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This chapter describes the scenario technique used for the integrative methodological approach (IMA) of the German global change project GLOWA Elbe. It is outlined how regional scenarios are systematically derived to analyze water use conflicts and their resolution in the context of global change for the German Elbe river basin. Through the combination of frameworks of development and policy strategies a consistent set of developmental scenarios can be generated that makes it possible to examine the regional impact of policy strategies under conditions of different future global change development paths. The scenario analysis of the framework of development starts on the global level with qualitative IPCC storylines, translates them to the regional level, and quantifies their regional effects by means of modeling and statistical estimation methods. The policy strategies are derived in close cooperation with regional stakeholders.

When comparing and evaluating performance, decision-makers are concerned with providing a range of effective, efficient, and fair measures that can yield representative relative rankings for the units being evaluated. In this chapter, we apply three multicriteria benchmarking modeling techniques – weighted linear combination, data envelopment analysis (DEA), and ordered weighted average (OWA) – to an example dataset to provide a quantitative assessment of performance. Evaluation of the results demonstrates that each of these techniques has relative strengths and shortcomings. To take advantage of the relative strengths, and avoid some of the shortcomings that we observed, we develop and assess a promising new methodological approach, the order rated effectiveness (ORE) model. ORE uses the OWA unit ratings within a DEA optimization framework to provide an overall relative performance assessment.

The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multicriteria decision support system that has been successfully applied to numerous decision-making situations, has been applied to patient assessment. The AHP was used with Timeslips™, a group storytelling program that encourages creative expression among dementia patients, to determine the optimal scale for pre and post assessment among the nine most common agitation and anxiety scales. The AHP used the six criteria identified by qualitative assessment of the nine scales: (1) validity/reliability, (2) observation period, (3) training required, (4) time to administer, (5) most appropriate administrator, and (6) accessibility/cost. The AHP indicated that the Overt Agitation & Anxiety Scale was optimal for use with Timeslips; the process and results are discussed.

In the wake of the recent accounting and financial scandals that have resulted in significant losses, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is viewed by many investors as an important criterion in their investment selection strategy. In addition, social responsibility is viewed by current employees as an important source of job satisfaction and by potential employees as an attractive feature in their decision process. Corporate governance, in the form of the board of directors, serves as the ultimate internal control mechanism by aligning firm insiders and outsiders. The strength and independence of the board of directors becomes a fundamental concern, as firms with strong boards may be more likely to survive and prosper in the long run. The selection of candidates to the board of directors involves both subjective and objective information. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is a multicriteria decision model that can integrate both objective and subjective information. This study applies the AHP methodology to the identification of characteristics of candidates to the board of directors of socially responsible firms. The result is a dynamic model that can be used by socially responsible firms to efficiently select candidates to serve on their board of directors.

New Technology Business Firms are known to be volatile dynamic organizations whose innovations are subject to short life cycles and product imitability. Venture capitalist firms who allocate funds to these start-ups need to evaluate multiple facets associated with the individual firm’s internal and external characteristics, as well as, its own unique objectives and goals. This study applies a multicriteria decision making model to the identification for venture capital firms of potential New Technology Business Firms who are requesting capital infusions.