The Business & Management Department at Tishk International University recently hosted an International Workshop on Smarter Decision-Making in Business & Policy on 25th of March 2025 at the Main Building, Room 400 (FASE LAB). The event featured the esteemed expert Prof. Dr. Hab. Inż. Kesra Nermend from the University of Szczecin, Poland.

This exclusive academic gathering brought together faculty members and lecturers, offering them fresh insights into Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and its real-world applications in business and policymaking.

Bridging Theory and Practice

The workshop went beyond theory, focusing on practical decision-support tools and methodologies that help navigate today’s complex decision-making landscape. Key topics included:

  • The fundamentals of structured decision-making in uncertain environments.
  • The biggest challenges in business and policy decisions.
  • An overview of decision-support methodologies, balancing quantitative and qualitative criteria.

Delving deeper, the session explored the theoretical backbone of MCDA, sparking discussions on:

  • Making informed choices under uncertainty.
  • Essential MCDA techniques, including:
    • Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
    • Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)
    • ELECTRE (Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality)
    • PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment of Evaluations)

However, the focus shifted from mere theory to practical applications. Participants examined case studies on strategic business decisions, from investment analysis to supplier selection. A hands-on session gave attendees the chance to:

  • Explore decision-support software in action.
  • Build decision matrices and assign weight to criteria.
  • Apply MCDA techniques to real or simulated data.

One of the most engaging moments of the workshop was the interactive discussion and Q&A, where faculty members shared perspectives, tackled practical challenges, and explored emerging trends in decision-support systems.

A Commitment to Academic Excellence

By the end of the session, participants walked away with:

  • A deeper understanding of MCDA’s role in strategic decision-making.
  • The ability to structure and analyze complex decision problems.
  • Hands-on experience with decision-support tools tailored for business and policy.
  • Practical knowledge to incorporate MCDA methodologies into research and teaching.

The workshop reinforced the Business & Management Department’s commitment to continuous faculty development and academic excellence, equipping lecturers with cutting-edge analytical tools to enhance their work.

A huge thank you to Prof. Nermend for his invaluable expertise and to all faculty members for their active participation, making this workshop an overwhelming success.

Keywords: Business, Management, Workshop, Decision-Making, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), Tishk International University, Academic Excellence, Faculty Development, Business and Policy, Strategic Decision-Making