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16 pages, 575 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Sustainable Multicriteria Decision Framework for Obsolescence Resolution Strategy Selection

by Imen Zaabar, Raul Arango-Miranda, Yvan Beauregard and Marc Paquet

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8601; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158601 - 02 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2171

Abstract

Parts obsolescence has an important impact on the product life cycle, the manufacturing system and the environment leading to operational, logistical, reliability and cost implications. While current resolution models are cost-oriented, multiple studies have revealed that technological obsolescence is strongly involved in the [...] Read more.

Parts obsolescence has an important impact on the product life cycle, the manufacturing system and the environment leading to operational, logistical, reliability and cost implications. While current resolution models are cost-oriented, multiple studies have revealed that technological obsolescence is strongly involved in the electronic waste problem. In this study, based on academic literature and expert opinions, a sustainable decision framework for obsolescence resolution strategy (ORS) selection is proposed. It consists of economic, environmental, social and technological dimensions, integrating a total of fifteen criteria. Multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are suggested to select the most sustainable solution. A case study was performed where the criteria weights and the alternatives performance were judged by five experts from the fields of environment, economy, human resources and obsolescence and operations management. Results from different MCDM methods were compared to the actual decision to evaluate their effectiveness. Using the suggested framework improved the decision process as integrating sustainability had a drastic impact on the selected strategy and consequently on the company’s performance. In addition to its managerial insights, this paper provides a new research perspective to sustainable and robust obsolescence management to effectively handle the increasing number and severity of obsolete components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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23 pages, 7363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building a Care Management and Guidance Security System for Assisting Patients with Cognitive Impairment

by Winger Sei-Wo Tseng, Wing-Kwong Wong, Chun-Chi Shih and Yong-Siang Su

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10516; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410516 - 15 Dec 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2010

Abstract

The care of dementia patients presents a large challenge for caregivers and family members. Whether it is at home or in institutional care, patients have problems with spatial and environmental cognition. It often leads to abnormal behaviors such as a route recognition problem, [...] Read more.

The care of dementia patients presents a large challenge for caregivers and family members. Whether it is at home or in institutional care, patients have problems with spatial and environmental cognition. It often leads to abnormal behaviors such as a route recognition problem, wandering, or even getting lost. These behaviors require caregivers to keep an eye on the movement of the cognitively impaired elderly and the safety of these movement processes, to avoid them approaching dangerous areas or leaving the care environment. This paper used qualitative research methods (i.e., participatory interviews, case studies, and contextual observation methods) in the demand exploration phase and quantitative research methods in the product’s technological verification phase. In this study, we implemented a three-stage service design process—demand exploration, demand definition, and design execution—to analyze the care status and route recognition obstacles of elders with dementia, to identify hidden needs as a turning point for new product innovations in care management and guidance security. This study summarizes six service needs for care management and guides the surveillance and safety of elders with dementia: (1) offering indoor user-centered guidance, (2) providing the instant location information of elders with dementia to caregivers, (3) landmarks setting, (4) assistance notification, (5) environmental route planning, (6) use of a wearable device as a guide for indoor route guidance. Based on the potential deficiencies and demands of observation, the care management and guidance security system (CMGSS) was designed. The experimental results show that the use of ultra-wide band positioning technology used in the indoor guiding system can accurately guide the behavior of patients to the right position, provide accurate information for caregivers, and record their daily behavior. The error range of this technology was not only within 42.42 cm in indoor static positioning but also within 55 cm in dynamic positioning, even where wall thickness was 18 cm. Although the device was designed for institutional care, it can also be applied to the management and care of general home-based patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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30 pages, 7513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Formulating Service-Oriented Strategies for Servitization of Manufacturing Companies

by Mar’atus Sholihah, Tatsuru Maezono, Yuya Mitake and Yoshiki Shimomura

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9657; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229657 - 19 Nov 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2860

Abstract

Servitization requires the acquisition and development of service-oriented capabilities. Research has contributed considerably to the investigation of the necessary capabilities for successful servitization and the introduction of numerous service-based capabilities. However, previous studies typically focus on proposing a general set of capabilities or [...] Read more.

Servitization requires the acquisition and development of service-oriented capabilities. Research has contributed considerably to the investigation of the necessary capabilities for successful servitization and the introduction of numerous service-based capabilities. However, previous studies typically focus on proposing a general set of capabilities or processes for servitization. There is limited knowledge of how a manufacturing company can identify the necessary capabilities and plan the corresponding development actions following its servitization context. Through two phases of a case study, this research proposes a service-oriented strategy formulation method. The method supports the analysis of manufacturing companies’ servitization contexts that lead to appropriate identification of the necessary capabilities for successful servitization. This method further guides the formulation of service-oriented strategies as the strategic logic in how manufacturing companies implement servitization, including the corresponding actions to develop the required capabilities. Finally, the application in a Japanese office machinery manufacturer illustrates the applicability and usability of the proposed method in facilitating the formulation of service-oriented strategies for the servitization of manufacturing companies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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21 pages, 10432 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Dynamic Pricing and Service Decisions in the Reverse Supply Chain considering Consumers’ Service Sensitivity

by Jixiang Zhang and Chen Zhu

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9348; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229348 - 11 Nov 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1792

Abstract

In this work, considering consumers’ service sensitivity for the third-party collector in the reverse supply chain, a game model (including a manufacturer and a third-party collector) with dual-channel recycling structure was established. Based on the bounded rationality, we used dynamics theory to analyze [...] Read more.

In this work, considering consumers’ service sensitivity for the third-party collector in the reverse supply chain, a game model (including a manufacturer and a third-party collector) with dual-channel recycling structure was established. Based on the bounded rationality, we used dynamics theory to analyze the dynamic service and pricing decisions of the manufacturer and the third-party collector in the process of collecting waste products. The results showed that adjustment speeds of pricing and service decisions have great effect on the stability of recycling market, and the recycling market is most sensitive to the change of third-party collectors’ service decision. When the recycling market is in chaos, it has a strong initial value sensitivity. In addition, we found that increase of consumers’ service sensitivity and service cost parameter had negative effect on stability of the recycling market; there is a reverse relationship between price adjustment parameters and the service adjustment parameter. With the increase of service adjustment parameter, the bifurcation point of the system will appear more quickly. Finally, chaotic market can be controlled by the feedback control method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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19 pages, 4228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a New Green Indicator and Its Implementation in a Cyber–Physical System for a Green Supply Chain

by Paula Morella, María Pilar Lambán, Jesús Royo, Juan Carlos Sánchez and Lisbeth del Carmen Ng Corrales

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8629; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208629 - 18 Oct 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3836

Abstract

This work investigates Industry 4.0 technologies by developing a new key performance indicator that can determine the energy consumption of machine tools for a more sustainable supply chain. To achieve this, we integrated the machine tool indicator into a cyber–physical system for easy [...] Read more.

This work investigates Industry 4.0 technologies by developing a new key performance indicator that can determine the energy consumption of machine tools for a more sustainable supply chain. To achieve this, we integrated the machine tool indicator into a cyber–physical system for easy and real-time capturing of data. We also developed software that can turn these data into relevant information (using Python): Using this software, we were able to view machine tool activities and energy consumption in real time, which allowed us to determine the activities with greater energy burdens. As such, we were able to improve the application of Industry 4.0 in machine tools by allowing informed real-time decisions that can reduce energy consumption. In this research, a new Key Performance Indicator (KPI) was been developed and calculated in real time. This KPI can be monitored, can measure the sustainability of machining processes in a green supply chain (GSC) using Nakajima’s six big losses from the perspective of energy consumption, and is able to detect what the biggest energy loss is. This research was implemented in a cyber–physical system typical of Industry 4.0 to demonstrate its applicability in real processes. Other productivity KPIs were implemented in order to compare efficiency and sustainability, highlighting the importance of paying attention to both terms at the same time, given that the improvement of one does not imply the improvement of the other, as our results show. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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23 pages, 3102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Strategic Planning Method to Guide Product—Service System Development and Implementation

by Yuya Mitake, Kenshiro Hiramitsu, Yusuke Tsutsui, Mar’atus Sholihah and Yoshiki Shimomura

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7619; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187619 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3533

Abstract

The societal and environmental crises in recent decades have promoted a social awareness of existing challenges to sustainability. While product–service systems (PSS) are considered a promising way to achieve a sustainable future, PSS features also create barriers that hinder the widespread implementation of [...] Read more.

The societal and environmental crises in recent decades have promoted a social awareness of existing challenges to sustainability. While product–service systems (PSS) are considered a promising way to achieve a sustainable future, PSS features also create barriers that hinder the widespread implementation of PSS in society. Recent studies have therefore increasingly focused on the challenges to PSS implementation. However, the existing literature fails to facilitate a strategic plan or practical guide for PSS design activity despite taking into account the importance of visioning in PSS design. This paper, therefore, proposes a strategic planning method for PSS development and implementation by combining technology roadmap and transition scenarios. To illustrate its applicability and validity, the proposed approach is applied to a PSS development project for solving wildlife damage in a suburban city of Tokyo. The case study was conducted as a participatory workshop, which involved relevant stakeholders to develop a roadmap toward a sustainable future PSS vision based on the proposed method. The result of this application demonstrates that the proposed approach enables the formulation of a long-term PSS design strategy, while comprehensively converging the perspectives and knowledge of each stakeholder participating in the PSS development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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13 pages, 1411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecologically Embedded Design in Manufacturing: Legitimation within Circular Economy

by Hana Trollman, James Colwill and Alan Brejnholt

Sustainability 2020, 12(10), 4261; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104261 - 22 May 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3698

Abstract

Circular economy has gained momentum since the 1970s as a regenerative alternative to the traditional linear economy. However, as the circular economy has gone mainstream, circularity claims have become fragmented and remote, consisting of indirect contributions, such as the life extension of other [...] Read more.

Circular economy has gained momentum since the 1970s as a regenerative alternative to the traditional linear economy. However, as the circular economy has gone mainstream, circularity claims have become fragmented and remote, consisting of indirect contributions, such as the life extension of other products and the use of waste as feedstock, without addressing the actual cause of waste. The present study aims to identify the strategic motivations of manufacturers participating in the circular economy and the corresponding relationship to ecological embeddedness. This paper explores the circular economy in manufacturing through existing products on the market and their relationship to eco-design by considering the product, packaging, and its production. Legitimacy is found to be a decisive factor in whether the type of circular economy strategy manufacturers adopt yields ecological benefits. The results from the case study of products clearly indicate the superiority of ecological embeddedness, as a form of circularity supporting strong sustainability. Finally, a novel template is proposed to support the implementation of ecological embeddedness in manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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18 pages, 2330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation Modeling Approach for Collaborative Workplaces’ Assessment in Sustainable Manufacturing

by Robert Ojstersek and Borut Buchmeister

Sustainability 2020, 12(10), 4103; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104103 - 18 May 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2415

Abstract

The presented manuscript represents a new simulation modeling approach, which evaluates the impact of collaborative workplaces on manufacturing sustainability in terms of workplaces’ cost, flow times and electrical energy consumption. The impact of collaborative workplaces on the manufacturing system and on its sustainable [...] Read more.

The presented manuscript represents a new simulation modeling approach, which evaluates the impact of collaborative workplaces on manufacturing sustainability in terms of workplaces’ cost, flow times and electrical energy consumption. The impact of collaborative workplaces on the manufacturing system and on its sustainable viability as a whole has not yet been explored, despite the fact that collaborative workplaces are increasingly present in different manufacturing systems. In the past, researchers have devoted a lot of time to research individually examining the collaborative machines, workplaces and various aspects of Sustainable Manufacturing. Investigating the impact of collaborative workplaces on an enterprise’s financial, social and environmental points of view is a very complex task, since we are talking about a multicriteria evaluation of manufacturing systems. The simulation approach is based on a newly proposed block diagram structure that allows for an evaluation of the impact of collaborative workplaces on Sustainable Manufacturing in its entirety. Using the input data of the real-world manufacturing system characteristics and Eurostat statistical values, numerical and graphical results of the proposed simulation evaluation are given, which, with a high degree of evaluation credibility, influences the introduction of collaborative workplaces in manual workplaces. The results obtained show a 20% reduction in the cost of collaborative workstations compared to manual assembly workstations, a 13.2% reduction in order throughput times, a negligible increase in energy consumption in operation mode of 3.28% and a 4.57% reduction in the idle mode. The new evaluation approach allows for a comprehensive consideration of the influence of the collective workplace when developing new or modernizing existing manufacturing systems from a financial, social and environmental point of view. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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15 pages, 5850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Analysis of a Novel PV/T Panel with PCM and Heat Pipes

by David González-Peña, Iván Alonso-deMiguel, Montserrat Díez-Mediavilla and Cristina Alonso-Tristán

Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 1710; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051710 - 25 Feb 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 2740

Abstract

A new design for the use of photovoltaic and thermal (PV/T) technology with thermal storage is reported in this work. In the new design, a phase change material (PCM) tank is added to the backside of the photovoltaic panel. The advantages of this [...] Read more.

A new design for the use of photovoltaic and thermal (PV/T) technology with thermal storage is reported in this work. In the new design, a phase change material (PCM) tank is added to the backside of the photovoltaic panel. The advantages of this design are the storage of thermal energy and the efficiency improvement of the photovoltaic (PV) panel as a result of the temperature control of the PV cell during the phase change process. In addition, a perimeter with a black surface surrounds the PV panel to increase the absorption of thermal energy. The thermal energy is then transferred to the backside of the PCM tank by heat pipes. One prototype with lauric acid as PCM was tested under two different operating configurations and resulted in an overall daily efficiency of 50% coulding be improve by controlling the PCM temperature during the day. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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21 pages, 5446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Detection of a Complex Underground Water Supply Pipeline System in an Old Urban Community in China

by Shifan Deng, Siyu Ma, Xiaowen Zhang and Shiqiang Zhang

Sustainability 2020, 12(4), 1670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041670 - 23 Feb 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3859

Abstract

An underground water supply pipeline system is an integral part of urban infrastructure. The safety, stability, reliability, and efficiency of this water system are critical for the daily work and livelihood of the people dependent on it. However, with the development of cities [...] Read more.

An underground water supply pipeline system is an integral part of urban infrastructure. The safety, stability, reliability, and efficiency of this water system are critical for the daily work and livelihood of the people dependent on it. However, with the development of cities in China, the water supply systems in urban communities require constant re-building and improvement, which complicates the system. Considering the defects of obsolete design, lack of information, and irregularity of the constructions over the years, the maintenance of underground pipelines in older communities is onerous and arduous. In this work, the older pipeline system at the Taibai campus of Northwest University, Shaanxi Province, was taken as one typical old urban community and investigated by different measures. Detection was performed from the available concentrated water supply wells to surrounding areas combining electromagnetic induction, geophysical method by ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and acoustic detection methods. Applying the integrated detection method and considering known pipeline network designs, the properties and complex relationships of different pipeline materials (cast iron, polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) were determined. In addition, a spatial distribution map of the pipes from wells and the main input water supply pipelines was achieved. The results suggest that the integrated detection scheme combining these three methods provides an effective approach to analyze complex water supply pipelines in older communities, in which each single detection method has more uncertainties. The study provides valuable references for similar communities in many developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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13 pages, 1297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Module-Based Product Configuration Decisions Considering Both Economical and Carbon Emission-Related Environmental Factors

by Dong Yang, Jia Li, Bill Wang and Yong-ji Jia

Sustainability 2020, 12(3), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12031145 - 05 Feb 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

With an increasing demand for green and environmentally friendly products, configuring a customized product from modular product design to satisfy both individualized customer requirements and environment restrictions has become a vital task for mass customization. In this paper, we addressed a module-based product [...] Read more.

With an increasing demand for green and environmentally friendly products, configuring a customized product from modular product design to satisfy both individualized customer requirements and environment restrictions has become a vital task for mass customization. In this paper, we addressed a module-based product configuration problem under carbon emission regulation, i.e., carbon cap-and-trade schema. The configuration problem under carbon cap-and-trade schema was formulated as a mixed-integer programming problem. Due to the NP-hard characteristics of the model, a genetic algorithm was employed to solve the configuration problems under carbon cap-and-trade. Experiments were carried out to analyze the effects of carbon emissions on product configuration decisions and carbon purchasing decisions. As a result, the range for carbon emission cap is suggested for both manufacturers and government agency, which provides the decision supporting for both customized and low-carbon production and green manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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17 pages, 5629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Creation and Diversified Applications of Plane Module Libraries for Prefabricated Houses Based on BIM

by Yanqiu Cui, Simeng Li, Chunlu Liu and Ninghan Sun

Sustainability 2020, 12(2), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020453 - 07 Jan 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3447

Abstract

In recent years, due to the advantages of high construction efficiency and less environmental pollution, prefabricated housing has been of increasing interest and vigorously promoted. However at present, most prefabricated houses simply pursue an increase in assembly rate, and the floor plan design [...] Read more.

In recent years, due to the advantages of high construction efficiency and less environmental pollution, prefabricated housing has been of increasing interest and vigorously promoted. However at present, most prefabricated houses simply pursue an increase in assembly rate, and the floor plan design still continues to follow the traditional design method of housing, which does not meet the requirements of industrialization and cannot achieve the goal of product diversification. This paper puts forward a method for floor plan designs of prefabricated houses whose core is building plane module libraries. The modules in module libraries all conform to standardized and refined designs. A new residential floor plan can be obtained by selecting and recombining modules in module libraries. The richer the module library, the more diverse the results will be under the same combinatorial logic, which can greatly improve design efficiency. In addition, this paper probes the method of creation and applications of plane module libraries in detail, so as to provide a new idea for floor plan designs of prefabricated houses. This research is of great significance for improving the efficiency of floor plan design of prefabricated housing and realizing goals of standardization and diversification of prefabricated housing development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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15 pages, 7250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of the Induction Process on Light Gauge Steel Profiles Used in Metallic Framed Sustainable Eco-Constructions

by Mihaiela Iliescu, Maria-Magdalena Roşu and Dragoș Căpăţină

Sustainability 2019, 11(23), 6686; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236686 - 26 Nov 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3251

Abstract

Ecological steel framed sustainable and anti-seismic constructions have been highly developed in America, Asia and Europe. Following this trend, Romania has the opportunity to build houses, flats, offices and storage halls using the light gauge steel (LGS) framing system. For reasons of efficient [...] Read more.

Ecological steel framed sustainable and anti-seismic constructions have been highly developed in America, Asia and Europe. Following this trend, Romania has the opportunity to build houses, flats, offices and storage halls using the light gauge steel (LGS) framing system. For reasons of efficient and economic building, sustainable development and requirements from builders of steel framed constructions in Romania, it has been considered an issue to improve some of the steel mechanical characteristics. The metallic profile, which is the basic component of the steel framed system, is manufactured by cold roll forming from laminated low carbon steel strips, galvanized for good corrosion protection. Improving the material’s hardness and tensile strength stands as a challenge caused by the limitations that follow: Reduced material thickness, low carbon content of the material (required for the cold deformation process), estimated profile thermal deformation and customized profile section to harden. This research is focused on the optimization of the induction process (by high frequency current) applied to the LGS material. The advantages and benefits of improving the light gauge steel profile’s hardness are pointed out towards the end of this article. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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22 pages, 626 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Human Resource Abilities and Skills in TQM for Sustainable Enterprises

by Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz, Francisco Javier Flor-Montalvo, Liliana Avelar-Sosa, Cuauhtémoc Sánchez-Ramírez and Emilio Jiménez-Macías

Sustainability 2019, 11(22), 6488; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226488 - 18 Nov 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4065

Abstract

Total quality management (TQM) is a lean manufacturing tool that focuses on ensuring the production of goods that meet design specifications and give customer satisfaction, both attractive benefits highly appreciated by managers. However, there are several factors involved in the success of TQM [...] Read more.

Total quality management (TQM) is a lean manufacturing tool that focuses on ensuring the production of goods that meet design specifications and give customer satisfaction, both attractive benefits highly appreciated by managers. However, there are several factors involved in the success of TQM programs, many of which are cultural aspects associated with human resources (HR). This article presents a structural equation model that integrates three latent variables related to internal HR: “managerial commitment,” “employee integration,” and “training and education,” which are linked to the operational benefits of a manufacturing system. The variables are connected through six hypotheses that have been validated with information obtained from 398 responses of a questionnaire applied to manufacturing industry professionals. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to describe the probabilities of occurrence for the variables at low and high levels. The hypotheses were statistically validated with the partial least squared technique, where the results showed that human factors play an essential role in the success of TQM, since the direct, indirect, and total effects of managerial commitment, employee integration and training, and education processes on the benefits obtained from the implementation of TQM were statistically significant at 95% confidence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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21 pages, 7784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inclusion of Workers with Disabilities in Production 4.0: Legal Foundations in Europe and Potentials Through Worker Assistance Systems

by Benedikt G. Mark, Sarah Hofmayer, Erwin Rauch and Dominik T. Matt

Sustainability 2019, 11(21), 5978; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11215978 - 28 Oct 2019

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 5707

Abstract

The inclusion of employees with disabilities in production is an issue that has rarely been addressed by scientists from the manufacturing sector. In this article, we examine to what extent the trend towards Industry 4.0 offers potential for the inclusion of people with [...] Read more.

The inclusion of employees with disabilities in production is an issue that has rarely been addressed by scientists from the manufacturing sector. In this article, we examine to what extent the trend towards Industry 4.0 offers potential for the inclusion of people with disabilities in Production 4.0. First, we examine relevant legal foundations and restrictions in Europe and in more detail in Austria, Italy, and Norway. Next, based on a literature review, we examine which technological aids in the form of worker assistance systems derived from Industry 4.0 can make jobs in the manufacturing sector accessible for people with disabilities. Three types of assistance systems have been examined: sensorial aid systems, physical aid systems, and cognitive aid systems. In a concluding discussion of the results, we finally summarize the implications on management and policies as well as the potential and limitations of identified worker assistance technologies. On the one hand, the study is intended to draw the attention of researchers and industrial companies to new technological possibilities for the inclusion of people with disabilities in production. On the other hand, difficulties and grievances due to the legal foundations are pointed out to stimulate a critical discussion here as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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16 pages, 1902 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Enhanced MOPSO Algorithm for Energy-Efficient Single-Machine Production Scheduling

by Yueyue Liu, Xiaoya Liao and Rui Zhang

Sustainability 2019, 11(19), 5381; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195381 - 28 Sep 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2228

Abstract

In recent years, the concerns on energy efficiency in manufacturing systems have been growing rapidly due to the pursuit of sustainable development. Production scheduling plays a vital role in saving energy and promoting profitability for the manufacturing industry. In this paper, we are [...] Read more.

In recent years, the concerns on energy efficiency in manufacturing systems have been growing rapidly due to the pursuit of sustainable development. Production scheduling plays a vital role in saving energy and promoting profitability for the manufacturing industry. In this paper, we are concerned with a just-in-time (JIT) single machine scheduling problem which considers the deterioration effect and the energy consumption of job processing operations. The aim is to determine an optimal sequence for processing jobs under the objective of minimizing the total earliness/tardiness cost and the total energy consumption. Since the problem is

NP

-hard, an improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm enhanced by a local search strategy (MOPSO-LS) is proposed. We draw on the idea of k-opt neighborhoods and modify the neighborhood operations adaptively for the production scheduling problem. We consider two types of k-opt operations and implement the one without overlap in our local search. Three different values of k have been tested. We compare the performance of MOPSO-LS and MOPSO (excluding the local search function completely). Besides, we also compare MOPSO-LS with the well-known multi-objective optimization algorithm NSGA-II. The experimental results have verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The work of this paper will shed some light on the fast-growing research related to sustainable production scheduling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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20 pages, 2396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ergonomics-Based Factors or Criteria for the Evaluation of Sustainable Product Manufacturing

by Chiuhsiang Joe Lin, Tariku Tamiru Belis and Tsai Chi Kuo

Sustainability 2019, 11(18), 4955; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11184955 - 11 Sep 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4575

Abstract

The issue of sustainability has received substantial attention internationally. It is spreading widely through policy, industry, commerce, research, academia, and other arenas. However, most previous studies on product sustainability were conducted based on a consideration of environmental protection, economic prosperity, and social wellbeing [...] Read more.

The issue of sustainability has received substantial attention internationally. It is spreading widely through policy, industry, commerce, research, academia, and other arenas. However, most previous studies on product sustainability were conducted based on a consideration of environmental protection, economic prosperity, and social wellbeing criteria, but there was less representation of specific social wellbeing criteria. The main objective of this study was to formulate well-defined ergonomics-based criteria for product sustainability evaluation and to validate the importance of the identified factors using a fuzzy Delphi method. In this paper, ergonomics-based product sustainability factors are organized by sustainability categories and grouped into employee wellbeing, the economy, and the environment. In the context of manufacturing, evaluating product sustainability from an ergonomics perspective provides more comprehensive social dimension criteria by addressing human characteristics, behavior, performance, human interaction with a product, workplace, working environment, and the product across its life cycle. In addition, a Delphi questionnaire, designed with a nine-point scale, was applied to obtain expert opinions on the importance of each factor; the opinions were combined for each factor by considering the degree of importance assigned to the experts, and the similarities and differences between expert opinions. Finally, high-priority factors were screened from the sustainability categories based on their respective threshold value. Knowing these high-priority factors will help manufacturing industries allocate their resources accordingly for sustainability improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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22 pages, 1064 KiB

Open AccessReview

Assessment of Industry 4.0 Maturity Models by Design Principles

by Dinara Dikhanbayeva, Sabit Shaikholla, Zhanybek Suleiman and Ali Turkyilmaz

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9927; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239927 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6696

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution and accompanying digital transformation has progressed dramatically in recent years. The new digital revolution, mostly known as Industry 4.0, introduces impressive changes in the way enterprises and organizations are operating in a globalized world and altering the well-established lifestyle [...] Read more.

The fourth industrial revolution and accompanying digital transformation has progressed dramatically in recent years. The new digital revolution, mostly known as Industry 4.0, introduces impressive changes in the way enterprises and organizations are operating in a globalized world and altering the well-established lifestyle of a society. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to identify the current capabilities of companies in the context of Industry 4.0. Current literature on Industry 4.0 maturity and assessment models underlies the importance of a proper development strategy with exact steps to perform. Design principles address the issue of systematizing the measurable and attainable steps for further development. The present study contributes towards the identification of the research gap in the presence of core Industry 4.0 design principles during the development of maturity models. The analysis of 12 chosen maturity models by eight core design principles was provided. This research can serve as a starting point for the development of a complex strategic roadmap and thereby to provide a successful transition from traditional manufacturing into Industry 4.0. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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