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Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Management

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 26688

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Punjab 144411, India
Interests: biomaterial; 3D printing; surface engineering; sustainable manufacturing

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode 638060, Tamil Nadu, India
Interests: sustainable manufacturing; lubricants; ergonomics; biomaterials; computational

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Guest Editor
University Institute of Engineering & Technology Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
Interests: sustainable design and manufacturing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Growing global environmental problems, such as climate change, energy security, and resource scarcity, have accompanied the development of economic activity in recent decades. As a result, the manufacturing industry has recently exhibited a more significant interest in sustainable production and has implemented several corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Such efforts, however, fall well short of tackling these serious concerns. Furthermore, gains in efficiency in some areas have been counterbalanced by a corresponding increase in consumption and growth in other areas. GHG emissions reduction has been a primary focus of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and several countries have set long-term frameworks and targets to combat global warming in addition to the Kyoto Protocol. Surprisingly, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries' current economic crisis has enhanced public expectations for increased corporate efforts to achieve long-term development. Several nations are considering a "Green New Deal" or "green recovery" program in the present economic crisis. The public investment in environmental technologies and other sustainability projects is a key component of their stimulus packages. What is needed now is a fresh vision and policies that will allow new businesses and jobs to establish while also reducing negative environmental repercussions. Today's short-term relief packages should serve to drive investments in environmental technologies and infrastructures that enable innovative solutions and solve long-term societal concerns, thereby contributing to realizing such a goal. In this environment, sustainable manufacturing and eco-innovation are at the forefront of policy and industrial activities in this century. In recent years, these notions have gained traction among policymakers and business leaders, and they encourage business solutions and entrepreneurial ideas to address environmental concerns. Sustainable design emphasizes considering ecological and social and economic aspects while designing products and processes. Sustainable manufacturing is the fusion of sustainability and manufacturing. Design goals, functionality, competitiveness, profitability, and productivity are all factors to consider. In the future, sustainability and other environmental practices are expected to play a more significant role in manufacturing and design, which will impact the top priority for enhancing manufacturing processes and technology. Designers, manufacturers, and decision makers who practice and establish a sustainable culture in their enterprises will surely succeed, as they are essential requirements of today and tomorrow. More study and group collaborations are needed to develop and strengthen an understanding of sustainability in manufacturing and its applications.

  • Develop a framework for analysis by reviewing the ideas of sustainable manufacturing and eco-innovation.
  • Current examples from manufacturing organizations to analyze eco-innovation processes.
  • Compare the sets of indicators used by industry to achieve long-term manufacturing sustainability.
  • Existing macro-level approaches for quantifying eco-innovation.
  • National and international eco-innovation plans and policy initiatives in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries.
  • Optimizing process technologies for converting scrap into reusable raw materials.
  • Optimizing advanced manufacturing process planning and scheduling, particularly in the context of low fossil-carbon and sustainability dimensions.
  • Optimizing manufacturing systems under multiple sustainability criteria, such as economic feasibility, fossil-carbon emissions, and energy consumption.
  • Monitoring and reducing the fossil-carbon energy footprints in advanced manufacturing process planning and production scheduling.
  • Waste management: recycling and re-use.

Prof. Dr. Chander Prakash
Prof. Dr. Shankar Subramaniam
Prof. Dr. Shankar Sehgal
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sustainable design; sustainable manufacturing; eco-innovation; social responsibility; waste management; circular economy; productivity; re-manufacturing; life cycle assessment; recycling; fossil-carbon emissions; energy consumption; waste management; eco-friendly machining; renewable clean energy; sustainable construction

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 3009 KiB  
Article
Designing a Sustainability Assessment Framework for Peruvian Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises Applying the Stakeholder Theory Approach
by Luis Jesús Córdova-Aguirre and Juan Manuel Ramón-Jerónimo
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1853; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051853 - 23 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 979
Abstract
Among the main obstacles affecting the competitiveness of Peruvian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are poor strategic planning and incipient use of management control systems that support the integration of sustainable practices for the growth of the organization. Not considering sustainability in the [...] Read more.
Among the main obstacles affecting the competitiveness of Peruvian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are poor strategic planning and incipient use of management control systems that support the integration of sustainable practices for the growth of the organization. Not considering sustainability in the strategy and management control systems of Peruvian SMEs can jeopardize their stability and growth, as they are part of the supply chain of large companies that look for suppliers that comply with sustainability standards. Since manufacturing SMEs play a vital role in the economies and social welfare of countries, providing them with appropriate management tools to evaluate the sustainable performance of their activities is urgent to assure their survival. Thus, the aim of this study is to design a holistic sustainability assessment framework that enables Peruvian manufacturing SMEs to evaluate the full integration of sustainability into their business strategy and the creation of value for each stakeholder. Based on the gaps found in the literature review, a conceptual assessment framework was designed, then a multiple-case study was conducted in three Peruvian manufacturing SMEs in the plastic sector, and the data obtained were used to deploy the proposed conceptual assessment framework. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Management)
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15 pages, 5177 KiB  
Article
The Use of Pre-Wetting to Improve the Mechanical Behavior of Masonry Mortar Elaborated with Crushed Oyster Shell
by René Sebastián Mora-Ortiz, Ebelia Del Angel-Meraz, Sergio A. Díaz, Emmanuel Munguía-Balvanera, Francisco Magaña-Hernández, Justino Alavez-Ramírez, Mayra Agustina Pantoja Castro and Jazmín del Rosario Torres-Hernández
Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010199 - 25 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1014
Abstract
In this research, the use of the pre-wetting technique is proposed as an ecological alternative to reduce water absorption in waste oyster shells used in the production of masonry mortar as a partial substitute for natural sand. An experimental study was conducted to [...] Read more.
In this research, the use of the pre-wetting technique is proposed as an ecological alternative to reduce water absorption in waste oyster shells used in the production of masonry mortar as a partial substitute for natural sand. An experimental study was conducted to assess the properties in both the fresh and hardened states of masonry mortars. Two mortar groups were prepared based on a control mixture, with natural aggregate replaced by crushed oyster shell (COS) in varying proportions. In one group, the COS was pre-wetted, while in the other group, the COS was used at its natural moisture content. The experimental results demonstrated that the pre-wetting process aided in reducing the water–cement ratio (w/c) in the mortar mixture, thereby improving its properties. In both mortar groups, favorable results were observed with respect to capillary water absorption. Although the compressive strength was affected by the incorporation of COS, pre-wetted mortars with substitutions of up to 30% achieved the reference value established in this research. The pre-wetting process proves to be a straightforward and cost-effective technique; it is environmentally friendly and will contribute to decreasing the accumulation of COS in landfills, thereby safeguarding natural material reserves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Management)
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31 pages, 1566 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Corporate Resource Abundance on the Transformation and Upgrading of Manufacturing Enterprises from the Perspective of Whole Process Innovation
by Tong Tang, Chun-Ai Ma, Heng-Yu Lv and Fu-Ying Hao
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11003; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411003 - 13 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1208
Abstract
Exploiting a comparative advantage through resource endowment is a way to promote the transformation and upgrading of enterprises and high-quality economic development. Based on resource-based theory, this paper takes the listed companies of China’s manufacturing industry as a sample and classifies them into [...] Read more.
Exploiting a comparative advantage through resource endowment is a way to promote the transformation and upgrading of enterprises and high-quality economic development. Based on resource-based theory, this paper takes the listed companies of China’s manufacturing industry as a sample and classifies them into leading, potential, catching-up, and exiting enterprises according to the abundance of financial and human resources. In terms of the research perspective, this paper adopts resource abundance as the starting point to explore its impact on enterprise transformation and upgrading and incorporates technological innovation into the framework to investigate its transmission mechanism. The results indicate that the resource abundance of enterprises directly promotes the transformation and upgrading of enterprises. Notably, the mechanism identification test suggests the following. (1) From the perspective of innovation investment, innovation investment intensity is an important channel for manufacturing companies to transform and upgrade. (2) From the perspective of innovation direction, higher levels of resources allow leading enterprises to accelerate transformation and upgrading through product and process innovation. In contrast, catching-up enterprises tend to foster product innovation rather than process innovation to transform and update, while potential enterprises are likely to foster process innovation to transform and update rather than product innovation. On the other hand, the path of transformation and upgrading through product or process innovation is obstructed for the exiting enterprises. (3) From the perspective of innovation output, all but the exiting enterprises can be transformed and upgraded by increasing their innovation output. Overall, considering the impact of corporate innovation behavior, this research offers new insights into the relationship between resource abundance and transformation and upgrading, and it provides inspiration for promoting transformation and upgrading in Chinese manufacturing enterprises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Management)
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27 pages, 6290 KiB  
Article
Digital Twin of Shipbuilding Process in Shipyard 4.0
by Remigiusz Iwańkowicz and Radosław Rutkowski
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9733; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129733 - 18 Jun 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3955
Abstract
Maximum digitalization is the current trend in industrial development. The digital industrial revolution has been underway for more than a dozen years. Industry 4.0 and the idea of digital twins (DT) are becoming the focus of virtually all industrial sectors. Some sectors are [...] Read more.
Maximum digitalization is the current trend in industrial development. The digital industrial revolution has been underway for more than a dozen years. Industry 4.0 and the idea of digital twins (DT) are becoming the focus of virtually all industrial sectors. Some sectors are more predisposed to digitalization, while for others, the process is much more difficult. This mainly depends on the specific characteristics and susceptibility of a given industry, including the current degree of digitalization of companies, as well as the knowledge and mental readiness of employees. The individual characteristics of an industry are important. Shipbuilding is a traditional industry where the level of digitalization is still low. As a result, the efficiency of shipbuilding processes and the quality of ships built are not sufficiently controlled. The article addresses this problem, reviews work in the field of digitalization of shipbuilding processes, and identifies the needs and challenges in this area. The article proposes the concept of a DT system for the entire ship design and production process. Key areas of digitalization of the actual processes were defined, and a division was made into planning, monitoring, and process analysis activities. Special attention was paid to the area of dimensional quality control, and the dimensional quality management metasystem (DQMM) was introduced into the comprehensive DT system. The requirements were defined, and the limitations of the proposed solution were identified, taking into account a number of external factors, including the degree of readiness of the manufacturer—the shipyard. The developed DT system concept was tested using the example of the construction process of a simplified ship. Practical aspects of the implementation of the proposed solution, in particular, DQMM, were pointed out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Management)
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27 pages, 6179 KiB  
Article
Sensitivity Analysis for Decisive Design Parameters for Energy and Indoor Visual Performances of a Glazed Façade Office Building
by Ramkishore Singh, Dharam Buddhi, Samar Thapa, Chander Prakash, Rajesh Singh, Atul Sharma, Shane Sheoran and Kuldeep Kumar Saxena
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14163; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114163 - 30 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1873
Abstract
The large size of a glazed component allows greater access to natural light inside and a wider view of the outdoors while protecting the inside from extreme weather conditions. However, glazed components make buildings energy inefficient compared to opaque components if not designed [...] Read more.
The large size of a glazed component allows greater access to natural light inside and a wider view of the outdoors while protecting the inside from extreme weather conditions. However, glazed components make buildings energy inefficient compared to opaque components if not designed suitably, and sometimes they create glare discomforts too. In order to protect against excessive natural light and direct sunlight and for privacy, dynamic shading devices are integrated into the glazed façade. In this study, the impact of various glazing and shading design parameters has been investigated by performing uncertainty and sensitivity analyses. The uncertainty analysis indicates that the variance coefficients for the source energy use, lighting energy use, useful daylight illuminance (UDI), and shade-deployed time fraction are in the ranges of 15.04–30.47, 39.05–45.06, 40.57–49.92, and 19.35–52%, respectively. The dispersion in the energy and indoor visual performance is evident by the large variation in the source energy consumption and UDI (500–2000), which vary in the ranges of 250–450 kWh/(m2-year) and 5–90%. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis identified the window-to-wall ratio (WWR), aspect ratio (ASR), glazing type (Gt), absorptance of the wall (Aw), and shade transmittance (ST) as major influences of the parameters. Each of the identified parameters has a different proportionate impact depending on the façade orientation and performance parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Management)
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Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 2910 KiB  
Review
An Analysis of Circular Economy Deployment in Developing Nations’ Manufacturing Sector: A Systematic State-of-the-Art Review
by Rajeev Rathi, Dattatraya Balasaheb Sabale, Jiju Antony, Mahender Singh Kaswan and Raja Jayaraman
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11354; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811354 - 9 Sep 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2919
Abstract
Globalization has created a competitive environment in the manufacturing sector in terms of the quality, cost and user experience of the product. The product life cycle has shortened, which adds multiple products to production lines. This has led to adding complexity to the [...] Read more.
Globalization has created a competitive environment in the manufacturing sector in terms of the quality, cost and user experience of the product. The product life cycle has shortened, which adds multiple products to production lines. This has led to adding complexity to the input material, cost of operation and waste generation through the manufacturing system. Circular economy (CE) has a big potential to overcome the manufacturing waste and provides a competitive solution. In the present study, a systematic literature review was conducted to analyze the current state of CE in the context of India and other developing countries. The study explored the status of implementation, benefits and possible avenues for future research. The present study provides a helping hand to industry practitioners and front-line managers to understand CE benefits in their operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Management)
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36 pages, 1238 KiB  
Review
Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Forecasting Air Pollution and Human Health: A Narrative Review
by Shankar Subramaniam, Naveenkumar Raju, Abbas Ganesan, Nithyaprakash Rajavel, Maheswari Chenniappan, Chander Prakash, Alokesh Pramanik, Animesh Kumar Basak and Saurav Dixit
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 9951; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169951 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 13337
Abstract
Air pollution is a major issue all over the world because of its impacts on the environment and human beings. The present review discussed the sources and impacts of pollutants on environmental and human health and the current research status on environmental pollution [...] Read more.
Air pollution is a major issue all over the world because of its impacts on the environment and human beings. The present review discussed the sources and impacts of pollutants on environmental and human health and the current research status on environmental pollution forecasting techniques in detail; this study presents a detailed discussion of the Artificial Intelligence methodologies and Machine learning (ML) algorithms used in environmental pollution forecasting and early-warning systems; moreover, the present work emphasizes more on Artificial Intelligence techniques (particularly Hybrid models) used for forecasting various major pollutants (e.g., PM2.5, PM10, O3, CO, SO2, NO2, CO2) in detail; moreover, focus is given to AI and ML techniques in predicting chronic airway diseases and the prediction of climate changes and heat waves. The hybrid model has better performance than single AI models and it has greater accuracy in prediction and warning systems. The performance evaluation error indexes like R2, RMSE, MAE and MAPE were highlighted in this study based on the performance of various AI models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Management)
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