This study aims to identify, evaluate and prioritize technological and managerial criteria for smart city development in developing countries, using Tehran as a case study. Grounded in institutional theory, it proposes a hybrid MCDM framework to guide policymakers in addressing challenges such as weak ICT infrastructure, fragmented governance and economic sanctions, thereby enabling sustainable and inclusive smart city transformation.
A three-phase hybrid methodology, guided by institutional theory, was employed to ensure alignment with Tehran's socio-economic and governance constraints. FDM validated context-relevant criteria through expert consensus, DEMATEL analyzed causal relationships among these criteria and the BWM prioritized them by assigning weights. Data were collected in 2024 through structured questionnaires from 15 domain experts representing research, government, and industry. Analyses were conducted using MATLAB (FDM) and Excel (DEMATEL and BWM).
DEMATEL revealed smart governance (prominence: 6.494), gechnology & infrastructure (prominence: 6.085, ri − ci = +1.356) and smart economy (prominence: 5.947) as the most influential drivers, while Smart Environment and Smart Living were outcome-oriented. BWM prioritization highlighted ICT infrastructure reliability (Te8, 0.276) and internet accessibility (Te1, 0.140) as critical enablers, reflecting Tehran's infrastructural constraints due to economic sanctions. These results underscore the need for foundational digital investments before adopting advanced technologies like 5G.
The study is limited by its focus on Tehran and the relatively small expert panel (15 participants), excluding citizen and broader private sector perspectives. Future research could extend the framework to other megacities, incorporate additional stakeholders and conduct longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts. Theoretically, it demonstrates the applicability of institutional theory in prioritizing smart city criteria under resource-constrained conditions.
The hybrid FDM–DEMATEL–BWM framework provides a practical tool for prioritizing digitalization criteria in developing countries. It emphasizes IT system reliability, internet accessibility, digital governance and technology infrastructure, guiding resource-efficient policymaking. The framework supports phased implementation, starting with ICT stabilization and broadband expansion, followed by sensor networks and cybersecurity and eventually 5G adoption. Aligned with local capacities, governance structures and cultural contexts, it is transferable to other developing megacities like Lagos or Jakarta, enhancing urban services, mobility and sustainability.
This study is among the first to integrate a hybrid FDM–DEMATEL–BWM framework grounded in institutional theory to prioritize technological and managerial criteria for smart cities in developing countries. Beyond single-method MCDM approaches, it fills research gaps in technology-context alignment and multidimensional evaluation, offering actionable insights for policymakers in resource-constrained urban environments.
