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A Loose Coupling Technique for Integrating GIS and Multi‐Criteria Decision Making
Author(s) -
Ghosh Debasis
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
transactions in gis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.721
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1467-9671
pISSN - 1361-1682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9671.2008.01103.x
Subject(s) - multiple criteria decision analysis , loose coupling , set (abstract data type) , task (project management) , computer science , process (computing) , west bengal , management science , operations research , data mining , engineering , systems engineering , socioeconomics , sociology , programming language , operating system
Spatial decision making is characterized by problems associated with multiple and conflicting alternatives relating to geographical features and their attributes. As such, the search for the best possible alternative from a large set of such alternatives can be a daunting task. The aim of integrating GIS with Multi‐Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is to develop a well‐defined process that can scan through such extensive fields of choice to arrive at the best possible solution. Goal Programming is one tool (developed in conjunction with MCDM) that can handle a problem with multiple, conflicting and incommensurable alternatives, and this article explains how the loose coupling technique can integrate MCDM with GIS to assist decision making among competing alternatives. As an example, this methodology has been applied for community development purposes in the Hooghly District of West Bengal, India.