Title: Application of AHP-TOPSIS for knowledge evaluation of ship operators

Authors: Hristos Karahalios

Addresses: Maritime Education Department, Pelorus, P.O. Box 76067, Nea Smyrni, PC 17101, Athens, Greece

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to provide a formal evaluation tool for those individuals that operate ships. These persons monitor daily shipboard operations, and their knowledge is of particular importance in terms of rational commercial decision-making and providing guidance to the masters of the ships that are in charge. Poor decisions may have a severe impact on the commercial status of a ship, safety of its crew or marine environment. The proposed methodology could be used by ship managers to measure the knowledge standards of their operators and ensure their professional continuity. The research methodology used in this paper combines analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and TOPSIS to establish a knowledge measurement tool based on a system of key knowledge indicators (KKIs). Experts participated in evaluating the KKIs. Furthermore, a survey to ship management companies was carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology.

Keywords: ship operations; knowledge application; knowledge evaluation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2021.117652

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2021 Vol.24 No.4, pp.437 - 459

Received: 29 Sep 2018
Accepted: 09 Jul 2019
Published online: 20 Sep 2021 *

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