A Triangulated MCDM Framework for ESG–Open Innovation Readiness in Sustainable Business Ecosystems

Abstract

This research establishes a framework to evaluate how effectively financial institutions convert environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pressures into readiness for open innovation (EOIR). EOIR is conceptualized as a higher-order capability that encompasses environmental opportunity, social legitimacy, and governance discipline. This study employs a triangulated multi-criteria decision-making framework consisting of CRITIC, Shannon Entropy, and Fuzzy AHP weighting with MARCOS ranking, TOPSIS validation, and pillar-focused scenario analysis to evaluate ESG–open innovation readiness. Results inindicate the importance of governance practices, such as board independence, low controversies, and alignment with the Paris Agreement and environmental innovation. Data privacy outperforms representational social attributes. The MARCOS and TOPSIS rankings demonstrate a high degree of concordance; leaders maintain their stability across weighting philosophies, while mid-tier positions exhibit policy-sensitive mobility. Scenario analysis indicates a stable frontier, high top-10 overlap, and mid-teen rank shifts, highlighting actionable levers. The framework provides a transparent, reproducible multiple-criteria decision-making pipeline for EOIR measurement and clarifies important enablers, including credible governance, environmental technology alignment, and privacy-centric data governance, from a theoretical and practical perspective.