How Well Are Manufacturing Companies in Transylvania, Romania Adapting to the Low-Carbon Economy in Order to Become Sustainable?

Mihai Dragomir, Diana Alina Blagu, Sorin Popescu, Mircea Fulea and Călin Neamțu
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Mihai Dragomir: Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Diana Alina Blagu: Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Sorin Popescu: Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mircea Fulea: Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Călin Neamțu: Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: This paper addresses the degree of readiness of manufacturing companies in the well-defined area of Transylvania, Romania for tackling the challenges of the low-carbon economy (LCE) in view of the ambitious goals of the European Union. The presented survey aims to provide a better understanding about the management and reduction in the carbon footprint among production companies in Romania, as this sector is not usually included official strategies or studies. One hundred and three companies, selected based on voluntary sampling responses, were investigated using a 40-item questionnaire. The survey was applied to the manufacturing sector, including automotive, furniture production, and metal processing domains, which are locally representative and a good approximation of what small- and medium-sized firms look like across the EU, thus furnishing a good view of what takes place in other countries as well. The results obtained were analyzed using univariate descriptive statistics, multi-variate item analysis, and hypothesis testing to arrive at conclusions with a high degree of applicability. The purpose was to obtain an accurate overview about the actual situation and help companies find solutions in order to reduce the carbon footprint in the production field and achieve sustainable manufacturing. We arrive at the conclusion that manufacturing firms have a high degree of interest in decarbonization, but understand the efforts required to the same degree they understand the opportunities it brings. For example, 55% of respondents are interested in the benefits of LCE, while 90% of them observe at least one environmental standard, and ca. 70% implement at least common decarbonization measures, such as electricity savings or process optimization. While raising awareness and improving technological processes are accepted and embraced, other issues (i.e., involvement in RDI and CSR, change management, as well as financing investment efforts) should be addressed by proper policies.

Keywords: low-carbon economy; carbon footprint; sustainable manufacturing; new product development; process improvement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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