models, methods, concepts & applications of the analytic hierarchy process - Saaty, Thomas L. ; Vargas, Luis G.

the analytic hierarchy process (ahp) is a prominent and powerful tool for making decisions in situations involving multiple objectives. models, methods, concepts and applications of the analytic hierarchy process, 2nd edition applies the ahp in order to solve problems focused on the following three themes: economics, the social sciences, and the linking of measurement with human values. for economists, the ahp offers a substantially different approach to dealing with economic problems through ratio scales. psychologists and political scientists can use the methodology to quantify and derive measurements for intangibles. meanwhile researchers in the physical and engineering sciences can apply the ahp methods to help resolve the conflicts between hard measurement data and human values. throughout the book, each of these topics is explored utilizing real life models and examples, relevant to problems in today’s society.

this new edition has been updated and includes five new chapters that includes discussions of the following:

-          the eigenvector and why it is necessary
-          a summary of ongoing research in the middle east that brings together israeli and palestinian scholars to develop concessions from both parties
-          a look at the medicare crisis and how ahp can be used to understand the problems and help develop ideas to solve them.