Prioritizing Social Sustainability Indicators: A Weighted Approach for the Wine Industry

The social dimension of sustainability remains underrepresented in agribusiness assessment models, particularly in the vine and wine sector, where regional and cultural dynamics significantly influence outcomes. This study develops a participatory framework to evaluate social sustainability through the identification and prioritization of key indicators, grounded in stakeholder engagement across three major Portuguese wine regions: Vinhos Verdes, Douro, and Alentejo. Using the Real-Time Delphi method, 26 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds assessed the relevance of 40 social indicators, grouped into eight thematic clusters. This process was further supported by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Weighted Scoring Method (WSM) to assign weights and normalize indicator values. The results identified fair wages, access to health and safety services, and agricultural training as the most critical indicators across regions. However, regional disparities underscored the importance of adaptable models that reflect local specificities. The resulting weighted framework enables a more nuanced assessment of social sustainability, supporting targeted policy development, certification schemes, and informed decision-making within the wine industry. By integrating participatory insights with rigorous analytical methods, this study offers a replicable and context-sensitive approach to measuring social sustainability and strengthening governance in agri-food systems.