Multi-criteria decision-making framework for selecting sustainable private partners for housing projects

Purpose: This paper aims to develop a framework for the selection of private partners in the housing industry of Saudi Arabia under the scheme of the partnership between the public and private sectors. Design/methodology/approach: By investigating criteria from a comprehensive literature review and experts input through surveys, developing further surveys incorporating decision-making methods: analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) to construct a framework for selection based on weightages and utilities. Findings: The results identified criteria categorized under four categories: financial (C1), technical (C2), managerial (C3) and safety/environment (C4) and their sub-criteria. The study found that the main criteria were relatively close to each other in importance based on the subjective input of the experts with the technical and safety/environment criteria tying equally with 27% followed by the managerial with 24% and trailed by the financial with 22%. Research limitations/implications: The study and surveys were conducted for the Saudi market and the experts were within the country. Originality/value: The study contributes to the Saudi housing initiative which is a part of the 2030 Vision and provides insight to international investors who would be willing to invest in the Saudi market; and to the literature as there is a notable lack of study on public-private partnership in housing in Saudi Arabia.