Assessing the productive capacity performance based on an integrated MCDM model: critical insights underlying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the productive capacity performance of European Union (EU) member states. It seeks to identify the structural disparities that emerged during the pandemic period and to provide insights into how EU countries can strengthen their productive structures for sustainable recovery. Design/methodology/approach The study employs the productive capacity index (PCI) within an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework combining the Logarithmic Percentage Change-driven Objective Weighting (LOPCOW), Symmetry Point of Criterion (SPC) and Mixed Aggregation by Comprehensive Normalization Technique (MACONT) methods. Criterion weights are determined using LOPCOW and SPC and then aggregated to rank the countries through MACONT. This approach enables a comprehensive evaluation of productive capacity performance across multiple dimensions. Findings The results indicate that Denmark achieved the highest productive capacity performance, whereas Slovakia and Slovenia recorded the lowest scores. The findings highlight the necessity of enhancing human capital, natural capital, energy infrastructure and transport systems to ensure resilient and sustainable post-pandemic growth among EU countries. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of the study is that it is difficult to generalise the findings to a wider geographical context, as the analyses are limited to the EU countries. Moreover, the productive capacity indicators used in the study are restricted to specific variables and other potential determinants such as macroeconomic or institutional factors are not taken into account. Practical implications The practical outcome of the study is to provide guidance to policymakers by identifying priority investment areas for EU countries to improve their productive capacity performance. In particular, the role of determinants such as transport, natural capital, energy and human capital in economic development has been emphasised and the necessity for countries to make strategic investments in these areas has been revealed. Social implications The social outcome of the study is that increasing productive capacity contributes to improving the quality of life in countries. Considering the impact of critical factors such as human capital and transport on productive capacity, investments in these areas are expected to strengthen social factors such as education, employment and accessibility. In addition, by analysing the role of the social impacts of global crises such as pandemics on productive capacity, it paves the way for countries to formulate more informed policies in terms of crisis management and social resilience. Originality/value This study presents a new methodological approach for analysing the productive capacity performance by integrating the LOPCOW-SPC-based MACONT model into a single assessment framework.