Title: Application of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process in multi-criteria decision-making of venture capitalists

Authors: Monika Dhochak; Prince Doliya

Addresses: Goa Institute of Management, Goa, India ' T A Pai Management Institute, Manipal, India

Abstract: This study aims to determine the factors of the venture capital investment process that may influence the multi-criteria investment process of venture capitalists in an emerging market like India. Firstly, we used the exploratory factor analysis to identify and analyse the consistency of several factors that may facilitate the adoption of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques in an Indian venture capital industry. Secondly, fuzzy analytical hierarchal process (FAHP), a most suited technique for MCDM to handle the fuzziness, vagueness and multi-dimensionality, was adopted to assign the weights and prioritise the pre-defined criteria and sub-criteria. These findings indicate that venture capitalists' investment decision does not emphasise solely on entrepreneurial activities, product and market; however, economic and regulatory environment also plays a significant role in the venture capitalists' investment decision-making process. These results may help entrepreneurs to recognise their strengths in respective criteria before approaching a right venture.

Keywords: venture capital; investment decision-making; multi-criteria decision-making; MCDM; fuzzy analytical hierarchal process; FAHP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2021.115356

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2021 Vol.43 No.2, pp.165 - 179

Received: 08 Oct 2018
Accepted: 27 Dec 2018
Published online: 01 Jun 2021 *

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