Planning the priority of high tech industries based on SWARA-WASPAS methodology: The case of the nanotechnology industry in Iran

Figures & data

Figure 1. The evaluation procedure. Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 1. The experience of nanotechnology strategic plans in some nations (Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council, www.nano.ir).

Nanotechnology strategic plans
Country	Title	Vision	Priority	Priority Type
Austria	Austrian Nanotechnology Action Plan
Canada	Alberta Nanotechnology Strategy, Unleashing Alberta’s Potential	Alberta will be a leading contributor in placing Canada amongst the top five nations in the world by helping it produce 10 per cent of the world’s nanotechnology based economic activity.	Synthesis and characterisation of nanocrystals and nanowires	R & D focus
			Synthesis of materials based on supramolecules	R & D focus
			Production of devices and nanosensors on a molecular scale	R & D focus
			Development of nanomaterials suitable for catalysis and specific modifications to the surfaces of semiconductors	R & D focus
			Development of interfaces for nanoelectronics and nanofluidics devices	R & D focus
			Theory, modelling and simulation of nanosystems	R & D focus
			Development of quantitative imaging and characterisation techniques supporting research into nanotechnology	R & D focus
			Energy and environment	Priority sector
			Health and medical technologies	Priority sector
			Agriculture and forestry	Priority sector
Denmark	Technology Foresight on Danish Nanoscience and Nanotechnology	Towards 2020, Denmark is to be amongst the absolute world leaders in regards to the mastery of nanotechnology within selected areas and its translation into industrial application, increased growth and employment, and solutions for important societal needs.	Nanomedicine and drug delivery	National priority
			Biocompatible materials	National priority
			Nanosensors and nanofluidics	National priority
			Plastic electronics	National priority
			Nano-optics and nanophotonics	National priority
			Nanocatalysis, hydrogen technology, etc.	National priority
			Nanomaterials with new functional properties	National priority
Finland	FinNano, Nanotechnology Programme	The FinNano programme will strengthen Finland’s position as an innovative high-tech country, Commercialisation of nanotechnology-enabled innovations will increase the welfare of our society	Innovative nanostructure materials	R & D focus
			Nanosensors and nanoactuators	R & D focus
			New nanoelectronics solutions	R & D focus
			Nanostructured and functional materials	R & D focus
			Coatings and devices	R & D focus
			Measurement methods	R & D focus
			Production and scalability	R & D focus
			Electronics	Priority sector
			Forest cluster	Priority sector
			Chemical sector	Priority sector
			Health and well-being	Priority sector
			Environment	Priority sector
			Safety	Priority sector
			Renewal of industry clusters and production	Priority sector
Germany	Action Plan Nanotechnology 2015		Nanochemistry	R & D focus
			Nano-optics and lighting technologies	R & D focus
			Nano-analytics	R & D focus
			Nanobiotechnology	R & D focus
			Climate/energy	Global challenges
			Health/nutrition and agriculture	Global challenges
			Mobility	Global challenges
			Communications	Global challenges
			Security	Global challenges
Ireland	Ireland’s Nanotechnology Commercialisation Framework		Advanced materials	R & D focus
			Nanobiotech	R & D focus
			More than Moore	R & D focus
			Next-gen electronics	Priority sector
			Medical devices and diagnostics	Priority sector
			Environmental applications	Priority sector
Netherlands	Netherlands Nano Initiative, Strategic Research Agenda		Bionanotechnology	National priority
			Nanomaterials	National priority
			Nanofabrication	National priority
			Beyond Moore	National priority
			Water	Priority sector
			Energy	Priority sector
			Nutrition	Priority sector
Norway	Nanotechnology and New Materials (NANOMAT)	Norway shall be a leading research nation in selected fields of nanoscience, nanotechnology and new materials. NANOMAT shall lay the foundations for a new, knowledge-based and research-intensive industrial sector and facilitate a sustainable renewal of established Norwegian industry.	Materials	R & D focus
			Interface/surface science and catalysis	R & D focus
			Fundamental physical and chemical phenomena and processes at the nanometre scale	R & D focus
			Components, systems and complex processes on the basis of N&N	R & D focus
			Ethical, legal and societal aspects	R & D focus
			Synthesis, manipulation and fabrication; characterisation; theory and modelling	R & D focus
			Energy and the environment	Priority sector
			ICT and microsystems	Priority sector
			Health and biotechnology	Priority sector
			Ocean and food	Priority sector
Poland	Strategy for the Reinforcement of Polish Research and Development Area in the Field of Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies		Nanoscale phenomena and processes	National priority
			Nanomaterials and nanocomposites	National priority
			Nanoscale devices	National priority
			Nanoanalytics and nanometrology	National priority
			Manufacturing processes and devices for nanotechnology	National priority
			Development of research systems and implementations in the field of nanotechnology	National priority
Saudi Arabia	Strategic Priorities for Nanotechnology Programme	To create a multidisciplinary programme leveraging all branches of science in order to build competence and capability in nanotechnologies that will help to ensure the future competitiveness of the Kingdom.	Quantum structures and nanodevices	R & D focus
			Synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials	R & D focus
			Modelling and computations of nanostructures	R & D focus
South Africa	The National Nanotechnology Strategy	To draw upon the existing strengths of the national system of innovation while addressing the need to enhance its research infrastructure and to create a workforce for advanced technology businesses that support the country’s future competitiveness and enhanced quality of life.	Poverty reduction	National priority
			Key technology platforms (including biotechnology and ICT)	National priority
			Chemical and bio-processing	National priority
			Advanced materials and manufacturing	National priority
			Leveraging resource-based industries	National priority
			Water	Priority sector
			Energy	Priority sector
			Mining and Minerals	Priority sector
			Health	Priority sector
Switzerland	Action Plan: Synthetic Nanomaterials
UK	UK Nanotechnologies Strategy, Small Technologies, Great Opportunities	The UK’s economy and consumers will benefit from the development of nanotechnologies through Government’s support of innovation and promotion of the use of these emerging and enabling technologies in a safe, responsible and sustainable way reflecting the needs of the public, industry and academia.	High Aspect Ratio Nanoparticles (HARNs)	R & D focus
			Energy generation through solar technology	National priority
			Novel methods for diagnosing disease and drug delivery	National priority
			Reducing carbon emissions	National priority
			Nanosilver	Priority sector
			Metal oxides	Priority sector
USA	National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan	A future in which the ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale leads to a revolution in technology and industry that benefits society	Fundamental nanoscale phenomena and processes	National priority
			Nanomaterials	National priority
			Nanoscale devices and systems	National priority
			Instrumentation research, metrology and standards for nanotechnology	National priority
			Nanomanufacturing	National priority
			Major research facilities and instrumentation acquisition	National priority
			Environment, health and safety	National priority
			Education and societal dimensions	National priority
Country	Reference	Reference (pdf)
Austria	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=12
Canada	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=11	http://www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/library/egovdocs/2007/alae/162023.pdf
Denmark	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=6
Finland	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=16
Germany	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=5	http://www.bmbf.de/pub/akionsplan_nanotechnologie_2015_en.pdf
Ireland	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=17
Netherlands	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=7	http://www.nanoned.nl/downloads/downloads/Netherland_Nano_Initiative_SRA_English.pdf
Norway	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=18	NANOMATprogramplanengelskweb.pdf
Poland	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=14
Saudi Arabia	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=8	http://www.kacst.edu.sa/en/research/Documents/Nanotechnology.pdf
South Africa	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=9
Switzerland	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=15	Action+plan+Synthetic+Nanomaterials.pdf
UK	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=4	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/goscience/docs/u/10-825-uk-nanotechnologies-strategy.pdf
USA	http://www.statnano.com/index.php?ctrl=document&action=view&lang=2&id=3	http://www.nano.gov/sites/default/files/pub_resource/2011_strategic_plan.pdf

Source: Compiled by the authors

Figure 2. Determining of the criteria weights based on SWARA.

Source: Keršulienė et al. (2010).

Table 2. Attractiveness and feasibility index (Durand, 2003; Keenan, 2003; Klusacek, 2004; Son, Park, Oh, & Yu, 2006).

Feasibility		Attractiveness
Research and technology potential	Application potential	Research and technological opportunities	Social and environment attractiveness	Economic attractiveness
Compatibility with natural and geographical advantages	Ability to provide financing needed	Dealing with Technologies in outlook	Promotion of social justice and welfare	Wealth creation and economic value
Compatibility with Scientific and technological capabilities (for production, localisation, etc.)	Compatibility with requirements of the law – Legal	Localisation and promote technologies have been transferred	Improving health and quality of life	Improve productivity
Acquisition technology required from foreign bodies	Compatibility with The political and international capabilities	Improvement cycle of science and technology to create and innovation new technologies	Utilisation of renewable energy resources, replacing renewable energy	Development Exports of goods and services based on technology
Compatibility with the institutional structure and science - research networks	Compatibility with The private sector’s ability	Promotion Basic Sciences	Promotion human’s skills in modern and development societies such as innovation and entrepreneurship	Employment with an emphasis on employing expert human
Compatibility with Human Resources		Merge and form clusters of technology (along with other technologies)		Create international strategic advantage
		Opportunities for international cooperation in science and technology		Market growth (increase market share, particularly at the international level)
		Solve problems of related industries		Development and strengthening private sector
		Strengthen the relationship between industry and universities

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 3. Applications of nanotechnology in sciences.

	Alternatives
1	Nanotechnology in Agriculture	A1
2	Nanotechnology in Transportation	A2
3	Nanotechnology in Construction	A3
4	Nanotechnology in Oil and Gas	A4
5	Nanotechnology in Textile Products	A5
6	Nanotechnology in the Food Industry	A6
7	Nanotechnology in Defence Industry	A7
8	Nanotechnology in Health & Medicine	A8
9	Nano-Electronics	A9
10	Nano-Energy	A10
11	Nanotechnology in the Environment and Water	A11

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 4. The characteristics of the decision-making experts.

Field	Gender		Education level
	Male	Female	Bachelor	Master	Doctor
Agriculture	3	1	1	1	2
Transportation	5	0	0	3	2
Construction	2	0	1	1	0
Oil and Gas	5	2	1	2	4
Textile Products	2	1	1	1	1
Food Industry	0	2	0	0	2
Health & Medicine	3	2	1	2	2
Electronics	4	1	1	1	3
Energy	4	0	0	3	1
Environment and Water	3	0	0	1	2

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 5. Final weights of assessment criteria.

Criterion	Comparative importance of average value sj	Coefficient kj = sj + 1	Recalculated weight	Weight
C2		1	1	0.532
C1	0.135	1.135	0.882	0.468

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 6. Final weights of feasibility criteria.

Criterion	Comparative importance of average value sj	Coefficient kj = sj + 1	Recalculated weight	Weight	Final weights
C1–2		1	1	0.546	0.256
C1–1	0.12	1.12	0.834	0.464	0.212

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 7. Final weights of attractiveness criteria.

Criterion	Comparative importance of average value sj	Coefficient kj = sj + 1	Recalculated weight	Weight	Final weights
C2–3		1	1	0.385	0.205
C2–1	0.14	1.14	0.878	0.337	0.179
C2–2	0.22	1.22	0.720	0.278	0.148

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 8. Final weights of research and technology potential criteria.

Criterion	Comparative importance of average value sj	Coefficient kj = sj + 1	Recalculated weight	Weight	Final weights
C1–1-4		1	1	0.275	0.059
C1–1-2	0.195	1.195	0.837	0.231	0.048
C1–1-3	0.19	1.19	0.704	0.194	0.042
C1–1-1	0.22	1.22	0.578	0.159	0.033
C1–1-5	0.135	1.135	0.51	0.141	0.030

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 9. Final weights of application potential criteria.

Criterion	Comparative importance of average value sj	Coefficient kj = sj + 1	Recalculated weight	Weight	Final weights
C1–2-3		1	1	0.320	0.081
C1–2-2	0.18	1.18	0.848	0.271	0.07
C1–2-4	0.2	1.2	0.707	0.226	0.058
C1–2-1	0.235	1.235	0.573	0.183	0.047

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 10. Final weights of research and technological opportunities criteria.

Criterion	Comparative importance of average value sj	Coefficient kj = sj + 1	Recalculated weight	Weight	Final weights
C2–1-1		1	1	0.2	0.035
C2–1-4	0.13	1.13	0.885	0.176	0.031
C2–1-2	0.17	1.17	0.757	0.151	0.028
C2–1-8	0.195	1.195	0.634	0.126	0.023
C2–1-6	0.12	1.12	0.567	0.114	0.020
C2–1-3	0.23	1.23	0.461	0.093	0.017
C2–1-5	0.205	1.205	0.383	0.077	0.013
C2–1-7	0.205	1.205	0.318	0.063	0.011

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 11. Final weights of social and environment attractiveness criteria.

Criterion	Comparative importance of average value sj	Coefficient kj = sj + 1	Recalculated weight	Weight	Final weights
C2–2-2		1	1	0.277	0.041
C2–2-3	0.195	1.195	0.837	0.233	0.034
C2–2-1	0.22	1.22	0.687	0.190	0.028
C2–2-5	0.2	1.2	0.573	0.159	0.024
C2–2-4	0.13	1.13	0.508	0.141	0.21

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 12. Final weights of economic attractiveness.

Criterion	Comparative importance of average value sj	Coefficient kj = sj + 1	Recalculated weight	Weight	Final weights
C2–3-1		1	1	0.215	0.044
C2–3-4	0.15	1.15	0.870	0.186	0.039
C2–3-3	0.195	1.195	0.729	0.156	0.032
C2–3-6	0.175	1.175	0.621	0.133	0.027
C2–3-7	0.125	1.125	0.553	0.119	0.024
C2–3-5	0.16	1.16	0.477	0.102	0.021
C2–3-2	0.145	1.145	0.417	0.089	0.018

Source: Compiled by the authors.

* s_j is calculated based on average of expert’s ideas. The information gained privately from each expert and the scale is based multiples of 5%.

Table 13. The weights of criteria and sub-criteria of the model.

Criteria and sub-criteria	Final weights
C1: Feasibility	0.468
C1–1: Research and Technology Potential	0.212
C1–1-1: Compatibility with natural and geographical advantages	0.033
C1–1-2: Compatibility with Scientific and technological capabilities (for production, localisation, etc.)	0.048
C1–1-3: Acquisition technology required from foreign bodies	0.042
C1–1-4: Compatibility with the institutional structure and science - research networks	0.059
C1–1-5: Compatibility with Human Resources	0.030
C1–2: Attractiveness	0.256
C1–2-1: Ability to provide financing needed	0.047
C1–2-2: Compatibility with requirements of the law – Legal	0.07
C1–2-3: Compatibility with The political and international capabilities	0.081
C1–2-4: Compatibility with The private sector’s ability	0.058
C2: Attractiveness	0.532
C2–1: Research and Technological Opportunities	0.179
C2–1-1: Dealing with Technologies in outlook	0.035
C2–1-2: Localisation and promote technologies have been transferred	0.028
C2–1-3: Improvement Cycle of science and technology to create and innovation new technologies	0.017
C2–1-4: Promotion Basic Sciences	0.031
C2–1-5: Merge and form clusters of technology (along with other technologies)	0.013
C2–1-6: Opportunities for international cooperation in science and technology	0.020
C2–1-7: Solve problems of related industries	0.011
C2–1-8: Strengthen the relationship between industry and universities	0.023
C2–2: Social and Environment Attractiveness	0.148
C2–2-1: Promotion of social justice and welfare	0.028
C2–2-2: Improving health and quality of life	0.041
C2–2-3: Compatibility with environment and reduction of environment pollution	0.034
C2–2-4: Utilisation of renewable energy resources, replacing renewable energy	0.021
C2–2-5: Promotion human’s skills in modern and development societies such as innovation and entrepreneurship	0.024
C2–3: Economic Attractiveness	0.205
C2–3-1: Wealth creation and economic value	0.044
C2–3-2: Improve productivity	0.018
C2–3-3: Development Exports of goods and services based on technology	0.032
C2–3-4: Employment with an emphasis on employing expert human	0.039
C2–3-5: Create international strategic advantage	0.021
C2–3-6: Market growth (increase market share, particularly at the international level)	0.027
C2–3-7: Development and strengthening private sector	0.024

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 14. Decision-making matrix Decision-making matrix.

	C1-1-1	C1-1-2	C1-1-3	C1-1-4	C1-1-5	C1-2-1	C1-2-2	C1-2-3	C1-2-4	C2-1-1	C2-1-2	C2-1-3	C2-1-4	C2-1-5	C2-1-6
	0.033	0.048	0.042	0.059	0.03	0.047	0.07	0.081	0.058	0.035	0.028	0.017	0.031	0.013	0.02
	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max
A1	7	3	5	1	1	1	5	5	1	3	5	3	5	5	5
A2	7	7	5	5	3	5	7	7	7	5	7	7	9	9	9
A3	7	7	5	5	5	5	7	7	7	5	7	7	9	9	9
A4	9	7	3	9	7	9	7	9	7	7	7	9	9	9	9
A5	5	5	5	3	3	3	7	3	3	3	5	5	5	5	5
A6	5	7	5	5	5	5	7	5	5	3	5	5	5	5	7
A7	9	9	9	9	9	7	7	7	7	7	7	9	9	9	9
A8	9	9	7	9	9	7	7	9	9	9	7	9	9	9	9
A9	7	7	7	7	9	7	7	7	7	9	7	7	9	9	9
A10	9	7	7	7	5	7	7	7	7	9	7	7	9	9	9
A11	9	7	7	7	5	7	7	7	5	9	7	7	9	9	9
	C2-1-7	C2-1-8	C2-2-1	C2-2-2	C2-2-3	C2-2-4	C2-2-5	C2-3-1	C2-3-2	C2-3-3	C2-3-4	C2-3-5	C2-3-6	C2-3-7
	0.011	0.023	0.028	0.041	0.034	0.021	0.024	0.044	0.018	0.032	0.039	0.021	0.027	0.024
	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max
A1	5	5	9	7	5	7	5	5	9	9	7	3	7	7
A2	9	9	9	9	9	9	7	7	9	9	9	5	9	9
A3	9	9	9	9	9	9	7	7	9	9	7	5	9	9
A4	9	9	9	5	7	9	7	9	9	9	5	7	7	9
A5	5	7	7	7	5	5	9	7	7	9	9	3	7	9
A6	7	7	7	9	7	5	5	5	7	7	9	3	5	7
A7	9	7	5	5	1	9	9	9	7	7	7	7	7	9
A8	9	9	9	9	5	7	9	9	9	9	7	7	7	9
A9	9	9	7	5	3	7	9	7	7	9	9	7	7	9
A10	9	9	7	9	9	9	5	7	9	5	5	7	7	5
A11	9	7	7	9	9	9	5	7	9	5	5	5	7	5

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 15. WASPAS normalised decision-making matrix.

	C1–1-1	C1–1-2	C1–1-3	C1–1-4	C1–1-5	C1–2-1	C1–2-2	C1–2-3	C1–2-4	C2–1-1	C2–1-2	C2–1-3	C2–1-4	C2–1-5	C2–1-6
	0.033	0.048	0.042	0.059	0.03	0.047	0.07	0.081	0.058	0.035	0.028	0.017	0.031	0.013	0.02
	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max
A1	0.7778	0.3333	0.5556	0.1111	0.1111	0.1111	0.7143	0.5556	0.1111	0.3333	0.7143	0.3333	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556
A2	0.7778	0.7778	0.5556	0.5556	0.3333	0.5556	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	0.5556	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
A3	0.7778	0.7778	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	0.5556	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
A4	1.0000	0.7778	0.3333	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
A5	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556	0.3333	0.3333	0.3333	1.0000	0.3333	0.3333	0.3333	0.7143	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556
A6	0.5556	0.7778	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556	1.0000	0.5556	0.5556	0.3333	0.7143	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556	0.7778
A7	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
A8	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
A9	0.7778	0.7778	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
A10	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	0.7778	0.5556	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
A11	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	0.7778	0.5556	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	0.5556	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
	C2–1-7	C2–1-8	C2–2-1	C2–2-2	C2–2-3	C2–2-4	C2–2-5	C2–3-1	C2–3-2	C2–3-3	C2–3-4	C2–3-5	C2–3-6	C2–3-7
	0.011	0.023	0.028	0.041	0.034	0.021	0.024	0.044	0.018	0.032	0.039	0.021	0.027	0.024
	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max	Max
A1	0.5556	0.5556	1.0000	0.7778	0.5556	0.7778	0.5556	0.5556	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	0.4286	0.7778	0.7778
A2	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.7143	1.0000	1.0000
A3	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	0.7143	1.0000	1.0000
A4	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.5556	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.5556	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000
A5	0.5556	0.7778	0.7778	0.7778	0.5556	0.5556	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	0.4286	0.7778	1.0000
A6	0.7778	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	0.5556	0.5556	0.5556	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	0.4286	0.5556	0.7778
A7	1.0000	0.7778	0.5556	0.5556	0.1111	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000
A8	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.5556	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000
A9	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	0.5556	0.3333	0.7778	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000
A10	1.0000	1.0000	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.5556	0.7778	1.0000	0.5556	0.5556	1.0000	0.7778	0.5556
A11	1.0000	0.7778	0.7778	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000	0.5556	0.7778	1.0000	0.5556	0.5556	0.7143	0.7778	0.5556

Source: Compiled by the authors

Table 16. The results of WASPAS.

Alternatives				WSPi	Ranking
Nanotechnology in agriculture	A1	0.2676	0.2195	0.4871	11
Nanotechnology in transportation	A2	0.4119	0.3996	0.8115	7
Nanotechnology in construction	A3	0.4109	0.4018	0.8127	6
Nanotechnology in oil and gas	A4	0.4393	0.4271	0.8664	2
Nanotechnology in textile products	A5	0.3061	0.2822	0.5883	10
Nanotechnology in the food industry	A6	0.3343	0.3236	0.6578	9
Nanotechnology in defence industry	A7	0.4291	0.4070	0.8361	3
Nanotechnology in health & medicine	A8	0.4724	0.4689	0.9413	1
Nano-electronics	A9	0.4209	0.4123	0.8332	4
Nano-energy	A10	0.4163	0.4090	0.8253	5
Nanotechnology in the environment and water	A11	0.4043	0.3960	0.8002	8

Source: Compiled by the authors

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