Multi-criteria decision analyses. Viewing MCDA in terms of both process and aggregation methods: some thoughts, motivated by the paper of Huang, Keisler and Linkov

Abstract

The paper of Huang, Keisler and Linkov (HKL) (Huang et al., 2011) has motivated us to this note about the relation between ranking procedures and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) tools. The key concept in the HKL-paper is in our eyes the 'trade-off'. A 'trade-off' seems necessary, when conflicting indicator values are present. HKL stress that the general application of MCDA is hampered by different terminology. We do not claim to have a solution for that problem. Nevertheless, we think that the discussion is worthwhile and this note presents some of our ideas, which basically imply the need of a broadening of the definition of MCDA.