The Role of Low-Cost Digital Solutions in Supporting Industrial Sustainability

Tasnim A. Abdel-Aty, Duncan McFarlane, Sam Brooks (), Liz Salter, Awwal Sanusi Abubakar, Steve Evans, Greg Hawkridge, Kate Price Thomas, Elisa Negri, Anandarup Mukherjee, Gokcen Yilmaz and Marco Macchi
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Tasnim A. Abdel-Aty: Department of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico Di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Duncan McFarlane: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Sam Brooks: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Liz Salter: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Awwal Sanusi Abubakar: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Steve Evans: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Greg Hawkridge: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Kate Price Thomas: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Elisa Negri: Department of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico Di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Anandarup Mukherjee: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Gokcen Yilmaz: Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Marco Macchi: Department of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico Di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: Small and medium enterprise (SME) manufacturers are impeded from participating in sustainability initiatives using new technologies due to the high cost and the lack of clarity on where to start. The integration of low-cost digital solutions has enabled SME manufacturers to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies to support operations. However, using low-cost technologies to address sustainability challenges is underexplored. This article addresses three key research questions: What digital solutions do SMEs need to address industrial sustainability challenges? To what extent can existing low-cost digital solutions be used to address industrial sustainability challenges? How should new digital solutions for developing greater sustainability be prioritised? Three main tasks were conducted. Initially, a new sustainability-focused sub-catalogue was created using an existing catalogue of low-cost solution areas for manufacturing. Secondly, a workshop with 17 participants was used to identify the top ten priority solution areas, with process monitoring, energy monitoring, and quality inspection at the top. Lastly, existing low-cost digital solutions within the top ten priority areas were evaluated to identify how they could contribute to lean manufacturing. Predominantly existing solutions could contribute to waste or use reduction in lean manufacturing. This study provides a foundation for the future development of low-cost solutions for sustainability by indicating manufacturers’ key priority areas and outlining how existing solutions could be adapted to support waste reduction.

Keywords: waste; small and medium enterprise; Industry 4.0; manufacturing; lean manufacturing; digital shoestring approach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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