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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 38017

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alessandra Neri

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Guest Editor

Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy
Interests: industrial sustainability; circular economy; digitalization; decarbonization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The sustainability of industry is a crucial topic in current academic, managerial, and political debates.

To foster an industrial–sustainable transition, environmental, social, and economic aspects should be addressed and integrated with daily operations. This requires the implementation of changes at a behavioral, managerial, technological, and organizational level, leading to new systems of production and consumption.

The discussion over the sustainable transition of industrial firms is not new, yet industrial firms still appear to struggle with the adoption of interventions, leading to the required changes and improved sustainability-related performance. The condition holds particularly for firms characterized by the limited awareness of and competences in sustainability and/or availability of resources, such as time, staff, and economic resources.

New elements of debate also emerged as central to fostering and supporting the industrial–sustainable transition.

First, sustainability should not be considered as a standalone issue within the industrial sector, rather it should be tackled in an integrated manner, considering other relevant paradigms and concepts, such as the circular economy, industrial symbiosis, Industry 4.0, and operations and quality management. Furthermore, the circular economy and the industrial symbiosis might present overlapping purposes and interests with the environmental aspects of sustainability, and emerging discussions focus on the considerations of social aspects. Industry 4.0 and its related digital technologies could offer strong support for the adoption of sustainable interventions in the industrial sector. As mentioned previously, operations, quality management and sustainability should not be considered as standalone aspects within industrial firms, rather they should be orchestrated in an integrated manner.

Second, the relevance of sustainability is increasingly recognized at an industrial systems level as supply chains and industrial districts, rather than a single firm. The industrial–sustainable transition should therefore be investigated by considering the implications and applications of the industrial system in which a firm operates.

This Special Issue aims to collect contributions that focus on the future of the industry, as seen from the perspective of sustainability, focusing on the implementation of a sustainable transition to the industrial sector and the possible ways to foster and tackle it in an integrated manner.

The Special Issue will include, but will not be limited to, the following topics:

Implementing sustainability in industrial firms and industrial systems (interventions; the decision-making process; barriers and drivers; performance).
Integrating sustainability in industrial firms and industrial systems (relationships, synergies and trade-offs of sustainability and other aspects, such as circular economy, industry 4.0, operations and quality management).

This Special Issue welcomes heterogeneous contributions such as: theoretical contributions proposing the advancement of current knowledge; empirical contributions understanding the current situation and suggesting and proposing guidelines for future actions; and revisions of the extant knowledge and propositions for future advancements.

Dr. Alessandra Neri
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

industrial sustainability
industrial sector
supply chain
industrial district
interventions
barriers and drivers
performance measurement
circular economy
Industry 4.0
operations and quality management

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 1625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Brazilian Circular Economy Pilot Project: Integrating Local Stakeholders’ Perception and Social Context in Industrial Symbiosis Analyses

by Emilia Faria, Cristiane Barreto, Armando Caldeira-Pires, Jorge Alfredo Cerqueira Streit and Patricia Guarnieri

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3395; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043395 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2956

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze organisations’ behaviour in the Industrial Symbiosis implementation process in the Circular Economy Pilot Project, in Brazil from the actors’ perception. We conducted an exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach to attain the research objective. The data collection involved in depth interviews with eighteen actors. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique. The study results in show a still incipient industrial symbiosis network, with few connections between industrial actors, based on bilateral exchanges of materials, water and energy. From the analysis, it was possible to identify the elements that influence the behaviour of organisations. When it comes to exogenous elements, it is clear that laws and sanctions are the ones that most determine organisational action. However, this pressure is still focused on the traditional and unidirectional model of production processes. Economic viability was identified as a primary factor for the objective elements of organisational action. Regarding the subjective elements, it was found that there was already an interaction before the project between some companies, especially those from automotive sector. With the project’s initiative, this social interaction was intensified, including between companies from different sectors. Regarding the barriers, we found the absence of governmental actions, unavailability of time and involvement of the managers to fully participate in the project, high cost of waste disposal versus the cost of investment and, discontinuity of actions. Overall, the study indicates that the project increased the institutional capacity of the region to develop industrial symbiosis, as it advanced in sharing new knowledge, promoted more significant interaction between organisations and identified business opportunities for companies. However, it appears that the project’s continuity will be conditioned to improve some aspects of the governance structure, regulatory framework and collective engagement. These results can be helpful for researchers studying this topic and managers in Brazil and other emerging countries in Latin America, as well as, policymakers involved in public policies aimed to enable the transition to a circular e more sustainable model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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22 pages, 1916 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Re-Thinking Industry 4.0 Effect on Competitive Forces: Empirical Study on Innovation

by Lucia Kohnová and Nikola Salajová

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2637; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032637 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4302

Abstract

Sustaining a competitive position on the market has become crucial in order to survive in the dynamic environment under the influence of Industry 4.0. Industrial and service sectors have been affected by new technologies, such as automation, robotization, VR, AR or Big data, and their strategies towards future innovation and focus need to be reevaluated. This requires a revision of theoretical models that assess the external environment and following opportunities and threats. Our original study of 573 Slovak companies presents an analysis of Porter’s five competitive forces in the context of innovation activities and perceived impact of Industry 4.0 on companies. The research results provide a deep insight on the relevance of company size, maturity or sector to the different perspectives of the P5F model, as well as make clear the impact of each force on company measures and activities conducted in recent years. Our findings point to the strong technology push and main focus on product innovation, while reveal a paradigm shift in perceiving the power of suppliers. Results of our study lead to practical implications and enrich the theory on the relevance of strategic analysis in current era. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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21 pages, 604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Exploratory Analysis of Sustainability Indicators in Turkish Small- and Medium-Sized Industrial Enterprises

by Ebru Saygili, Elif Uye Akcan and Yucel Ozturkoglu

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032063 - 21 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

Significant differences exist between the sustainability practices of large businesses and those of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial sector. Small- and medium-sized enterprises have restricted access to capital, resources, and experience. Most sustainable manufacturing strategies are based on indicators and evaluation models developed for large firms. This study aims to identify sustainability indicators for small- and medium-sized industrial firms. The sustainability indicators are generated from the G4-specific standard disclosures of the Global Reporting Initiative, which provide a triple-bottom-line approach. A total of 142 senior and middle sustainability-focused managers and partners participated in the survey. An exploratory factor analysis was performed in the first step, and 12 key factors were found. The Best–Worst Method (BWM) was employed in the second step to rank the criteria in order of priority. As a theoretical contribution, this study introduces human rights and economic impact on society as two additional sustainability indicators for small- and medium-sized enterprises. The two most significant aspects of sustainability for Turkish small- and medium-sized businesses are labor rights and energy saving. This study provides empirical evidence from a broad range of stakeholders for the conceptually addressed challenges of sustainability in prior studies. The results demonstrate empirically that the sustainability-based value creation for stakeholder interests, such as employees at the core of business activities, is greater in small and medium enterprises than for other stakeholders. This study’s findings will give managers a framework for establishing key sustainability indicators for allocating the limited resources of small- and medium-sized enterprises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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16 pages, 3037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shuttle-Based Storage and Retrieval Systems Designs from Multi-Objective Perspectives: Total Investment Cost, Throughput Rate and Sustainability

by Banu Y. Ekren, Berk Kaya and Melis Küçükyaşar

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010762 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2327

Abstract

This paper studies performance comparison of two shuttle-based storage and retrieval system (SBS/RS) configurations developed on flexible or non-flexible travel policies of shuttles in the system. In the non-flexible SBS/RS, a shuttle is dedicated to a tier so that it cannot travel out of its dedicated aisle and tier. A lifting mechanism is installed in each aisle to provide vertical travel for loads. In flexible SBS/RS, shuttles can travel between tiers by a separate lifting mechanism installed on the other edge point of each aisle. The advantage of that flexible design is that there might be decreased number of shuttles settling in the system compared to the non-flexible design. We simulate the two system configurations and conduct an experimental design for the comparison purpose. Based on the three-performance metrics: total investment cost, throughput rate and energy consumption per transaction, the results show that mainly the flexible system provides better results which might be considered as future system investment for SBS/RS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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31 pages, 2773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Can We Measure the Prioritization of Strategies for Transitioning to a Circular Economy at Macro Level? A New Approach

by Patricia Guarnieri, Lucio Camara e Silva, Fazli Haleem, Augusto Bianchini, Jessica Rossi, Brian Vejrum Wæhrens, Sami Farooq, Edgar Reyes, Jr., André Luiz Nascimento Reis and Barbara de Oliveira Vieira

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 680; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010680 - 30 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2525

Abstract

This paper aims to develop and validate a questionnaire to measure the prioritization of strategies to transitioning towards a circular economy and to compare different countries. We proposed a questionnaire based on a five-level ordinal scale to evaluate the 24 strategies of the circular economy under a set of ten criteria given technical issues, as well as social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability. Each strategy was defined and evaluated by the participants on the same scale, who are stakeholders involved in the transition towards a circular economy. The validation was conducted by two main procedures, including semantic validation through 17 experts from five countries and statistical validation by 347 survey respondents from 25 countries. The results show that the questionnaire seems a reliable and valid tool to analyze which circular economy strategies countries, regions and cities prioritize. Few studies have been conducted to validate instruments about the circular economy; they are focused at the micro level, (industry). Studies that validate measurement instruments regarding the circular economy at the macro level are lacking. This study is the first one to validate the circular economy instrument at the macro level. It can help researchers and practitioners from public and private sectors from a variety of organizations in proposing actions to enable the transition and create performance indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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22 pages, 3270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Calibration of UAV Flight Parameters to Inspect the Deterioration of Heritage Façades Using Orthogonal Arrays

by Alison Pérez-Portugal, Edison Atencio, Felipe Muñoz-La Rivera and Rodrigo F. Herrera

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010232 - 23 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2301

Abstract

Heritage façades are relevant to the historical preservation and identity of a city. Their deterioration can cause the devaluation of the urban environment, together with accidents caused by possible detachment of their different elements; therefore, maintaining them is crucial. It is important to have early warning systems in place, systems which would indicate potential damage and deterioration of such façades, which can be caused by factors such as humidity, earthquakes, the passage of time, or even people. This is often done through visual inspection; however, visual inspection is often affected by external factors, such as the financing of the on-site inspection and the availability of experts. Unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) are a practical and economical tool that has facilitated and improved imaging by regulating parameters such as camera angle, capture distance and image overlap, thus allowing improvements in photogrammetry techniques for virtual reconstruction processes. Although the implementation of this technology has been studied in recent years, research has focused primarily on horizontal structures, such as roads. In the case of vertical structures, flight parameters are traditionally defined by trial and error, without any methodological procedure. Therefore, this paper proposes a methodology to calibrate UAV flight parameters to build a photogrammetric 3D model of a vertical structure. This proposal is based on the development of a series of experiments configured through Taguchi orthogonal arrays, which is a method that significantly reduces the number of experiments required. This methodology is applied to a case study of a façade with architectural heritage features. The results obtained offer a flight plan and the optimal parameters to achieve efficiency in the capture of images in an inspection of heritage façades, thus achieving the optimisation of resources and time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 4536 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quintuple Helix Innovation Model for the European Union Defense Industry—An Empirical Research

by João Reis, David Pascoal Rosado, Diogo Freitas Ribeiro and Nuno Melão

Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16499; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416499 - 9 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5356

Abstract

The European defense industry is undergoing profound upheavals, and traditional innovation models may no longer be adequate. For this reason, further investigation is needed to know if the triple helix (TH) is suitable for one of the most influential industries in the world. If not suitable, it is necessary to identify which type of n-helices are appropriate. This article follows an embedded case study research strategy that uses several sources of data collection such as interviews with active-duty military personnel, scholars, the defense industry, and interagency professionals. Field notes and official documentation were also collected for corroboration and triangulation purposes. The results showed that the defense industry is increasingly globalized, leaving the national sphere and weakening the action and participation of European Union governments. This research resulted in the design of a quintuple helix innovation model for the defense industry, which was based on a TH combined with technology and the natural environment. We concluded that the traditional TH may not be adequate for the entry of new supranational players and that political contributions are subject to a further response by the European states. Scientific research is also needed, especially in Asian and American countries, which have national defense policies different from those of Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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14 pages, 1912 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Conceptual Model for Integrating Sustainable Supply Chain, Electric Vehicles, and Renewable Energy Sources

by Ankit R. Patel, Dhaval R. Vyas, Anilkumar Markana and Raja Jayaraman

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14484; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114484 - 4 Nov 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4476

Abstract

The effects of climate change can be seen immediately in ecosystems. Recent events have resulted in a commitment to the Paris Agreement for the reduction of carbon emissions by a significant amount by the year 2030. Rapid urbanisation is taking place to provide room for an increasing number of people’s residences. Increasing the size of a city and the number of people living there creates a daily need for consumable resources. In the areas of transportation, supply chains, and the utilisation of renewable energy sources, deliver on pledges that promote the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations. As a result, the supply chain needs to be handled effectively to meet the requirements of growing cities. Management of the supply chain should be in harmony with the environment; nevertheless, the question of how to manage a sustainable supply chain without having an impact on the environment is still mostly understood. The purpose of this study is to present a conceptual model that may be used to maintain a sustainable supply chain with electric vehicles in such a way that caters to both environmental concerns and human requirements. As part of the continual process of achieving sustainability, interrelationships between the various aspects that are being investigated, comprehended, and applied are provided by the model that was developed. It is self-evident that governmental and international organisations that are concerned with supply-demand side information will benefit from such a model, and these organisations will locate viable solutions in accordance with the model’s recommendations. Beneficiaries consist of individuals who are active in the supply chain and are concerned with supply-demand side information. These individuals also need to understand how to effectively manage this information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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Review

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22 pages, 2094 KiB

Open AccessReview

Benefits and Difficulties of the Implementation of Lean Construction in the Public Sector: A Systematic Review

by Emily M. Simonsen, Rodrigo F. Herrera and Edison Atencio

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6161; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076161 - 3 Apr 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4111

Abstract

Lean philosophy has shown successful results in the manufacturing industry since the eighties regarding efficiency, reducing cost and errors. However, the philosophy originated in the private sector, where the work rules are defined by business owners within the framework of some regulation. In the public sector, however, the picture is different. The way of working and carrying out operations and projects is directly defined by regulation, where the owner’s role—as in the private world—is embodied by the entire political system. This article aims to take a comprehensive look at the academic literature on how Lean has been applied in the public sector (LIPS) from a bibliometric perspective and then delve deeper into the concept of lean construction in the public sector (LCPS) through a systematic review. The results give a complete picture of the research in LIPS, revealing that research directions focus on implementing Lean, how it works in the public sector and the human factors involved in its practice and digitalization. Moreover, the advantages and challenges of LCPS have been presented, where again, the human factor is the central concern of researchers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 2067 KiB

Open AccessReview

Potential Application of Blockchain Technology in Eco-Industrial Park Development

by Siti Nor Azreen Ahmad Termizi, Sharifah Rafidah Wan Alwi, Zainuddin Abd Manan and Petar Sabev Varbanov

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010052 - 20 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2479

Abstract

The concept of an eco-industrial park (EIP) that promotes resource sharing, reutilization of waste, and exchange of materials among industries and communities brings significant benefits in terms of environmental, social, and economic aspects. EIP can be accomplished with the aid of blockchain technology to manage data and integration complexity and problem dimensionality. This work proposes the application of blockchain technology in combination with other Industry 4.0 (IR4.0) technologies as enablers for EIP development. We review the international frameworks for EIP and the IR4.0 principles and applications focusing on blockchain technology to evaluate the suitability of blockchain technology integration into the green industrial park concept. An illustrative model of a blockchain-based EIP data management platform has been proposed in this work as a starting point for exploring the full potential of this technology for future EIP applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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28 pages, 655 KiB

Open AccessReview

Implementation and Integration of Sustainability in the Water Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

by Jorge Alejandro Silva

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15919; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315919 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3223

Abstract

The changing stature of the environment and society, in general, necessitates a shift from the business-as-usual approaches to sustainable frameworks in the water industry. The industry’s reliance on conventional methods has created gaps in service delivery and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable approaches have been implemented but are yet to reap any benefits for the foreseeable future. The flailing nature of the industry has created a need for the integration of sustainable initiatives such as the circular economy and Industry 4.0 technologies. A systematic review was conducted to determine the implementation and integration of sustainability in the water industry. The examination utilized the PRISMA framework to identify the best fit articles for inclusion. A total of 48 articles were identified that explored both the concepts of implementation and integration. The findings indicate that the circular economy initiatives will close the loops through the 6R model. Furthermore, the application of Industry 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, and big data will increase the efficiency/performance of the industry. The paper has a favorable implication for society and the industry, as it recommends specific tools/interventions for sustainable water management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Industry Seen from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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