Operational Research in Engineering Sciences: Theory and Applications
Vol. 2, Issue 2, 2019, pp. 12-23
ISSN: 2620-1607
eISSN: 2620-1747
DOI:_ https://doi.org/10.31181/oresta1902001k
* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: nkomazec@gmail.com (Komazec), ale_petrovic@live.com (Petrović)
APPLICATION OF THE AHP-VIKOR HYBRID MODEL IN
MEDIA SELECTION FOR INFORMING ABOUT THE
ENDANGERED IN SITUATIONS OF EMERGENCY
Nenad Komazec, Aleksandar Petrović*
University of Defence, Pavla Jurišića 33, 11010 Voždovac, Belgrade, Serbia,
Received: 17 April 2019
Accepted: 12 July 2019
First online: 24 July 2019
Research paper
Abstract: A distribution of information in situations of emergency represents a serious
challenge for the expert services engaged in protection and rescue. The number of the
people who need help in situations of emergency is rather large and the number of those
who can really be helped depends on their availability to expert services. A large number
of people, especially endangered groups, can be saved with the help of timely and
qualitative information. In the conditions determined by a lack of time, the staff in
charge of situations of emergency have to make a decision on informing the population
about the incoming danger. In the paper, a hybrid model based on the analytic hierarchy
process (AHP) and multi-criteria compromise ranking (VIKOR) is presented, as applied
through the selection of the best medium for informing the population in situations of
emergency. The AHP method is used to determine criteria weight coefficients, while the
VIKOR method is applied in order to find the best media by means of making a selection
amongst numerous concrete options – i.e. alternatives.
Key words: media, situations of emergency, AHP method, VIKOR method.
1. Introduction
Situations of emergency represent the state of the high endangerment of a social
community. The consequences of situations of emergency are manifold and have far-
reaching effects. Considering the size of a danger from various natural disasters and
other accidents, and different categories of the endangered population, timely
warning and informing are of great significance. Preventive acting through informing
and alerting the population is the basis for reducing the consequences of situations of
emergency. There are various population categories that need be informed about the
incoming danger. The most endangered are persons with special needs, only to be
followed by women and children, and, in the end, the persons who are able to save
themselves on their own.
mailto:ale_petrovic@live.com
Komazec and Petrović/Oper. Res. Eng. Sci. Theor. Appl. 2 (2) (2019) 12-23
13
In a situation of emergency, the problem of the functionality of the media may
occur due to their territorial prevalence and the signal reception (for the television
and the radio) or equipment supply and functionality (the internet). Informing by
emergency sirens could be a solution in the areas with good coverage and a high
population density. Otherwise, the effect of emergency sirens can be very small.
Depending on the type of the situation of emergency, electricity supply can also be
problematic (Komazec et al. 2014).
The manner in which people should be informed is mostly restricted by the effects
of a situation of emergency and its diffusion, and very frequently, the availability of
information to certain groups of people is the only criterion (Акимов & Порфирьев,
2004). However, by carrying out a thorough analysis of the relevant factors,
conclusions can be drawn which refer to the selection of the optimal medium (or
media) for the purpose of informing as many people as possible in order to select those
media that meet the created needs. In this paper, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)
and the Multi-Criteria Compromise Ranking (VIKOR) methods are applied to problem
solving. The contribution of the paper reflects in the enhancement of the evaluation
and selection methodologies regarding the media for the purpose of informing the
population in situations of emergency through a new approach to the treatment of
imprecision due to the fact that the application of this model or similar models in
situations of emergency has not been reviewed in the existing literature.
2. Problem Description
The paper is focused on finding out the hybrid model which will enable the optimal
selection of the media for informing the population in situations of emergency.
The occurrence of the need for informing the population in the situations of natural
disasters and technical-technological accidents depends on the level of the
endangerment of the social community. The alert signal announcing a danger is
activated by the authorities according to the law. The level of the danger, i.e. the
endangerment, is the basis for the proclamation of a situation of emergency (Karovic
& Komazec, 2009). A situation of emergency is proclaimed by the staff in charge of
situations of emergency when risks and threats, or the resulting consequences are on
such a scale and of such an intensity that they cannot be stopped or diminished by
conducting the authorities’ regular activities, for which reason it is necessary that
special measures, additional strengths and the means with an enhanced operation
mode should be taken for the purpose of their mitigation and removal (Zakon o
smanjenju rizika od katastrofa i upravljanju vanrednim situacijama [Law on Disaster
Risk Reduction and Emergency Management], 2018; Pamucar et al. 2016).
The proclamation of a situation of emergency follows immediately after becoming
aware of the danger. This moment is a milestone in the protection and salvation of the
endangered population, material goods and the environment. Namely, as long as the
staff in charge of situations of emergency are unaware of a danger, they cannot
proclaim a situation of emergency, nor can they inform the endangered population
about it; competent services (Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (RHMS),
Republic Geodetic Authority (RGA), etc.) are, however, responsible for informing the
population. The competent services usually inform people through the media (the
television and the radio) and via the internet (posting warnings on relevant websites).
In that period of time, the staff in charge of situations of emergency collect pieces of
Application of the AHP-VIKOR hybrid model in media selection for informing about the
endangered in situations of emergency
14
information and may perform such informing through local communities and
responsible individuals.
In some special situations, the electric-power industry, the water industry and the
other business associations using hydro-accumulations and landfills are obliged to
ensure that the population is timely informed about the incoming danger (Zakon o
smanjenju rizika od katastrofa i upravljanju vanrednim situacijama [Law on Disaster
Risk Reduction and Emergency Management], 2018).
The members of the staff in charge of situations of emergency may use local radio
and television stations. The transmission of information to the endangered population
carried out by the Republic staff in charge of situations of emergency The law also
envisages the obligation of mobile companies to transfer information to endangered
people. All mass-media means are applicable when informing the population is
concerned, even before situations of emergency occur (Petrovic et al. 2017). A special
problem is a situation of emergency when a danger to the population, material goods
and the environment has arisen. The conditions of all the people inside the endangered
territory are such that they all fear for themselves, for their families, and for their
material possessions. There is a similar situation in business companies which,
simultaneously having to protect their own assets, also need to engage the employees
whose families are jeopardized at that moment as well. In the case of a concrete
problem, persons with special needs, the elderly, women and children are considered
as special and specific groups of people.
In the case of a particular problem, the means of mass communications are
restricted to a segment of the mass media (the television, the radio and the internet –
especially social networks and mobile communications)1 (Radojkovic & Miletic, 2005).
There is a possibility of using print media, but this way of communication is restricted
by the type and level of the influence of the concrete danger.
2.1 Informing in Situations of Emergency
The practical usage of effective informing is the basis for effective management
(Moriarty et al. 2012). Informing in situations of emergency (and alerting, too) is an
activity of great significance with respect to decreasing human casualties and
mitigating damage to material goods and the environment. Namely, timely
information provides a quick and right reaction of the endangered population to the
danger. Timelessness depends on the type of danger (Dey, 2001). Situations of
emergency and other accidents which may occur suddenly and develop rapidly are
more complex to announce. Practically, their announcement is conducted after the
moment of their occurrence. The possibility that the majority of the population will
not receive information on time is most likely (Komazec et al. 2018). The dangers that
occur in a longer period of time and develop gradually are much easier to announce,
along with the appearance of the first indicators.
The staff in charge of situations of emergency and the authorities’ specialized
institutions (RHMS, RGA, etc.) have the legal obligation to provide information in
situations of emergency. This approach is essential for controlling the information
flow, the types of information, and the process of receiving information to as many
1The presence of social media is generally implied, due to the fact that they include mobile companies and
their ability to transfer information as well.
Komazec and Petrović/Oper. Res. Eng. Sci. Theor. Appl. 2 (2) (2019) 12-23
15
people as possible. For the purpose of informing effectively and efficiently, the staff in
charge of situations of emergency have several instruments at their disposal, namely:
1. the television and the radio;
2. the Internet-social networks;
3. the early warning, informing and alerting system;
4. print media and
5. mobile telecommunications.
The television and the radio belong to a group of highly widespread and available
media. It is to be assumed that every single home has the ability to access them. The
main issue in the usage of such media is the ability of the municipality staff in charge
of situations of emergency to send information through the national television and
radio network due to the fact that the national services are watched/listened to by a
large number of individuals. Also, there is a problem in local services in the territory
of the municipality and their availability throughout that territory.
The Internet is also a widely applicable instrument for the transmission of
information. There is a certain limitation when access to the internet is in question. It
is possible to quickly transfer information to a large number of people throughout
social networks, but the availability of those individuals to the staff in charge of
situations of emergency may be an issue. A special problem implies those elderly ones
who do not use the internet at all, or use it poorly.
The early warning, informing and alerting system is directly available to the
staff in charge of situations of emergency. The limitation lies in the operational
correctness of the system, the territorial coverage and the ability of all endangered
groups to understand the sent signals.
Print media belong in the group of slower and mass means of information transfer.
The limitation of their application lies in the fact that, in a situation of emergency, the
distribution of such media may be stopped. Also, not every municipality owns its own
print media, which may refer to the dependence on a publishing house, its distance
and capacity.
Mobile telecommunications represent a powerful, widespread and easily
accessible medium for information transfer. A large number of people in all
endangered groups own a mobile telephone. The main issue is the development of a
database of telephone numbers, especially of the numbers of the endangered groups
of individuals responsible for them.
2.2. Description of the Media Selection Criteria
In order to successfully apply the AHP and VIKOR methods to solving the research
problem, it is necessary to identify the criteria common to all the listed and considered
media of mass communications and among which a selection of the best media for
informing the population in situations of emergency will be conducted. (Nenadovic et
al. 2016). Taking this into account, the following criteria are identified:
K1 – The frequency of informing – This criterion is expressed by the number of the
repetitions of informing through the amount of time in order to achieve as good
reception as possible by as many individuals as possible.
K2 – Territorial coverage – This criterion is expressed in percentages and
represents the ability to receive information in real time throughout the territory of
the municipality.
Application of the AHP-VIKOR hybrid model in media selection for informing about the
endangered in situations of emergency
16
K3 –Presence in a target group– This criterion is expressed in percentages and
reflects the presence of a concrete medium in a concrete target group, or the other way
round – it reflects the percentage of the target group ‘consuming’ a particular medium.
K4 – The availability of the medium – This criterion represents the coverage of the
Republic of Serbia’s territory (by broadcasting or by distribution)2 and it is described
by linguistic descriptors given in Table 1.
Table 1. The descriptive scale of the linguistic criteria
Linguistic descriptors Very poor Poor Medium Good Excellent
Assigned numerical value 1 2 3 4 5
K5 – The medium access price – This criterion is expressed by cash units and
accounts for the amount which is necessary to pay in order to make the content of a
particular medium available.3
The characteristics of the listed criteria are presented in Table 2.
Table 2. The criteria characteristics
ben4. cost5 Qualitative Quantitative
К1 + +
К2 + +
К3 + +
К4 + +
К5 + +
3. Applied Methods
The hybrid model used for the selection of the best media for informing the
population in situations of emergency consists of the AHP and VIKOR methods. The
AHP method is used to determine the weight coefficients of the identified criteria,
while the VIKOR method is used to find a compromise solution, specifically for the
selection of the optimal informing medium.
2 When electronic media (the television and the radio) are concerned, it is significant whether they are the
media with a national frequency or the media covering only a certain region in Serbia, whereas when the
press (newspapers) is concerned, it is essential whether they are the media distributed throughout the
territory or the media distributed locally.
3 When speaking about electronic media, the total amount represents the sum of all expenses, such as
purchasing a television set or a radio receiver, the costs of electricity, broadcasting costs, a special fee for
using a public service, etc., whereas in the case of the press, it accounts for the amount which has to be paid
for certain newspapers, magazines and so forth. For the internet and mobile commu nications, it is the price
for those services.
4 The subset of the criteria with the benefit characteristics, which means that a higher value of the criterion
is preferable, i.e. better.
5 The subset of the criteria with the cost characteristics, which means that a lower value of the criterion is
preferable, i.e. better.
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3.1. AHP
The AHP method developed by Thomas Saaty at the beginning of the 1970s is a tool
used in decision analysis, created for the purpose of providing assistance to decision-
makers in resolving complex decision-making problems in which many decision-
makers participate, numerous criteria and in various time periods. This process is
based on the balance concept used in order to determine the overall significance of
the set of relative attributes, activities or criteria, and relates to the analyzed decision-
making problem (Cupic & Suknovic, 2010). In the paper, this method is applied so as
to determine the criteria weight coefficients regarding the selection of the media for
informing the population in situations of emergency. Saaty’s standard nine-level scale
presented in Table 3 is applied in order to carry out a pairwise comparison (Saaty,
1980). Saaty’s scale is applied by the decision-makers or the analysts performing
comparisons in pairs on the basis of the semantic preferences from the left-hand
column of Saaty’s scale or by direct association. The numerical values stated in the
columns 2 or 3 of Table 3, which correspond to the semantic preferences in the left-
hand column, are entered into the square comparison matrix, Equation (1).
Table 3. Saaty’s pairwise comparison scale
𝐶1 𝐶2 … 𝐶𝑛
A =
𝐶1
𝐶2
⋮
𝐶𝑛
[
𝑎11 𝑎12 … 𝑎1𝑛
𝑎21 𝑎22 … 𝑎2𝑛
⋮ ⋮ ⋱ ⋮
𝑎𝑛1 𝑎𝑛2 … 𝑎𝑛𝑛
] (1)
Since it is true that aij= 1/ aji and aii= 1 for every i,j = 1,2,...,n, the matrix A is positive,
symmetrical and reciprocal. When applying Saaty’s classical scale, the relations in a
pairwise comparison are strictly defined (Pamucar et al, 2016).
3.2. VIKOR
The VIKOR method was developed by Opricovic Serafim (Opricovic, 1998) based
on the elements from compromise programming with the beginning at the “border”
forms of Lp-metrics. These metrics represent the distance between the ideal point F*
and the point F(x) in the space of the criteria functions (Petrovic et al. 2017).
The first step in the VIKOR method is the initial decision matrix:
𝑋1 𝑋2 𝑋3 ⋯ 𝑋𝑛
𝑊1 𝑊2 𝑊3 ⋯ 𝑊𝑛
Definition Standard values Reciprocal values
Equal importance 1 1
Weak importance of one over
another
3 1/3
Essential or strong
importance
5 1/5
Demonstrated importance 7 1/7
Absolute importance 9 1/9
Intermediate values between
the two adjacent judgments
2,4,6,8 1/2, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8
Application of the AHP-VIKOR hybrid model in media selection for informing about the
endangered in situations of emergency
18
D =
𝐴1
𝐴2
𝐴3
⋮
𝐴𝑚 [
𝑋11 𝑋12 𝑋13 ⋯ 𝑋1𝑛
𝑋21 𝑋22 𝑋23 ⋯ 𝑋2𝑛
𝑋31 𝑋32 𝑋33 ⋯ 𝑋3𝑛
⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋱ ⋮
𝑋𝑚1 𝑋𝑚2 𝑋𝑚3 ⋯ 𝑋𝑚𝑛]
(2)
By the decision matrix, the m alternatives and the n criteria are defined. Every
criterion is associated with its weight coefficient 𝑤𝑖. The weight coefficients of the
criterion should follow the next condition:
∑ 𝑤𝑖
𝑛
𝑖=1
=1 (3)
After defining the decision matrix, the method is to be applied. The next step in the
VIKOR method is the determination of 𝑥𝑖
∗ and 𝑥𝑖
−, which is conducted by the following
equations:
𝑥𝑖
∗ = max (𝑥1, 𝑥2,…, 𝑥𝑛); i=1,2,…, n; (4)
𝑥𝑖
− = min (𝑥1, 𝑥2,…, 𝑥𝑛); i=1,2,…, n; (5)
The next step in the VIKOR method is the determination of the pessimistic (𝑆𝑗 ) and
the anticipated (𝑅𝑗 ) solutions.
𝑆𝑗 = ∑ 𝑤𝑖
𝑛
𝑖=1
(𝑥𝑖
∗ − 𝑥𝑖𝑗) (𝑥𝑖
∗ − 𝑥𝑖
−)⁄ ; 𝑗 = 1,2, … , 𝑚 (6)
𝑅𝑗 =
max
𝑖
[𝑤𝑖 (𝑥𝑖
∗- 𝑥𝑖𝑗 ) / (𝑥𝑖
∗ − 𝑥𝑖
−); 𝑗 = 1,2, … , 𝑚 (7)
After that, the next step is finding a compromise solution 𝑄𝑗 :
𝑄𝑗 = 𝜈
𝑆𝑗− 𝑆
∗
𝑆−− 𝑆∗
+ (1–𝜈)
𝑅𝑗− 𝑅
∗
𝑅−− 𝑅∗
; j=1, 2,…, m (8)
where
𝑆∗= min 𝑆𝑗 (9)
𝑆−= max 𝑆𝑗 (10)
𝑅∗= min 𝑅𝑗 (11)
𝑅−= max 𝑅𝑗 (12)
𝜈 – the weight of the strategy satisfied according to the majority of the criteria, 𝜈 ∈
{0.25, 0.5, 0.75}.
The last step in the VIKOR method is the ranking of alternatives. A set of
alternatives can be ranked by the value of the function of the criteria assigned to each
alternative 𝑄𝑗. The best alternative is the one that is the least distanced from the ideal
value, i.e., the one that has the minimal 𝑄𝑗value, and vice versa. As relevant, the rank
list is taken for the value 𝜈 = 0.5, but even though it is the first on the list, that action
has to meet two more conditions (Petrovic et al. 2017), namely:
Komazec and Petrović/Oper. Res. Eng. Sci. Theor. Appl. 2 (2) (2019) 12-23
19
1) There has to be sufficient advantage (more than the “minimum sufficient
advantage”) related to the 2nd, 3rd, and other alternatives), which is established by
applying the following expression:
Q(𝑎‚) - Q(𝑎‚‚)≥ 𝐷𝑄 (13)
where:
DQ = min(0.25,
1
𝑚−1
) (14)
where 𝑎‚ and 𝑎‚‚ represent the values of the 1st and the 2nd alternatives, respectively,
by 𝑄𝑗(𝜈=0.5), and m represents the number of the alternatives. The minimum
sufficient advantage is to be 0.25 in the cases when there is a small number of
alternatives.
2) It has to have a sufficiently stable position, i.e. position no. 1, according to the rank
list QSj, or according to QRj, or according to Q for 𝜈 = 0.25 and 𝜈 = 0.75 where (Petrovic
et al. 2017):
Q𝑆𝑗 =
𝑆𝑗 − 𝑆
∗
𝑆−− 𝑆∗
; j = 1, 2,…, m (15)
Q𝑅𝑗 =
𝑅𝑗− 𝑅
∗
𝑅−− 𝑅∗
; j = 1, 2,…, m (16)
4. Presentation of the Application of the Hybrid Model
As already stated, the hybrid model consists of the AHP and VIKOR methods. The
weight coefficients of the criteria are calculated by applying the AHP method in the
Expert Choice program package and the results of that process are shown in Tables 4
and 5.
Table 4. The criterion pairwise comparison according to Saaty’s scale
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5
K1 1.0 3.0 1/2 9.0 2.0
K2 1.0 (4.0) 2.0 2.0
K3 1.0 5.0 3.0
K4 1.0 (3.0)
K5 1.0
CR=0.03
Table 5: The values of the criteria weight coefficients
K1 .300
K2 .092
K3 .406
K4 .051
K5 .151
Inconsistency = 0.03
with 0 missing judgments.
Application of the AHP-VIKOR hybrid model in media selection for informing about the
endangered in situations of emergency
20
For the purpose of applying the VIKOR method, a total of 6 different alternatives
were chosen (from A1 to A6 ), by which the initial decision matrix was defined, which
is accounted for in Table 6.
The alternatives are as follows: Alternative A1–Local television and radio station;
Alternative A2–National television and radio station; Alternative A3–Early warning,
informing and alerting system; Alternative A4–Internet–social networks; Alternative
A5–Print media, and Alternative A6–Mobile communications.
The details regarding the listed alternatives are not presented in the paper in order
to avoid a decrease in their positions in the media space and favoring certain media,
too.
Table 6. The initial decision matrix
Criterion K1 K26 K3 K4 K5
Alternatives 0.300 0.092 0.406 0.051 0.151
A1 6007 50 45 5 6
A2 300 48 60 4 5
A3 600 5 35 3 0.3
A4 750 4 40 2 0.35
A5 480 22 10 4 2.4
A6 430 18 8 1 1.8
xi* 750 50 60 5 0.3
xi- 300 4 8 1 6
Characteristic of criterion max max max max min
By solving the equations from 4 to 12, the final solutions are obtained and they are
presented in Table 7.
Table 7. The final values of the alternatives
Alternatives QSj QRj Qj (v=0.5) Qj (v=0.25) Qj (v=0.75)
A1 0.463 0.252 0.357 0.305 0.410
A2 0.353 0.576 0.465 0.520 0.409
A3 0.040 0.156 0.098 0.127 0.069
A4 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
A5 0.938 0.936 0.937 0.936 0.937
A6 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000
According to the results obtained, the final ranking of the alternatives is as follows:
A4, A3, A1, A2, A5 and A6.
6 According to the last analysis of the media market in Serbia, conducted by Ipsos Strategic Marketing Agency
in 2015 (Regulatory Body for Electronic Media, 2015), the television is the leading medium, with a market
share of 53%, the press accounts for 20%, and the radio accounts for 4% (the other media account for a
market share of 23%).
7 The number of repetitions in one day (i.e. 24 hours).
Komazec and Petrović/Oper. Res. Eng. Sci. Theor. Appl. 2 (2) (2019) 12-23
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5. Sensitivity Analysis
When applying methods of multi-criteria decision-making, it is crucial to examine
the sensitivity of the mathematical model applied, so that decision-makers could have
some kind of guarantee according to the rationality and quality of the obtained
solution (Pamucar et al. 2016). The analysis of the sensitivity of the results obtained
by the hybrid model implies the examination of changes in the weights of criteria and
on the consistency of the solution with respect to a change in the measurement scale
(Pamucar et al. 2017).
When examining change in the weight of the criteria, a total of six scenarios were
developed (Table 8) (A – the equal importance of all the criteria, B – the absolute
dominance of K1, C – the absolute dominance of K2, D – the absolute dominance of K3,
E – the absolute dominance of K4, F – the absolute dominance of K5). Within the
framework of the independence analysis regarding change in the measurement scale,
a total of two scenarios were developed (Table 9). In the first scenario, the qualitative
criterion (K4) was given by the two different scales (S1 and S2) connected by a positive
affine transformation (y = 2x – 1). In the second scenario, the quantitative criterion
(K5), which represents the media access cost, expressed in cash units is was given by
the two different scales: (S1) in RSD (Republic of Serbia’s Dinar) and (S2) in euros.
Table 8. The sensitivity analysis of change in the weights of the criteria
Scenario A B C D E F
Alternatives Alternatives rank
A1 4 4 3 5 3 2
A2 1 2 5 3 4 3
A3 5 6 2 4 1 6
A4 3 1 1 1 5 1
A5 6 3 6 6 6 4
A6 2 5 4 2 2 5
Table 9. The independence analysis of change in the measurement scale
Scenario
Scenario 1 Scenario 2
S1 S2 S1 S2
Alternatives Alternatives rank
A1 5 5 5 5
A2 3 3 3 3
A3 2 2 2 2
A4 1 1 1 1
A5 5 5 5 5
A6 6 6 6 6
6. Discussion and Conclusion
According to the results obtained by conducting a sensitivity analysis of the
developed hybrid model for the purpose of the selection of the best medium for
informing the population in situations of emergency and with respect to the research
studies (Pamucar et al. 2018), a conclusion can be drawn that the hybrid AHP-VIKOR
Application of the AHP-VIKOR hybrid model in media selection for informing about the
endangered in situations of emergency
22
model is completely applicable in the cases of solving the treated problem and satisfies
the set goal. The sensitivity analysis of change in the weights of the criteria shows that
the hybrid model is sufficiently sensitive and that it keeps alternative priorities (in this
particular case, Alternative A4 is favored). Furthermore, checking the consistency of the
solution by changing the measurement scale shows that the model is stable and that it
generates sustainable solutions. By an analysis of all of the results obtained, it is possible
to conclude that the application of the AHP and VIKOR methods can significantly help
decision-makers to come to the necessary solution.
The proposed model examined in the paper represents an integration of the AHP and
VIKOR methods, where the AHP method is used to determine the weight coefficients of
criteria within the process of the selection of the best medium for informing the
population in situations of emergency, whereas the VIKOR method is used to rank the
obtained alternatives and find the optimal solution. The model has been verified through
the media selection process inside the territory of a certain municipality by six different
alternatives. The results obtained by the application of the model show that Alternative
no. 4 is the best solution in all the scenarios with different values of the criteria. In
comparison with the hybrid model, Alternative no. 4 has a priority engagement. Taking
into consideration the fact that situations of emergency are concerned in this case, it is
not only enough to depend on one single medium, but the competent staff in charge of
situations of emergency will engage all available media. This means that informing the
population would certainly be performed through the television, the radio, print media,
and mobile communications. The early warning, informing and alerting system would be
used for signal transmission. The sensitivity analysis has shown the stability of the
results obtained by the application of the model in all of the considered scenarios.
The presented application of the hybrid model provides an unbiased aggregation of
experts’ choices by taking into consideration all the inconsistency and subjectivism of
group decision-making. Apart from the expressed contribution, it is essential to
emphasize the authors’ attempt to apply this model in situations of emergency, which
are characterized by uncertainty and a lack of time as well, the large amount of
information and crisis decision making. The development of such models contributes to
the literature in which the theoretical and practical application of multi-criteria
techniques is subjected to review. The suggested model enables the evaluation of
alternatives despite the imprecision and lack of quantitative information in the decision-
making process. By applying the developed approach, problems concerning multi-
criteria decision-making and the evaluation and selection of a medium for informing the
population in situations of emergency can easily be dealt with. The model can be applied
to making various decisions. It is also applicable in the process of decision-making within
the staff in charge of situations of emergency in situations of emergency. The flexibility
of the model is proven by the fact that its verification can be performed by applying any
type of multi-criteria decision-making methods.
Further research studies regarding this paper should refer to the application of this
and similar models in combination with other methods and the development of a new
method, which would lead to the enrichment of this highly applicable scientific area.
Situations of emergency are the state of the endangerment of social stability with
great implications for the life and health of people, the state of material goods and the
environment. Therefore, every contribution to the improvement of the decision–making
system of the staff in charge of situations of emergency is also a contribution to
prevention and reaction in case a danger occurs.
Komazec and Petrović/Oper. Res. Eng. Sci. Theor. Appl. 2 (2) (2019) 12-23
23
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