A Novel Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach to Evaluate Sustainable Product Design

Weifeng Xu, Xiaomin Cui (), Ruiwen Qi and Yuquan Lin
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Weifeng Xu: Architecture and Design College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Xiaomin Cui: Architecture and Design College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Ruiwen Qi: Architecture and Design College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Yuquan Lin: Architecture and Design College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-26

Abstract: Traditional multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods face problems in sustainable product design evaluation, including weak semantic expression, single weight modeling, and insufficient ranking robustness. To address these issues, this paper proposes an evaluation framework based on Trapezoidal Intuitionistic Fuzzy (TrIF), named TrIF-DEC, which integrates Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), Entropy, and Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo). Firstly, design criteria across four dimensions—social, economic, technological, and environmental—are identified based on sustainability considerations. Then, TrIF is used to capture the fuzziness and hesitation in expert judgments. The DEMATEL and Entropy methods are combined to extract causal relationships between criteria and quantify data variation, enabling the collaborative weighting of subjective and objective factors. Finally, multi-strategy integrated ranking is performed through TrIF-CoCoSo to enhance decision stability. An empirical case study on nursing bed design demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed framework. Results demonstrate that TrIF-DEC can systematically integrate uncertainty information with multidimensional sustainability goals, providing reliable support for complex product design evaluation.

Keywords: sustainable product design; trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy; dematel; entropy method; CoCoSo (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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