Strategic Analysis of Iranian Seaports Using ANP and SWOT Models

Strategic analysis is the first and most important component of strategic management process which requires identification and analysis of an organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses as well as its external opportunities and threats. A lot of techniques can be applied to analyze strategic matters among which SWOT matrix is highly famous and reputable. One the most important weaknesses of SWOT analysis are that the importance of each factor for decision making cannot be quantitatively evaluated. In other words, it is to some extent difficult to identify which factor or group is more effective in strategic decisions. Analytical Hierarchy Process removes the mentioned problem. Importance, weight and priority of each factor are quantitatively estimable via AHP model. But) when there is the independence and dependence between the factors this approach (AHP loses its efficiency. So we need a tool that can takes into account and measure possible interdependence between factors. One of the most appropriate methods to solve these shortcomings is analytical network process which can applied even when there is dependence among the SWOT factors to drive well. Aim of This research is to analyze and prioritize strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Iran’s commercial ports (In terms of transit), by use of SWOT and ANP models. Firstly, having analyzed the internal and external environments, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were identified. Then SWOT matrix was formed by merging the mentioned components and then four strategies developed. Finally by applying ANP model, priority and importance of each group and subgroup and strategy was determined. The obtained results show that SO strategy has the most and WT have the least importance and priority.