Technological Advances in Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) for Marine Economy and Management

With the rapid growth of marine exploration, resource utilization, and policy development, the marine economy and management field faces increasingly complex, multidisciplinary challenges. Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) has become a vital set of tools for dealing with these complexities by systematically evaluating various conflicting criteria and priorities. Continuous technological advancement—including intelligent decision support systems, advanced modeling, and big data analytics—has significantly expanded the scope and effectiveness of MCDM applications in marine affairs and policy. These innovations enable more precise, efficient, and evidence-based decision-making, supporting sustainable and adaptive responses to emerging challenges in marine economy and management.

Over recent decades, MCDM has evolved into a cornerstone of research in marine economy and management, incorporating a wide array of theoretical frameworks and practical tools. Approaches such as linear programming, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Analytic Network Process (ANP), Best-Worst Method (BWM), Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), entropy weighting, TOPSIS, ELECTRE, PROMETHEE, fuzzy integral techniques, fuzzy set theory, rough sets, grey theory, and uncertainty theory are widely leveraged for complex, real-world applications. These include evaluating economic resilience in coastal cities, optimizing container port selection, supporting maritime emergency management, and planning marine resources. As research advances, the complexity and uncertainty of influencing factors also increase, requiring novel MCDM approaches and integrated technological solutions. This Research Topic aims to showcase cutting-edge developments, theories, and applications of MCDM in the marine context, fostering scientific exchange and practical innovation that support the sustainable management of marine economic systems.

We invite original research articles, review papers, case studies, methods papers, and perspectives relevant to technological and methodological advances in MCDM for marine economy and management. Specific themes include, but are not limited to:
• Challenges and solutions in applying MCDM to marine economy and management
• Quantitative analyses in marine ecological protection and sustainable development
• Practice cases and impact evaluations of MCDM in marine economic and management scenarios
• Forecasting and predictive modeling in marine economic systems
• Intelligent and data-driven decision-making tools for marine policy and resource management
• Integration and comparison of diverse MCDM methodologies in real-world marine applications
Submissions are encouraged from both academic and industry perspectives that contribute to the advancement of theory and practice in this field.