Nina Begičević

Decision-making on prioritization of projects in higher education institutions using the analytic network process approach

The prioritization of projects in higher education institutions is a complex decision-making problem. In this paper we deal with two scenarios within Higher Education Institutions. The first scenario is a need to prepare an action plan for activities that will result in the implementation of a portfolio of projects at the institutional level. The second scenario is making a decision on whether to start a new project application, and if so, which project to choose in a situation where project teams have several project ideas and limited resources. The purpose of the paper is to show how to include corporate strategy in the decision-making process and use the Analytic Network Process as a multiple criteria decision-making methodology which can be used in solving project selection problems.

Prioritization of e-learning forms: a multicriteria methodology

Strategic planning of e-learning implementation includes decision making about the most suitable form of implementing e-learning on different levels in an institution. Decision making about e-learning implementation has been covered as consisting of four phases: (1) intelligence, (2) design, (3) choice and (4) implementation. During the Intelligence phase we have precisely identified our central decision problem and have conducted situation analysis. In the Design phase we have developed alternatives and established criteria and subcriteria. The questionnaire about the importance of the advantages and goals of e-learning implementation and about criteria and subcriteria significant for decision making was created. Essential for the survey was use of Croatian e-learning experts that are familiar with higher education (HE) environment. Further, we connected these findings with the results of the factor analysis which was performed on the survey. The results of the factor analysis have served as input in the multicriteria decision model (AHP) that we have developed in the Choice phase. In the implementation phase we have solved the problem of prioritisation of e-learning options with the help of multi-criteria modelling in the process of group decision making. In this article, firstly we will present and analyze the results of the survey. Secondly, the outputs of factor analysis will be stated and compared with the model used in the questionnaire. Finally, the structure of AHP model will be given and the results of the quantitative evaluation of the model will be presented.

The scope of human values and human activities in decision making

Decision making was long in need of methods of prioritization but now needs to complete the scope of its structures to become a dependable science that can be helpful on the micro level. Most of the factors that determine the structure of a decision depend largely on the feelings and memories of the decision makers and that leaves room for doubt about the completeness of the decision. The decision makers would be helped by having available a general well-researched list of factors for some of their complex decisions in order to have greater assurance that their decisions are comprehensive and right. To do that, they must have wide exposure and be familiar with the full spectrum of human values and environmental opportunities. Our concern is about structuring decisions in a reliable way to serve the needs of decision makers. A very broad framework is provided in this paper to address this issue.

Imaginative acquisition of knowledge - strategic planning of E-learning

The universities/faculties in Croatia should strategically implement e-learning in the existing academic activities because of the many functional benefits that e-learning brings. In our paper we present major challenges about e-learning in Croatia on different levels: state, university, faculty and personal level. We also present results of the questionnaire about advantages and goals of e-learning implementation and about criteria that are essential for decision making about the most suitable form of implementing e-learning. These results are the most important parts of the e-learning strategy documents according to the examples of e-learning strategies of EU universities

The analytic hierarchy process applied to complexity

Even in science, there is always the human element of using our own assumptions in logic, our feelings, our values and numerous criteria we must deal with. In addition, we often have to include the measurements of tangibles that always need agreed upon subjective judgement to interpret what exactly they mean. The understanding and judgements of other people must inevitably be considered and people use language and create Babel of incoherent possibilities. This paper deals with the various aspects of how to make it possible to overcome the problems of using verbal logic, combining different scale measurements of tangibles and conflicts in group decision-making to make good choices scientifically in the face of complexity and illustrates it with the examples.

Decision making on project selection in high education sector using the analytic hierarchy process

The prioritization of projects in higher education institutions is a complex decision-making problem. In this paper we deal with a problem of making a decision on whether to start a new project application, and if so, which project to choose in a situation where project teams have several project ideas and limited resources. The purpose of the paper is to show how to use the Analytic Hierarchy Process as a multiple criteria decision-making methodology which can be used in solving project selection problems. Finally, one case study is given.