Estimating sustainable development performance in the electrical wire and cable industry: Applying the integrated fuzzy MADM approach

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2020-12, Vol.277, p.122440, Article 122440
• Main Authors: Lu, Ming-Tsang, Tsai, Jung-Fa, Shen, Shig-Ping, Lin, Ming-Hua, Hu, Yi-Chung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DANP; DEMATEL; Fuzzy MADM; Modified VIKOR; Sustainable development performance
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122440

This study explores the critical factors influencing sustainable development performance in the electrical wire and cable industry because this industry has potential contributions to sustainability in terms of energy efficiency. Although much previous work identified the factors influencing sustainable development performance, few studies discussed the influential weights of the factors and their interrelationships in this industry from a comprehensive viewpoint. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the feedback and interrelationships among the factors influencing sustainable development performance by an integrated fuzzy multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) approach including fuzzy DEMATEL, fuzzy DANP, and fuzzy modified VIKOR methods. The proposed method can provide guidance to prioritize the influential factors in the improvement strategies for achieving the aspired value of sustainable development performance. This paper applies the proposed method in the Taiwanese electrical wire and cable industry as an empirical study. The outcomes indicate that the environmental aspect should be improved firstly, and top management support is the most significant factor influencing sustainable development performance. Additionally, the finding is useful for identifying the priorities of the factors that offer guidance on allocating limited resources to reduce the performance gaps in the Taiwanese electrical wire and cable industry. [Display omitted] •This study considers economic, environmental, societal and organizational aspects.•An integrated fuzzy MADM approach is used to study the relationship of the factors.•Factors for enhancing sustainable performance are identified and prioritized.•The proposed method is applied in the Taiwanese electrical wire and cable industry.•Guidance is provided to implement strategies for reducing the performance gaps.