments are now facing the dilemma whether to promote small hydropower projects(SHPs) or encourage large hydropower projects(LHPs).RoR large hydropower projects result into large scale cutting of mountains for constructing tunnels and access roads,generation of huge quantity of muck and large scale impact on flora and fauna due to diversion of rivers/streams.On the other hand,though SHPs are claimed to be greener and more sustainable by a section of researchers and energy planners but,they will be required to be set up in large number to generate equivalent amount of electricity.The aim of this study is to rank the most sustainable installed capacity range of RoR hydropower projects.To achieve this aim,the study proposes the use of quite popular multi-criteria decision making(MCDM)method of Operation Research named Analytical Hierarchy Process.A case study has been presented from Himachal Pradesh,a hydro rich state located in the western Himalayan region.As per sustainability assessment carried out in this study,hydropower projects in the capacity range 1 to 5 MW have been ranked to be the most sustainable.

Landfill Siting Using GIS and AHP （Analytical Hierarchy Process）： A Case Study AI-Qasim Qadhaa, Babylon, Iraq

The selection of a landfill site is considered as a complicated task because this process is based on many factors and restrictions. For Al-Qasim Qadhaa, which is situated in the southern part of the Babylon Governorate, Iraq, there is no landfill site in that area that conforms to the scientific criteria for selecting sites for landfill. For this reason, 15 criteria were adopted in this study （groundwater depth, rivers, soil types, agriculture lands use, land use, elevation, slope, gas pipelines, oil pipelines, power lines, roads, railways, urban centers, villages and archaeological sites） using GIS （geographic information system）, which has a large ability to manage input data. In addition, the AHP （analytical hierarchy process） method was used to derive the relative weightings for each criterion using pair-wise comparison. To obtain the suitability index for candidate landfill sites, a weighted linear combination method was used. After combining these methods, two suitable candidate landfill sites, with areas of 2.766 km2 and 2.055 km2, respectively, were found to satisfy the scientific and environmental requirements. The area of these sites can accommodate solid waste from 2020 until 2030 based on the required area, which was 0.702 km2.

The Multiplicative Analytic Hierarchy Process (MIAHP) as a Quality Criterion Determining the Technological Value of the Egyptian Cotton Varieties

This study was undertaken to develop a numerical process that can be used as a quality criterion to determine the technological value of the Egyptian cotton varieties, which in turn would denote the end-use of their fibers. However the material used in the study comprised the 6 Egyptian cotton varieties Giza70, Giza80, Giza86, Giza88, Giza90 and Giza92. According to the local practice in Egypt, Giza70, Giza88 and Giza92 belong to the Extra-Long Staple (ELS) category, while Giza80, Giza86 and Giza90 are included under the Long Staple (LS) category. The regression analysis of the relationships between fiber properties and yarn skein strength (lea product) of the 2 carded ring counts 40 and 50 Ne, was employed to drive an equation for calculating the Multiplicative Analytic Hierarchy Process (MIAHP) values. The values of the MIAHP have been used as numerical determinations of the technological values of the Egyptian cotton varieties. Nevertheless, the findings of this study clarified that with respect to the criteria weights, the pair-wise comparisons denoted that fiber length properties of Egyptian cotton ranked first where they revealed the most dominant effect on yarn strength, while tensile properties ranked second with a relative weight close to that of fiber length. On the contrary, the relative weight of fiber fineness (micronaire reading) was found to be marginal. With regard to the relative weight of sub-criterion, the pair-wise comparisons indicated that the role of fiber tenacity as a determinant of yarn strength is much superior to that of fiber elongation. Further the global weights of the sub-criterion of fiber length pointed out that the UHML (upper half mean length) plays an important role in determining yarn strength of the Egyptian cotton comparing with either the UI (uniformity index) or the SFC (short fiber content). In conformity with the values of the MIAHP, it was found that in the order of descending rank, Giza88 ranked first, followed by Giza92, Giza70, Giza86, Giza80 and finally Giza90.

Relationship of public preferences and behavior in residential outdoor spaces using analytic hierarchy process and principal component analysis—a case study of Hangzhou City, China

This study examined public attitudes concerning the value of outdoor spaces which people use daily. Two successive analyses were performed based on data from common residents and college students in the city of Hangzhou, China. First, citizens registered various items constituting desirable values of residential outdoor spaces through a preliminary questionnaire. The result proposed three general attributes (functional, aesthetic and ecological) and ten specific qualities of residential outdoor spaces. An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to an interview survey in order to clarify the weights among these attributes and qualities. Second, principal factors were extracted from the ten specific qualities with principal component analysis (PCA) for both the common case and the campus case. In addition, the variations of respondents’ groups were classified with cluster analysis (CA) using the results of the PCA. The results of the AHP application found that the public prefers the functional attribute, rather than the aesthetic attribute. The latter is always viewed as the core value of open spaces in the eyes of architects and designers. Fur-thermore, comparisons of ten specific qualities showed that the public prefers the open spaces that can be utilized conveniently and easily for group activities, because such spaces keep an active lifestyle of neighborhood communication, which is also seen to protect human-regarding residential environments. Moreover, different groups of respondents diverge largely in terms of gender, age, behavior and preference.

Evaluation of Environmental Sound Pressure Level,Drawing of Noise-Isosonic Map Using Surfer V.19,and Prioritization of Engineering Noise Control Methods Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP):A Field Study in CGS Stations

Noise pollution is one of the most significant harmful physical factors in the industrial and occupational environments.Due to the high costs of exposure to excessive noise;continuous sound evaluation,propose and implement noise control plans in occupational environments is necessary.Thus,the present study aimed to review environmental sound measurements,drawing of noise maps,and prioritizing the engineering noise control methods using the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP).This study was a descriptive-analytical study that aimed to assess occupational noises and present a control plan in the City Gas Stations(CGSs)of Kerman,Iran in 2021.The present study was done in two phases.In the first phase,six CGSs were investigated to measure and evaluate the noise.In addition,the noise map of a CGS was drawn using the Surfer software.Finally,the AHP was used in the second phase of the research to prioritize the control measures.In this phase,four criteria and ten alternatives were identified.According to first phase results,the sound pressure level(SPL)of the stations varied from 76 to 98 dBA.Besides,the majority of the studied stations had a sound level higher than 85 dBA(danger zone).The second phase of the study showed that out of the four evaluated criteria,the executability criterion had the highest impact and the cost criterion had the lowest impact on the selection of control measures with a weight of 0.587 and 0.052,respectively.Based on the results of prioritization of the alternatives,using a silenced regulator(weight of 0.223)and increasing the thickness of the tube(weight of 0.023)had the highest and lowest priorities among the alternatives,respectively.The use of engineering noise control methods such as using silenced regulators was the best way to control the noises of CGSs.Additionally;it is noteworthy that AHP is a practical method for prioritizing alternatives to achieve the most accurate decision-making.The results of AHP can be of great help to health and safety experts and managers in choosing the sound engineering control measures more precisely.

COLLISION AVOIDANCE DECISION-MAKING MODEL OF MULTI-AGENTS IN VIRTUAL DRIVING ENVIRONMENT WITH ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS

Collision avoidance decision-making models of multiple agents in virtual driving environment are studied. Based on the behavioral characteristics and hierarchical structure of the collision avoidance decision-making in real life driving, delphi approach and mathematical statistics method are introduced to construct pair-wise comparison judgment matrix of collision avoidance decision choices to each collision situation. Analytic hierarchy process （AHP） is adopted to establish the agents＇ collision avoidance decision-making model. To simulate drivers＇ characteristics, driver factors are added to categorize driving modes into impatient mode, normal mode, and the cautious mode. The results show that this model can simulate human＇s thinking process, and the agents in the virtual environment can deal with collision situations and make decisions to avoid collisions without intervention. The model can also reflect diversity and uncertainly of real life driving behaviors, and solves the multi-objective, multi-choice ranking priority problem in multi-vehicle collision scenarios. This collision avoidance model of multi-agents model is feasible and effective, and can provide richer and closer-to-life virtual scene for driving simulator, reflecting real-life traffic environment more truly, this model can also promote the practicality of driving simulator.

Evaluation of ERP Systems Quality Model Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Technique

The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a complex and comprehensive software that integrates various enterprise’s functions and resources. ERP system cleanly encapsulates crosscutting concerns which cannot be encapsulated by other types of information systems like data synchronization and standardization, system complexity and system modularity. Many studies are conducted to propose software quality models with their quality characteristics. However, there is currently no dedicated software quality model that can describe and involve new features of ERP systems. Thus, this study has proposed an ERP system quality model (ERPSQM). Analytic Hierarchy Process AHP has been employed to evaluate the quality of ERPSQM. Furthermore, this proposed model can be used to make a comparison of ERP systems to help companies implement better systems.