A multiple criteria evaluation of high-tech industries for the science-based industrial park in Taiwan

Science-based industrial parks have been recognized as an effective way of promoting technology development, urban renewal, and economic growth. However, little has been done in discussing the selection strategy of high-tech industries to locate in such a park. As the space availability in the new park in Taiwan is limited, the selection of firms with higher efficiency and growth potential has become an important issue for the Taiwan government. Accordingly, this study adopted the AHP method to obtain professional's opinions on this issue. The effort resulted in seven evaluation criteria with one, the "market potential" having the highest weight, followed by "technology level" and "government policy". Biotechnology and photo-electronics were the two most favorable high-tech industries chosen for the introduction and development in the new park. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the critical factors that affected the priority of the alternatives. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.