Proposing a strategy map based on sustainability balanced scorecard and DEMATEL for manufacturing companies

Purpose The purpose of this study is to integrate the sustainability balanced scorecard (SBSC) framework with decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) for proposing a model and identifying the cause-and-effect relationships between the five perspectives of SBSC and then 23 performance indicators within the SBSC framework in a strategy map. Design/methodology/approach The DEMATEL approach is used to obtain a matrix including direct and indirect influences between the five perspectives of SBSC and among 23 key performance indicators (KPIs). DEMATEL data are gathered from experts to propose a model and establish reliable relationships between performance metrics. Using DEMATEL and the SBSC framework, a strategy map for the SBSC dimensions and KPIs was built to illustrate strategic cause-and-effect relationships among the various dimensions and performance indicators. Findings The outcomes indicated that internal process and financial perspectives play essential outputs. Sustainability is the most critical predictor (causal) in the model, then customer and learning and growth dimensions, indicating that sustainability, learning and growth and customer dimensions all positively affect other dimensions. Additionally, sustainability has bi-directional in its link to the customer and internal processes and bi-directional in its relationship to finance, learning and growth. Numerous additional linkages are observed among the five SBSC perspectives and KPIs. Research limitations/implications The data collected is based on an “average” company in manufacturing sector; thus, companies need to customize this model to ensure that their strategies are clearly translated into KPIs. Practical implications The findings gave valuable information to management about manufacturing companies KPIs. They determined which KPIs are regarded as outcome (effect) variables and which KPIs are considered predictor (casual) variables. Additionally, the findings offer management with SBSC perspectives that should be traded as outcomes and those that should be traded as predictors. Additionally, the findings highlighted the critical KPIs and explained their interrelationships. This enables managers to focus on the significant financial besides non-financial indicators and comprehend the logical connection among them. Social implications The results qualify executives and management to analyze and recognize a strategy map by understanding each objective's impacts, including direct and indirect, on all others. The typical analysis comprises determining the strategic objectives that are “cause” and the objectives considered as “effect”. As this study extends the BSC framework to have sustainability perspectives, the results of DEMATEL provide administrators with exceptional information to blend the conventional BSC perspectives with sustainability as added perspective. Originality/value The current study proposed an illustration model for strategy map development and also provide an interrelationship among SBSC perspectives.