The evaluation of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Turkish manufacturing sector using AHP-TOPSIS methods

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on the Turkish manufacturing sector by using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods on a sectoral basis. In this way, the sectors that had the highest negative effects of COVID-19 will be determined. Thanks to the findings to be obtained as a result of this study, it will be possible for decision-makers to develop strategies that may differ on a sectoral basis at the point of combating the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The negative effects of COVID-19 were revealed by a large literature search. The importance levels of the factors determined within the scope of finance, supply, production and workforce were determined by the AHP method. Then, the TOPSIS method was used to determine which sectors were more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, based on these factors. Findings The findings of this study obtained reveal that the most important negative effect of COVID-19 was on businesses in terms of reduced sales caused by domestic sales and export. Again, the findings show that the sector most affected by COVID-19 is automotive, which shows that the least affected sector is the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sector. Practical implications Primary data was used to determine the criteria weight. Therefore, there is a possibility that the answers are not objectively evaluated. The findings are limited to the criteria that was used, the views of the professionals and AHP-TOPSIS methods. Studies that use more criteria and different decision-making methods can have different results. Originality/value The manufacturing sector is at the forefront of the sectors affected by the global bottleneck caused by COVID-19. In this study, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Turkish manufacturing sector are discussed on a sectoral basis. Studies in the literature have revealed that the effects of pandemics such as COVID-19 vary between sectors. For this reason, it is important to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 from a sectoral perspective. Thanks to this study, it is thought that it will be possible to take measures that may differ between sectors to combat the negative effects of COVID-19.