Analysis of critical success factors for Industry 5.0 adoption ensuring sustainability using MCDM tool: a case study

Purpose The present study aims to evaluate and rank Critical Success Factors (CSFs) necessary for the adoption of Industry 5.0 (I5.0) in the manufacturing sector using a decision-making approach. Specifically, it investigates how human-centric, environmentally sustainable and digitally integrated enablers, such as system interoperability, real-time communication, upskilling, renewable energy integration and circular product design can be prioritized to support effective implementation strategies. Design/methodology/approach The model is structured to help decision-makers recognize the critical CSFs even in the context of uncertainty and vagueness. This study adopted the Trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TraInFuTOPSIS) method as a solution methodology to assess and rank 18 critical success factors (CSFs) based on six criteria. Six criteria include operational flexibility (C1), human-centric integration (C2), customization (C3), operational efficiency (C4), innovativeness (C5) and sustainability (C6). A panel of experts assigned linguistic expressions for the criteria weights and factor ratings. Findings The findings of the study revealed “Supply chain modularity (CSF6),” “Sustainable thinking (CSF3)” and “Employee technical assistance (CSF13)” as top-priority success factors, which highlighted the need for flexibility, environmental consciousness and human–machine cooperation to adopt I5.0 with a sustainable focus. Therefore, these CSFs are essential for establishing sustainable and robust pathways for I5.0 in manufacturing. Practical implications The study delivers a structured methodology to recognize and prioritize CSFs that can help industry practitioners and managers identify which factors are most important to successfully implement I5.0 and industry sustainability goals. Originality/value The originality of the study is the introduction of trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers to the decision-making strategy in the critical evaluation of success factors in I5.0 adoption. The study is a systematic decision-making model for organizations aiming at adopting I5.0, ensuring sustainability.