A DEMATEL analysis of smart city determinants

• Published in: Technology in society Vol. 66; p. 101687
• Main Authors: Braga, Irina F.B., Ferreira, Fernando A.F., Ferreira, João J.M., Correia, Ricardo J.C., Pereira, Leandro F., Falcão, Pedro F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Cities; Cognitive map; Cognitive mapping; Collaboration; Collaborative decision making; Councils; Decision analysis; Decision making; DEcision MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL); Energy consumption; Group decision making; Infrastructure; Innovations; Mapping; Mobility; Multiple criterion; Multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA); Municipalities; Population growth; Quality of life; Smart cities; Smart city; Sustainable development; Technology; Urbanization; Well being; Collaborative decision making; DEcision MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL); Cognitive map; Smart city; Sustainable development; Multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101687

Substantial population growth, increasing urbanization, overloaded infrastructure, more energy consumption, environmental impacts, and investment in technological developments are major challenges in city management and development. Municipalities seek to improve their citizens’ wellbeing and quality of life, but the need to find a balance between these complex factors makes decision-making processes more difficult. Experts must analyze the determinants of smart cities, which are urban centers intended to be socially involved, habitable, and economically and environmentally sustainable, and that rely strongly on technology and innovation. Based on multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) principles, this study combines cognitive mapping techniques and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method to develop a multicriteria model that can help managers analyze smart city determinants in a collaborative manner. The research included identifying these determinants and their respective cause-and-effect relationships using an expert panel’s experience and knowledge related to the subject under analysis. The results were validated by both the panel and the city councilor responsible for mobility and municipal projects within Évora City Council, Portugal, which has implemented smart city strategies. The latter specialist verified that the proposed evaluation system can be used as a tool to facilitate smart city collaborative decision-making processes. The study’s main advantages and limitations are also analyzed and discussed. •This study contributes to a collaborative understanding of smart city.•The proposed approach overcomes some limitations of purely statistical methods.•Cognitive mapping and DEMATEL improve understanding of causal relationships.•Our proposal supports the formulation of smart city development strategies.