A DSS for Human Resettlement: Supporting Interactive Optimal Decisions

Sajjad Zahir, Ziaul Al-Mahmud, Ruhul Sarker

Faculty of Management, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
School of Engineering & IT, UNSW@ADFA, Canberra, Australia.

DOI: 10.4236/ajor.2012.23039                

Abstract

Decisions regarding relocation of people due to environmental requirements can be very complex and may have serious socio-economic implications. We present the design of a Decision Support System to support such decision making processes involving many inputs, human preferences and multiple objectives.

Keywords

Decision Support Systems; Environmental Decision; Goal Programming Model; Analytic Hierarchy Process, Integration; Interactive Interface

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	S. Zahir, R. Sarker and Z. Al-Mahmud, “An Interactive DSS for Implementing Sustainable Relocation Strategies for Adaptation to Climate Change: A Multi-Objective Optimization Approach,” International Journal of Mathe- matics in Operational Research, Vol. 1, 2009, pp. 326- 350. doi:10.1504/IJMOR.2009.024289
[2]	M. P. McCartney, “Decision Support Systems for Large Dam Planning and Operation in Africa,” International Water Management Institute (IWMI Working Paper 119), Colombo, 2007.
[3]	M. Q. Zaman, “The Displaced Poor and Resettlement Policies in Bangladesh,” Disasters, Vol. 15. No. 2, 1991, pp. 117-125. doi:10.1111/j.1467-7717.1991.tb00440.x
[4]	S. Zahir and R. Sarker, “Planning Relocation of People for Developing Surface Mines in Densely Populated Areas: Optimization of Multiple Objectives,” Asia-Pacific Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 28, No. 5, 2011, pp. 563-583. doi:10.1142/S0217595911003442
[5]	K. C. Chen, “Decision Support System for Tourism Development: System Dynamics Approach,” The Journal of Computer Information Systems, Vol. 45, No. 1, 2004, pp. 104-112.
[6]	C. Petropoulos, A. Patelis, K. Metaxiotis, K. Nikolopoulos and V. Assimakopoulos, “SFTIS: A Decision Support System for Tourism Demand Analysis and Forecasting,” The Journal of Computer Information Systems, Vol. 44, No. 1, 2003, pp. 21-32.
[7]	J. H. Choi and J. W. Kim, “A Hybrid Decision Support Model for Selecting Highly Qualified Suppliers,” The Journal of Computer Information Systems, Vol. 49, No. 1, 2008, pp. 90-100.
[8]	S. Zahir and B. Dobing, “Designing a Web-Based Multi- Criteria Group Support System (MCGSS),” The Journal of Computer Information Systems, Vol. 42, No. 4, 2002, pp. 50-60.
[9]	M. Matthies, C. Giupponi and B. Ostendorf, “Environmental Decision Support Systems: Current Issues, Methods and Tools,” Environmental Decision Support Systems, Vol. 22, No. 2, 2007, pp. 123-127.
[10]	R. H. Sprague Jr., “A Framework for the Development of Decision Support Systems,” MIS Quarterly, Vol. 4, No. 4, 1980, pp. 1-26. doi:10.2307/248957
[11]	A. Charnes and W. W. Cooper, “Management Models and Industrial Applications of Linear Programming,” John Wiley, New York, 1961.
[12]	M. J. Schniederjans, “Goal Programming: Methodology and Applications,” Kluwer Academic Press, Norwell, 1995.
[13]	T. L. Saaty, “The Analytic Hierarchy Process,” McGraw- Hill, New York, 1980.
[14]	T. L. Saaty, “Decision Making for Leaders,” RWS Publications, Pittsburgh, 1995.
[15]	T. L. Saaty, “The Analytic Network Process,” 2nd Edition, RWS Publications, Pittsburgh, 2001.
[16]	S. Zahir and R. Sarker, “Multi-Objective Decision Making for Planned Relocation of People while Developing Surface Mines in Densely Populated Areas,” Proceedings of ASAC Annual Conference, Halifax, 24-27 May 2008.
[17]	O. S. Vaidya and S. Kumar, “Analytic Hierarchy Process: An Overview of Applications,” European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 169, No. 1, 2006, pp. 1-29. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2004.04.028
[18]	L. G. Vargas, “An Overview of the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Its Applications,” European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 48, No. 1, 1990, pp. 2-8. doi:10.1016/0377-2217(90)90056-H
[19]	G. A. Kiker, T. S. Bridges, A. Varghese, T. P. Seager and I. Linkov, “Application of Multicriteria Decision Analysis in Environmental Decision Making,” Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2005, pp. 95-108. doi:10.1897/IEAM_2004a-015.1
[20]	S. Zahir, Z. Al-Mahmud and R. Sarker, “Designing an Interactive DSS for Relocating People for Developing Surface Mines in Densely Populated Areas,” Proceedings of First Taibah University International Conference on Computing and Information Technology, Medina, 12-14 March 2012, pp. 403-408.
[21]	A. Bascetin, “A Decision Support System Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for the Optimal Environmental Reclamation of an Open-Pit Mine,” Environmental Geology, Vol. 52, 2007, pp. 663-672.