Evaluating the security competitiveness of Kermanshah among metropolises in Iran based on Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)

The concept of competitiveness encompasses various economic, social, and environmental dimensions. However, one often overlooked aspect in the literature is the security dimension of competitiveness, which can serve as the foundation for other dimensions of competitiveness. This research focuses on evaluating the security competitiveness of Kermanshah, a metropolis in Iran, among other metropolises in the country. Library and document studies were conducted to collect the necessary data and information. The collected data were analyzed using Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques. The findings indicate that Kermanshah, with a TOPSIS coefficient of 0.297, ranks seventh in security competitiveness. In terms of 17 security competitiveness indicators, including theft of vehicle accessories (S1), motorcycle and bicycle theft (S2), shop theft (S5), theft in other locations (S8), addicts and drug users (S9), drug keepers (S10), drug traffickers (S13), intentional poisoning (S14), pretending to commit stabbing (S15), coercion and compulsion (S16), threat (S17), injury and harm (S18), accidental deaths (S19), involuntary manslaughter (S20), resulting in injuries (S25), resulting in damages (S26), resulting in fatalities (deceased) (S27), Kermanshah is below the national average. In other words, in these mentioned indicators, it is in a better position compared to the national average, while in 12 other indicators, it is above the national average. The results suggest that considering the interrelationship among various dimensions of competitiveness, improving the security competitiveness of Kermanshah requires enhancements in other dimensions of competitiveness such as economic and socio-cultural aspects.