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Title Industry 4.0, cleaner production and circular economy: An integrative framework for evaluating ethical and sustainable business performance of manufacturing organizations
ID_Doc 3200
Authors Gupta, H; Kumar, A; Wasan, P
Title Industry 4.0, cleaner production and circular economy: An integrative framework for evaluating ethical and sustainable business performance of manufacturing organizations
Year 2021
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126253
Abstract Organizations are increasingly facing pressure for changing manufacturing models from traditional to sustainable which accordingly reinforces the need for assessing their performance on sustainability is-sues. The present study developed a framework based on concepts of circular economy, sustainable cleaner production and Industry 4.0 standards to assess sustainability performance of manufacturing companies and to guide them in prioritizing investment in potential solutions for enhancing perfor-mance on sustainability. The study involved a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods. An exhaustive review of related literature was conducted, followed by several rounds of discussions (Delphi Method) with experts, to identify and finalize practices related to Industry 4.0, cleaner production and circular economy. Best-Worst Method (BWM) was then used to prioritize identified practices. Majority of the sustainability frameworks in extant literature were validated using the case study approach. The present research combined case study approach with multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tools, which enhanced applicability of the proposed framework. Findings suggest that circular economy practices are most important for increasing sustainability performance in manufacturing, followed by practices of cleaner production and Industry 4.0. 'Supply Chain Traceability/Information', 'Reuse and recycling infrastructure', and 'Natural and clean environment', were the top three practices identified for manufacturing organizations aiming to enhance sustainability. The findings provide empirical support for adopting practices of the circular economy, cleaner production and Industry 4.0 by manufacturing organizations to improve sustainability performance. The developed framework can be readily used by managers to evaluate their own as well as the upstream and/or downstream partners' sustainability performance. It also provides policy guidance for promoting sustainability approaches in manufacturing. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author Keywords Industry 4; 0; Cleaner production; Circular economy; Ethical and sustainable business; performance
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000638002200022
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
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