Stakeholders-based multi-criteria policy analysis in maritime transport: from theory to practice

Abstract

Abstract: This paper discusses on the applicability of a combined multi-actors multi-criteria method developed to facilitate policy making in the area of maritime transport. The methodology exploits the operational synergy of two MCDA techniques (PROMETHEE and AHP) in a multi-actors evaluation environment. This combination seeks to improve both methods’ applicability and decrease their potential deficiencies and limitations while their application in a Group Decision environment facilitates the building of consensus among the involved stakeholders through the provision of a transparent participatory policy selection mechanism. The methodology is applied on a real case involving a stakeholders’ - based evaluation of 4 key policies for supporting the Greek coastal maritime sector. The results of the case study regarding the Multi-criteria evaluation of the examined policies, the experts and the individual stakeholder’ groups preferences and priorities, as well as the opinion of the Greek coastal maritime transport stakeholders in relation to the necessity, the usability and the applicability of this group decision multi-criteria mechanism are analyzed and discussed.