Keywords:Analytic network process Fuzzy Delphi method Service apartment Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution a b s t r a c tThe fuzzy Delphi method, analytic network process (ANP), and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) are integrated in this paper to help Taiwanese service apartments to effectively select the optimal locations. The fuzzy Delphi method, which can lead to better criteria selection, is used to modify previous studies to construct the hierarchy. Considering the interdependence among the selection criteria in the hierarchy, ANP is then used to obtain the weights of the criteria. To avoid calculation and additional pairwise comparisons of ANP, TOPSIS is used to rank the alternatives. According to the hierarchy based on three perspectives and 12 important criteria, optimal locations for Taiwanese service apartments can be more effectively selected. Moreover, by integrating the fuzzy Delphi method, ANP, and TOPSIS, this study can make better decisions for optimal locations. To illustrate how the fuzzy Delphi method, ANP, and TOPSIS are applied in the location selection problem, their application to a real case is also performed.

The sustainable supplier selection would be the vital part in the management of a sustainable supply chain. In this study, a hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model is applied to select optimal supplier. The fuzzy Delphi method, which can lead to better criteria selection, is used to modify criteria. Considering the interdependence among the selection criteria, analytic network process (ANP) is then used to obtain their weights. To avoid calculation and additional pairwise comparisons of ANP, a technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is used to rank the alternatives. The use of a combination of the fuzzy Delphi method, ANP, and TOPSIS, proposing an MCDM model for supplier selection, and applying these to a real case are the unique features of this study.

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PurposeThe aim of this paper is to integrate the analytic network process (ANP) and a technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) to help Taiwanese managers in century‐old food industry firms make better decisions for new product development (NPD) project selection.Design/methodology/approachThe balanced scorecard (BSC) which links financial and non‐financial, tangible and intangible, inward and outward factors can provide an integrated viewpoint for decision makers in selecting optimal NPD projects. Considering the interrelated perspectives and criteria of BSC, ANP is used to obtain the weights of the criteria. TOPSIS is used for simplifying ANP to rank the alternatives. After reviewing the literature on BSC, the study collected criteria for selecting optimal NPD projects. Likert nine‐point scale questionnaires based on the BSC criteria were received from 34 senior executives to obtain the importance of criteria.FindingsBased on the geometric mean values, the top 12 criteria are: Capabilities, Well‐being, Satisfaction, Lead‐time, Risk, Facility, Reputation, Loyalty, New customer, Market, Profitability and New market to structure the hierarchy for century‐old Taiwanese food business NPD project selection.Practical implicationsUsing the hierarchy based on four perspectives and 12 important criteria, century‐old Taiwanese food businesses may select the optimal NPD projects more effectively. Moreover, the practical application of the proposed approach illustrated is generic and also suitable for century‐old Taiwanese food businesses.Originality/valueIn 2008, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) established an association to help century‐old businesses to maintain growth and competitive advantage. To maintain continuous competitive advantage, developing new products is necessary. However, NPD is a risky process. The vital issue in NPD is how to select the optimal projects for new products. The majority of century‐old Taiwanese businesses are in the food industry. This paper contributes to a more effective selection of optimal NPD projects for century‐old Taiwanese food firms.

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to show how a multiple criteria decision-making method, the analytic network process (ANP) is applied to help Taiwanese TV companies to effectively select optimal televised sportscasters for the Olympic Games. Design/methodology/approach-After interviewing 44 practitioners, criteria for the selection of the Olympic Games televised sportscasters were collected. To avoid the complicated computing process from additional pairwise comparisons of the ANP, the 12 critical criteria that were mentioned more than 30 times by theses respondents were retained. After discussions with 18 senior executives these were classified in three perspectives to structure the hierarchy for the selection of the Olympic Games televised sportscasters. Findings-After discussions with the 18 senior executives, it is found that the selection criteria for televised sportscasters are interrelated. Unlike former contributors who ignored the interdependence among factors, a more feasible and accurate approach, the ANP, which captures the dependent relationship, is applied in this paper to handle such problems. Practical implications-According to the hierarchy base on three perspectives and 12 important criteria, Taiwanese TV companies could select the optimal Olympic Games televised sportscasters more effectively. A practical application of the ANP presented is generic and could be exploited for Taiwanese TV companies. Originality/value-The Olympic Games are one of the most important and most popular sporting events in the world. This paper contributes to a more effective selection of the optimal Olympic Games televised sportscasters.