MCDM-based approach for selecting a location for prototyping ISO refractory products

In the context of a global company, deciding on a location to produce refractory product prototypes is an extremely difficult and complicated task. It requires the careful consideration of multiple criteria that shape both internal operations and external influences. This decision significantly impacts operational processes and includes aspects such as costs, quality, resource availability, market access, legal frameworks and the mitigation of potential risks. In order to do justice to the complexity of this decision-making process, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are used to enable a systematic and structured analysis. This research aims to determine the optimal MCDM method for solving this site selection problem by identifying the most suitable site among all available alternatives. Using the Delphi method, relevant criteria were identified and subsequently evaluated using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). The AHP and FAHP were selected due to their proven suitability for complex site selection problems involving both qualitative and quantitative expert-based criteria. With the help of these methods, a ranking of the alternatives was calculated, which considers the determined parameters. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was applied to determine the credibility of the results. The findings of this study are pivotal since they not only provide a deeper understanding of the underlying problem but also assist businesses in making informed decisions regarding site selection. They also underscore the critical nature of selecting suitable criteria for analysing complex issues, thus enabling a more targeted approach to this challenging decision-making area in corporate practice.