STUDY OF SELECT ISSUES IN CONTEXT TO SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

Abstract

In the era of global competition, we find ourselves facing constraints imposed by a world with finite resources, increasing population, and diminishing non-renewable energy sources. The manufacturing sector has been acknowledged for its extensive use of renewable raw materials and energy. This sector is recognized as a significant contributor to pollutants giving rise to various environmental problems and health risks to communities. Traditional manufacturing system leads to the rapid depletion of natural resources, contributes to global warming, and a decline in biodiversity. However, the growth of manufacturing is essential for the improvement of societal living standards, particularly in context to developing and underdeveloped nations. The solution lies in the adoption of sustainable-centric practices within manufacturing organizations. Sustainable manufacturing is a necessary prerequisite for conserving natural resources, mitigating adverse impacts on the environment, global economy, and society. The present study has explored the status of sustainable manufacturing practices around the world through an extensive literature review using bibliometric analysis. The detailed study of the literature assists in the identification of research gaps to formulate the objectives of the study. In addition, insights about existing sustainability metrics with the inclusion of environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability have also been explored. Based on the literature, it has been found that in transitional attempts for the integration of sustainability in organizations, more emphasis is given to economic and environmental dimensions, but the social aspect is usually overlooked. In this research work, all the major factors that could induce social sustainability (SS) within the system are explored and examined through a comprehensive literature review and underlying hypothesis. The structural equation modelling (SEM) approach has been utilized in building a socially sustainable model for the business organization. The proposed formulated model, along with the factors can suitably be vii used for the assessment of social sustainability, and its adoption by different organizations in this business world. The synergy of sustainable manufacturing with Industry 4.0 technologies and circular economy practices can induce flexibility in a business organization, build up capabilities for improving sustainable performance, navigate existing sustainability challenges, and pave the way toward the United Nations' (UN)' sustainable development goals (SDGs). Based on the extant literature review on the realm of digital technologies, circular economy practices, and SDGs, hypotheses are underpinned and later validated. A quantitative questionnaire-based survey method has been used for data collection across Indian manufacturing organizations, analyzed by partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). This research study contributes various implications to researchers and practitioners for accelerating the transition from a linear economy to a sustainable economy. The current study has proposed a framework to evaluate the sustainability index of a manufacturing system. The realistic set of sustainability indicators considering all dimensions of the triple-bottom line has been explored and validated through a questionnaire survey. Furthermore, the depicted indicators are prioritized and indexed using the Delphi method and Graph Theory Matrix Approach (GTMA). Its application is illustrated in the context of an Indian manufacturing organization. This study will assist the concerned professionals in gauging their industrial sustainability performance. The novelty of this research study is to explore a realistic set of sustainability indicators that will assist industry professionals and practitioners in putting efforts on the right path for achieving sustainability in their organizations and developing necessary strategies correspondingly. The framework and sustainability indicators proposed within this study can serve as a benchmark to excel in the adoption of sustainability in manufacturing organizations with the creation of more values and satisfaction among the stakeholders, society, and viii industries while diminishing the environmental effects. The result outcomes significantly assist in achieving business sustainability and targets of Sustainable Development Goals, which are optimal units for gauging and evaluating the progress of sustainable development across all levels.