Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process in Decision Making in Sri Lankan Context with Special Reference to Site Selection for Dedicated Economic Centre of the Northern Province
- July 6, 2018
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Management
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume V, Issue VI, June 2018 | ISSN 2321–2705
S. Mathivathany
Lecturer in Project Management,
Department of Economics and Management,
Faculty of Business Studies
Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Abstract – Historically, Northern Province has been a vibrant economic hub, with an educated population and an entrepreneurial workforce. But the people have faced numerous hardships over the years. Many have left due to the conflict, and there is a sizeable group living in vulnerable condition. Conflict has severely curbed economic activity too, with production falling sharply in all crops and manufacturing output also dropping. There are no signs of recovery and the take-off in GDP of the Northern Province. Many credits this to the strong tripartite efforts by government, chambers of commerce and private businesses. The setting up of Dedicated Economic Centers (DECs) was started in 1998 in Sri Lanka, as means of implementing marketing development strategy to provide marketing facilities for producers in the rural areas. Recently, the DEC for Northern Province is a problematic aspect for suitable site selection for the construction activity. Developmental Officers, Public and Politicians are discussing this in different ways but no one did do any proper research and analysis for the suitable site selection. However, the constructions activities have started at Mathakuvaithakulam in Vavuniya District but people are opposing against for this site selection for the construction. Therefore, the researcher applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis method for the appropriate site selection for the DEC for Northern Province. The main objective of this study is to identify the suitable site for the DEC for Northern Province using AHP technique by reporting criteria to indicate important aspects with multi-criteria decision analysis method. According to ultimate synthesis results, the Maankulam was selected as a most appropriate site with the 0,235 performance score compared with other three areas. This model and priority area could be used for the decision making among a larger outline of the problems. Development officers and decision makers should be considered this type of analysis and result for the site selection and implementation of the projects.
Key Words: Analytic Hierarchy Process, Suitable Sites, Multi-Criteria Decision, Marketing Development, Economic centers
