Developmental Performance Ranking of SAARC Nations: An Application of TOPSIS Method of Multi-Criteria Decision Making

Neeraj Narayan,Kaushalendra Kumar Singh,Ujjaval Srivastava

doi:10.17583/rimcis.2020.4535

Abstract

To be developed, nations are trying to cope up with the fast-changing economy and technology of the world. But the development of a nation does not depend only on these two factors rather several other indicators are essential to a country’s development. The present study deals with the progress of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries towards development through social, economic and environmental stability. This study aims at analyzing the comparative developmental performance of the SAARC nations in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we have prioritized the 8 SAARC nations based on 4 indicators (economic, demographic, health and environment indicators) and 20 variables using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). The result showed that Sri Lanka has prioritized 1st followed by Bhutan. India has been ranked 4th and Afghanistan was least prioritized.

Highlights

This study aims at analyzing the comparative developmental performance of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The sustainable development worldwide can be achieved if we focus on the health, self-realization, access to minimum necessary materials, clean and diverse environment, education, etc.a broad display of newfangled substitutes of Human Development Ranking (HDI) has unrolled embracing a wide range of indicators such as Michael Porter’s Social Progress Index (Porter et al, 2014) towards further particular alternatives, for instance, Helliwell et al (2016) Ranking of Happiness or the New Economics Foundation’s Happy Planet Index (Comim, 2016)
After making the decision matrix, we will have normalized the decision matrix using the equation (2) for the maximum type criteria which have a positive impact on the development of a nation owing to the higher values (e.g. Exports of Goods and Services, GDP Growth Rate, Access to Electricity, Improved Sanitation, Water Facilities, Forest Area, Life Expectancy at Birth Males and Females and Urban Population percentage) and equation (3) for the minimum type criteria which have negative impact on the development of nation owing to the higher values (e.g. MMR, IMR, Under Five Mortality Ratio, TFR, Health Expenditure, CBR, CDR and Imports of Goods and Services) given in the materials and methods

Summary

Introduction

Governments and societies of this organization (SAARC) seek economic and social growth but at the same time, it is concerned about its impact on natural and social environments These countries are concerned about developing their nation and about the inequality, the possibilities of new forms of exclusions as the technology expands, the quality of life and health of children, the elderly and individuals and groups confronting social and economic disadvantages (Healy & Côté, 2001). These nations are experiencing extensive development due to recent policies and trends in recent decades. To achieve social and economic sustainable development, we need to recognize the resources and opportunities for their exploitation (Andrade et al, 2015)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion