Assessment of sustainable development : a novel approach using fuzzy set theory

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to introduce fuzzy set theory and develop fuzzy mathematical models to assess sustainable development based on context-dependent economic, ecological, and societal sustainability indicators. Membership functions are at the core of fuzzy models, and define the degree to which indicators contribute to development. Although a decision-making process regarding sustainable development is subjective, fuzzy set theory links human expectations about development, expressed in linguistic propositions, to numerical data, expressed in measurements of sustainability indicators. In the future, practical implementation of such models will be based on elicitation of expert knowledge to construct a membership function. The fuzzy models developed in this paper provide a novel approach to support decisions regarding sustainable development. 5001-6182 Business 5201-5982 Business Science Library of Congress Classification (LCC) QA 76.9 Fuzzy sets M Business Administration and Business Economics M 11 R 4 Production Management Transportation Systems Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) C 69 Mathematical Methods and Programming : Other 85 A Business General 260 K 240 B Logistics Information Systems Management European Business Schools Library Group (EBSLG) 250 B Fuzzy theory Gemeenschappelijke Onderwerpsontsluiting (GOO) 85.00 Bedrijfskunde, Organisatiekunde: algemeen 85.34 85.20 Logistiek management Bestuurlijke informatie, informatieverzorging Classification GOO 31.80 Toepassing van de wiskunde Bedrijfskunde / Bedrijfseconomie Bedrijfsprocessen, logistiek, management informatiesystemen