Causal Relationships Among Multiple Criteria of Sustainable Development

Abstract

The assessment of sustainable development is really challenging due to multiple criteria that characterize sustainable development. These criteria are interdependent where one criterion may influence the effectiveness of the entire criteria. This article aims to unravel the causal relationship among the criteria of sustainable development. Five experts in sustainable development were invited to provide linguistic evaluation about the criteria of sustainable development in Terengganu Malaysia. The current research proposes the use of fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methods for the formation of causal relationship. The use of fuzzy DEMATEL approach is harmonious in dealing with experts' bias and ambiguity pertaining to the investigation. Research findings indicate that ‘economic growth' (C31) is the most important criteria in sustainable development in the investigated region. The main contribution of this paper is the establishment of the cause-effect relationship among fifteen criteria of sustainable development.