Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework for Sustainable Innovation Management in the Mexican Medical Device Manufacturing Industry: An Exploratory and Interdisciplinary Analysis

Abstract

The medical device manufacturing industry in Mexico faces a critical risk of losing competitiveness and sustainability due to its concentration on low-value-added manufacturing activities and limited integration into advanced stages of the value chain, such as R&D. This research addresses the lack of validated quantitative methodologies to identify the critical factors that promote sectoral sustainability in the national context. Through a literature review and the analysis of MCDM, a taxonomy of the problem was developed that integrates dimensions of governance, technological innovation, and human capital. The findings emphasize the need to transition toward circular economy and additive manufacturing models, supported by hybrid algorithms such as AHP, TOPSIS, and DEMATEL to mitigate uncertainty in strategic decision making. As a main result, an innovation management flow aligned with international standards and several maturity levels (TRLs, MRLs, CRLs, and PRLs) is proposed, providing a structured roadmap to scale the Mexican industry toward more-sophisticated global segments.