Airports are critical transportation infrastructures whose ability to withstand, absorb, and recover from disruptive events has become increasingly important under growing operational, technological, and environmental uncertainties. This study aims to investigate the causal structure of airport resilience by identifying the key driving and dependent factors that shape system performance under disruption. To this end, a fuzzy DEMATEL approach is employed to analyse the interdependencies among fifteen resilience criteria encompassing infrastructure reliability, emergency preparedness, cybersecurity, organizational management, and recovery capability. The results reveal that backup power generation equipment and emergency response procedures for hazardous materials act as the most influential driving factors within the resilience system. In contrast, airport runway restoration operations in a timely manner runway, cybersecurity protection measures, and personnel-related operational performance are found to be predominantly affected by other criteria. The integrity of the safety management system emerges as the most prominent criterion in terms of overall system interaction, highlighting its central yet dependent role in integrating multiple resilience dimensions. Furthermore, cyber threat identification capability is identified as a balanced factor, functioning simultaneously as both a cause and an effect within the system.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the key barriers hindering the transition from traditional food cold chains (FCCs) to sustainable food cold chains (SFCCs) in India, providing a structured framework to guide decision-making for sustainable perishable logistics. Design/methodology/approach Ten critical barriers were identified through a systematic literature review and expert consultation. These were analyzed using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) to develop a hierarchical structure and the DEMATEL method to determine causal relationships, highlighting the interactions and influence of each barrier. Findings The analysis shows that inefficient sustainable infrastructure, insufficient government support and lack of intelligent transport systems are the most influential barriers, driving dependent challenges such as high food costs and sub-standard equipment. Addressing these root barriers is essential for facilitating the transition to SFCCs. The integrated ISM–DEMATEL approach provides a cross-validated understanding of barrier interdependencies, offering actionable insights for managers and policymakers. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study offer a decision-support framework for supply chain managers and policymakers, emphasizing priority interventions such as investments in renewable energy-based cold logistics, adoption of intelligent transport systems and Industry 4.0 technologies and promotion of intermodal transport. Implementation of these measures can reduce food loss, improve food security and enhance environmental and economic sustainability. Originality/value This study contributes methodologically by combining ISM and DEMATEL to analyze barriers to SFCCs, providing frameworks for FCCs–SFCCs transitions in emerging economies. This study bridges theoretical understanding with practical and policy-oriented recommendations, supporting sustainable development in the FCC sector.

ABSTRACT This exploratory study identifies the strategic and ethical enablers that facilitate responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in Nigeria’s service industry. Using a hybrid Fuzzy Delphi – DEMATEL framework, 20 experts (ten each from the public and private sectors) participated in two Delphi rounds to validate and analyze key enablers. Twelve critical factors were retained and classified into two systemic groups: six causal enablers (organizational readiness, transparency, leadership support, workforce reskilling, strategic alignment, and data privacy) and six effect enablers (technological infrastructure, equality – diversity – inclusion, change readiness, accountability/corporate digital responsibility, regulatory compliance, and ethical risk awareness). Sensitivity analyses with ±10–30% perturbations and bootstrap resampling confirmed model robustness, with no role changes among the enablers. The findings provide an exploratory causal framework that integrates strategic and ethical dimensions while reflecting the contextual realities of Nigeria’s service sector, offering actionable guidance for policymakers and managers to advance responsible AI implementation.

Timing of emergency shipboard abandonment decision: an integrated DEMATEL and ANP approach

Evaluating Interactions between Formwork System Selection Criteria for Building Construction Projects: A Rough DEMATEL Approach

The halal logistics industry has become one of the sectors experiencing rapid growth as awareness and global demand for halal-certified products increase. This research aims to enhance the productivity of halal logistics services at PT Multi Terminal Indonesia through the implementation of the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method. This method is used to analyze the cause-effect relationships among key performance indicators (KPIs) that influence operational productivity. The research is conducted through interviews, direct observations, and operational data analysis, focusing on KPIs such as halal document accuracy, information clarity, storage space readiness, halal product assurance, and halal regulation compliance. The results of the study identify several main causal factors that significantly impact the productivity of halal logistics services. These factors include halal document accuracy, product information clarity, storage facility readiness, and adherence to halal standards. The DEMATEL method allows for the visualization of cause-effect relationships among KPIs, making it easier for companies to identify and address weaknesses in the operational system. This analysis generates strategic recommendations to improve service efficiency, maintain halal product quality, and meet the needs of an increasingly complex market. This approach provides significant benefits to PT Multi Terminal Indonesia in optimizing halal logistics services. By enhancing operational efficiency, the company can strengthen its competitiveness in the halal logistics industry, build customer trust, and ensure the sustainability of services in facing future challenges. The results of this research are also expected to serve as a reference for further development in halal logistics management, particularly in integrating technology and halal standards to support the sustainability of the industry.

Optimizing Resource Utilization in Industrial Symbiosis: A DEMATEL and FAHP Approach for Sustainable Manufacturing

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore and evaluate the critical barriers and key enabling factors influencing the successful implementation of halal tourism in Taiwan, a non-Muslim-majority country seeking to enhance its appeal to Muslim travelers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a qualitative, multi-method approach that integrates the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) and the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (fuzzy DEMATEL). Data were collected from a panel of 30 experts, including government tourism officials, hospitality professionals and academic researchers with expertise in tourism and Islamic practices. The FDM was used to validate and prioritize the most influential barriers and facilitators, while the fuzzy DEMATEL approach was applied to identify causal relationships and systemic interactions among the identified factors. Findings This study reveals that the most significant barriers to halal tourism in Taiwan include the lack of certified halal facilities, limited awareness and training among tourism stakeholders and insufficient government coordination. Key enablers include strong government support, targeted marketing strategies and partnerships with international halal tourism organizations. The DEMATEL analysis shows that institutional support and stakeholder collaboration are driving factors that significantly influence other elements within the system. Practical implications The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, tourism boards and industry stakeholders in Taiwan to prioritize strategic interventions. Emphasis should be placed on strengthening institutional frameworks, increasing public–private sector collaboration and enhancing service standards to attract Muslim tourists more effectively. Originality/value This study contributes to the limited literature on halal tourism development in non-Muslim-majority contexts by using a novel combination of the fuzzy Delphi and fuzzy DEMATEL method. It offers a structured and data-driven understanding of both the hierarchical importance and interdependencies of key barriers and facilitators, delivering practical guidance beyond what previous studies have provided.

Strategic barriers to circular waste transitions in emerging economies: A fuzzy DEMATEL approach for sustainable industrial development

Purpose Construction and demolition activities generate substantial waste worldwide, resulting in environmental and health issues. While the circular economy (CE) offers a promising solution, the interrelationships among key factors influencing CE implementation in construction waste management (CWM) remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap using a semi-quantitative multi-criteria decision-making approach to support more effective CE adoption in CWM. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify key factors influencing the implementation of CE in CWM. It then applies the fuzzy DEMATEL method to analyse the interrelationships among these factors, drawing on input from experts across various geographical regions. Findings Analysing the results revealed six classes of factor groups and 14 sub-factors influencing CWM. The key factor groups are supervision, regulation, information technology, economy, knowledge and understanding, and infrastructure. Using the Fuzzy DEMATEL technique, it was revealed that the most influential sub-factors within each group, in order, are “selective supervision,” “vague regulations,” “lack of technological standards,” “transportation costs,” “worker knowledge and skills” and “efficient transportation networks.” Originality/value This study is the first attempt to illustrate the complex relationships among the factors affecting CWM in relevant literature using the fuzzy DEMATEL approach. It is the first to quantify the level of influence and establish cause-and-effect relationships among the factors affecting CE utilisation for CWM.

Assessment of building performance indicators using fuzzy DEMATEL approach: Comparing early-career and mid-expert perspectives

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a transformative production method with significant sustainability benefits. However, its adoption in heavy industry faces challenges due to non-flexible manufacturing processes. This study identifies and prioritizes 11 critical factors influencing AM success, analysing their causal relationships using the Grey–Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory technique with expert insights. The findings highlight technological factors (CF1) and raw material availability (CF9) as the key drivers of AM adoption. Intellectual property protection (CF3) ranked lowest among causative factors but remains crucial. Among the effect group factors, economic considerations (CF11) have the highest impact. By understanding these interdependencies, AM practitioners can strategically focus on high-impact causal factors to enhance operational sustainability. This study provides a systematic framework to guide effective AM implementation in the heavy industry, ensuring long-term success and sustainability.

Evaluating Barriers to the Adoption of Augmented Reality-based Applications in Education System: DEMATEL Approach

Pathways of Construction Dispute Formation in China: A DEMATEL, AISM, and MICMAC-Based Approach

Managing the logistics sector from a sustainability perspective represents an important challenge, which is even more difficult to practice under Industry 4.0 technologies regime. This study investigates the question of what enablers can be there that can be useful for social sustainability in the age of Industry 4.0. In this study, first, important social sustainability factors were assimilated from literature and secondary data derived from industry reports. In the second step, these factors were classified into five categories related to social sustainability enablers (SSEs) using principal component analysis (PCA). Finally, to support the decision makers, the critical SSEs are synthesized using the Fuzzy DEMATEL approach to find the importance of these factors concerning sustainability in logistics operations. The result shows that the use of green technologies related to Industry 4.0 is the most important aspect that derives social sustainability in logistics. The next important critical factor found was promoting social sustainability, the economic aspect, and the safety and well-being of people involved in logistics operations. The critical factor will further help in achieving human-centric automation, fair & inclusive logistics in the era of Industry 4.0.

Purpose Sustainable investing, encompassing socially responsible investing, follows environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. This study aims to explore the influence of behavioural biases on the sustainable investing decisions of individual stock investors, mediated by risk tolerance. It also aims to prioritise and identify interdependencies among these behavioural biases. Design/methodology/approach Investor data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using PLS-SEM in SmartPLS. The study also uses the Delphi-oriented fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (Fuzzy DEMATEL) technique for prioritisation and determining interdependencies. Findings The study identifies that overconfidence, availability and herding directly impact sustainable investing decisions and influence investors’ risk tolerance. Regarding mediation, overconfidence and herding partially mediate sustainable investing decisions, availability shows no mediation effect and the status quo fully mediates the relationship. The fuzzy DEMATEL technique identifies availability, overconfidence and herding as the paramount biases, revealing that availability and overconfidence cause the effects of herding and the status quo. Practical implications This study contributes theoretical additions to the influence of behavioural biases on sustainable investing, thereby fostering responsible investments. Originality/value This study offers a novel methodological approach to understanding behavioural biases influencing sustainable investing decisions, with a focus on the mediation of risk tolerance. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is also the initial effort to prioritise and determine the cause-effect relationship among behavioural biases influencing sustainable investing. It uses an original hybrid methodology combining PLS-SEM and Delphi-oriented fuzzy DEMATEL in sustainable investing.

The prioritization of growth strategies in the aviation sector is crucial as the industry navigates evolving regulatory landscapes, operational challenges, and the long-term repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employs the Fuzzy DEMATEL method to analyze the interdependencies among key strategic initiatives systematically, identifying Sustainable Aviation Practices (SAP) and Carbon Emission Reduction (CER) as critical drivers of growth. The study is based on expert evaluations from Turkey, with nine experts selected based on their extensive professional experience in aviation sustainability, airport planning, regulatory policy, fleet operations, and strategic decision-making. Their experience levels range from 10 to 30 years, ensuring a comprehensive and informed assessment of growth strategies. Experts conducted pairwise comparisons to evaluate the influence of various strategic factors, with results analyzed using the Fuzzy DEMATEL approach to determine causal relationships among key strategies. Findings indicate that SAP, with the highest prominence and net causality scores, serves as a fundamental enabler for Energy Consumption Optimization (ECO), Post-COVID Recovery Strategies (PCRS), and Future Airport Planning (FAP). CER, ranking second in influence, significantly impacts SAP and ECO, reinforcing its role in regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. The study highlights that prioritizing SAP and CER enables aviation managers to align strategies with global sustainability objectives, optimize resource allocation, and enhance industry resilience. Furthermore, dependent strategies such as PCRS and FAP emerge as essential for recovery and long-term infrastructure development, yet their effectiveness is contingent on the successful implementation of SAP and CER. While the study is based on expert evaluations in Turkey, the methodology provides a replicable and applicable decision-making framework for international aviation management.

ABSTRACT The modern food supply chain (FSC) faces pressing challenges, including food fraud, safety and security issues, food waste and sustainability concerns. Simultaneously, consumers are becoming increasingly interested in understanding the origins and pathways of their food. To tackle these challenges, digitisation and traceable FSCs are vital. However, numerous obstacles hinder the widespread adoption of traceability in digital FSCs. This study identifies and explores interconnections between barriers to traceability adoption in digital FSCs through an integrated DELPHI and Fuzzy DEMATEL approach. The findings highlight that Education and Training Gaps (B13), Data Integration Challenges (B14), Data Silos (B10), Environmental Sustainability Concerns (B16) and Short‐Term Focus (B17) are among the most influential barriers, impacting several other challenges. To mitigate these barriers, the study proposes a nine‐pillar framework. The insights derived from this research can support government agencies, policymakers and agro‐food industries in advancing traceability adoption across digital FSCs.

Modeling human critical success factors for maritime safety: a DEMATEL approach

Purpose Indian electronics industries face many challenges in Supply Chain 4.0 (SC4.0) implementation. The study aims to identify and model the key challenges to SC4.0 adoption in Indian electronics industries. Design/methodology/approach A panel of experts validated key challenges identified from the existing literature. Priority rankings and cause-and-effect categories of critical challenges were determined using a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory approach. Findings The study identified nine critical challenges and categorised five challenges as cause challenges and four as effect challenges. The most prominent challenge was the “lack of collaboration among supply chain partners”. In addition, the challenge “lack of top management commitment” got the highest influencing power. Research limitations/implications The most prominent challenge was the “lack of collaboration among supply chain partners”. In addition, the challenge “lack of top management commitment” got the highest influencing power. Practical implications The current study could be helpful for organisations in formulating a structured roadmap for adopting SC4.0, as it ranks and categorises key challenges to SC4.0 adoption within the Indian electronic industry. It underscores the necessity of leadership commitment, employee skill enhancement and knowledge-sharing platforms to address challenges such as inadequate coordination and insufficient expertise. Originality/value The current study aims to help practitioners capitalise on the opportunities offered by SC4.0 for improved productivity. This study analyses the critical barriers to SC4.0 adoption in the Indian electronic industries and proposes solutions.