Using qualitative information elicited from a panel to obtain robust conclusions: a protocol and an application to improve integrated pest management systems

Luis C. Dias (), Pedro Marques, Rita Garcia, Fernanda Santo, Rita Tentúgal, Tiago Natal-da-Luz, Álvaro Sousa, José Paulo Sousa and Fausto Freire
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Luis C. Dias: University of Coimbra
Pedro Marques: University of Coimbra
Rita Garcia: University of Coimbra
Fernanda Santo: University of Coimbra
Rita Tentúgal: Instituto Pedro Nunes
Tiago Natal-da-Luz: University of Coimbra
Álvaro Sousa: Instituto Pedro Nunes
José Paulo Sousa: University of Coimbra
Fausto Freire: University of Coimbra

Annals of Operations Research, 2025, vol. 353, issue 1, No 2, 3-24

Abstract: Abstract Multicriteria aggregation methods typically require inputs from decision makers concerning the relative importance of the criteria. This work presents an approach to use qualitative information elicited from a panel, which can be applied to compensatory and non-compensatory multicriteria aggregation methods. In particular, it considers the additive multiattribute value function and ELECTRE, two classical methods with well-known differences in the meaning of the criteria weights. Moreover, the proposed protocol makes a distinction between the importance of improving the current situation and the importance of not worsening the current situation. The inputs from the panel are aggregated to define constraints on the importance-related parameters, which can then be used for robustness and stochastic analyses. As a real-world application, a comparison of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is performed, considering the case of carrots cultivation in a French region. The comparisons are based on a sustainability assessment of the current practices and alternative IPM systems, using data from field trials, laboratory experiments and preferences from stakeholders. Results are robust to weighting choices, thus identifying which changes are recommended.

Keywords: Criteria importance; Elicitation; ELECTRE; Multiattribute value function; SMAA; Sustainability assessment; Agriculture; Pest management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10479-024-06162-7

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