The use of the DEMATEL method to analyse cause and effect relationships between sustainable development indicators

Abstract

The paper proposes the use of the DEMATEL method (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) for the identification and analysis of cause and effect relationships between sustainable development indicators. The literature studies presented, among other things, the application potential of the selected multi-criteria method, with particular emphasis on the decision-making problems related to sustainable development. Then, on the selected example of the group of sustainable development indicators, the algorithm of the DEMATEL method was presented, its potential advantages and limitations in the context of update Sustainable Development Indicator modules of the Central Statistical Office. The priority objective of the work was to present the DEMATEL method and its main element, i.e. cause-effect chain (impact-relation map) as an alternative approach to the known P-S-R system, i.e. the division of indicators into three functional groups: pressure/cause indicators, state/effect indicators, and response indicators.