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A Hybrid AHP–Fuzzy MOORA Decision Support Tool for Advancing Social Sustainability in the Construction Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Saboor

    (Social Science Division, New York University, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Campus, Social Science Building (A5), Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates)

  • Vian Ahmed

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, United Arab Emirates)

  • Chiraz Anane

    (Department of Foreign Languages, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Zied Bahroun

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

The construction industry plays a key role in economic development but continues to face challenges in promoting employee well-being, particularly mental health and social sustainability. While existing decision-making tools emphasize environmental and economic factors, the social dimension remains largely overlooked, creating a significant gap in both research and practice. To address this, the study develops a decision support tool (DST) to help construction organizations prioritize strategic investments that enhance employee social sustainability. The tool is based on a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making framework, combining the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Fuzzy MOORA to integrate both quantitative and qualitative assessments. A literature review, along with findings from a previous empirical study, identified 27 validated criteria, grouped into seven core sustainability alternatives. Additionally, five decision criteria (cost, risk, compatibility, return on investment, and difficulty) were refined through expert interviews. The DST was implemented as a modular Excel-based tool allowing users to input data, conduct pairwise comparisons, evaluate alternatives using linguistic scales, and generate a final ranking through defuzzification. A case study in a private construction company showed Training and Development and Work Environment as top priorities. An online expert focus group confirmed the DST’s clarity, usability, and strategic relevance. By addressing the often-neglected social pillar of sustainability, this tool offers a practical and transparent framework to support decision-making, ultimately enhancing employee well-being and organizational performance in the construction sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Saboor & Vian Ahmed & Chiraz Anane & Zied Bahroun, 2025. "A Hybrid AHP–Fuzzy MOORA Decision Support Tool for Advancing Social Sustainability in the Construction Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-31, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4879-:d:1664729
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sara Saboor & Vian Ahmed, 2024. "Investigating the Underpinning Criteria of Employees’ Social Sustainability and Their Impact on Job Satisfaction in the U.A.E. Construction Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-33, December.
    2. Huiru Zhao & Sen Guo, 2014. "Selecting Green Supplier of Thermal Power Equipment by Using a Hybrid MCDM Method for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Muhammad Waris & Shrikant Panigrahi & Abdullah Mengal & Mujeeb Iqbal Soomro & Nayyar Hussain Mirjat & Mehfooz Ullah & Zarith Sufia Azlan & Asadullah Khan, 2019. "An Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for Sustainable Procurement of Construction Equipment: Multicriteria-Based Decision Framework for Malaysia," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2019, pages 1-20, September.
    4. Katarzyna Piwowar-Sulej & Dominika Bąk-Grabowska, 2020. "Non-Permanent Employment and Employees’ Health in the Context of Sustainable HRM with a Focus on Poland," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-23, July.
    5. Mozhdeh Rostamnezhad & Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem, 2022. "Social Sustainability in Construction Projects—A Systematic Review of Assessment Indicators and Taxonomy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, April.
    6. Lu, Ming-Tsang & Hsu, Chao-Che & Liou, James J.H. & Lo, Huai-Wei, 2018. "A hybrid MCDM and sustainability-balanced scorecard model to establish sustainable performance evaluation for international airports," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 9-19.
    7. Elif Guneren Genc & Ozlem Deniz Basar, 2019. "Comparison of Country Ratings of Credit Rating Agencies with MOORA Method," Business and Economics Research Journal, Uludag University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, vol. 10(2), pages 391-404.
    8. Ngoc Hong Duong & Thanh Trang Bui & Quang-An Ha, 2024. "The Relationship Between Social Sustainability Practices and Performance Outcomes in Supply Chain Management: The Case of Vietnam," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(4), pages 21582440241, November.
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