Analytic Hierarchy Process - Assignment OBHR2p91 Decision scenario Company XYZ, founded in 1980, makes specialized technological components used for high tech applications. Its future success depends on maintaining the strength of its older product lines and on generating a constant flow of new ones. The company's director hired a consulting firm to develop a detailed plan aimed at restructuring the organization's HR department. Also, the plan is to hire a new HR director who talks and understands the language of other senior managers. The board of directors agreed on choosing an HR director to lead a radical change in the organization's culture. In doing so, the newly appointed director will be required to make many unpopular decisions and take many unpopular actions. He or she will be expected to "clear the air" by stepping aside after this radical change is implemented. Six months ago, the board said: After much thought and discussion, we have identified three criteria to be used in choosing the person to guide us through the upcoming period of change: experience, education and charisma. Experience is important because the job requires skills and knowledge that can only be developed through practical application. Times demand that the new HR director has an appropriate university education and is familiar with knowledge and application of the newest HR applications and methods. Since the new leader will have to keep staff motivated during a difficult period of change, we prefer someone with an active, charismatic leadership style. Last week, they said: After an extensive search, we have selected three candidates for this very challenging position. All are presently senior HR professionals in the organization. Choosing among them will be difficult, but we plan to announce our decision shortly. The three candidates are Sarah, Saima and Xi. Summaries of their backgrounds are shown below (see next page):

Sarah Saima Xi Charisma ago. Received an MBA with concentration in HRM from University of Toronto 5 years ago. An active and inspirational leader. Beloved by her subordinates and all who have ever worked with her. information technology science and a Bachelor in psychology from International Islamic University (Pakistan) A bit reserved. Leads by example and strength of knowledge. Everyone in the company likes her and highly respects her. Experience Is 12 years with the Joined the company 5 years Joined 3 years ago, was company, and before was ago, but worked for other four years HR director at working as an OD director companies in our industry (7 Costco Canada, before for four years in a major years in total). ls currently worked as a consultant for pharmaceutical firm (in total head of training and 25 years at PWC Toronto. 9 years). She also held development, and was Also taught as a guest positions in marketing, sales before involved with the professor Strategic HRM and customer service implementation of HRIS into and introduction to business before rolling into HR. existing ERP systems analytics at Schulich School of Business. Education MSc in Marketing, 21 years Has a Bachelor in Has a PhD degree in general management, a Bachelor in sociology, and Master's degree in Organization Science. Received recently a certificate of HR analyst from Penn State Universiy Although an introvert, greatly passionate about working together with people. Delegates important tasks to talented people. Highly respected for his brilliance and knowledge of analytics of business data. The Fundamental Scale for Pairwise Comparisons Intensity of Importance Definition Explanation Equal importance Two elements contribute equally to the objective Moderate importance Experience and judgment moderately favor one element over another UI Strong importance Experience and judgment strongly favor one element over another One element is favored very strongly Very strong importance over another; its dominance is demonstrated in practice The evidence favoring one element LO Extreme importance over another is of the highest possible order of affirmation Intensities of 2, 4, 6, and 8 can be used to express intermediate values. Intensities of 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc. can be used for elements that are very close in importance