Dynamic evaluation of low-carbon competitiveness (LCC) based on improved Technique for Order Preference by similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method: A case study of Chinese steelworks

With the global glut of steel and signing of The Paris Agreement, steelworks are gravitating towards low-carbon Emission. Meanwhile, it is very important to study steelworks’ low-carbon competitiveness (LCC) about low-carbon Production. Sampling some Chinese steelworks, this paper explored the LCC of steelworks. Through extensive review of literature, we constructed an evaluation index system of steelworks’ LCC with 26 indicators in 5 dimensions from the perspective of carbon-intangible assets. In order to grasp the overall situation and development trend of steelworks’ LCC, the TOPSIS method was modified in this study. Time dimension was incorporated to form a dynamic evaluation method used to evaluate and analyze the LCC of 12 Chinese steelworks. A major contribution of the study is the application of “vertical” and “horizontal” comparison of LCC in steelworks, which will help national governments to comprehensively understand the low-carbon level of enterprises, and helpful for managers to understand the development trend of LCC and take some targeted measures to enhance this parameter. In addition, this paper puts forward a new approach towards the research of dynamic evaluation method, which not only verifies the practicability and effectiveness of this method but also solves the problem of “vertical contrast” and realizes dynamic evaluation. Limitations of the study along with future research directions are also presented.