Title: University of St. Thomas uses AHP to grow operations management major

Authors: Janine Sanders Jones; Sheneeta W. White; John R. Olson

Addresses: Operations and Supply Chain Management, University of St. Thomas, 1000 LaSalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA ' 1000 LaSalle Ave University of St. Thomas TMH 470E Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA ' Operations and Supply Chain Management, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA

Abstract: Our study describes how one business school department used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to identify and rank factors most influencing students' choice of business school concentrations. Using a series of pairwise comparison matrices as the survey instrument, we identified characteristics associated with a student's personal abilities and goals as the most important factor influencing a student's choice in majors. The factors were then mapped with student touch points (e.g., campus events, information sessions, etc.) in an effort to directly influence those factors most affecting students' decision making and increase departmental enrolment numbers. The result was a near 120% increase in operations management enrolment upon the completion of the project.

Keywords: college majors; student enrolment; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; business school; operations management education; higher education; business schools; student goals; personal abilities; decision making.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIOME.2013.054296

International Journal of Information and Operations Management Education, 2013 Vol.5 No.2, pp.130 - 153

Received: 16 May 2012
Accepted: 10 Jan 2013
Published online: 18 Jul 2014 *

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