Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Risk Management in Quality Management Systems

This study addresses risk management in quality management systems by analyzing risk prioritization using the multi-criteria methods Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The primary objective was to identify and evaluate key risks, considering emerging factors such as climate change, to strengthen organizational resilience in the long term. A panel of 42 experts prioritized the following risk typologies: (i) geopolitical, (ii) economic, (iii) social, (iv) technological, and (v) environmental. The results revealed an increase in the importance of geopolitical and economic risks for 2024 compared to 2020, while technological and environmental risks decreased. Additionally, risks were projected over the next 10 years, highlighting extreme climate events and biodiversity loss as the most relevant for 2034. The findings emphasize the need for a proactive approach to risk management, aligned with ISO 9001:2015 standards and its recent climate change amendment published in 2024, to adapt organizational strategies for a constantly evolving global environment and ensure long-term sustainability.