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Competitiveness is a crucial dimension in accurate assessments of organizations' use of their resources and capabilities, which, if utilized effectively and efficiently, allow companies to achieve numerous competitive advantages. Firm level of competitiveness has assumed increasing importance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as it generates not only better organizational performance but also, in many cases, business activity survival. However, assessing competitiveness factors (CFs) is a complex, challenging endeavor given the multiple variables that influence companies' competitiveness. Thus, a comprehensive evaluation model is a necessary tool for decision makers who seek to assess their organization's competitiveness. To overcome previous research limitations, this study combines cognitive mapping and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method to develop a complete, well-informed model that facilitates dynamic analyses of cause-and-effect relationships among CFs. Two in-person sessions were held with a panel of specialists in SME competitiveness, during which five clusters of CFs emerged from the discussion and knowledge shared. The results were subsequently validated by a neutral expert. The advantages and limitations of the proposed framework are also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fighting poverty and social inequality are baseline principles of social credit. This type of microcredit has thus increasingly attracted academics and practitioners' attention, particularly after Muhammad Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. Researchers acknowledge that social credit is extremely important and that it should be taken seriously. However, studies examining the dynamics of its determinants are still extremely rare. This gap needs to be filled because the objectives of social credit are quite different from those of other types of credit, going beyond profit and embracing social concerns. Adopting a constructivist, process‐oriented stance that combined fuzzy cognitive mapping and the system dynamics (SD) approach, the present research sought to develop and analyze a cognitive structure that elucidates the dynamics of social credit determinants over time. Face‐to‐face group work sessions were held with a panel of professional credit analysts, and the results reveal that the combined use of fuzzy cognitive mapping and SD provides a clearer understanding of the dynamics of these determinants over time. The advantages, limitations, and implications of the proposed methodology are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health insurance risk analysis is crucial to the development of the insurance industry, allowing insurance companies to anticipate potential losses in health insurance's inverted product life cycle. The health insurance risk evaluation process is, however, carried out in various ways, which limits the application of transparency, fairness, and justice principles in the calculation of risk rewards. By combining cognitive mapping and measuring attractiveness by a categorical‐based evaluation technique (i.e., MACBETH, a multiple‐criteria decision analysis technique), this study sought to create a nonparametric and distinctive decision support system for individual private health insurance risk analysis. The proposed system facilitates greater transparency in the calculation of health insurance risk rewards. The results of a real‐world application of this system were analyzed and discussed in face‐to‐face group meetings with independent experts who work for two of the largest insurance companies in Portugal, thereby incorporating realism into the proposed evaluation mechanism. The advantages and limitations of this assessment framework are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blight is a concept not commonly discussed. However, blight is a problem that exists in the lives of many people, especially if they reside in urban areas. Blight originates whenever properties are neglected, contributing to both a functional and social depreciation process and ultimately leading to uninhabitable dwellings. Despite being blighted, these properties and surrounding neighborhoods often are occupied by families who fail to have sufficient income to afford residences that meet minimum standards or to live in neighborhoods free from drug trafficking and prostitution or other forms of crime. Blight may spread rapidly, thus, experts must, in a timely manner, analyze its causes, which are essential to preventing and mitigating blight problems. The purpose of this study is to seek an understanding of blight and identify its causal factors. The generic methods commonly applied in previous blight research present limitations that this study aims to overcome by using cognitive mapping and the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. This dual methodology provides a more transparent and less restrictive approach for analyzing and complying with the dynamics of cause-and-effect relationships among variables. Group debate involving a panel of specialists in this field identified six causation clusters based on the experts' experience and knowledge. The resulting framework and its application were validated both by these specialists and the head of the Territorial and Environmental Assessment and Monitoring Division of Cascais City Council Strategic Planning Department, Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation is becoming more common in an increasingly digital world, which has contributed to significant changes in business processes around the globe. In the banking industry, this approach allows banking institutions to provide improved customer experiences. However, the determinants of successful banking digitalization are still unclear, as are their cause-and-effect relationships. This article sought to apply problem structuring methods, namely, fuzzy cognitive mapping and system dynamics, to develop a conceptual model that can be applied to analyses of banking industry digitalization. The results are based on two group sessions that were held with a panel of decision makers who deal with banking digitalization processes on a daily basis. The findings were validated by a senior staff member responsible for banking project assessment and development at Caixa Geral de Depósitos S.A.—a Portuguese state-owned banking corporation. The approach adopted in this article is unique because digitalization determinants were collected and analyzed based on the participants’ know-how and experience. Static and dynamic analyses produced a deeper, broader understanding of the dynamic cause-and-effect relationships between the identified determinants of banking digitalization, giving rise to a realistic model that can be used to support relevant decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organizational literature privileges objective performance indicators often selected by researchers. There is scarce research focusing on legitimacy-challenged hybrid and microorganizations and on perceived success under exigent conditions. To address this scarcity, this study, conducted among complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) microorganizations, explores success as a subjective measure originating from managers' perceptions. For the purpose, it integrates cognitive mapping and multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA)—a methodological contribution to construct a subjective-success framework that can be helpful for contested hybrid microorganizations. Seven factors emerged, of which human capital is recognized as critical, while external factors are considered unimportant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an economic engine of contemporary societies, the real estate market needs to be carefully analyzed in terms of both urban management and private or public investment. Information on this market's behavior can facilitate the identification of turning points in societies' economic history. Analysts should focus not only on conditioning variables and other important determinants of relevance to investment evaluations but also on the impacts of each variable or factor. Measuring these effects is a key activity in decision-making processes. Given real estate's growing importance to sustainable economic growth, this study concentrates on creating a multicriteria model for evaluating large real estate investments. A constructivist, process-oriented approach was applied in group work sessions held with a panel of experts with experience in dealing with this issue. These specialists structured the problem of evaluating large real estate investments using value-focused thinking (VFT) and cognitive mapping. The best-worst method (BWM) was then applied to calculate trade-offs among decision criteria and calibrate the evaluation system. The results were presented to and validated by a representative of Instituto da Habitação e da Reabilitação Urbana (Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation), who identified the advantages and limitations of the proposed model, and suggested possible improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban renewal is imperative due to growing urbanization (i.e. , population migration into cities), requiring acceptable planning to meet peoples' housing needs and playing a key role in highlighting and satisfying societies' needs. Complex urban renewal decisions encompass environmental degradation, poverty, inequality, and inaccessibility to services. Decision makers must meet on-going challenges by transforming urban spaces so that they satisfy all constraints while satisfying residents' needs. A holistic view of urban renewal facilitates efficient strategies for meeting economic, social, and environmental obligations. Multicriteria methodology may ideally be used to develop a complete, transparent, and realistic model that identifies planning factors best resolving urban renewal efforts. Therefore, we rely on cognitive mapping, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory technique, and neutrosophic logic, applied by a panel of experts with experience in urban renewal planning in two group work meetings. The results were analyzed and validated by an independent specialist in this field. The contributions and limitations of this methodological framework were also examined. • This study contributes to a holistic understanding of urban renewal. • The proposed approach overcomes some limitations of purely statistical methods. • Cognitive mapping, neutrosophic logic and DEMATEL improve understanding of causal relationships between decision criteria. • The unique use of cognitive maps, neutrosophic logic and DEMATEL supports the formulation of renewal strategies for cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real estate ecosystems are the result of symbiotic relationships between different types of real estate, including residential, commercial, or industrial properties. Maintaining a balance among these categories is essential for these ecosystems' ability to function properly. Real estate currently is largely a product of urban expansion caused by population increases and distances from primary-sector industries. The unplanned growth of urban areas can have profound consequences for local residents' health and the environment. However, when well structured, urbanization can have a positive effect on societies' well-being. The relationship between this expansion and its impact on real estate ecosystems is an extremely complex, subjective topic, so decision makers cannot apply just one solution when making plans. This study develops a multicriteria analysis model to support decision making processes, which provides a structured understanding of urban expansion effects on real estate ecosystems and deals with the inherent subjectivity and complexity of this decision problem. Cognitive mapping and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique were combined in a neutrosophic environment to incorporate uncertainty and produce a more realistic analysis system, thereby overcoming various limitations of previous research on urban expansion (e.g. , unclear way by which relevant factors/criteria are identified in most cases, and lack of analyses dealing with the dynamics of their causal relationships). Decision makers with professional experience in relevant areas collaborated to provide essential input used to create the proposed model. External experts validated the results, confirming the potential of our analysis system for real-life applications. • This study provides a holistic analysis of urban expansion, fostering its nuanced real-world understanding. • The process-oriented approach followed overcomes limitations inherent in purely statistical methods. • Cognitive mapping enhances the understanding of urban-expansion effects. • Integration of cognitive mapping, neutrosophic logic, and DEMATEL forms a unique analytical approach to urban expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family business growth is crucial not only for the long-term sustainability of this type of firm but also for economic growth as a whole. However, family businesses face internal and external obstacles that hamper their healthy, sustainable growth. Analyses of family business growth are critical to overcoming these barriers. By combining fuzzy cognitive mapping techniques and the system dynamics approach, this study sought to create an analysis model that allows for a more holistic perspective on determinants of family business growth, their cause-and-effect relationships, and thus their long-term behavior. The model developed is a complete, transparent, and realistic tool that enables decision makers to make better and more informed decisions. This study was grounded in the insights provided by a panel of experts in family business, who shared their knowledge and experience over the course of two group sessions. The results of the static and dynamic analyses carried out were validated by the head of department and a board member of the Southern Business Support Center of Portugal's Institute for the Support of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Innovation (IAPMEI). This research's contributions are also discussed, and suggestions are made for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The concept of smart city has recently become more topical in academic and policy discussions. This idea is considered a complex, non-consensual subject since its definition has not yet been agreed upon by most authors in the relevant fields. The need to identify and measure smart city indicators has also given rise to many different evaluation procedures. However, the available frameworks have yet to overcome challenges in structuring and measuring all the evaluation parameters of the cities in question. Thus, methods still need to be developed and applied that can structure criteria used to assess smart city success. Design/methodology/approach: This study sought to show cognitive mapping's tangible usefulness as an expedient tool for strategic analysis, using smart cities as a complex object of study. To this end, various cognitive maps were constructed and compared using the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) approach. Findings: Cognitive mapping's advantages and limitations in the strategic visualization research context are analyzed and discussed. Originality/value: The authors know of no prior work reporting comparative analysis of this methodological approach in the same research context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was developed in response to the need to develop age-friendly smart living environments due to the complex demands placed on society by the ageing of the population. This study aims to analyse the potential that knowledge visualisation offers collaborative decision-making applied to the development of a multiple criteria framework supporting knowledge management (KM) through knowledge collaboration (KC) and knowledge sharing (KS) in the context of regional innovation systems (RIS). Design/methodology/approach: Using a socio-technical approach, knowledgeable and experienced representatives of RIS innovation actors were brought together to develop a constructivist multiple criteria framework that integrates knowledge visualisation and collaborative decision-making techniques (i.e. cognitive mapping and system dynamics). Findings: The study introduces a multiple criteria model supporting KM encompassing conditions and practices of RIS innovation actors facilitating and encouraging KC and KS. The potential for knowledge visualisation in collaborative decision-making is explored in great depth and illustrated in a case study setting. Practical implications: The panel members who participated in this study consider our methodological proposal to be extremely versatile and see great potential for further applications in RIS contexts. Originality/value: The combined use of cognitive mapping and system dynamics according to the strategic options development and analysis (SODA) approach offers a holistic and well-informed perspective on the issue in question. The literature reports no prior work of this methodological combination in the same research context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on some of the most important aspects of ethics in the healthcare industry and examined the relevance of the system created to evaluate ethical healthcare practices in the public sector. The research included developing a conceptual model representing variables that influence ethics in public healthcare services in Portugal, using fuzzy cognitive mapping to facilitate the identification of the most significant variables. This method is a well‐established decision problem‐structuring tool that allows experts to define cause‐and‐effect relationships between variables and make decisions. The insights obtained were generated in face‐to‐face group meetings with experts in the public healthcare sector, showing that professional profiles, management, team relationships, external factors, equity principles, and respect are among the most relevant determinants of ethical healthcare. That is, these criteria are the most commonly applied standards in analyses of ethical practices in public healthcare services. The resulting assessment framework and its applicability were validated by both the panel of experts and the chairperson of the board of directors of S. Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. The advantages and limitations of the analysis developed in this study are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to domestic markets' current economic conditions, companies increasingly feel that they need to become actively involved in international trade. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) typically face financial and intellectual constraints during internationalization processes. This means that decision makers must consider a wide range of different variables before deciding to internationalize firms. This study sought to integrate a well-established problem structuring method (i.e., cognitive mapping) and a multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) technique (i.e., Decision EXpert (DEX)) in order to develop a decision model suitable for the identification and assessment of variables influencing SME internationalization capability. Using data collected during face-to-face meetings with a panel of experts (i.e., SME entrepreneurs and chief executive officers (CEOs)), a constructivist method of evaluating SME internationalization capability was created and tested using real data. The results confirm that the dual methodology adopted facilitates the development of a robust evaluation model that can improve decisionmaking processes in the context in question. Specifically, the proposed model identifies product features as the most important factor in SME capability for successful internationalization. In addition, internal factors are significantly more relevant than external factors. The integrated use of cognitive mapping and DEX provides decision makers with a well-informed perspective on SME internationalization capability. We know of no prior research reporting the use of these two methodologies in the SME internationalization context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrapreneurship has long been recognised as a way to develop competitive advantages. This is particularly evident in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), so the intrapreneurial orientation (IO) of these companies should be evaluated from multiple perspectives. Research on this topic involves a wide variety of elements that not only have a direct impact on intrapreneurial behaviour but also change over time. Nonetheless, the development of a holistic system for evaluating IO in SMEs appears to be of great interest to academics and practitioners. Based on the epistemological convictions embodied in multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA), this study sought to combine cognitive mapping techniques and the Choquet integral (CI) to develop a new IO evaluation system for SMEs. To this end, a panel of experienced decision makers with expertise in the subject under analysis was recruited. The results of a practical application of the proposed evaluation system and composite index were validated both by the panel members and a board member of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department of the Portuguese Institute for the Support of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Innovation (in Portuguese, Instituto de Apoio às Pequenas e Médias Empresas e à Inovação (IAPMEI)). The contributions and limitations of the proposed dual methodology are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Equitable human well-being and environmental concerns in urban areas have, over the years, become increasingly challenging issues. This trend is related to both the complexity inherent in the multiple factors to be considered when evaluating eco-friendly cities (i.e. , green cities) and the way this type of city's sustainability depends on many evaluation criteria, which hampers all decision-making processes. Using a multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach, this study sought to develop a multiple-criteria model that facilitates the evaluation of green cities' sustainability, based on cognitive mapping techniques and the Choquet integral (CI). Taking a constructivist and process-oriented stance, the research included identifying evaluation criteria and their respective interactions using a panel of experts with specialized knowledge in the subject under analysis. The resulting framework and its application were validated both by the panel members and a parliamentary representative of the Portuguese ecology party "Os Verdes" (The Greens), who confirmed that the evaluation system created distinguishes between cities according to how strongly they adhere to "green" principles. The advantages and limitations of the proposed framework are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Credit to personal consumption is an important activity of the financial system and crucial to the socioeconomic development of a country. It is important, therefore, that the methods and techniques used to evaluate consumer credit risk be as efficient and informative as possible, in order to strengthen decisions to approve or reject credit and promote sustainable economic growth. This study aims to create a multiple criteria expert system which integrates cognitive maps and the measuring attractiveness by a categorical-based evaluation technique (MACBETH) to create a complementary framework for consumer credit risk assessment. The results show that this integrated approach allows the evaluation process of consumer credit risk to be more informed and transparent, providing value for the evaluation processes of this type of credit application as a result of the privileged contact established with a panel of credit analysts. Advantages, limitations, and managerial implications are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing quality of life (QoL) in urban areas is considered a difficult endeavor. Some of the main reasons for this difficulty are directly related to the complexity inherent in the multiplicity of criteria that must be considered in such an evaluation, as well as the subjectivity intrinsic to the issue under study. This complexity hinders the development of models capable of reflecting the performance of different urban environments in terms of their QoL. This study sought to overcome some of the more common limitations of current evaluation methods, by combining cognitive mapping and the measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique (MACBETH), to develop a more informed, coherent and transparent evaluation system. The resulting framework and its application were validated both by the participating panel of experts and a representative of the parliamentary group of the Portuguese ecologist party “The Greens”. The advantages and limitations of our framework are also subject of analysis and discussion. It is worth noting that the whole process assumes a constructivist stance, allowing both objective and subjective elements to be combined in the decision-making framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent economic crisis led to significant changes in the real estate market; one of which was a shift toward home rental (rather than buying). Real estate investors have an important role in the growth of the rental market. However, there are often hindrances to investing for residential rental purposes. In order to overcome these barriers, they first need to be identified and understood. With this in mind, the main focus of this investigation was the creation of a conceptual model, through fuzzy cognitive mapping, to identify and understand the cause-and-effect relationships between the factors that represent an obstacle to real estate investments for residential rental purposes. The results show that cognitive maps can be of great use for the structuring of complex decision problems, minimizing the number of factors left out of the decision-making process. In particular, the tenant risk behavior, property location and associated costs (for the owner) were identified as the main obstacles to real estate investment. The practical implications of the model, as well as the advantages and limitations of the process followed, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent economic climate has had direct repercussions on people's daily lives. This has occurred not only in how they use payment instruments, but is also evinced in new concerns adjacent to technological advances, people's safety and the credibility of financial institutions. In this regard, the banking sector has had a crucial role in countries' economic development, making it increasingly important to understand how the banking system operates and what payment instruments are available to users. Relying on specialized literature and the application of fuzzy cognitive mapping, this study aims to understand the cause-and-effect relationships between customers' preference factors in using payment instruments. The results show that usability aspects and safety concerns constitute the factors which users pay more attention to. Strengths and limitations of our proposal are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The 2008 global financial crisis showed that the ability to innovate is a key management skill and that approaches to assessing the innovation capability of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to be as realistic as possible. This study aims to address the latter practical need through a sociotechnical approach.Design/methodology/approach Based on a combined use of cognitive mapping and the Decision EXpert (DEX) technique, and grounded on the insights generated by a panel of SME managers and entrepreneurs in two intensive group meetings, a knowledge-based assessment system for evaluating SMEs’ innovation capability was created, tested and validated.Findings The knowledge-based assessment system identified the most innovative SMEs in a sample of companies. The “plus-minus-1” and dominance analyses carried out provided further support for the results.Research limitations/implications The proposed system is extremely versatile but process-oriented and idiosyncratic in nature, meaning that extrapolations to other contexts need to be done with due caution.Practical implications The panel of SME decision makers agreed that the system improves the current methods used to evaluate SMEs’ innovation capability, contributing to a more informed perspective on management issues. The panel members also noted that the proposed system functions as a learning mechanism, facilitating the development of well-focused suggestions for improvements SMEs can make.Originality/value The integrated use of cognitive maps and rule-base decisions contributes to a better understanding of how to assess SMEs’ innovation capability. No prior work reporting the integrated use of these two techniques in this study context has been found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choosing a tenant is a key issue in the housing rental market. Knowing, a priori, whether a tenant will pay the rent on time, be able to hold a good relationship with the neighbors or take care of the property (i.e. whether s/he will be a "good" tenant) is not a simple endeavor. It is crucial, however, as it can help save time, money and conflicts that can end up in court. This study aims to address this issue, through the integrated use of cognitive maps and the Decision EXpert (DEX) technique. Grounded on a constructivist logic, the study brought together a panel of experts with experience and knowledge in the residential rental market, in order to identify and articulate the criteria to be taken into account in the classification and selection of tenants. The results achieved show that the integration of these two methodologies (i.e. cognitive maps and DEX) can help increase our understanding of the decision problem at hand, and lead to more informed and potentially better tenant choices. Advantages and limitations of the framework are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid technological evolution has become a great challenge for businesses and societies due to the openness provided by new digital technologies, platforms, and infrastructure and to the impacts of these innovations on how people work and live. The concept of a super-smart society (i.e. , Society 5.0) comprises a fresh way to apply these innovations, in which human beings contribute to adapting technologies to daily activities in their society and making Society 5.0 ideas applicable to different areas of each individual's life. Digital transformation and technological innovation are basic components of this paradigm. This study sought to develop a decision-support model that can help companies structure and prioritize new business opportunities within Society 5.0 contexts. The analysis system relies on a constructivist approach that promotes debates between specialists and combinations of methodologies such as cognitive mapping and interpretive structural modeling. The results highlight the most important areas in which new business opportunities can arise, thereby demonstrating that the proposed model is a valuable tool for incorporating a future orientation into business technological innovation initiatives. • This study contributes to the identification of new business opportunities in Society 5.0 contexts. • The proposed system overcomes some limitations of purely statistical methods. • ISM improves the understanding of causal relationships between new business opportunities in Society 5.0 contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid population growth and urbanization have a strong impact on individuals' well-being. These trends are currently important topics in city management. As a significant driver of digitalization, technological development has been found to have great potential as a mitigator of a wide range of issues that cities face. To ensure the available technologies are being correctly used, municipalities need to measure their degree of digitalization. This assessment is also important to improve city officials' understanding of areas that need interventions so that cities can be managed better and provide their residents with a better quality of life. This study applies the baseline principles of the multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach to develop a decision-support system that facilitates urban digitalization evaluations. The results rely on insights provided by a panel of experts in this area, who used cognitive mapping and the best worst method (BWM) to identify important evaluation criteria within urban digitalization and to analyze their cause-and-effect relationships. The final outcomes were validated by the panel members and representatives of the Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses (i.e. , National Association of Portuguese Municipalities) and the Agência National de Inovação (i.e. , National Innovation Agency). These specialists confirmed that the evaluation system developed facilitates city differentiation in key areas of urban digitalization. The advantages and limitations of the proposed procedures are also discussed. • This study contributes to a holistic understanding of urban digitalization. • The proposed system overcomes some limitations of purely statistical methods. • Cognitive mapping improves the selection of evaluation criteria. • BWM allows criteria weights to be calculated. • The system created allows urban digitalization to be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Price and residential housing attributes have long been identified as key determinants of home sales and, as such, they can explain time-on-the-market (TOM). It is acknowledged, however, that there are other factors (or determinants) that influence home sales and TOM, which are of great importance but seldom taken into account in the appraisal process of residential real estate. Based on the use of fuzzy cognitive mapping, we propose a framework that adds value to the way that key determinants of housing sales and TOM are identified. This framework is the result of a process involving several residential real estate experts (i.e.appraisers and realtors), and follows a constructivist approach. Our findings suggest that the use of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) allows the number of omitted determinants to be reduced and the understanding of the relationships between them to be improved. The strengths and weaknesses of our methodological framework are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The world's population has grown rapidly. Thus, new challenges have arisen in terms of people's quality of life, natural resources renewal, and urban environment sustainability. The smart city concept was developed to deal with these challenges by incorporating new technologies in order to find solutions that preserve cities' environment while promoting their residents' wellbeing. However, for cities to be truly "smart", they should be evaluated, and, to that end, determinants that facilitate their creation need to be identified. This study thus sought to combine cognitive mapping and the system dynamics approach to find which factors foster smart city success, as well as the cause-and-effect relationships among these determinants. In two groupwork sessions, a panel of experts identified a wide range of smart city determinants and analyzed the dynamics of their relationships. The results were validated by the panel members and senior representatives of Cascais and Évora City Councils, Portugal, who confirmed that the analysis system developed provides a deeper understanding of this research context. The advantages and limitations of the proposed framework are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Often cities are tainted by degraded areas, abandoned and vandalized buildings, and vacant plots, which is commonly called "blight". Blight is a complex problem with varied consequences requiring integrated decision making at both individual and community levels. This is an important issue since residents of blighted areas live in environments that directly influence their quality of life, values and behaviors. This study conducts an economic, social, and environmental analysis regarding impacts, intermediation and eradication of blight. The complexity of blight requires an analysis encompassing both objective and subjective variables. Also, this study addresses limitations of prior research by applying a methodology that combines cognitive mapping and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. Study results include a multi-criteria analysis system based on the inputs provided by a panel of experts. Although process-oriented, where results generally are not applicable from one application to another, our approach resulted in blight-caused impacts being allocated to four major clusters: governance ; construction and real estate market ; social dimensions and security ; and health and environment. The findings were presented to and validated by a board member of the Instituto de Habitação e da Reabilitação Urbana (Institute of Housing and Urban Renewal of Portugal). Advantages and limitations of our approach are also discussed. • This study provides a holistic understanding of urban-blight impacts. • The approach overcomes some limitations of purely statistical methods. • Cognitive mapping and DEMATEL improve understanding of blight's impact. • The dual methodology use sheds new light on the blight topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study contributes to a holistic understanding of urban blight. • The proposed approach overcomes some limitations of purely statistical methods. • Cognitive mapping and DEMATEL improve understanding of cause-and-effect relationships between decision criteria. • The combined use of cognitive maps and DEMATEL supports the formulation of anti-blight intervention strategies. Urban blight has been the subject of numerous worldwide studies. However, because of blight's complexity, direct relationship with ​​urban planning and multifaceted associated variables, studies targeting certain aspects of blight require detailed conceptualization and structure to facilitate decision-making processes that address blight. Many urban, socio-economic and cultural externalities associated with blight need to be addressed in developing viable intervention strategies for prevention, attenuation and eradication. Identifying and simplifying the complex issues associated with blight is important as their intricacy creates difficulties for decision makers. We simplify the blight problem by using unique techniques for structuring complex decision problems (i.e. , problem structuring methods (PSMs)). This methodology is based on multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) principles, as well as a combination of participatory techniques (i.e. , decision conferencing and cognitive mapping). In a subsequent phase, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique is used to enable the development of a more realistic, transparent analysis model for blight intervention strategies. This study assumes a constructivist logic, so both objective and subjective elements are included. The proposed methodology's advantages and limitations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]