By applying the comparison intensity scale presented in Table 1, i.e., the nine-scale chart proposed by Saaty (1999), experts can evaluate the relative importance of two criteria through pairwise comparison. For instance, if A is more (less) important than B, then A (B) is assigned nine points.
Saaty's comparison intensity scale (Saaty 1999)
| Intensity . | Definition . | Description . |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Equally important | Two objectives are equally important |
| 3 | Slightly more important | One objective is slightly more important than the other |
| 5 | Strongly more important | One objective is strongly preferred over the other |
| 7 | Extremely more important | One objective is extremely more favorable |
| 9 | Absolutely more important | One objective is absolutely predominant in comparison |
| 2, 4, 6, 8 | Intermediate values | Intermediary level between two values |
| Intensity . | Definition . | Description . |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Equally important | Two objectives are equally important |
| 3 | Slightly more important | One objective is slightly more important than the other |
| 5 | Strongly more important | One objective is strongly preferred over the other |
| 7 | Extremely more important | One objective is extremely more favorable |
| 9 | Absolutely more important | One objective is absolutely predominant in comparison |
| 2, 4, 6, 8 | Intermediate values | Intermediary level between two values |