Decision-making in the purchase of equipment in agricultural research laboratories: a multiple-criteria approach under partial information

Abstract

Investments in the agricultural sector represented by innovations and new technologies strongly influence the economic growth in developing countries. In this context, purchasing decisions have become more relevant. Multiple-criteria decision-making techniques are well suited for decision-makers (DMs) who are considering the introduction of new technologies. In this paper, a multi-criteria model is built to help a Colombian agricultural research company make decisions on purchasing different laboratory equipment. A compensatory approach based on trade-offs is used to elicit the preferences of a group of DMs. The high number of answers and cognitive effort required from them during the elicitation process led to using an alternative approach based on partial information, called the FITradeoff (The Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff) method. It showed to be the best fit to solve the company’s purchasing problem and allowed its managers to make decisions that consider criteria other than price, taking account of the DMs’ conflicting viewpoints. The proposed model aimed at contributing to the articulation of the end-user knowledge in decision-making in order to ensure effective articulation of actors and strengthening of science, technology and innovation in agriculture.

Outsourcing Laboratory Services From a Colombian Agricultural Research Company Using the Fitradeoff Method Under Multiple Stakeholders Analysis

“…As an extension of the research made by Rodriguez et al (2021) and Rodriguez et al (2018) and where cases of purchasing of laboratory equipment were evaluated, under the same conditions and scenarios for all the DM, in this study the singularity and independence in each laboratory and DM is evaluated. At the end of the decision-making process, only a unique and group solution should be selected.…”

A Summary on Fitradeoff Method With Methodological and Practical Developments and Future Perspectives

“…Rodriguez et al (2021) used the method to support buying a laboratory equipment for a colombian agricultural research company. In the same context,Carrillo et al (2018) used the method to select the best agricultural technology packages.Morais et al (…”