Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Threats Factors Research Articles

Evaluating future strategies for sustainable growth of fiberglass composites industry in developing countries: A novel hybrid SWOT-Fuzzy extended PIPRECIA approach

The global fiberglass-composite market is expanding tremendously due to its extensive applications in the construction and automotive sector. The progress in low-medium income developing countries is slow. This study explores an exclusive hybrid model of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis and Fuzzy extended PIPRECIA (pivot pairwise relative criteria importance assessment) to evaluate the strategies for sustainable development of fiberglass composites industry in Pakistan as a representative of low-medium developing countries. SWOT analysis is employed for examining the factors and sub-factors which have been extracted from a real-time industrial survey. While internal and external factors are also critically established to formulate a TOWS matrix comprising nine proposed strategies. Later the preferences as proposed by experts are evaluated by Fuzzy extended PIPRECIA i.e., a MCDM (multi-criteria decision making) model. Finally, SWOT factors, sub-factors and strategic choices are orderly ranked and presented. The results of the study reveal that development of a suitable environment to attract investors for the advancement and growth of the local fiber composites manufacturing industry (WO2 i.e., 0.175) is a most desirable and highly prioritized strategic choice. While maximizing environmental research to reduce environmental impact and better management of resources (WT2 i.e., 0.076) is the least favorable. The application of this exclusively developed MCDM model will provide an insight to the policy makers and assistive in strategic management and sustainable development of composite industry in developing countries. While this model can also be effective for other complex planning and decision-making processes.

Driving factors for developing integrated farming: Multi-criteria decision-making analysis

Integrated farming (IF) by temporal and spatial mixing of crops, livestock, fishery, and allied activities in a single farm, is considered a critical multifunctional option for smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Indian agriculture, to ensure sustainable livelihoods, the productivity of agricultural enterprises, stability of farm income, food and nutritional security. However, the adoption of IF still remains low. To explore the critical factors of IF systems and prioritize them for stakeholders’ decision-making and development of strategies, the current research was undertaken to integrate SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) - AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) analysis. We used a multi-stage sampling to select 60 practicing IF adopters in West Bengal state of eastern India for the collection of pair-wise comparison data on 32 SWOT factors using a close-ended questionnaire and subjected to AHP analysis to understand the quantitative importance of each factor of SWOT. Results of the multi- criteria analysis showed the total priority weight of the opportunity component (0.450) was the highest, followed by strength (0.341), weakness (0.114), and threat components (0.095). Based on the global priority weight of all 32 SWOT factors, sustainable livelihood security” was the key driving factor (0.081) followed by promotion of organic farming (0.072), better risk management (0.063) and incorporation of high-value crops (0.063) of opportunity component. Increased farm production and productivity (0.058) and enhancement in income (0.055) of strength component also played as vital driving factors. There was no factor of weakness and threat components within the first 10 important factors. The insights of this study may help improve extension services to smallholder farmers for prioritizing strategies in the adoption process of IF. Additionally, it can also help policymakers to design targeted policies, remove barriers, foster innovation, and promote sustainable practices, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability.

Empowering High-Quality Development of the Chinese Sports Education Market in Light of the “Double Reduction” Policy: A Hybrid SWOT-AHP Analysis

Background: The “Double Reduction” policy changed the education market landscape overnight in China. This study aimed to develop a strategic development model for the sports education market within the context of the “Double Reduction” policy. Methods: This study employed a hybrid model of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) and AHP (analytic hierarchy process). First, SWOT factors were identified by a literature review and survey. In 2022, 30 managers and 251 parents from Changsha and Tianjin were surveyed regarding the sports education market. Second, five decision-makers from the Changsha sports education market performed a pairwise comparison of the AHP analysis, which was used to determine weights, consistency ratios, and intensities of SWOT factors. Third, the strategic vector method was used to develop the strategic development model. Results: Sixteen SWOT factors were determined. The strategic quadrilateral’s center of gravity is positioned in quadrant II (−0.0595, 0.0246). The strategic azimuth is 157.5°, and the strategic coefficient is 0.49. The strategic vector is located at the striving zone of the adjustment type. Conclusions: A conservative business strategy should be implemented in the current sports education market. Four novel strategies were proposed to support the high-quality development of the Chinese sports education market.

New energy power system operation security evaluation based on the SWOT analysis

Grid-connection of new energy is highly important in promoting the use of clean and renewable energy. However, it will bring huge risks to the power grid operation security, such as frequency stability, voltage stability, small signal stability, and transient stability, etc.,. In the study, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis has been employed to construct 24 kinds of internal and external evaluation factors and 8 kinds of improvement strategies, for assessing operation security prospective with new energy power system of HM in China. The weights of SWOT factors are determined with the fuzzy-AHP method. Moreover, the fuzzy-MARCOS approach is used to select the most suitable strategies for power system operation security effective implementation. The reported research reveals that new energy in HM area not only has an ample potential for full development and generating electricity, but also brings operation security problems due to large-scale grid connection. Therefore, 8 kinds of improvement strategies are suggested to encourage the government to exploit and develop new resources, improve the investment pay, power generation and transmission technologies to mitigate the current energy crisis, and increase the energy security for sustainable development of the country. The methodology proposed herein is applicable with a case study concerning the operation security prospective of HM power grid, and all phases of the comparative analysis and sensitivity analysis illustrate the validity of MARCOS method. Furthermore, the ranked order of strategies is obtained as A2 > A6 > A5 > A1 > A8 > A7 > A4 > A3. The three most important strategies are A2, A6 and A5, i.e., “improving the technical establishment to encourage efficient and cheap electricity production”, “strive to build local permanent load, and reduce the risk of long-distance and high-capacity transmission”, “taking advantage of government incentives and investment to modify the irrational energy policies and energy planning”, respectively.

An integrated SWOT-AHP-fuzzy TOPSIS approach for maturity management following the COVID-19 outbreak: lessons learned from fast fashion

Purpose Focussing on issues that have impacted textiles, clothing and fast fashion following the COVID-19 outbreak, this study aims to identify agility factors pertinent to retail maturity management, mainly on resilience. These factors were then assessed based on priority. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to identify the main factors. This analysis was integrated with the analytic hierarchy process to rank the internal and external factors. Then, the authors used fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution to evaluate the significant strategies from the SWOT analysis based on adaptability and flexibility. Thus, the authors produced a prioritised list of relevant factors and guidelines useful in practical settings. Findings The authors identified and ranked 14 agility and resilience SWOT factors for maturity management and proposed and prioritised six relevant strategies. These highlighted changes and adaptations must be undertaken by various actors, ranging from the supply/manufacturing side to global retail locations. Research limitations/implications The sampling study of experts is limited, and the application is focussed on one area. Future research might investigate other fields, for retail and industry. Practical implications The output of this study enables a better understanding of the internal and external factors of maturity management for fast-fashion retailers. Hence, it will further help them go through resilience and agility challenges following the pandemic. Originality/value This study significantly contributes to the literature because the results can guide retailers in developing effective decision-making systems for mature business operations following the pandemic outbreak. Here, the authors incorporate internal, external, agility and resilience aspects into one decision-making support system while enhancing existing knowledge on fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making applications. Further, this study discusses critical issues that have affected several aspects of the fashion and textile industry and will likely persist for some time.

College Students Online Education Evaluation Through SWOT Analysis During COVID-19

The COVID-19 epidemic has disrupted the normal teaching and learning in universities, which poses significant challenges to college education. The traditional face-to-face learning mode has been switched to online (distance) learning, causing various influences on students’ academic performance. As higher education plays a central role in technology innovation and society development, it is of great importance to investigate and improve online education in the context of COVID-19. This study distributed online questionnaires to college students from 30 provinces or municipalities in China to evaluates the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) factors of shifting from traditional learning to online learning during COVID-19 Pandemic. The SWOT analysis has been employed to construct 16 kind of internal and external evaluation factors and 4 kind of improvement strategies for assess online education. The basic data of subjective weight method — AHP comes from the questionnaire survey, and the weight value of SWOT factors is determined through the questionnaire survey results. The fuzzy MARCOS approach is used to select the most suitable strategies for its effective implementation. Several coping strategies are suggested to improve the online education in post-pandemic era, which is essential for higher education and promoting a civilized and sustainable society. “By reforming and innovating the teacher led teaching mode, stimulate students’ interest in learning, get rid of the boring learning state, create a good learning atmosphere and improve the teaching quality” is the most effective strategy to enhance the online learning experience and increase students’ satisfaction. This methodology is applicable with a case study concerning the students’ online education in pandemic and the validity of this approach is presented through comparative analysis and sensitivity analysis. Through example verification, it is found that SWOT method is suitable for online education evaluation research no matter how the research object changes.

Sustainable Higher Education Reform Quality Assessment Using SWOT Analysis with Integration of AHP and Entropy Models: A Case Study of Morocco

Sustainable development goals (SDG) involve not only environmental issues but also economic, social, and cultural concerns. Higher education plays a key role in promoting sustainable development initiatives and in empowering people to change their thinking and to strive for a sustainable future. However, the main issue that needs to be presently resolved is how leaders, teachers, and students in higher education can achieve sustainable development in their system vision, mission and values, strategic plans, and organizational culture. Morocco is a country with a long history of higher education and has continuous reforms for sustainable development. In the process of responding to the wave of globalization, the Moroccan government has begun to formulate a higher education reform plan to maintain its competitiveness and achieve the SDG standards. Therefore, this study is focused on the quality of the higher education system through which the sustainability of higher education reform can be implemented. With this in mind, an organized approach that involved a questionnaire using the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) decision-making model with integration of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Entropy method was developed. The questionnaires were filled out by the experts, staff, and students of the higher education system (universities) to obtain the important key factors for the SWOT analysis. The AHP was used for the qualitative analysis of the weights of the SWOT factors, while the Entropy method was applied for the objective analysis of the number of different weight attributes. After integration of AHP with Entropy, the finalized variables were ranked; these results are more reliable and realistic to decision-makers. Finally, the SWOT matrix was established based on the questionnaire assessment and the AHP with Entropy weights to help implement the higher education reform policy and to monitor the quality of the current education system. The results also indicate that higher education reform must incorporate many changes, including effective budget planning, skilled experts, internationalization, improved and expanded infrastructure, reformed study curriculum, and latest training.

Diagnostic SWOT appraisal of the wicker handicraft entrepreneurship development in Kashmir, India

Critical analyses of the perceptions on SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) have become a fundamental element of multi-criteria decision making for developing wicker handicraft entrepreneurship. The study examined the effectiveness and prioritization of entrepreneur's perceptions towards SWOT categories and factors and provided insights for developing wicker handicraft entrepreneurship in Pulwama district of Kashmir. Data were collected through structured interviews and focus group discussions of 100 wicker handicraft entrepreneurs of 20 villages selected by multi-stage random sampling. Simple descriptive statistics were used for the data analysis. Results showed that the factors like income generation (19.30%) and employment generation (19.00%) were viewed as most important strengths while labour intensive and less remunerative livelihood (18.80%) and seasonal subsistence (18.70%) were identified as main weaknesses. Further, poverty alleviation (20.70%), preservation of traditional art craft (19.00%) and improvement in public-private relations (17.50%) were adjudged as strong opportunities whereas limited marketing facilities (20.70%), lack of co-operative societies (18.90%) and harassment by officials in withies collection (16.50%) were seen as chief threats. The challenges (weaknesses and threats) (50.40%) for wicker handicraft entrepreneurship outweighed the prospects (strengths and opportunities) (49.60%) while the internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) (54.80%) prevailed over the external factors (opportunities and threats) (54.20%). F statistics (p<0.05) indicated significant differences between the internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats). The results projected the basis to the policymakers to prioritize and address the prominent challenges and reinforce the prospects for conceptualizing, formulating and implementing the strategies for strengthening the wicker handicraft entrepreneurship.

RES-T trajectories and an integrated SWOT-AHP analysis for biomethane. Policy implications to support a green revolution in European transport

Europe is attempting to accelerate the development of renewables and, within the 2030 climate and energy framework, is required to achieve a share of renewable energy of at least 32%. However, the current share of renewables in the European transport sector (RES-T) is not adequate for reaching the 2020 target. The present work presents the trajectories of each Member State (MS) in attempting to achieve this goal and compares each MS in terms of RES-T, expressed in both percentage and per capita terms. Average European performance is used as a reference value. The results show that Sweden occupies a leading position, followed by Austria, Finland and France. At the same time, the trajectories of most MSs are not encouraging, but they may potentially be improved by the use of biomethane. This work analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of this green gas. Several SWOT factors are examined and their relevance in a policy context is quantified using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The resulting integrated SWOT-AHP analysis defines a global factor priority. The work concludes that biomethane can potentially replace natural gas as a sustainable vehicle fuel, but its development is strictly linked to the adoption of governmental support programmes to stimulate market growth.

Determining the priorities in utilization of forest residues as biomass: an A'wot analysis

AbstractThe gap between global energy production and consumption is increasing at a fast pace along with population growth, industrialization, and technological developments, resulting in a rapid increase in the need for energy. This has led countries to use their own resources more effectively. Consequently, in addition to existing energy sources, alternative solutions are now being sought for this problem via renewable resources such as biomass energy production. As forest resources are abundantly available in Turkey, forest residues constitute a significant biomass potential. This study aimed to identify key strategic factors in the evaluation of forest residues as biomass using A'WOT analysis. Measurement of the factors in SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, and their ranking, was enabled by quantification via A'WOT analysis, which is a combination of SWOT analysis and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). A survey was conducted among relevant experts in Turkey to determine SWOT factors and AHP weights. As a result, eight sub‐factors for strengths and threats, seven sub‐factors for opportunities, and four sub‐factors for weaknesses were determined for analysis. Each SWOT parameter was then quantified by considering the viewpoints of the surveyed experts, and the resulting matrix was used to determine the vector weights and priorities of the groups and factors. The results indicated that if forest residues could be utilized as an alternative energy source, this would more than fill the gap between the production and consumption of energy in the country. In the evaluation of forest residues in Turkey, transportation costs emerged as the weakest factor, while the removal of natural sources of nutrition and fertilizer from the forest cover was seen as the greatest threat. The most important opportunity was perceived to be the improvement of forest management along with energy and climate‐change policies and activities. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Exploration of conservation and development strategies with a limited stakeholder approach for local cattle breeds

Many local breeds have become endangered due to their substitution by high-yielding breeds. To conserve local breeds, effective development strategies need to be investigated. The aim of this study was to explore conservation and development strategies based on quantified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for two local cattle breeds from Northern Germany, namely the German Angler (GA) and Red Dual-Purpose cattle (RDP). The data comprised 158 questionnaires regarding both breeds’ SWOT, which were answered by 78 farmers of GA and 80 farmers of RDP. First, data were analysed using the SWOT-Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, which combines the qualitative strategic decision tool of SWOT analysis and the quantitative tool of AHP. Second, prioritised SWOT factors were discussed with stakeholders in order to form final conservation and development strategies at breed level. For GA prioritised strengths were daily gain, meat quality, milk production and the usage of new biotechnologies, weaknesses were genetic gain in milk production and inbreeding, opportunities were organic farming and breed-specific characteristics and threats were milk prices and dependency regarding the dairy business. Consequently, three conservation and development strategies were formed: (1) changing relative weights and the relevant breeding goal to drift from milk to meat, (2) increasing genetic gain and control the rate of inbreeding by the implementation of specific selection programs and (3) selection of unique and breed characteristic components on product level, that is, milk-fat and fine muscle fibers. For RDP defined strengths were robustness, high adaptability for different housing systems and a balanced dual-purpose of milk and meat, weaknesses were inbreeding, breed extinction, genomic selection with young bulls and milk yield, opportunities were organic farming and dual-purpose aspects and threats were milk and decreasing beef cattle prices. Thus, three conservation and development strategies were identified: (1) adjust relative weights and the relevant breeding goal to balance milk and meat yield, (2) increasing genetic gain and avoid extinction by implementing targeted selection programs and (3) selection of unique and breed characteristic traits on breed level, that is, environmental robustness. Quantified SWOT establish a basis for the exploration of conservation and development strategies at breed level. Explored strategies are promising even if the stakeholder approach was limited for small populations regarding a small number of stakeholder groups. The used approach reflects farmers’ individual convenience better than existing quantitative strategy decision tools on their own.

Supply chain of the Indian public distribution system: a new paradigm

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) in the supply chain of the existing Indian public distribution system (PDS) and to analyse the same with a view to arriving at the vital recommended strategies for making the supply chain more effective and efficient.Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines a new hybrid method for improving the usability of SWOT analysis. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been integrated with SWOT analysis. Use of the AHP method on the SWOT factors has yielded analytically determined priorities for the factors included in SWOT analysis and made them commensurable. The main aim in applying the hybrid method was to improve the quantitative information basis of strategy planning processes. The paper was started by listing the various factors of the four different groups of SWOT with reference to the PDS. After further shortlisting, pairwise comparisons were carried out using a software (Super Decisions) to arrive at prioritised factors for each group. The strategy options were then formulated and prioritised on the basis of the existing weightages of each factor.FindingsThe results indicated that use of available ICT solutions as part of the “Digital India” is vital in achieving the most important potential strategy alternatives in improving the supply chain for the PDS.Practical implicationsThe analysis helps in identifying strategies to improve the existing supply chain of the Indian PDS and make it more efficient and cost effective.Originality/valueThis paper provides some useful insight into the SWOT analysis of the Indian PDS with specific reference to the supply chain management issues of the PDS.

Integration of SWOT analysis with hybrid modified TOPSIS for the lean strategy evaluation

This article deals with the lean strategy evaluation process using SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis aimed at identifying lean strategies and providing an initial decision framework. It involves specifying the objective of the industry and identification of internal and external factors and its sub-factors and lean strategies, which are either favourable or unfavourable in the accomplishment of the stated objective. However, the SWOT analysis method does not provide an analytical method to evaluate the priorities of identified decisive strategic factors. To overcome this limitation, this article presents a case study in an Indian foundry industry using two multiple criteria decision-making methods, that is, analytic network process and modified TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution), to provide a computable basis in determining the rank of lean strategies. In this approach, the analytic network process is used to calculate the priorities of identified SWOT factors and sub-factors and the modified TOPSIS is applied to rank the lean strategies. A sensitivity analysis is also provided to illustrate how ‘sensitive’ the proposed model is to changes in the priorities of SWOT factors. The results show that the quantitative SWOT analysis–based approach is a feasible and exceedingly capable method that provides vital sensitivity in evaluating the priorities of lean strategies for an Indian foundry industry and can also be employed as an effective method for many other complex decision-making processes.

The environmental management problem of Pohorje, Slovenia: A new group approach within ANP – SWOT framework

Environmental management problems can be dealt with by combining participatory methods, which make it possible to include various stakeholders in a decision-making process, and multi-criteria methods, which offer a formal model for structuring and solving a problem. This paper proposes a three-phase decision making approach based on the analytic network process and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. The approach enables inclusion of various stakeholders or groups of stakeholders in particular stages of decision making. The structure of the proposed approach is composed of a network consisting of an objective cluster, a cluster of strategic goals, a cluster of SWOT factors and a cluster of alternatives. The application of the suggested approach is applied to a management problem of Pohorje, a mountainous area in Slovenia. Stakeholders from sectors that are important for Pohorje (forestry, agriculture, tourism and nature protection agencies) who can offer a wide range of expert knowledge were included in the decision-making process. The results identify the alternative of “sustainable development” as the most appropriate for development of Pohorje. The application in the paper offers an example of employing the new approach to an environmental management problem. This can also be applied to decision-making problems in various other fields.

The Role of Photovoltaics in Energy Transition ‐ Assessing the Prospects for a Regime Shift

Photovoltaics is still a niche technology, accounting for a low proportion of electricity generation. Combining an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) with the analytic hierarchy process, we discuss the prospects and challenges relating to photovoltaics in Austria, when attempting to move from a niche level to a regime level change in energy transition. In carrying out this hybrid method, a set of pre-defined SWOT factors were judged by experts by means of pairwise comparisons. As results reveal, strengths and opportunities outweigh weaknesses and threats. According to the experts, financial and technological considerations dominate over environmental and social issues. Hence, characteristics such as rapid reduction in module costs, technological progress and low economies of scale imply that significant promise may be assigned to photovoltaics in terms of its expected contribution to the transformation of our energy system.

Community users’ and experts’ perspective on community forestry in Nepal: a SWOT–AHP analysis

Nepal is a pioneer country in adopting community forestry (CF) which has been a success story in the mid-hills. In recent years, CF is shifting priorities from supplying forest products to maximizing the economic benefits of economically productive forests, while issues such as elite dominancy and exclusion are still prominent. These changes and issues necessitate examining forestry efforts from experts’ and users’ perspectives in order to further strengthen CF program. The purpose of this study was to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) factors regarding CF from experts’ and community users’ perspectives by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The results suggest that management and conservation of forest resources, impracticality of forest policy, increased scope of resource conservation and management, and forest fire were the most important SWOT factors for users, whereas basic needs fulfillment, unaddressed equity issues, increased scope of resource conservation and management, and changing political scenario of the country were the most important SWOT factors for experts. Overall, strengths and opportunities outweigh weaknesses and threats for both groups; however, both users and experts suggest addressing weaknesses and threats. Possible implications from the results are discussed further in this paper.

English

The main purpose of this research is to use a decision approach in prioritizing strategy choice for SWOT matrix analysis. This research was done in 2010, in Frab Co. which works in the field of installation of water and energy projects in Tehran. Based on the nature of the research, its statistical society was managers and experts of different units of the organization. The members of this team include the managing director, management of human resources, director of planning and project control, inspection and quality control manager, financial and administrative management and engineering management and deputy of projects affairs. The present research in terms of purpose is an applied research; it is also considered as a descriptive research. In this research for determining important weight, fuzzy analytic network process was used. The fuzzy method used was Chang’s extent analysis (EA) method. Excel software was used to calculate analytic network process by using extent analysis method for determination of important weights, and MATLAB software was used to get the final results of the study. Research results showed that when dependence exists among SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) factors, this dependence could change weight and priority of strategy alternative, and eventually WO (weaknesses- opportunities) strategy with the final weight of 0.317 was selected as the best strategy. Key words: Strategic planning, SWOT matrix, analytic network process, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, Chang’s extent analysis method, triangular fuzzy numbers.

Application of Combined SWOT and AHP: A Case Study for a Manufacturing Firm

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis is a commonly used tool which examines strengths and weaknesses (internal factors) of a company or industry together with opportunities and threats (external factors) of the marketplace environment. SWOT analysis provides the basic outline in which to perform analysis of decision situations. In this study, the lack of determination of the importance ranking for the SWOT factors, we proposed to enhance SWOT analysis with multicriteria decision making technique called Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP approach achieves pairwise comparisons among factors or criteria in order to prioritize them using the eigenvalue calculation. The aim of applying the combined method is to improve the quantitative side of strategic planning.

A Hybrid Strategic Development and Prioritization Model for Information and Communication Technology Enhancement

The information and communication technology (ICT) sector has fostered the growth of several developed and developing countries. Recent studies on ICT-related businesses indicate that focusing on national policies is insufficient and underlines the importance of local and/or regional policies in promoting ICT. The authors propose a hybrid strategic development and prioritization framework for ICT enhancement and use the Delphi method and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to assist the formulation of the ICT strategies. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is applied to weigh the SWOT factors and the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) method is used to prioritize the ICT strategies. A comprehensive action plan with internal and external indices is derived from the strategic evaluation and assessment process to monitor the ICT enhancement progress. An application of the proposed framework is presented to demonstrate the simplicity and efficacy of the procedures and algorithms in a three-year study conducted for the State Office of Higher Education in a developing country.

Selection of the best strategy for Iran's quarries: SWOT-FAHP method

Iran has high potential and unique stone reserves in terms of variety of color, texture, quality, and economic value; nevertheless, in spite of growing mine production during the past decade, in many instances this potential has been overlooked. Therefore it is necessary to investigate strategic factors of these mines. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and determine the best strategies for Iran’s quarries. To this end, the mines were analyzed using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) approach in combination with Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). Firstly, an environmental analysis was performed and then the SWOT factors were identified. In this way, the sub-factors which have very significant effects on the mines were determined. Using the SWOT matrix, alternative strategies were developed. Subsequently, the strategies were prioritized and the best strategies for these mines were determined. The results show that conservative strategies are the best strategy group for Iran’s quarries.