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) () 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. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]