Decision Making Methods in Comparative Studies of Complex Economic Processes Management

Abstract

In this study different methodological approaches are used and described by many features (indicators) of complex socio-economic process. Outcome of analysis has the most reliable and acceptable representation of the studied process specific to chosen case. In order to solve problems in this area (depending on the situation, case under consideration), methods from two groups are most often used: multidimensional comparative analysis and multi-criteria decision analysis. The first of these cases concern problems at the macro level (socio-economic development, demographic situation, population's living standards, etc.), in which the decisionmaker's participation is relatively small (eg the selection of diagnostic variables or expert assessment). The second of these groups include issues in which the decisionmaker's participation is significant which are subjective to the decisions taken and reflects his or her preferences. Among the decision support methods, one can also distinguish those that have both the characteristics of methods from the area of multidimensional comparative analysis and multi-criteria decision analysis. The article presents the combination of both trends exposing maximum possibilities of using selected methods used in the decision making by Polish schools. The general methodological assumptions, advantages of having approaches discussed (in relation to other known methods) as well as the applied aspects (exemplary applications) also presented.