Developing a Framework for Trade Performance Measurement Using Multi Attribute Decision Making Methods

Measuring the trade performance of countries is one of the important topics in the field of international trade. Regarding the complex and multi-dimensional nature of trade performance, it is necessary to use appropriate criteria for its measurement. However, the literature review indicates that, this topic has received less attention. Previous research, ignoring various dimensions of trade performance, have mainly used one or more limited criteria for its measurement. In addition, there is not enough consistency among different studies in terms of criteria used for trade performance measurement. Also, causal relationships between the criteria and their priority and weights are ignored in previous studies. These issues have made it difficult to achieve a precise, comprehensive measurement of trade performance and also to compare the results of different studies. Thus, the present study, using experts’ opinions and MADM methods, has introduced a reliable framework of appropriate criteria for trade performance measurement, which also considers the causal relationships between the criteria and their priority. Based on the results, fifteen suitable criteria for trade performance measurement are recognized and categorized in three dimensions, namely, general criteria for trade, export-related criteria and import-related criteria. In addition, the most important criteria are introduced as “export value”, “number/type of customers in export market” and “import value”, respectively.