This article approaches the relationship between knowledge management and the use of multicriteria decision aiding methods. It presents a case study application of a multiattribute value function to the evaluation and selection of oil refining technologies. The analytical model utilized was developed based on interviews with professionals involved in the selection of technologies. That model was validated through its application to a selection process that was previously carried out. The swing weighting technique was used for the calibration of the multiattribute value function. A sensitivity analysis was also performed. The final conclusion from this article points out to the employment of multicriteria decision aiding methods as an important knowledge management tool. For this to be true these methods must be embedded in systems that would confer agility to decision making. It is recommended that additional experience must be gained with relating applications of multicriteria decision aiding to knowledge management processes.
multicriteria decision aiding; knowledge management; petroleum industry
