540 Int. J. Management and Decision Making, Vol. 8, Nos. 5/6, 2007 Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Methods of determining objective, subjective and integrated weights of attributes Leonas Ustinovichius Department of Construction Technology and Management, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, LT–10223 Vilnius-40, Lithuania Fax: +370-52-745-016 E-mail: leonasu@st.vtu.lt Abstract: In various papers, the weights of attributes are subdivided into objective and subjective. Subjective and objective approaches have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Objective and subjective weights of attributes were analysed. The need for calculating the integrated weightiness was revealed. A special method for determining the integrated weightiness of criteria is suggested. By this approach the objective weightiness of the attributes is defined by means of the entropy method, while the subjective weightiness is found by pairwise comparison. A system of equations to be used in calculating the integrated weightiness was suggested and validated. The application of the method suggested was demonstrated by sample problem of comparing the alternatives available in purchasing an office for a firm. Keywords: decision making; objective weights of attributes; subjective weights of attributes; integrated weights of attributes; normalisation. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Ustinovichius, L. (2007) ‘Methods of determining objective, subjective and integrated weights of attributes’, Int. J. Management and Decision Making, Vol. 8, Nos. 5/6, pp.540–554. Biographical notes: Dr. Leonas Ustinovichius has held various positions such as a Lecturer (1988–1990), a Senior Lecturer (1990–1993), an Associate Professor (1993–2002), a Senior Researcher (2000–2003), a Dr. Habil. (2003), a Professor (2002), the Chairman Laboratory of Construction Technology and Management (2000) and a Chief Researcher (2003). He has participated in Leonardo da Vinci programmes. His current researches include multiple attribute valuation and automated programming of technological solutions in construction and investment project efficiency, decision-making theory, decision support systems, etc. He is the author of 115 research publications and 3 monographs. 1 Introduction Decision making is associated with ranking problems aimed to obtain a particular preferential order of solutions. Problems may arise when forming the portfolio of securities (Ghasemzadeh and Archer, 2000), assessing the performance of construction