Analyzing New Quality Productive Forces in New Energy Vehicle Companies Based on a New Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Model

Abstract

Assessing the new quality productive forces (NQPF) of new energy vehicle (NEV) companies is crucial for promoting the sustainable development of the NEV industry. This paper systematically evaluated and analyzed the NQPF of Chinese listed NEV companies from 2018 to 2022 using a novel multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model. To address limitations in traditional MCDA models, such as unbalanced weight distribution, insufficient ranking differentiation, and incomplete identification of key influencing factors, this study introduced a new model, IDOCRIW-PROBID (integrated determination of objective criteria weights—preference ranking on the basis of ideal-average distance). First, an evaluation index system tailored to NEV companies’ NQPF was developed. Then, the IDOCRIW method was used to objectively assign weights to the indicators, enhancing the scientific rigor of the weight distribution. The PROBID method was employed to rank companies based on their NQPF, identifying differences between them. Additionally, an obstacle degree model was introduced to analyze key influencing factors, compensating for the traditional MCDA model’s limitations in this regard. The results showed, first, that the proposed IDOCRIW-PROBID model has a high degree of consistency with the classical Entropy-TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) model in terms of ranking the results (correlation coefficient = 0.91), and that IDOCRIW-PROBID offers higher differentiation compared to other MCDA models, validating its reliability and superiority. Second, during the study period, the development levels of NQPF in Chinese listed NEV companies varied significantly, with most companies at a low level of development and showing a downward trend, indicating that companies face considerable challenges in improving their NQPF. Third, the obstacle degree analysis revealed that R&D lease fees, R&D depreciation and amortization, and direct R&D investment were the primary factors hindering NQPF growth. This research provides theoretical support and decision-making insights for strategic optimization in NEV companies and informs government policy formulation.