An Evaluation on the Selection of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods: TOPSIS Example

In this study, a sample problem was assessed in order to contribute to the new studies to be carried out by TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), which is one of the Multi-Criteria Decision Making methods and to provide conceptual basis, process and applications of the TOPSIS method more efficiently. It is obvious that these methods may lead different results when the researcger apply different importance degrees to alternatives or use differnet normalization technique. The main purpose of the study is to indicate that the alternatives (individuals) with the same weighted average scores are in different order when the researcher applies TOPSIS method. Evaluation results from sample problem, it was seen that the people with the same weighted average scores (alternatives) were in the different orders when the process is calculated by TOPSIS method. The sample problem, which is constructed through appropriate personnel selection or staff performance evaluation, appears to be problematic in the literature on many areas because of its structure. It has been emphasized in the research that method selection is important and that the results obtained from different multi-criteria decision methods can not be enough to compare and evaluate the efficiency of the methods. It is more effective to determine the method or methods to be chosen according to the nature of the problematic or in the direction that can be meet the expectations of the researcher or the structure of alnertavies and criteria.

Keywords

Multi-Criteria Decision Methods, TOPSIS, Weighted Average, Personel Selection.