A comprehensive analytical framework for evaluating the similarity between organizations’ strategic directions and the United Nations’ sustainable development goals

• Published in: Decision analytics journal 2023-03, Vol.6, p.100176, Article 100176
• Main Authors: Encenzo, Ruby Mary, Asoque, Romil, Arceño, Rose, Aclao, Janeth, Ramones, Edwin, Orioque, Janet, Wenceslao, Charldy, Atibing, Nadine May, Ocampo, Lanndon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Criteria importance through intercriteria correlation; Evaluation based on distance from average solution; Semantic similarity; Sustainable development goals; United Nations
• ISSN: 2772-6622; 2772-6622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dajour.2023.100176

This study presents a comprehensive analytical framework for evaluating the similarity between organizations’ specific strategic directions and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The proposed framework uses a multi-attribute decision-making method (MADM) in which organizations are evaluated concerning the SDGs. In particular, we use the Integrated Criteria Importance through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) and Evaluation based on the Distance from Average Solution Method (EDAS) because of their computational efficiency. Based on a pre-defined algorithm, we find decision matrices that contain relatedness scores between each organization’s mission statements and the SDGs. This framework evaluates 244 top 300 Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs). The findings reveal that HEIs’ mission statements are related to SDGs concerning climate action, reduced inequalities, and life on land; meanwhile, there were limited mission statements relating to industry, innovation, and infrastructure. The evaluation is used to rank the HEIs. This study can be considered a benchmark for future related studies and an effective tool to help design mission statements that effectively convey organizations’ commitment to SDGs. •We present integrated multi-attribute decision-making for adopting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.•The CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation is used to assign the priority weights of the Sustainable Development Goals.•The Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution is used to rank the alternatives from a large-scale evaluation problem.•Relatedness scores from a semantic similarity algorithm populate the decision matrix.•The proof of concept evaluates the top 300 Philippine HEIs based on Webometrics.