Sustainable Manufacturing Strategies Research Articles

SWOT-AHP Approach for Sustainable Manufacturing Strategy Selection: A Case of Indian SME

Manufacturing firms are facing growing internal and external pressures to adopt manufacturing and supply chain strategies that fulfil the expectations of various stakeholders in value chain. Literature highlights that despite positive relationship between firm performance and sustainable development strategies, manufacturing industry, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are slow to adopt sustainable practices. Researchers highlight that the inability to identify and prioritize critical factors for strategy formulation and implementation is the main reason that inhibits SMEs to accrue the sustainability-related benefits. This article presents a combination of strength, weakness, opportunities and threats analysis and analytic hierarchy process for identifying and prioritizing critical sustainable manufacturing and supply chain factors by an Indian metal recycling medium-size firm. After assigning priority rankings to the shortlisted strategies, company was able to select and deploy highly successful strategy for improving sustainable business performance.

Integrating Sustainability and Manufacturing Strategy into a Unifying Framework

The direction of current literature in addressing sustainability issues in the manufacturing sector highlights some models and approaches that are usually based on the concept of the triple-bottom line. However, as a functional unit in a manufacturing organization, the role of the manufacturing function in creating competitiveness has been outdone by the current demands of sustainability such that integrating sustainability and competitiveness remains a significant gap. This paper proposes a unifying framework in formulating a manufacturing strategy which espouses sustainability with due consideration of the manufacturing's internal and external competitive functions. The proposed framework integrates the features based on the classical theories of manufacturing strategy and the other features that must be considered to transform a firm's manufacturing strategy into a sustainable manufacturing strategy. This framework serves as a guide for decision-makers in identifying policies in various manufacturing decision areas that would comprise a sustainable manufacturing strategy. Results of recent empirical studies that are based on the models generated from the framework are reported in this paper.

Fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) approach in formulating infrastructural decisions of sustainable manufacturing strategy

This paper explores a fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) approach in identifying the content of manufacturing strategy infrastructural decisions that integrates sustainability and classical manufacturing strategy framework with firm size component. The findings are as follows: (1) firms must ensure high-quality product requirements with a make-to-order production system; (2) large firms must prioritize decentralization of functional areas but they must also provide higher systems integration of all production-related information to mobilize better communication channels; (3) large firms must employ highly skilled human resources in order to provide strong support on functional areas; and (4) small and medium enterprises must focus on product introduction to the market as a strategy priority area. The main contribution of this paper is the decision-making framework under uncertainty that holistically identifies the decisions that comprise a sustainable manufacturing strategy which may serve as guidelines in improving existing sustainable manufacturing practices or in creating new ones.

Development of a sustainable manufacturing strategy using analytic network process

This work explores the implementation of analytic network process (ANP) in developing a sustainable manufacturing strategy. Previous works fell short of addressing the need of developing a manufacturing strategy that simultaneously incorporates the demands of sustainability. Manufacturing strategy and sustainable manufacturing has been approached in the literature as two different concepts with having limited works done that holistically incorporate them. Thus, a proposed problem structure is developed that attempts to integrate these two concepts. The key aspect of the proposed framework is the explicit incorporation of stakeholders' interests in the strategy development process. Due to the number of decision components and their inherent relationships that must be simultaneously addressed in developing a sustainable manufacturing strategy, ANP is used in this work. This work is aimed at: 1) identifying the content of a sustainable manufacturing strategy that integrates sustainability and classical manufacturing strategy; 2) demonstrating the applicability of ANP in the complex manufacturing strategy formulation process. A Monte Carlo simulation is also implemented to check the robustness of the ANP results. Managerial insights and future work were also discussed.

An integrated sustainable manufacturing strategy framework using fuzzy analytic network process

An integrated sustainable manufacturing strategy framework using fuzzy analytic network process

Strategy selection for sustainable manufacturing with integrated AHP-VIKOR method under interval-valued fuzzy environment

Selection of an appropriate sustainability strategy is a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem for manufacturing organizations due to incommensurate and conflicting evaluation criteria. In addition, incomplete information and different opinions of decision makers lead to uncertainties such as interval data and fuzziness. This study proposes a hierarchal MCDM method by combining Analytical Hierarchal Process (AHP) and VlseKriterijuska Optimizacija I Komoromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methods under interval-valued fuzzy environment to deal with ranking of sustainable manufacturing strategies. Linguistic variables were used to assess the ratings of strategies and weights for selection criteria. These linguistic variables were expressed in the triangular interval-valued fuzzy sets. Using a case study of manufacturing small and medium enterprise, the final ranking of the strategies was elicited in accordance with this procedure. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the stability of the proposed final ranking. This method can be used as a decision making tool for alternative or strategy selection in other areas where uncertainties are inherent.

A proposed sustainable manufacturing strategy framework

Current approaches and initiatives that attempt to address sustainability in manufacturing lack a clear direction on providing informed decisions on key manufacturing decision areas. The challenge lies in embedding sustainability to the usual competitive orientation of manufacturing firms. Thus, this paper proposes a framework in formulating a sustainable manufacturing strategy which is grounded on sustainability without disregarding the internal and external competitive functions of manufacturing. The proposed framework attempts to integrate classical theories on manufacturing strategy and the current demands on sustainable manufacturing in an attempt to formulate a sustainable manufacturing strategy that describes two distinct functions of manufacturing – competitiveness and sustainability. The relevance of the framework lies in its capacity to be quantitatively explored using different tools, such as multi-criteria decision-making methods. Issues and relationships of different components of the framework are presented in this paper. The contribution of this work is on the integration of sustainability and manufacturing strategy into a holistic framework that highlights both the sustainability and the competitive functions of manufacturing.

A Simulation-Based Fuzzy Analytic Network Process Approach in Developing Sustainable Manufacturing Strategy

Abstract This paper adopts a probabilistic fuzzy analytic network process (PROFUZANP) approach in developing a sustainable manufacturing strategy. In this hybrid method, analytic network process handles the complexity of the problem structure under consideration, fuzzy set theory is used to describe vagueness in individual decision-making and probability theory is used to handle randomness in group decision-making. This holistic methodological approach addresses complexity and uncertainty both in individual and group decision-making which is useful in modeling group decisions such as developing a sustainable manufacturing strategy. In this work, an inclusive approach of integrating traditional manufacturing strategy concepts and sustainable manufacturing principles is proposed as a unifying decision model. The proposed decision structure adopts the hierarchical structure of manufacturing strategy and explores the presence of strategic responses and stakeholders’ interests as significant components of sustainability. Using PROFUZANP, the decision model identifies the content policies of sustainable manufacturing strategy. This content strategy is expected to address both competitiveness and sustainability of manufacturing firms. Results are reported in this paper along with insights and future work. The contribution of this work is the integration of manufacturing strategy and sustainability into a coherent decision framework that requires the use of PROFUZANP in dealing with complex and uncertain group decision-making problem.

Structural Decisions of Sustainable Manufacturing Strategy with Fuzzy Analytic Network Process FANP

This paper proposes the use of fuzzy analytic network process FANP in identifying the content of the structural decisions of manufacturing strategy that integrates sustainability and the classical ...

Structural Decisions of Sustainable Manufacturing Strategy with Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP)

This paper proposes the use of fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) in identifying the content of the structural decisions of manufacturing strategy that integrates sustainability and the classical manufacturing strategy framework, considering firm size as a relevant component in decision-making. Fuzzy set theory elucidates judgment through linguistic variables while analytic network process (ANP) handles the complexity of the decision-making brought about by subjectivity and relationships among components in the decision problem. A group of experts in manufacturing was tasked to elicit judgment in pairwise comparisons following in the methodology of the ANP. Results also show that structural decisions that support sustainability integrate backward supply chain. This supports existing approaches particularly on sustainable supply chain and green purchasing. The contribution of this work lies in adopting a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework that identifies the content of the structural decisions of a sustainable manufacturing strategy.

A Sustainable Manufacturing Strategy from Different Strategic Responses under Uncertainty

This paper presents a decision framework that highlights the integration of manufacturing strategy (MS) and sustainability along with strategic responses as a significant component. This integration raises complexity and uncertainty in decision-making following the number of subjective components with their inherent relationships that must be brought into context and the huge amount of required information in eliciting judgments. Thus, a proposed hybrid multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach in the form of an integrated probabilistic fuzzy analytic network process (PROFUZANP) is adopted in this work. In this method, analytic network process (ANP) serves as the main framework in identifying policy options of manufacturing strategy. Fuzzy set theory (FST) is used to describe vagueness in decision-making which is carried out by eliciting judgments in pairwise comparisons using linguistic variables with corresponding triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs). Probability theory is used to handle randomness in aggregating judgments of multiple decision-makers. Results show that a stakeholder-oriented approach is considered the most relevant strategic response in developing a sustainable manufacturing strategy. The contribution of this work lies in identifying the policies which constitute a sustainable manufacturing strategy using an integrated MCDM approach under uncertainty.

Modelling, assessment and deployment of strategies for ensuring sustainable shielded metal arc welding process – a case study

The welding process is viewed as an environmentally vulnerable due to its energy intensive nature, human hazards and environmental burden. But, the deployment of sustainable manufacturing strategies (SMSs) can improve the sustainability of the welding processes. In this study, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process is considered as a candidate process for which the influence of implementing SMSs on sustainable performance was studied. Using the graph theory approach, interdependence among the Sustainable Manufacturing Measures (SMMs) was modelled to assess the SMSs. Based on the study, two SMSs, namely, employee skill training and involvement program, and waste minimization and disposal strategies were resorted to. The waste minimization and disposal strategy resulted in improved environmental performance and conservation of materials. Based on the findings, manufacturing organizations will be motivated to initiate sustainable manufacturing practices in their processes. This study also appreciates the application of modelling approach in sustainability studies from an economic point of view. Further, the study extends the scope of welding research to sustainable process optimization and redesigning.

Sustainable Manufacturing Strategies: A Literature Review on Additive Manufacturing Approach

This article aims to provide a literature review regarding sustainability in additive manufacturing. The purpose is to understand the literature main structure concerning sustainability in additive manufacturing in order to identify the field's key challenges. The article employees a systematic literature review on the main topics of sustainability in additive manufacturing. Data were collected in one of the main data bases considering the journal impact factor reports. Articles on the subject were searched and retrieved, and a content analysis was carried out. An evaluation of the challenges in this field was also performed. Additive manufacturing potentially impacts the productive process sustainability in various manners. Several are the research challenges in this field of studies. The literature on sustainability in manufacture presents numerous indicators. However, the literature on sustainability in additive manufacture lacks quantitative research to evaluate these proposed indicators. It is necessary to perform quantitative research in order to evaluate the adequacy of additive manufacturing. This literature review shows multiple additive manufacture impacts on sustainability. Promising studies point out some of these impacts, although there are still some sustainability research gaps on additive manufacturing. This article presents some of these gaps thus allowing researchers to identify research opportunities.

Recent Developments in Green Composites based on Plant Fibers-Preparation, Structure Property Studies

Recognizing the effects of dwindling natural feed stocks of energy and synthetic materials, their high costs along with the resulting effects by their use on the environment and emission of greenhouse gases into the environment, greater thrust has been placed on the use of eco friendly and energy saving biomaterials and processes. These efforts have led to a new approach to the development of new materials, products and processes along with the implementation of sustainable manufacturing strategies. Such strategies would help in optimizing the total material cycle from virgin material up to finished products. These also include utilization of wastes generated whereby ultimate disposal of wastes is achieved. Such efforts will have great impact on the world economy and improvement of quality of life. Considering the above and the abundantly available, but underutilized biomaterial resources, several attempts have been made all over the world giving excellent opportunities for scientists to discover methods for their better utilization. This paper discusses some of the recent research efforts made, including the author’s involvement in these, to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable ‘green’ composites based on plant fibers with details on their processing matrix-reinforcement combinations, morphology and properties. These materials have found use in automotive, construction, packaging, medical and other sectors.

Minimization of the Energy Consumption in Motion Planning for Single-robot Tasks

Recently, the importance of sustainable manufacturing has been widely discussed. The optimization of energy consumption in product manufacture has been deeply analyzed, mainly focusing on the energy directly absorbed by the manufacturing process. On the contrary, this paper focuses on the analysis and optimization of the energy consumption related to auxiliary robotic assembly processes, contributing to the identification of sustainable manufacturing strategies for pick and place robots. It proposes a methodology for the automatic generation of robot trajectories and the sequencing of the robot task, while minimizing the energy consumption. A probabilistic roadmap is created to identify a collision-free and minimum energy consumption trajectory for each couple of feasible tasks. Trajectory power consumption is evaluated exploiting dynamic information coming from the real robot motion planner using a model that takes into account the energy behavior of motors and drives and their operative conditions. A set of generated trajectories is selected, defining the task sequence and minimizing the robot cycle time. The differences between the results deriving by employment of the energy consumption minimization criterion versus time minimization criterion are presented through a simplified case.

Learning Factories for Sustainable Manufacturing - A Generic Design Approach

A learning factory is a learning environment that promotes the competent development of people. Highly qualified employees are a basic prerequisite for competitive and future-oriented production. Therefore, companies and universities increasingly tend to develop and operate learning factories. So far, existing learning factories are mainly used to mediate subjects as energy- and lean-management. In addition to these topics, it becomes increasingly important for many companies to sustainably produce now and in the future. However this topic is rarely taught in learning factories. This paper presents a concept of how companies and universities can qualify people in learning factories for the new challenges arising from a sustainable manufacturing strategy. For this, content and methods will be identified which affect the three dimensions of sustainability. Secondly, the feasibility to apply these contents and methods in a learning factory is assessed.

Energy KPI’s, Challenges for Sustainable Manufacturing Strategies, Analysis of Existing Rules and Indicators in an Industrial Environment in Relation to the Establishment of Energy Benchmark

As this paper demonstrates, benchmarking is a powerful concept for increasing a company's success. It visualizes the differences in performance through internal or external indicators and is applied in almost all corporate divisions successfully. An important part of the benchmarking process is the selection of indicators that allow for a significant comparison. The requirements linked to the indicators are derived from the objectives of the specific benchmarking project. The use of benchmarking with respect to energy efficiency in product manufacturing promises a transparent presentation of performance differences and the possibility to derive optimization potentials - provided that appropriate energy figures can be found. The future challenge is to develop a system with standardized billing and key energy indicators that enable a cross-comparison of the energy efficiency in the production. This project is described in the research project E|Benchmark, part of the research network Green Factory Bavaria and funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Science, Education and Arts.

Sustainable Value Stream Mapping (Sus-VSM): methodology to visualize and assess manufacturing sustainability performance

Sustainable manufacturing, which involves the use of sustainable processes and systems to produce more sustainable products, is becoming increasingly important. One natural starting point for innovation and developing better strategies for sustainable manufacturing is to examine currently used best practices and how they can be adapted to meet the sustainability requirements. Lean manufacturing practices are being increasingly assessed and used as a catalyst to develop better strategies for green and sustainable manufacturing. In this regard, the potential of extending Value Stream Mapping, an important technique used in lean manufacturing to identify environmental and societal impacts/waste has received attention. A vast majority of these efforts have focused on adding energy-related metrics to Value Stream Maps while several other studies refer to ‘sustainable’ Value Stream Mapping, but limit emphasis to only environmental performance; the societal sustainability assessment as well as visualization methods to present the information in Value Stream Mapping are not addressed. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology to develop Sustainable Value Stream Mapping by identifying suitable metrics and methods to visually present them. The approach is validated through the application to an industry case study and opportunities for further improvement are discussed.

Resource Conservative Manufacturing: an essential change in business and technology paradigm for sustainable manufacturing

For sustainability of our future societies we need sustainable manufacturing strategies with resource and environment conservation as their integral part. In this perspective closed-loop supply chains are considered as the most feasible solution. However, their implementation within the paradigm of prevailing open-loop product systems seems extremely complicated and practically infeasible. This paper argues for a radical shift in thinking on the closed-loop systems and presents the novel concept of Resource Conservative Manufacturing (ResCoM). The ResCoM concept considers the conservation of energy, material and value added with waste prevention and environment protection as integrated components of the product design and development strategy. It also presents the innovative idea of products with multiple lifecycles where several lifecycles of predefined duration are determined already at the product design stage thus demanding for new design strategies and methodologies. To succeed with this concept ResCoM advocates for new approach to supply chain design and business models as well, where the customers are integral part of manufacturing enterprises and the product design is effectively connected with the supply chain design. This work concludes that the products, supply chains and the business models developed for open-loop product systems are unable to cope with the dynamics of closed-loop systems. The uncertainties associated with product returns are inherent to the conventional concept of lifecycle and closed-loop systems. The ResCoM concept has much better capability in dealing with these uncertainties while developing sustainable closed-loop systems. The presented work outlines and discusses the conceptual framework of ResCoM. A comprehensive work on the strategic and tactical issues in the implementation of the ResCoM concept will follow.

Sustainable distributed biodiesel manufacturing under uncertainty: An interval-parameter-programming-based approach

Biodiesel, a clean-burning alternative fuel, can be produced using different types of feedstock and processing technologies. However, how to strategically plan for sustainable biodiesel manufacturing in large geographical region is very challenging, mainly because of technical/non-technical complexity, economic, various environmental and social concerns, and data and information uncertainty. In this paper, we introduce an interval-parameter-programming (IPP)-based strategic planning methodology. By this methodology, the sustainability performance of biodiesel manufacturing technologies and processes can be assessed systematically, and the IPP-based optimization can then generate optimal strategies for sustainable distributed biodiesel manufacturing under uncertainty. The efficacy of the introduced methodology is demonstrated by a sophisticated case study.