Title: The application of analytic hierarchy process in higher-learning institutions: a literature review

Authors: Azilah Anis; Rafikul Islam

Addresses: Faculty of Business Management, Department of Operations Management, Universiti Technologi Mara, Shah Alam 40450, Malaysia ' Department of Business Administration, Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia Jalan Gombak, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Malaysia

Abstract: Currently, there has been increasing interest in the application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in the educational sector. However, little effort has been made in reviewing its applications particularly in higher-learning institutions (HLIs). Thus, this paper attempts to systematically review and critically examine the applications of the AHP in this context covering 33 empirical and conceptual studies published in the period of 1992-2013. The studies are examined on the basis of four specific dimensions: publication year, country of origin, integrated techniques that were simultaneously applied along with AHP and also the HLI areas wherein the AHP was applied. The systematic analysis reveals that the AHP was dominantly applied in measuring quality education of HLIs, faculty member evaluation, performance measurement, strategic planning, university choice and selection of university majors.

Keywords: AHP; analytical hierarchy process; HLIs; higher learning institutions; quality education; faculty evaluation; higher education; literature review; performance measurement; strategic planning; university choice; university major selection.

DOI: 10.1504/JIBED.2015.070446

Journal for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 2015 Vol.8 No.2, pp.166 - 182

Published online: 06 Jul 2015 *

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