Abhijeet K. Digalwar and Arpit Rastogi
Environmental crisis and energy security concerns forced researchers, environmentalists and industrialists to look for a cleaner mode of transportation. Rigorous efforts have been…
Abstract
Purpose
Environmental crisis and energy security concerns forced researchers, environmentalists and industrialists to look for a cleaner mode of transportation. Rigorous efforts have been made to make electric vehicles (EVs) feasible for commercial use. However, despite of many efforts by the Government of India, the rate of adoption of EVs in India has not been up to the mark. To bridge this gap, present study understands the social acceptability and sustainability of EVs and identifies the social factors, builds inferences from the results obtained and helps in orienting the manufacturers and decision makers towards faster adoption of the EVs.
Design/methodology/approach
The social factors responsible for the growth of EVs in India are identified by literature survey. A questionnaire has been developed for understanding the customer’s perception towards EVs. The results of the survey are analysed using the tools on descriptive statistics, structural equation model using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and hypothesis testing and the results are validated.
Findings
The results of the study are based on three hypotheses. The findings show that although the financial and the infrastructure factors have positive impact on rate of adoption of EVs in India; the vehicle performance factors have a negative impact on EVs adoption, implying that the respondents of the survey who feel that the vehicle performance factors are the most imperative have a more passive mind-set towards the EVs adoption.
Research limitations/implications
The research work is based on the survey conducted on the pilot region of the national capital region of the country where the majority of the respondents of the survey are conventional fossil fuel vehicles (CFFV) owners. A more accurate analysis on the social factors affecting deployment of EVs in the Indian market can be done if the population of the survey consists of equal share of CFFV and EV owners from all across the nation.
Practical implications
This study will help researchers get a better understanding of the reasons for slow adoption rate of EVs in India. This paper sheds light upon the social factors responsible for the same. The Government of India can use the results of this study to understand the factors responsible for non-adoption and the recommendations for its further work on “Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles” India scheme.
Social implications
Results of the study identifies the factors that slow down the adoption rate of EVs in India. The paper suggested potential solutions for the same. Successful implementation in terms of policies and technological advancements can propel India to the top in EV market. Switching to EVs brings about a radical change in the social life of the people and can improve the social status and lifestyle of the people.
Originality/value
Existing research has not focussed much on the social aspects of EVs in India. The present work is solely the result of the strategic thinking, planning, work and implementation by the authors.
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Abhijeet K. Digalwar, Nidhi Mundra, Ashok R. Tagalpallewar and Vivek K. Sunnapwar
Green manufacturing (GM) has received growing attention in the last few years. As today’s business environment is highly competitive, dynamic and volatile in nature, GM is seen as…
Abstract
Purpose
Green manufacturing (GM) has received growing attention in the last few years. As today’s business environment is highly competitive, dynamic and volatile in nature, GM is seen as the winning strategy to be adopted by manufacturers. In this scenario, successful implementation of GM by manufacturers can give them an edge over their competitors. The purpose of this paper is to identify and develop the structural relationship among different factors for the successful implementation of GM.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire-based survey and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach has been applied in this study. In this research, 12 factors have been identified, such as top management commitment, supplier and materials management, green product and process design, employee training and empowerment, etc. On the basis of survey results and opinions of experts from industry and academia, a structural relationship model has been developed through an ISM approach.
Findings
Top management commitment has the highest driving power for the implementation of GM. Effective implementation of GM will improve organization performance in terms of product cost and quality. For effective implementation of GM, management should not ignore development of people, product and processes.
Practical implications
The developed model will be useful to managers, decision makers and practitioners of GM in prioritizing their resources more effectively.
Originality/value
Critical success factor play a pivotal role for the assessment and implementation of GM practices. Identification of key success factors and their mutual relationship can help in implementation of GM practices in various organizations. It is probably one of the leading attempts to provide road map to the implementation of GM practices in Indian manufacturing industries.
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Santosh K. Saraswat and Abhijeet K. Digalwar
The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model for evaluation of the energy alternates in India based on their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model for evaluation of the energy alternates in India based on their sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A fuzzy analytical hierarchy process approach is used for the weight calculation of the criteria and the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution is used for ranking of the energy alternates. Seven energy sources – thermal, gas power, nuclear, solar, wind, biomass and hydro energy are considered for the assessment purpose on the basis of sustainability criteria, namely, economic, technical, social, environmental, political and flexible.
Findings
The result of the analysis shows that economics is the highest weight criterion, followed by environmental and technical criteria. Solar energy was chosen as the most sustainable energy alternate in India, followed by wind and hydro energy.
Research limitations/implications
Few other MCDM techniques such as VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (multi-criteria optimization and compromise solution), weighted sum method and preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations – II can also be explored for the sustainability ranking of the energy alternates. However, the present model has also provided a good result.
Practical implications
The present research work will help the decision-makers and organizations in the evaluation and prioritizing the various energy sources on the scale of sustainability.
Social implications
Research finding provides guidance to government and decision-makers regarding the development of social conditions through energy security, job creation and economic benefits.
Originality/value
Research work can be act as a supplement for the investors and decision-makers specifically in prioritizing the investment perspective and to support other multi-perspective decision-making problems.
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Kuldip Singh Sangwan, Vikrant Bhakar and Abhijeet K. Digalwar
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the sustainability of the manufacturing organizations along the integrated…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the sustainability of the manufacturing organizations along the integrated supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review of existing peer-reviewed articles has been carried out to understand the strengths and weaknesses of current frameworks. A sustainability assessment framework has been proposed for the manufacturing sector. KPIs to assess sustainability performance of manufacturing organizations are identified. An empirical study is carried out for the cement industry to test the proposed framework and KPIs.
Findings
The existing frameworks on sustainability assessment lacks an integrated assessment consisting product life cycle, resources, critical factors (product, process and policy), KPIs and their interrelationship with sustainability dimensions. In total, 121 KPIs are identified for sustainability assessment of manufacturing organizations. The empirical study of the Indian cement industry identifies 52 KPIs (17 social, 15 economic and 20 environmental), which are classified into 13 factors using exploratory factor analysis.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed framework is tested for the cement sector. More studies are required to validate and refine the framework to make it generalized for the manufacturing sector.
Originality/value
This study has developed for the first time a close interrelation among life cycle engineering, resources, critical factors, KPIs and sustainability dimensions.
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Kuldip Singh Sangwan, Vikrant Bhakar and Abhijeet K. Digalwar
The purpose of this paper is to develop a sustainability readiness assessment model and a sustainability assessment model for manufacturing organizations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a sustainability readiness assessment model and a sustainability assessment model for manufacturing organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed models have been developed using resource-based theory along the integrated supply chain. The models are based on resources sustainability (people, money, material, energy, infrastructure, water, and air), critical factors of sustainability (product, process and policies), sustainability dimensions (environment, economic, and social), and life cycle sustainability (integrated supply chain).
Findings
The paper presents an integrated assessment system which includes: product life cycle, resources, critical factors (product, process, and policy), key performance indicators, and their interrelationship with sustainability dimensions. The three critical factors and all the important resources required by a manufacturing organization along the integrated supply chain are identified. The readiness assessment model is user friendly and effective to guide the managers to identify the weak areas of sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed model for readiness assessment is tested and in an automotive manufacturing organization but the sustainability assessment model is conceptual and it requires validation by implementing the same in an organization to understand its effectiveness.
Practical implications
The readiness assessment model can help the top management to decide whether the organizational orientation is correct to improve sustainability. The easy to use models can be used by the decision/policy makers and independent bodies to assess, compare and benchmark the products, processes or organizations and thus affect public policies and attitudes.
Originality/value
This study has developed, for the first time, a sustainability readiness assessment model. The resource-based theory has been applied along the integrated supply chain.
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Abhijeet K. Digalwar, Ashok R. Tagalpallewar and Vivek K. Sunnapwar
– The purpose of the paper is to explore the performance measures for the green manufacturing practices in the Indian manufacturing industries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to explore the performance measures for the green manufacturing practices in the Indian manufacturing industries.
Design/methodology/approach
A tentative list of items/variables was developed for green manufacturing performance measures based on a thorough and detailed analysis of the pertinent literature. The survey questionnaire contained 128 items/variables, developed based on the literature and interviews with nine manufacturing industry experts, specifically green manufacturing areas. A total of 400 questionnaires were mailed out, and 114 were returned, of which 108 were valid, representing a response rate of 27 percent. Using the data collected, the identified items/variables were performed via factor analysis to establish reliability and validity.
Findings
A total of 12 performance measures of green manufacturing with their 66 items/variables have been developed: top management commitment, knowledge management, employee training, green product and process design, employee empowerment, environmental health and safety, suppliers and materials management, production planning and control, quality, cost, customer environment performance requirement, customer responsiveness and company growth.
Research limitations/implications
This study obtained 108 valid responses from the Indian manufacturing industries; the limitation of the study is the insufficient sampling. Future research needs to be performed using a larger sample and studying more countries.
Practical implications
The performance measures developed in this study enables decision makers to assess the perception of green manufacturing in their organization and in prioritizing GM efforts.
Originality/value
This study is probably the first to provide an integrative perspective of performance measures for green manufacturing practices in the Indian manufacturing industries. It gives valuable information, which hopefully will help this business sector to accomplish green manufacturing practices. This paper fills the gap in the literature on identification, establishment and validation of performance measures of green manufacturing for Indian manufacturing industries.
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Pezhman Ghadimi, Shane O'Neill, Chao Wang and John W. Sutherland
The purpose of this study is to identify a comprehensive list of main enablers of successful implementation of green manufacturing (GM) practices in small and medium-sized…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify a comprehensive list of main enablers of successful implementation of green manufacturing (GM) practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on the inputs from Irish SMEs' experts, a validated conceptual hierarchy model of the identified enablers is developed to analyse and prioritise the most dominant ones.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using a questionnaire survey responded by various professionals in Irish manufacturing SMEs. Experts' opinions were analysed using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) to distinguish the mutual influences amongst the nine identified enablers.
Findings
The findings revealed that from the Irish SMEs' perspective, strong green supply chain relations are the outcome of successfully implementing GM and not a driver of the other enablers. Furthermore, lower manufacturing costs are found to arise as a result of GM practices in SMEs.
Practical implications
It is discussed that emulating the actions of larger companies will not necessarily yield the same results for SMEs. Innovation will become a cornerstone of remaining competitive in a sustainable environment, which is facilitated by closer green supply chain relations.
Originality/value
The reported findings in this article contribute to theory and practice of GM and SMEs research domains by systematically identified, classified and ranked enablers in a conceptual hierarchal model from the perspective of Irish SMEs. This research lays the foundations for further analysis of the GM practices enablers in a time when UN mandates and EU regulations are increasingly impacting SMEs all around Europe and especially Ireland.
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Abhijeet Keshaorao Digalwar, Anil Jindal and Kuldip Singh Sangwan
The purpose of this paper is to study the performance measures of world class manufacturing (WCM) and to establish relationship among them using interpretive structural modeling…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the performance measures of world class manufacturing (WCM) and to establish relationship among them using interpretive structural modeling (ISM).
Design/methodology/approach
The research paper presents a blend of theoretical framework and practical applications. In the paper, 16 performance measures are identified from literature survey and experts’ opinion, and then these are validated by questionnaire survey in India. Finally, ISM is used to obtain structural relationship among these performance measures of WCM.
Findings
The results of the survey and the ISM methodology have been used to evolve the mutual relationships among these performance measures.
Practical implications
The adoption of such an ISM-based model on WCM performance measures in manufacturing organizations would help managers, decision-makers and practitioners of WCM in better understanding of these performance measures and to focus on appropriate performance measures while implementing WCM in their organizations.
Originality/value
Performance measures are of paramount importance for the implementation of WCM practices. Knowing the key performance measures and relationship among them can help many organizations to implement WCM practices. It is one of the foremost attempts to model performance measures of WCM. The paper provides useful insights into the WCM practitioners, consultants and researchers.
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Mahakdeep Singh, Kanwarpreet Singh and Amanpreet Singh Sethi
The current manuscript is focused on evaluating the capabilities of green practices that affect various business performance (BP) parameters of small and medium scale Indian…
Abstract
Purpose
The current manuscript is focused on evaluating the capabilities of green practices that affect various business performance (BP) parameters of small and medium scale Indian manufacturing enterprises (SME’s). This study aims to obtain multiple significant factors that influence the implementation of green practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The manuscript focuses on statistical testing of responses obtained from 168 Indian SMEs to determine the relationship between input parameters and BP parameters. This paper starts with deploying tests such as Cronbach alpha and inter-item covariance test to obtain confidence in data collected, followed by various statistical tests such as Pearson correlation, multiple regression, canonical correlation to extract various significant factors the study. Further Games-Howell post hoc test is deployed to evaluate the significant improvements in BP gained over a reasonable duration of time. Finally, a discriminant validity test is used to find out the success or failure of the organizations that participated in the survey.
Findings
This research contributes to the holistic effect of green manufacturing (GM) toward gaining improvements in terms of different BP parameters taken for the study. It has been found that various input factors such as customer attributes, adoption of new technology, social pressure and government pressure are the main parameters for GM implementation. Further, it is observed that those at the maturity phase of GM implementation are reaping higher benefits than the organizations at the transition and stability phase.
Originality/value
The current study has been accomplished in Indian SME manufacturing organizations to investigate the effects of GM implementation in the organization. Although research findings imply the effective use of green practices within the organization to reap BP parameters and improve the market’s competitive image, the study cannot be generalized and can be used as an insight for both academicians and end-users in understanding the overall achievements of GM.