Reflective and formative constructs in the implementation of sustainable manufacturing with ‘SMEET’ framework

Abstract

Manufacturing industries adopting Sustainable Manufacturing (SM) practices can avail competitive advantage in present scenario. Though considerable research has been carried out in the field of SM it focuses on three basic domains of sustainability — Social, Economical and Environmental. A more comprehensive approach is needed for the implementation of SM. Literature review revealed that applications of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) are growing in the field of manufacturing. SEM model specification becomes crucial as the nature of relationship between constructs and observed-variables affects the results of model analysis. Thus the primary aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of reflective and formative nature of such relationship. Authors also propose a SMEET framework for SM, with five domains of ‘Social, Manufacturing, Environmental, Economical and Technology’. Further work of empirical study and analysis of data will provide wide scope for the consideration of proposed SEM model in engineering manufacturing industries.