Justification of global positioning systems purchase using the analytic hierarchical process—The case of the Israeli Defense Force

Abstract A major issue in a decision to adopt advanced technologies is the justification process. Many technological developments are evaluated according to tangible criteria while important intangible criteria are overlooked. This study investigated a military need for advanced navigation technology in the Israeli Defense Force. The first and second parts discuss difficulties with current navigation methods and present the global positioning systems technology (GPS) as a solution. The third part presents some difficulties with traditional decision-making techniques as they apply to the decision to adopt GPS technology in a military environment. The fourth part presents an application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for defining tangible and intangible decision criteria, assigning them numerical weights and evaluating GPS alternatives accordingly. In conclusion, the study presents an alternative to traditional decision-making processes and military purchasing procedures of innovative technology (such as the lowest bidder method) by providing an opportunity to incorporate user-defined criteria into the decision-making process. This study proposes an alternative to traditional military and governmental purchasing methods and it should be valued as an alternative decision tool for innovative technology in times of shrinking governmental budgets.

[1]  A. Charnes,et al.  Chance-Constrained Programming , 1959 .

[2]  Valerie Belton,et al.  On a short-coming of Saaty's method of analytic hierarchies , 1983 .

[3]  Ching-Lai Hwang,et al.  Multiple attribute decision making : an introduction , 1995 .

[4]  T. L. Saaty,et al.  A theory of analytical hierarchies applied to political candidacy , 1977 .

[5]  T. Saaty.  An exposition of the AHP in reply to the paper “remarks on the analytic hierarchy process” , 1990 .

[6]  Thomas L. Saaty,et al.  Scenarios and priorities in transport planning: Application to the Sudan , 1977 .

[7]  Marc J. Schniederjans,et al.  Linear Goal Programming , 1984 .

[8]  Ralph L. Keeney,et al.  Feature Article - Decision Analysis: An Overview , 1982, Oper. Res..

[9]  G. W. Evans,et al.  An Overview of Techniques for Solving Multiobjective Mathematical Programs , 1984 .

[10]  A. Tversky,et al.  Prospect theory: analysis of decision under risk , 1979 .

[11]  A Decision Calculus Model for Contract Bidding , 1976 .

[12]  Yacov Y. Haimes,et al.  Decision Making with Multiple Objectives , 1985 .

[13]  A. Leick.  GPS satellite surveying , 1990 .

[14]  H. Raiffa,et al.  The Foundations of Decision under Uncertainty: An Elementary Exposition , 1964 .

[15]  E. F. Lane,et al.  A CONSISTENCY TEST FOR AHP DECISION MAKERS , 1989 .

[16]  A. Tversky,et al.  Prospect Theory : An Analysis of Decision under Risk Author ( s ) : , 2007 .

[17]  D. J. Allerton,et al.  Book Review: GPS theory and practice. Second Edition, HOFFMANNWELLENHOFF B., LICHTENEGGER H. and COLLINS J., 1993, 326 pp., Springer, £31.00 pb, ISBN 3-211-82477-4 , 1995 .

[18]  W. Blanchard.  GPS–Theory and Practice . B. Hofmann-Wellenhof H. Lichtenegger and J. Collins. 16·5 × 24 cm. Springer-Verlag, Vienna. 326 pp. DM 79. , 1993 .

[19]  James L. Corner,et al.  Decision Analysis Applications in the Operations Research Literature, 1970-1989 , 1991, Oper. Res..

[20]  R. D. Holder,et al.  Some Comments on the Analytic Hierarchy Process , 1990 .

[21]  T. Saaty.  How to Make a Decision: The Analytic Hierarchy Process , 1990 .

[22]  Young-Woo Lee,et al.  Static valuation of combat force potential by the analytic hierarchy process , 1991 .

[23]  Thomas L. Saaty,et al.  Multicriteria Decision Making: The Analytic Hierarchy Process: Planning, Priority Setting, Resource Allocation , 1990 .

[24]  Thomas L. Saaty,et al.  Rationing Energy to Industries: Priorities and Input-Output Dependence , 1982 .

[25]  Pekka Korhonen,et al.  Multiple criteria decision support - A review , 1992 .

[26]  J. Dyer.  Remarks on the analytic hierarchy process , 1990 .

[27]  Thomas L. Saaty,et al.  The Logic of Priorities , 1982 .

[28]  T. L. Saaty.  A Scaling Method for Priorities in Hierarchical Structures , 1977 .