scholarly journals DEVELOPING A LEAN BENCHMARKING PROCESS TO MONITOR THE CARBON EFFICIENCY IN PRECAST CONCRETE FACTORIES—A CASE STUDY IN SINGAPORE

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wu ◽  
Josua Pienaar ◽  
Darryl O'Brien

The lean production philosophy was developed in the automobile industry and put into practice in the manufacturing industry to reduce waste, inventory and improve productivity. The lean concept has recently been introduced to the manufacturing industry to meet the challenge of sustainable development. However, it seems that the concept of sustainable development was defined too broadly for the manufacturers to guide their preferred decisions and behaviours. This research aims to narrow down the concept of sustainable development and focus on the carbon emissions that can be reduced by applying the lean concept in the precast concrete factories. The results demonstrate that the lean production philosophy can help precasters to reduce the level of carbon emissions, in terms of reducing waste and eliminating unnecessary energy consumption in multi-handling, multi-delivery, maintaining inventory and other non-value adding activities, in line with its concentration on eliminating non-value adding processes. An amount of 5.80% carbon emissions can be reduced in the production process for a specific type of precast concrete column. The lean benchmarking process provided in this study is helpful for the precasters to monitor the carbon efficiency in the precast concrete factories. In addition, the analysis provides good practice guidance when precasters are trying to reduce carbon emissions to meet guidelines from regulatory authorities.

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 938-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivangi Viral Thakker ◽  
Santosh B. Rane

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a green supplier development (GSD) process model and validate the model with a case study in Indian automobile industry. Design/methodology/approach A literature survey of peer-reviewed journal articles, survey reports and paradigmatic books with managerial impact is done for the research. The process of GSD is modeled using stage-gate approach and KPIV and KPOV of the process are determined. The process model is implemented in an Indian automobile components manufacturing industry for validation. Findings The industry implemented the model with ten suppliers and was able to successfully convert seven of them into Green suppliers. Remaining three suppliers were asked to repeat the process again or terminate the contracts. Model implementation took around three years starting from planning of resources and finances to actual development of suppliers. Research limitations/implications The model implementation was done with a small automobile industry and hence the validation and implications may be generalized by taking the case study further in different industries. It would be beneficial to test the model with case studies of large-scale industries. Practical implications The process model for implementing GSD activities will help managers in taking complex investment decisions. The stages and process inputs and outputs are clearly defined which helps the managers to successfully develop the suppliers. Originality/value This paper puts forward the process model that should be implemented for the successful development of green suppliers. It might represent new opportunities for rigorous and relevant research in the area of green supply chain.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Srijit Krishnan ◽  
Sumit Gupta ◽  
Mathiyazhagan Kaliyan ◽  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes

PurposeThe aim of this research is to assess the key enablers of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in the context of the Indian automobile industry. It is done to apprehend their comparative effect on executing I4.0 concepts and technology in manufacturing industries, in a developing country context. The progression to I4.0 grants the opportunity for manufacturers to harness the benefits of this industry generation.Design/methodology/approachThe literature related to I4.0 has been reviewed for the identification of key enablers of I4.0. The enablers were further verified by academic professionals. Additionally, key executive insights had been revealed by using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) model for the vital enablers unique to the Indian scenario. The authors have also applied MICMAC analysis to group the enablers of I4.0.FindingsThe analysis of this study’s data from respondents using ISM provided us with seven levels of enabler framework. This study adds to the existing literature on I4.0 enablers and findings highlight the specificities of the territories in India context. The results show that top management is the major enabler to I4.0 implementation. Infact, it occupies the 7th layer of the ISM framework. Subsequently, government policies enable substantial support to develop smart factories in India.Practical implicationsThe findings of this work provide implementers of I4.0 in the automobile industry in the form of a robust framework. This framework can be followed by the automobile sector in enhancing their competency in the competitive market and ultimately provide a positive outcome for the Indian economic development led by these businesses. Furthermore, this work will guide decision-makers in enabling strategic integration of I4.0, opening doors for the development of new business opportunities as well.Originality/valueThe study proposes a framework for Indian automobile industries. The automobile sector was chosen for this study as it covers a large percentage of the market share of the manufacturing industry in India. The existing literature does not address the broader picture of I4.0 and most papers do not provide validation of the data collected. This study thus addresses this research gap.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kalinowska ◽  
Anna Batorczak

AbstractThe documents adopted by the international community during the UN Conference on the Environment and Development convened in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 make clear the leading role institutions in higher education are to play in transforming contemporary civilisation in the direction of sustainable development. It is beyond dispute that higher education has a critical role to play in developing tomorrow’s decision makers, professionals and citizens. Universities can help with the accomplishment of sustainable development goals if they transform education in this direction, extend their support to interdisciplinary scientific research and ensure the appropriate evolution of the means by which they themselves are managed. However, ensuring that a higher education establishment heads in the direction of sustainability in all academic areas of activity is a difficult process requiring much effort. The article thus presents current international initiatives of the UN in this regard, as well as Higher Education initiatives, alliances and treaties in support of the process, and the objectives and activities of the network of cooperative links between universities that is now taking shape. Also the status of education for sustainable development (ESD) in higher education and existing ESD professional development opportunities for university educators is discussed. In this context, examples of good practice characterising the activity of the University Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development will serve as a case study.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oana Adriana Gica ◽  
Monica Maria Coros ◽  
Ovidiu Ioan Moisescu ◽  
Anca C. Yallop

Purpose According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism is a form of tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions, while protecting and enhancing the opportunity for the future. It aims at having a low impact upon the environment and local culture; generating income and employment; and ensuring the conservation of local ecosystems. This paper aims to examine the ways in which the development and promotion of a new tourism product based on unique rural heritage and traditions contribute to the development of sustainable tourism by relating the practices to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) 1, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 17. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on a literature review on the topic of sustainable rural tourism, this paper uses a case-study methodological approach and provides an example of a sustainable rural tourism destination from the North Western development region of Romania (Cluj County, Transylvania) to depict specific sustainable tourism practices. The study uses a comprehensive desk-research based on secondary data from key industry and academic sources. Findings The research findings show that sustainable rural tourism can greatly support the development of rural destination and makes a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the Romanian tourism industry, in general, and rural economies in particular, as shown in the case examined in the paper. Sâncraiu represents an example of sustainable tourism practices that contribute to poverty reduction (SDG1 – Target 1.A), provide decent work and ensure economic growth (SDG8 – Target 8.9), help reducing inequalities (SDG10 – Target 10.3), protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage (SDG 11 – Target 11.4), promote responsible consumption and production (SDG 21 – Target 12.b) and last but not least this destination demonstrates that development is only possible when partnerships are forged (SDG 17). Social implications This paper illustrates that fostering unique rural heritage and traditions can contribute to the sustainable development of destinations. Sustainable tourism practices contribute not only financially to a destination but also to its social infrastructures, jobs, nature conservation, adoption of new working practices and the revitalisation of passive and poor rural areas. Originality/value This paper examines and depicts sustainable rural tourism development as a transformative strategy contributing to the long-term viability of a rural destination. The research findings can be viewed as an example of good practice, which may be applicable to other geographic regions with similar contexts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1206 (1) ◽  
pp. 012022
Author(s):  
Tanmay Pati ◽  
Shruti Kabra ◽  
Utkarsh Chadha

Abstract Every manufacturing industry considers defect-free production in this competitive era. Though it is practically impossible to improve the rate of defect minimization, statistical tools can be used. In this case study, we take data from Daimler India, an automobile part manufacturing industry specialized in manufacturing OEM tools like chassis, oil filter nipple, and so on, and study how many defects are made during the day. The defect-causing process was eliminated after using statistical quality control tools such as np charts and cumulative sum charts, resulting in higher production quality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 655
Author(s):  
Donghui Lv ◽  
Ruru Wang ◽  
Yu Zhang

In September 2020, the Chinese government proposed a climate change commitment that aims to make carbon emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. In this context, it is important to examine the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions. The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and decoupling analysis are commonly used assessment methods for regional sustainable development. Each method has a particular emphasis: the former focuses on long-term trends and the latter on short-term change. Integrating the EKC hypothesis with decoupling analysis is helpful to diagnose the relationship between economic growth and the carbon emissions of the manufacturing industry from the perspective of long-term trends and short-term changes. The results showed that the EKC passed the inflection point for both China’s entire manufacturing industry and manufacture of nonmetallic mineral product subsector (MNM), but not in the other four main subsectors from 1995 to 2017. Strong decoupling, weak decoupling, and expansive coupling were observed between CO2 emissions and the value added in China’s entire manufacturing industry, in which weak decoupling accounted for the largest proportion. The decoupling index showed a downward trend on the whole. The decoupling status of subsectors from 1995 to 2017 was mainly weak decoupling, but different subsectors also showed characteristics of differentiation. At present, integrating EKC with decoupling has only occurred across the entire manufacturing industry and MNM. This study will provide suggestions for carbon reductions in China and will enrich the assessment methods of sustainable development.


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