A novel hybrid MCDM approach for evaluating digital technologies for sustainability transition in the banking industry

Purpose The increasing allure of digital technologies and the growing consensus on building a sustainable future represent two influential societal trends. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of exhaustive research on the recognition of digital technologies in advancing sustainability in the banking industry. Design/methodology/approach This research aims to close the existing knowledge gap by examining and integrating fuzzy Delphi and the best-worst methods to assess and prioritize digital technologies propelling sustainability in the banking sector. The applicability and practicality of nine digital technologies were refined based on academic literature and expert panel decision-making. Findings The outcomes of the fuzzy Delphi technique unraveled eight significant technologies warranting further analysis. The best-worst technique was used to determine the ideal weights based on experts' evaluations that were intended to recognize the relevance of each technology. The findings exhibited that artificial intelligence (0.24577), mobile technology (0.21517), and blockchain technology (0.19274) are the most significant sustainable technologies. In contrast, the Internet of Things (0.05221) and regulatory technology (0.04396) are the least significant sustainable technologies in the context of the banking sector. Originality/value The present study can enlighten scholars and practitioners to conceptualize digitalization and sustainability as a single co-transformation rather than two separate transformations running in parallel.