Title: D4SP - decision support system based on the use of the AHP method for science park selection

Authors: Bruno Moura; Ivo Santos; Nelson Barros; Fernando Luis Almeida

Addresses: Polytechnic Higher Institute of Gaya, Av. dos Descobrimentos, 333, 4400-103, V.N. Gaia, Portugal ' Polytechnic Higher Institute of Gaya, Av. dos Descobrimentos, 333, 4400-103, V.N. Gaia, Portugal ' Polytechnic Higher Institute of Gaya, Av. dos Descobrimentos, 333, 4400-103, V.N. Gaia, Portugal ' University of Porto, INESC TEC, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal

Abstract: The literature reveals that science parks offer numerous benefits and support services to the activity of a technological startup. However, the decision of choosing the best science park for the startup tends to be an informal process, technically not very rigorous and planning, arising essentially by affinities with the research centre and university. In this study, a decision support system is presented to support entrepreneurs in the process of selecting a science park for the implementation of their startup. The AHP method is used to compare the importance of the criteria for selecting a science park, which includes factors such as location, activity sector, infrastructure, cost, and size. The findings reveal that the use of this decision support system helps entrepreneurs to find a science park that is suitable for the needs of their startup and allows them to comparatively identify the most relevant criteria when choosing a science park.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; decision science; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; startups; new venture; science park.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIDS.2024.136282

International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences, 2024 Vol.16 No.1, pp.1 - 18

Received: 07 Apr 2021
Accepted: 10 Jul 2021
Published online: 26 Jan 2024 *