Foreword

Welcome to Sorrento at 11th International Symposium on Analytic Hierarchy Process.

The International Symposium on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (ISAHP) takes place every two years and it brings together researchers, teachers and users of AHP and ANP to share their research and experiences in decision making.

The conference organizing and program committees represent all five continents, bringing the research, applications and perspectives of their areas of the world to this truly international forum.

This year it is attended by researches, scholars and visitors from 96 cities in 42 countries.

Every edition, the ISAHP represents the chance for many researchers and scientists around the world to present their own studies and researches and to face this important research field. In this way, the conference has been a chance to encourage the integration of the international competencies in the AHP field, supplying important cues for future researches.

The papers presented in this conference reflect critical research in the AHP field. Some of the topics presented include but are not limited to: Environmental Application and Sustainability, Disaster Management, Decision Support System Aid, Group Decision Making, Purchasing and Supply Chain, Medical Decision Making, Applications in Civil Engineering and Urban Management, Quality management in organizations and Marketing Decision, Human Resources Management, etc.

Undoubtedly we can affirm that the interest for such themes has definitely increased during the past few years, and this fact is due to the complexity of the environment where we live. Our lives are the sum of our decisions, whether in business or in personal spheres. Often, when we decide is as important as what we decide. Deciding too quickly can be hazardous; delaying too long can mean missed opportunities. In the end, it is crucial that we make up our mind. What we need is a systematic and comprehensive approach to decision making.

Decision making is fundamental to furthering our goal of survival and ensuring the quality of our life. To be a person is to be a decision maker.

We believe that that this Symposium and the papers collected are an effort to stimulate debate on this theme supplying people to make the better decisions, favoring discussion and confrontation, in order to propose ideas and solutions freely.

We want to thank all authors who submitted papers for ISHAP and to give special thanks to the International Scientific Committee.

Special thanks to Prof. Thomas L.Saaty, a great man, a precious friend and inestimable "Magister".

General Chairman
Prof. Emilio Esposito
University of Naples "Federico II"

Executive Organizer
Prof. Fabio De Felice
University of Cassino