An AHP-Delphi Group Decision Support System Applied to Conflict Resolution in Hiring Decisions

This paper presents a group decision support system (CDSS) which integrates the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) into a Delphi framework. The AHP-Delphi GDSS is applicable to a wide range of complex, multi-criteria decisions which require judgements about qualitative characteristics from a group of evaluators. For example, AHP-Delphi can be used to evaluate the feasibility of alternative information system designs, to integrate qualitative criteria into management accounting systems and to incorporate intangible factors into hiring decisions. This paper demonstrates the AHP-Delphi GDSS by using it to resolve conflict in the hiring of accounting faculty. The potential for conflict exists because of the complexity and qualitative nature of the hiring decision. The results show that the participants initially ranked the candidates differently but eventually reached consensus after four AHP-Delphi rounds.