Prioritization of Contracting Methods for Water and Wastewater Projects Using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Method

Sarvari, Hadi; Chan, Daniel W. M.; Ashrafi, Behrouz; Olawumi, Timothy O.; Banaitiene, Nerija

Abstract

This study uses the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) method to prioritize contracting methods to determine the most suitable contract option for water and wastewater projects (WWP). Content analysis, a two-round Delphi survey technique, and a series of validation and reliability tests helped establish the 18 key criteria for FAHP analysis. Consequently, data collected from experts through a pairwise comparison questionnaire form the basis for the inputs for the FAHP analysis. Consequently, the final weightings were derived for each of the key criteria and available contracting methods. The results indicate that the bilateral, cooperative, and trilateral contracting methods are the most suitable for WWP in Iran, with the highest weighting. The study provides useful guidance for the top management of project firms in selecting the optimal contracting method for their projects and offers significant contributions from theoretical and practical perspectives.

Citation

Sarvari, H., Chan, D. W. M., Ashrafi, B., Olawumi, T. O., & Banaitiene, N. (2021). Prioritization of Contracting Methods for Water and Wastewater Projects Using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Method. Energies, 14(22), Article 7815. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227815

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 16, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Nov 22, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Nov 25, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 26, 2021
• Journal: Energies
• Electronic ISSN: 1996-1073
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 22
• Article Number: 7815
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227815
• Keywords: fuzzy analytic hierarchy process; construction contract; water; wastewater; Iran
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2824530
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies