Socioenvironmental assessment and application process for IOT: A comprehensive approach

Abstract

The study outlines the development and the implementation phases of an assessment tool designed to evaluate the socioenvironmental effectiveness of the Internet of Things (IoT) in manufacturing companies and their supply chains, considering sustainability (Triple Bottom Line – TBL) and circularity (Circular Economy) principles. The assessment tool covers expectations, engagement, barriers, challenges, IoT characteristics, Performance Measurement and Management (PMM) of the company (meta-evaluation), and IoT practices. The tool is grounded in fundamental premises, including an assessment-driven management approach, integration of organizational theories, integration of sustainability into organizational strategy, incorporation of sustainability into PMM, macro-congruence, micro-congruence, alignment between organizational strategy and PMM, and alignment between technology and PMM. The tool can be used as a comprehensive survey instrument for extensive exploration within the manufacturing sector. However, for in-depth exploration, it is recommended to employ the case study methodology, following the proposed ‘four-stage assessment process'. The research methodology adheres to the PRISMA statement and Jabareen's framework. To the best of our knowledge, a dedicated assessment tool for IoT with a specific focus on sustainable manufacturing is currently unavailable. It's important to mention that the assessment tool was developed primarily through a comprehensive literature review without empirical validation. Consequently, there is a pressing need for refinement and validation, providing an avenue for future investigations to seek expert contributions and insights using the Delphi process. Moreover, subsequent studies may also include rigorous statistical tests, such as assessments of validity and reliability, to enhance the tool's robustness and accuracy.