Integrating Multidimensional Scaling and MICMAC-Based Structural Analysis for Assessing Sustainability and Key Drivers of Cassava Waste Management Systems

Abstract

Developing sustainable regional agro-industrial practices is essential for countries like Indonesia. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), significant for food security and commercial use, continues to demonstrate productivity levels beneath worldwide benchmarks. This research assesses the sustainability of Lampung’s cassava agro-industry by integrating Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied for Classification (MICMAC). MDS generates a sustainability index including ecological, economic, social, technological, and institutional dimensions. MICMAC analysis determines causal interdependencies among attributes and categorizes them based on driving power and dependence. Data obtained from expert questionnaires and focus group discussions conducted between January and March 2024 indicated a moderate sustainability index of 63.5%. The environmental dimension achieved the highest score of 72.7%, while the technological and institutional dimensions obtained the lowest at 55.03% and 55.2% respectively. The main variables influencing sustainability consist of energy efficiency, waste management, market orientation, and the skill levels of the workforce. The combination of MDS and MICMAC offers an extensive diagnostic and structural perspective. This study proposes recommendations for energy schemes, the development of managerial training programs, and the strengthening of institutional policies. The insights have significance for the development of the cassava agro-industry in Lampung and comparable regions.