The negotiation template, which defines a set of potential negotiation offers, is traditionally evaluated by means of the simple additive weighting method (SAW). However, some recent research reports on the potential problems and inconsistencies in using and interpreting SAW-based scores. Thus, in this paper we consider the issue of evaluating negotiation offers when the negotiator’s preferences are expressed verbally. We present a new approach called Measuring Attractiveness near Reference Situations (MARS), which combines the algorithms of two multiple criteria decision making methods: ZAPROS and MACBETH. Applying the elements of ZAPROS allows identifying a small set of reference alternatives that consists of the best resolution levels for all the negotiation issues but one. In pair-wise comparisons of these alternatives negotiators need to evaluate trade-offs only, which means deciding which concessions are better to be made. Using the elements of MACBETH allows determining the strong interval scale based on verbal judgments defined by negotiators at the beginning of the preference elicitation process. We study in detail the legitimacy of hybridizing ZAPROS and MACBETH that differ in their philosophies of decision support as well as discuss the drawbacks of these two MCDM methods and propose some alternative solutions that make this approach applicable to supporting negotiators in the evaluation of negotiation offers. Finally, we present an example in which we indicate the differences in the negotiation offers’ scoring process conducted by means of MARS and the traditional ZAPROS and MACBETH procedures.

Sustainable Cities and Communities within the European Union (EU) are crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This goal is particularly pertinent to the EU due to challenges such as urbanization, climate change, infrastructure demands, transport issues, and natural resource management. The implementation of SDG 11 across Europe shows varying levels of success among countries and regions, highlighting the need for tailored, local strategies for sustainable urban development. The primary goal of this paper is to employ the Multi-Criteria Method Integrating Distances to Ideal and Anti-Ideal Points to determine the Sustainable Cities and Communities Index (SCCI). Using Eurostat data, this method provides a comprehensive evaluation and ranking of EU countries based on their performance in achieving SDG 11 in EU countries in 2015 and 2020. By integrating various indicators related to urban sustainability—such as access to public transport, air quality, land use, and housing conditions—the SCCI offers a nuanced understanding of how different countries perform relative to one another. The SCCI facilitates the identification of best practices and areas requiring improvement by comparing each country’s performance to ideal and anti-ideal points. This comparison allows policymakers to develop more targeted and effective strategies. Additionally, it highlights disparities between countries and regions, which is essential for fostering regional cooperation and ensuring equitable progress towards sustainable urban development across the EU. This study confirmed significant disparities among EU countries in the realization of SDG 11 in 2015 and 2020, revealing that Italy achieved the most substantial progress, while Spain experienced the greatest regress during the analyzed period.

Multidimensional regional socio-economic analyses should take into account the complexity and spatial diversity of the European Union (EU). Using reference multi-criteria methods, this paper proposes a comprehensive framework to facilitate spatial analyses. The methodology is based on two modified multi-criteria techniques, namely TOPSIS and BIPOLAR, which include reference points for evaluation and rank-ordering objects. In TOPSIS objects are ordered directly concerning distances from the ideal and the anti-ideal points, whereas in BIPOLAR they are compared indirectly utilising two sets of reference objects: desirable (“good”) and undesirable (“bad”). Furthermore, the distinction between internal and external reference points is examined. The motivation behind this study lies in monitoring progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in different areas while considering objectives set out in the Agenda 2030—a complex plan of transformation for people, planet, peace, and prosperity adopted by United Nations Member States and focused on realizing 17 SDGs and 169 targets integrated into the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. To prove the usability of the proposed framework, we applied it to measure the spatial diversity of EU countries in terms of implementing SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The analysis is conducted for the years 2015 and 2019 and is based on eight EU sustainable development indicators. The findings are showcased as rankings and depicted via maps for identifying analogous regions in the EU. The research indicates varying levels of achievement in meeting the SDG 11 objective among EU countries, with northern countries performing significantly better than southern ones.

In many countries, organizations of public benefit play an important role in the economy and are established only for charitable purposes. Serving the public interest is often connected with certain benefits, such as additional source of...