Real-world relevance of multicriteria decision analysis applied to environmental problems: A critical review of operational research literature

• The field of operational research is strong in uncertainty treatment • More advanced modelling could contribute to improving practice applications • Stakeholder engagement throughout decision processes could be improved • Behavioral operational research can contribute to advancing participatory methods • We need to develop standards for documentation and assessments of interventions This critical review analyzed 118 articles applying multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to environmental problems that were published in operational research (OR) journals. Main aim was to evaluate whether OR research is adequately treating real-world decision processes. Research questions emerged from analyzing 34 review articles covering mainly environmental literature. In contrast to this applied literature, results indicate that the field of OR is strong in uncertainty treatment. However, advanced modelling and analysis of temporal or spatial aspects was rare. Documentation of MCDA processes was often sketchy. Stakeholder engagement throughout decision-making processes was low. Main steps of MCDA were neglected, ranging from problem structuring, over preference elicitation, to discussing results with stakeholders. Future OR research could contribute substantially to solving todays’ pressing environmental problems by (i) improving applications to real-world decision processes; (ii) developing methods of stakeholder engagement and integrating soft-OR methods; (iii) applying behavioral OR for analyzing decision processes; (iv) supporting real-world implementation after MCDA; and (v) linking efforts across disciplines for proper documentation of practice interventions.