Title: Some issues about the application of the analytic hierarchy process to R&D project selection

Authors: Pedro Godinho, Joao Paulo Costa, Joana Fialho, Ricardo Afonso

Addresses: Fac. Economia, GEMF, Univ Coimbra, Av. Dias da Silva, 165, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal. ' Fac. Economia, INESC-C, Univ Coimbra, Av. Dias da Silva, 165, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal. ' Escola Sup. de Tecnologia e Gestao de Viseu, INESC Coimbra, Campus Politecnico de Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal. ' PT Inovacao, S.A., Rua Eng Jose Ferreira Pinto Basto, 3810-106 Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract: The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been used in the process of selecting research and development (R&D) projects. Such a selection process usually possesses some particular features that require adjustments in the application of the AHP method, such as the existence of a large number of very different alternatives or the integration of qualitative and quantitative criteria. In this paper, we discuss the application of AHP to the selection of a portfolio of R&D projects, and we propose some methods for handling the issues that arise from such an application.

Keywords: research and development; R&D projects; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; project evaluation; project selection.

DOI: 10.1504/GBER.2011.039188

Global Business and Economics Review, 2011 Vol.13 No.1, pp.26 - 41

Published online: 23 Sep 2014 *

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