Analytic network process in location selection and its application to a real life problem

Location selection presents a crucial decision problem in today's business world where strategic decision making processes have critical importance. Thus location selection has strategic importance for companies in boosting their strength regarding competition, increasing corporate performances and efficiency in addition to lowering production and transportation costs. A right choice in location selection has a direct impact on companies commercial success. In addition to this, financial, social and environmental goals which are planned to be achieved by attracting customers' attention primarily depends on selection of the proper location. Therefore determining a proper solution method for a complex problem which is affected by both tangible and intangible criteria like this is also important In this study a new store location selection problem of Carglass Turkey which operates in autoglass branch is handled. As it was mentioned above, this problem includes both tangible and intangible criteria therefore Analytic Network Process (ANP) was accepted as the main methodology. In accordance with the management's choices, five different locations were selected. In addition to the literature review a strict cooperation with the actor group was ensured and maintained while determining the criteria and during whole process. Obtained results were presented to the management as a report and its feasibility was confirmed accordingly.