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New Frontiers in Production Engineering
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New Frontiers in Production Engineering

A topical collection in Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This collection belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

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Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Editors

Prof. José Carlos Sá

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, ISEP—School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: industrial management; lean; six-sigma; processes improvement; safety; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francisco J. G. Silva

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, ISEP–School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Interests: tribology; coatings; manufacturing processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Gilberto Santos

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Design School, Polytechnic Institute of Cavado and Ave, 4750-810 Barcelos, Portugal
Interests: innovation; innovative technologies; patents; quality management; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Luís Pinto Ferreira

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, ISEP – School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: industrial simulation; manufacturing; industry 4.0
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is increasingly present in our daily lives. Industry has been one of the main generators of pollution and greenhouse gases, which have led to the situation we are currently facing. Effective efforts are needed to improve production systems in order to minimise their environmental and social impact, without forgetting the economic factor. Tools from various sectors have converged in order to improve this situation. Many tools that promote the reduction in natural resources and their reuse and recovery are tools that also create better conditions for competitiveness.

Smart manufacturing represents the implementation of Industry 4.0 on the manufacturing floor and has the potential to revolutionize the efficiency and responsiveness of production systems. The Internet of Things (IoT), big data, machine learning, cyberphysical systems, virtual/augmented reality, additive manufacturing, and robotics are some of the key disruptive technologies of this revolution, which also converge in aiming to improve safety and ergonomics at work, reduce the consumption of natural resources, and integrate information from various systems, significantly improving competitiveness, quality, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Lean-green manufacturing combines lean practices focused on customers’ demand, and green practices focused on reducing the manufacturing environmental impact. Lean and Six-Sigma promotes better safety conditions and eliminates waste in terms of materials and other natural resources, such as energy. In fact, methodologies such as DMAIC and DMADV also promote continuous improvement, from the product design stage to the various iterations aimed at improving its quality and manufacturing process toward value creation and, simultaneously, sustainability.

The Physical Internet is the new supply chain and logistics paradigm, supported on I4.0 technologies, aiming to improve economic, environmental, and societal efficiency and sustainability.

This Special Issue intends to collect and disseminate cutting-edge research with very high quality that is able to bring new insights into how Industry 4.0 can contribute to a more sustainable production environment. The Special Issue also intends to collect practical insights through highly relevant case studies able to bring new ideas to scholars and industry able to effectively reduce concerns about sustainability, environmental impacts, safety, and quality, maintaining competitiveness. Disseminating these cutting-edge studies, this Special Issue intends to extend the previous knowledge in deeply researched items, such as Lean and Six-Sigma, regarding the new paradigms of Industry 4.0, making the corresponding linkage to sustainable production.

Thus, this Special Issue on “New Frontiers in Production Engineering” aims to collect and disseminate cutting-edge research applied to industrial processes and systems with the main focus in Industry 4.0, or smart manufacturing, in Sustainability. The scope of this Special Issue covers but is not limited to the following topics:

  • Lean Production and Industry 4.0
  • Six-Sigma in Industry 4.0
  • Quality in Industry 4.0
  • Safety in Industry 4.0
  • Sustainability in manufacturing
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle, recover
  • Lean-green
  • Cleaner production
  • Green automation
  • Energy saving
  • Sustainable smart manufacturing
  • Sustainable maintenance
  • Maintenance in Industry 4.0
  • Logistics in Industry 4.0
  • Manufacturing simulation and optimization
  • Process digitalization
  • Circular Economy
  • Integrated management systems
  • Innovation
  • Value creation
  • Simulation in Industry 4.0
  • Physical Internet
  • Education for Sustainability/Education 4.0

Prof. Dr. José Carlos Sá
Prof. Dr. Francisco J. G. Silva
Prof. Dr. Gilberto Santos
Prof. Dr. Luís Pinto Ferreira
Collection Editors

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 collection 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

  • manufacturing
  • smart manufacturing
  • automated production
  • Industry 4.0
  • lean
  • green
  • cleaner production
  • lean safety
  • sustainability
  • logistics
  • sustainable maintenance
  • safety
  • Six-Sigma
  • quality
  • innovation
  • value creation
  • manufacturing simulation

Published Papers (16 papers)

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2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021

36 pages, 10322 KiB  
Article
Sustainability in Project Management: PM2 versus PRiSMTM
by Patrícia Marques, Paulo Sousa and Anabela Tereso
Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15917; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215917 - 14 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3788
Abstract
This paper makes a theoretical contribution by exploring the integration of sustainability principles into project management. It compares two recent methodologies, PM2 and PRiSMTM, and provides a practical contribution by advocating for the adoption of these sustainability-driven practices among practitioners. [...] Read more.
This paper makes a theoretical contribution by exploring the integration of sustainability principles into project management. It compares two recent methodologies, PM2 and PRiSMTM, and provides a practical contribution by advocating for the adoption of these sustainability-driven practices among practitioners. Sustainability remains relatively unknown in the realm of project management, and this study aims to bridge that gap. This study follows an interpretivist philosophy and employs a combination of interviews and archival data analysis. PM2, created by the European Commission, provides a project management methodology free to organizations and includes best practices from other bodies of knowledge. However, it does not include sustainability because it aims to be generic. PRiSMTM, based on the P5™, aims to make the project management process more sustainable. PRiSMTM has a P5 Impact Analysis and Sustainability Management Plan as its main differentiating deliverables and is an extension of the Triple Bottom Line, also including product and process. The PM2 Alliance CEO believes that PM2 aims to be generic, so a focus on sustainability would remove the methodology’s “elasticity”. However, users wishing to use PM2 and consider sustainability can include it in the additional objectives and use PRiSMTM to differentiate deliverables. Full article
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30 pages, 1903 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Tasks and Skills of Workers, Middle and Top Managers in the Industry 4.0 Context
by Diamantino Torres, Carina Pimentel and João C. O. Matias
Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6981; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086981 - 21 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1908
Abstract
This study intends to make a characterization of the main tasks and skills needed to face the Industry 4.0. Moreover, it gives special attention to the different company’s hierarchical levels. To achieve the goals of this paper, a methodology based on Collaborative Decision [...] Read more.
This study intends to make a characterization of the main tasks and skills needed to face the Industry 4.0. Moreover, it gives special attention to the different company’s hierarchical levels. To achieve the goals of this paper, a methodology based on Collaborative Decision Making method was used. Firstly, thirty participants were interviewed to understand their point of views. Next, they were split into Group Works to refine the results. Finally, a Group Concordance took place to create the final list of tasks and skills. The skills were organized into four categories: Technical, Social, Methodological and Personal. The results show different requirements in each level. In the Workers level, due to the presence of more technical tasks, eight of the top ten skills belong to the Technical category. In the Middle Managers level, there are tasks of both leading and analyzing nature and thus the top ten skills needed are split through the four categories. Finally, in the Top Managers level, due to the presence of mainly strategy tasks, the top ten skills are split between the Methodological and Social categories. To the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to use a Collaborative Decision Making methodology to develop a set of tasks and skills that future work environments will demand on the different hierarchical levels of the organization. Full article
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16 pages, 954 KiB  
Article
Modeling Environmentally Conscious Purchase Behavior: Examining the Role of Ethical Obligation and Green Self-Identity
by Rakesh Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Rubee Singh, José Carlos Sá, Sandro Carvalho and Gilberto Santos
Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6426; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086426 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5236
Abstract
Due to environmental degradation, using environment-friendly products has become necessary to reduce carbon emissions. However, the consumption of such products is still below expectations because these products are usually costlier than their traditional counterparts. The current study aims to investigate consumer behavior towards [...] Read more.
Due to environmental degradation, using environment-friendly products has become necessary to reduce carbon emissions. However, the consumption of such products is still below expectations because these products are usually costlier than their traditional counterparts. The current study aims to investigate consumer behavior towards environment-friendly products using Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior as a theoretical model. The study seeks to examine the role of the key determinates of environmentally conscious purchase behavior, such as ethical obligation and green self-identity. A total of 386 responses were collected from consumers living in a few major cities of northern India using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in Amos 22.0. The results demonstrated that attitudes towards environment-friendly products perceived behavioral control and green self-identity as the major determinants of green purchase intentions. In addition, attitude was reported to mediate the effect of ethical obligation on green purchase intentions and green self-identity was found to moderate the effect of attitude on green purchase intentions. Additionally, green self-identity was also reported to moderate the relationship between ethical obligation and attitude. The study adds value to the existing literature by signifying the role of green self-identity and ethical obligation in stimulating consumers’ green purchase intentions. The findings of the study are also meaningful for marketers and policymakers. Full article
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17 pages, 652 KiB  
Article
Knowledge Management and Total Quality Management Impact on Employee Effectiveness in Emerging Industries: Case of Tunisian Small and Medium Enterprises
by Fatma Lehyani, Alaeddine Zouari, Ahmed Ghorbel, Michel Tollenaere and José Carlos Sá
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 3872; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15053872 - 21 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4240
Abstract
Employee effectiveness is highly important for all economic activities. Several factors can affect its degree, either positively or negatively. In this vein, this work aims to examine the impact of knowledge management and total quality management on employee effectiveness in the industry of [...] Read more.
Employee effectiveness is highly important for all economic activities. Several factors can affect its degree, either positively or negatively. In this vein, this work aims to examine the impact of knowledge management and total quality management on employee effectiveness in the industry of emerging countries. For that, Tunisian small and medium enterprises were taken as an example. The proposed methodology consists first of providing a research model linking the correlation between knowledge management elements, total quality management practices, and employee effectiveness. Then, a survey was designed and broadcast to more than 3000 Tunisian small and medium enterprises. Hence, 206 responses were collected from several industrial fields, and collected data analysis was achieved by SPSS software. For testing research hypotheses, multiple regression analysis, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were employed. The finding points out that total quality management and knowledge management have a positive impact on staff effectiveness. This impact is highlighted through the roles of knowledge management elements and total quality management practices on human resources behavior and their ability enhancement. Consequently, a significant increase in productivity can be seen in the operational processes of the company. This work is one of the first studies to research total quality management and knowledge management impact on staff effectiveness in Tunisian small and medium enterprises. Besides, it reflects the maturity and the awareness of respondent companies’ managers to the practice of these concepts in emerging economies. Full article
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20 pages, 3933 KiB  
Article
Impact of Management and Reverse Logistics on Recycling in a War Scenario
by Nuno Pereira, José Antunes and Luís Barreto
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3835; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043835 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3533
Abstract
Nowadays organizations search to maximize their profits, particularly with regard to recyclable materials, making new strategies according to several emerging and changing scenarios. Logistics management is an important tool in achieving these goals, serving as a link between the market and the various [...] Read more.
Nowadays organizations search to maximize their profits, particularly with regard to recyclable materials, making new strategies according to several emerging and changing scenarios. Logistics management is an important tool in achieving these goals, serving as a link between the market and the various areas of an organization. It is responsible for managing physical and organizational flows, both within and between organizations. Reverse logistics management of waste is one of the most complex areas in any organization, due to the financial effort needed in the separation and management of all waste, and due to the human resources allocated to those processes. The supply chain management paradigm, due to the emerging conflicts caused by war inducing extreme changes, shows that supply chains have massive difficulties and costs in obtaining raw materials, namely ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Thus, it is important to study the impact of management and reverse logistics on recycling in a “War” scenario, considering a case study from the Alto Minho region. This article’s research has the objective to raise awareness of the possible impacts of improving operations in the context of the recovery and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment through the concept of reverse logistics management. The importance of the recovery of this waste, among others, will necessarily have a great impact on logistics operation and, in particular, reverse logistics. This process includes the collection, separation, storage, reprocessing and reintroduction of electronic waste into the production chains of raw materials and components. With the crisis in production and shortages of semiconductors and raw materials, as is the case with some metals from Russia and Ukraine (exponentially aggravated by the war), this is a credible alternative. This is also relevant to the treatment of waste in landfills, transforming and converting these into biogas, which can be converted into electricity and introduced into the energy network. With this situation we obtain a triple benefit: cheaper electricity, waste treatment, and protection of future generations and the reintroduction of raw materials into production chains; these results are only possible to obtain through reverse logistics management concepts. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021

22 pages, 712 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Industry 4.0 on the Medical Device Regulatory Product Life Cycle Compliance
by Olivia McDermott, Ida Foley, Jiju Antony, Michael Sony and Mary Butler
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14650; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114650 - 7 Nov 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4690
Abstract
The fourth industrial revolution, also referred to as Industry 4.0, has resulted in many changes within the MedTech Industry. The MedTech industry is changing from interconnected manufacturing systems using cyber-physical systems to digital health technologies. The purpose of the study is to establish [...] Read more.
The fourth industrial revolution, also referred to as Industry 4.0, has resulted in many changes within the MedTech Industry. The MedTech industry is changing from interconnected manufacturing systems using cyber-physical systems to digital health technologies. The purpose of the study is to establish how Industry 4.0 can understand the impact Industry 4.0 is having on product lifecycle regulatory compliance and determine the effect Industry 4.0 is having on product lifecycle regulatory compliance. A qualitative research approach was utilised to gather data from the MedTech industry by conducting interviews with Medtech industry leaders. This research demonstrates that Industry 4.0 is easing product lifecycle regulatory compliance and that the impact is more positive than negative. Industry 4.0 offers many benefits to the MedTech Industry. This research will support organisations in demonstrating how digital technologies can positively impact product lifecycle regulatory compliance and support the industry in building a business case for future implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies. Full article
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21 pages, 852 KiB  
Review
Digitalization as an Enabler to SMEs Implementing Lean-Green? A Systematic Review through the Topic Modelling Approach
by Geandra Alves Queiroz, Paulo Nocera Alves Junior and Isotilia Costa Melo
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14089; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114089 - 28 Oct 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4137
Abstract
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a fundamental role in the global economy. However, SMEs usually have different characteristics from larger enterprises, e.g., essential resource restrictions, lower performance, and higher environmental impacts. This requires them to search for strategies to be more competitive [...] Read more.
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a fundamental role in the global economy. However, SMEs usually have different characteristics from larger enterprises, e.g., essential resource restrictions, lower performance, and higher environmental impacts. This requires them to search for strategies to be more competitive and sustainable. A possible solution relies on introducing Lean-Green practices. Previous research indicated that digitalization could be an enabler of Lean. Lean can also help to achieve increased environmental performance using the Lean-Green approach. In this study, this important yet under-studied area is investigated as we consider digitalization as an enabler for implementing lean in SMEs, with a focus on Lean-Green practices. A systematic literature review is executed, following a new framework based on topic modelling for extracting the papers. The topic modelling is executed through latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) which is a machine learning technique. In methodological means, this paper represents an example of the frontier of digitalization for research activities. Regarding the investigated focus, the main findings revealed that digitalization is an enabler to Lean and to Lean-Green. As digitalization supports information sharing, it consequently fosters performance measurement systems, improvements, and value chain integration. Full article
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16 pages, 309 KiB  
Article
Fostering Innovative SMEs in a Developing Country: The ALI Program Experience
by Bruno Francisco Diniz Marinho and Isotilia Costa Melo
Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13344; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013344 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2592
Abstract
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an essential economic role through income and employment generation as well as reducing inequalities. In this regard, continuous innovation is a pillar for guaranteeing SMEs’ survival worldwide. In Brazil, the ALI Program (Portuguese acronym for Local Innovation [...] Read more.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an essential economic role through income and employment generation as well as reducing inequalities. In this regard, continuous innovation is a pillar for guaranteeing SMEs’ survival worldwide. In Brazil, the ALI Program (Portuguese acronym for Local Innovation Agent) trains groups of SMEs to implement a continuous innovation process based on agile methodologies. This paper applied focus group methodology to investigate whether, after participating in the program, SMEs practice some innovation processes in their business and the difficulties perceived by entrepreneurs in incorporating innovation processes into their ventures. Based on the extant literature and on the focus group, it was observed that SMEs see innovation as a risk, fear innovating because of tradition, family, and/or generational context, and do not see innovation as a process suitable to be systematized with agile tools. In addition, factors such as the age of the SMEs’ leaders, the age of the SMEs, the gender of the SMEs’ leaders, and the nature of the SMEs (family business or not) may affect their openness to innovation. Recommendations are stated for practitioners (such as ALIs) to improve their training quality, policymakers to improve and create similar programs, and researchers interested in future research directions. Full article
23 pages, 5904 KiB  
Article
Increasing the Sustainability of Manufacturing Processes in Plastic Injection: Recovering Out-Of-Service Robots to Eliminate Manual Assembly Operations
by Rúben Costa, Vitor Sousa, Francisco J. G. Silva, Raul Campilho, José C. Sá, Arnaldo Pinto and João Pereira
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12300; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912300 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1949
Abstract
In the 20th century, there was a burst concerning the development of the automobile industry, which has become an essential asset for society. With its evolution, this industry created a foundation that based its competitiveness on satisfying people’s needs with the highest possible [...] Read more.
In the 20th century, there was a burst concerning the development of the automobile industry, which has become an essential asset for society. With its evolution, this industry created a foundation that based its competitiveness on satisfying people’s needs with the highest possible quality and always respecting the delivery deadlines. With the growth in demand, the improvement of certain processes was needed to achieve the desired production goals, accomplished through automation and robotics, as production and assembly lines increasingly used fully automated processes. In plastic injection lines, production is constant and carried out quickly, so it is desirable to perform component assembly steps that immediately support the output of the injection mould parts. This work consists of adapting an obsolete robotic cell to be implemented in one of the production lines to insert components into the injected parts, replacing labour work. Through a mechanical project and an automation design, the equipment was concluded and is currently in production, fulfilling the necessary requirements and improving the process’ cycle time. This proves that it is possible to recover old equipment, which is able to improve current tasks and common needs in modern industry, increasing the economic sustainability of the processes and saving resources. Full article
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19 pages, 5557 KiB  
Article
Lean Six Sigma with Value Stream Mapping in Industry 4.0 for Human-Centered Workstation Design
by Fu-Kwun Wang, Benedictus Rahardjo and Pol Rifa Rovira
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11020; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711020 - 3 Sep 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 8279
Abstract
Many industries have successfully implemented the define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) method of Lean Six Sigma to improve their production activities. Value stream mapping (VSM) for Industry 4.0 allows us to understand the current state of operations in order to plan future improvements. In this study, [...] Read more.
Many industries have successfully implemented the define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) method of Lean Six Sigma to improve their production activities. Value stream mapping (VSM) for Industry 4.0 allows us to understand the current state of operations in order to plan future improvements. In this study, we propose an improvement model based on DMAIC with VSM 4.0 for a truck cooler manufacturer to improve the picking workstation design with a human-centered approach. We use the DMAIC method to analyze the project step by step. After identifying the root cause, we identified countermeasures to improve the productivity. To reduce human error, the project team adopted a human-centered approach and applied lean tools, such as visual management, error prevention, and waste analysis. As a result of this case study, the yield rate was improved from 98% to 100%, and the direct savings of the project amounted to EUR 3180, mainly due to the freeing up of space. A human-centered LSS framework is also presented as a novel contribution of this study. Full article
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28 pages, 2930 KiB  
Article
The Development of an Excellence Model Integrating the Shingo Model and Sustainability
by José Carlos Sá, Manuel Reis, José Dinis-Carvalho, Francisco J. G. Silva, Gilberto Santos, Luis P. Ferreira and Vanda Lima
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9472; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159472 - 2 Aug 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5331
Abstract
Companies are continuously looking to improve their production systems using excellence models, with lean thinking, the Shingo model, six sigma and lean six sigma being the most comprehensive and applied. It is expected that the initial focus for the survival of companies is [...] Read more.
Companies are continuously looking to improve their production systems using excellence models, with lean thinking, the Shingo model, six sigma and lean six sigma being the most comprehensive and applied. It is expected that the initial focus for the survival of companies is their economic profitability, but when economic needs are met, the next step is to achieve operational excellence. For this, in addition to economic objectives, it is necessary to include social and environmental objectives, i.e., the other two pillars of sustainability. This study aims to propose a conceptual model identifying the tools that can help achieve the desired results in the three pillars of sustainability aligned with operational excellence. The design of the conceptual model was based on a bibliometric analysis of the literature that relates the concepts of lean thinking, six sigma, lean six sigma and the Shingo model. The Web of Science was the platform selected for the collection of data, and the timeframe considered was 2010 to 2021. A total of 125 articles were analyzed using the VosViewer software, through which it was possible to analyze different topics of study related to the literature. The bibliometric analysis allowed for the identification of the temporal distribution of publications, the categorization of topics, different areas of application and the importance of the tools used in different practical cases. This study points out that companies have at their disposal several tools to achieve economic objectives. On the other hand, there is a set of more restricted tools that are used to meet the objectives of the social and environmental pillars. Future research should focus on identifying tools that meet social and environmental goals in order to strengthen these pillars that are essential for operational excellence and for the sustainability of companies. Full article
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19 pages, 338 KiB  
Article
The Importance of Fab Labs in the Development of New Products toward Mass Customization
by Sérgio Carqueijó, Delfina Ramos, Joaquim Gonçalves, Sandro Carvalho, Federica Murmura, Laura Bravi, Manuel Doiro, Gilberto Santos and Kristína Zgodavová
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8671; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148671 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2149
Abstract
The idea of developing Fab Labs (Fabrication Laboratories) was originated by Neil Gershenfeld of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Bits and Atoms in 2006, where it signaled the start of a new era that is changing the world economy by [...] Read more.
The idea of developing Fab Labs (Fabrication Laboratories) was originated by Neil Gershenfeld of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Bits and Atoms in 2006, where it signaled the start of a new era that is changing the world economy by breaking down the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds. The Portuguese Fab Labs are analyzed and a subsequent comparison with others European countries and in the USA was made. This comparison is based on aspects of the profile, the knowledge, the services, and the users. The survey was made by questionnaire, where the Portuguese version of it was adapted from another one disseminated at European level and in the USA, created in connection with a doctoral thesis in Italy. There are 25 active Fab Labs in Portugal, of which 16 responses were obtained and considered valid, so they represent the sample of our study. The results show that the Portuguese Fab Labs are in an embryonic phase with few associated or registered users. Portuguese Fab Labs have areas of work and investment capacity in machinery and technology similar to those of other European countries. However, in terms of turnover, there is a big difference between Portugal and some of the European countries, with American Fab Labs having completely different realities from the European ones. This work is relevant because it compares the Fab Labs of developed countries with those of Portugal. To overcome the difference in good practices existing in other countries, the Portuguese Fab Labs need: (1) better publicity, as well as more support for volunteer workers at Fab Labs, so that more ideas will appear and therefore more products; (2) the facilitation of the use of Fab Labs to have more volunteer workers, who must receive experimental courses, in order to make the best use of the available equipment; (3) evolution, from the current subtractive manufacturing to the additive manufacturing looking for innovation; (4) improved quality, ergonomics, and safety in the design of their own products; (5) and on the part of those responsible, therecognition, dissemination, and celebration of the best ideas that have turned into good products, in order to spread good practices. Full article
19 pages, 4037 KiB  
Article
B Impact Assessment as a Sustainable Tool: Analysis of the Certification Model
by Vítor Silva, Vanda Lima, José Carlos Sá, Luís Fonseca and Gilberto Santos
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5590; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095590 - 6 May 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5348
Abstract
Currently, certification is an essential tool for a company’s sustainability and a seal of trust for the stakeholders. The B Corporation (B Corp) certification system is in line with the leading indicators of sustainable development and social responsibility published by the general assembly [...] Read more.
Currently, certification is an essential tool for a company’s sustainability and a seal of trust for the stakeholders. The B Corporation (B Corp) certification system is in line with the leading indicators of sustainable development and social responsibility published by the general assembly of the United Nations, namely: environment, community, workers, customers, and governance. Nevertheless, it is essential that academic research should empirically assess the B Corp model’s reliability for its validation and legitimization. In this study, we address the results of the B Impact Assessment of 2262 companies certified by B Corp from the beginning of 2017 to March 2021. The main objective is to analyze the B Impact Assessment, verifying the robustness and consistency of the model to measure and improve the economic, social, and environmental impact of companies. We analyzed the construct’s validity through a confirmatory factorial analysis using AMOS statistical software. The results allowed us to identify some weaknesses and limitations of the B Impact Assessment. This certification system reflects an unadjusted model where the main assessment indicators have problems with regard to the measurement scale. The governance and customer indicators are the most vulnerable. The findings also allow us to state that there are apparently no minimum values established for each of the parameters evaluated, which may cause imbalances in the sustainable development process of B Corp companies. This research contributes to enhancing B Impact Assessment as a sustainability tool, highlighting areas for improvement concerning the indicators’ measurement scales and the assessment process, including the monitoring of evaluators. Full article
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22 pages, 1818 KiB  
Article
Identifying Barriers in the Implementation of Agile Methodologies in Automotive Industry
by Daniel Soares, Francisco José Gomes da Silva, Sandra Cristina Faria Ramos, Konstantinos Kirytopoulos, José Carlos Sá and Luís Pinto Ferreira
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5453; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095453 - 1 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7809
Abstract
Projects have grown into more dynamic and complex endeavors, and agile project management should be considered as a way to deal with them. This is a novel study in this field, because the implementation of agile project management in the automotive industry was [...] Read more.
Projects have grown into more dynamic and complex endeavors, and agile project management should be considered as a way to deal with them. This is a novel study in this field, because the implementation of agile project management in the automotive industry was not explored so far, thus, this work intended to fill this gap, by identifying barriers in the implementation of agile methodologies in project management regarding the automotive industry. This was conducted through a questionnaire survey, which was developed and distributed to 148 manufacturing companies of components for the automotive industry, out of a total number of companies of 240, and 56 complete answers were obtained (23.33%). Statistical analyses were performed using a Kruskal–Wallis test, a Mann–Whitney test, and Spearmen’s correlation. A real picture of the implementation of agile project management in the Portuguese automotive industry is depicted through this work. ‘Organizational’, ‘Knowledge and Technology’, ‘Institutional’, and ‘Financial’ barriers are found to be the most important. However, in overcoming these barriers, companies can be more sustainable in economic, environmental, and social terms. Recommendations on how to overcome these barriers were presented, and a framework sequencing these recommendations was presented, leading to an effective implementation of agile methodologies. It starts with the willingness of the company, and all collaborators, to adopt the agile methodologies, looking for the agile values as an input in order to achieve a competitive advantage. It is followed by an initial investment, which intends to attain the deployment of an agile team, composed of highly skilled collaborators with a clear understanding of the agile objectives, who disseminate knowledge about agile methodologies to the other collaborators, increasing their ability to implement agile methodologies in project management. This team should work and develop frameworks and workflows, according to each company’s characteristics and environment. The studied aspects can be replicated in other countries, and allow a comparison of the situation between countries, trying to correlate the culture of each country with the ability to implement agile methodologies, among other aspects, such as economical level of the companies, type of production, and the commitment of the collaborators to improve processes and create competitive advantages with which to face competitors. Full article
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24 pages, 1816 KiB  
Article
Analyzing the Implementation of Lean Methodologies and Practices in the Portuguese Industry: A Survey
by Carla M. A. Pinto, Jorge Mendonça, Lurdes Babo, Francisco J. G. Silva and José L. R. Fernandes
Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1929; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031929 - 8 Feb 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4954
Abstract
The mass production paradigm on which much of the industry was based has changed. The market is increasingly demanding, requesting diversity and products that are more and more adapted to personal wishes and requirements. This implies producing a greater diversity of products in [...] Read more.
The mass production paradigm on which much of the industry was based has changed. The market is increasingly demanding, requesting diversity and products that are more and more adapted to personal wishes and requirements. This implies producing a greater diversity of products in smaller quantities. Competitiveness is enormous, which forces most companies to be truly effective and efficient, taking care of product quality, delivery time, and final cost. Lean methodologies have been a valuable aid in this field. The diversity of Lean tools has been shown to have answers to the most diverse challenges, and companies are aware of this, increasingly adopting methodologies and processes that aim to progressively reduce waste and adapting their production paradigm to what the market requires. This work intends to provide a vision, as global as possible, of the pathway of Lean implementation in the Portuguese industry. For this purpose, a survey was carried out with a significant sample of Portuguese industrial companies from a wide range of activity sectors. The data collected through the survey were treated statistically, and then a SWOT analysis of the results was performed, which provided a collection of precious information on the evolution of industrial companies in Portugal. Full article
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2021

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17 pages, 2447 KiB  
Article
Improving Operational and Sustainability Performance in a Retail Fresh Food Market Using Lean: A Portuguese Case Study
by Pedro Alexandre Marques, André M. Carvalho and José Oliveira Santos
Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010403 - 31 Dec 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6165
Abstract
This paper presents a real application of a lean–green improvement initiative conducted at a large Portuguese hypermarket store. It explores how lean tools and techniques may be used to not only improve the operational performance, but also sustainability. A case study was carried [...] Read more.
This paper presents a real application of a lean–green improvement initiative conducted at a large Portuguese hypermarket store. It explores how lean tools and techniques may be used to not only improve the operational performance, but also sustainability. A case study was carried out in one store of a multinational retail enterprise, with the aim of enhancing both the operational and sustainability performance in the cold meat section, one of the most relevant areas of the fresh food markets. The Gemba Kaizen event approach, which comprises three main stages, was adopted. During the workshop stage, the structured problem-solving methodology was followed, and was recorded in an A3 format. As a consequence of this project, food waste in the cold meat market was reduced by half, whereas the out-of-stock index decreased by a third. In addition, the pilot store hit top performance within all stores of the company in Portugal, ranking first in all key indicators for the cold meat market. The lean–green scope and performance improvement procedures developed and implemented in the pilot store were later deployed to other stores of the company. This is one of the first publications regarding the application of lean management in the food retail sector for improving both the operational and sustainability performance. Full article
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