Performance Analysis of the Capability Assessment Tool for Sustainable Manufacturing

Aleksandar Subic, Bahman Shabani, Mehdi Hedayati and Enda Crossin
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Aleksandar Subic: School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, PO Box 71 Bundoora VIC 3083, Victoria 3083, Australia
Bahman Shabani: School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
Mehdi Hedayati: School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, PO Box 71 Bundoora VIC 3083, Victoria 3083, Australia
Enda Crossin: Centre for Design, School of Architecture and Design, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia

Sustainability, 2013, vol. 5, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: This paper explores the performance of a novel capability assessment tool, developed to identify capability gaps and associated training and development requirements across the supply chain for environmentally-sustainable manufacturing. The tool was developed to assess 170 capabilities that have been clustered with respect to key areas of concern such as managing energy, water, material resources, carbon emissions and waste as well as environmental management practices for sustainability. Two independent expert teams used the tool to assess a sample group of five first and second tier sports apparel and footwear suppliers within the supply chain of a global sporting goods manufacturer in Asia. The paper addresses the reliability and robustness of the developed assessment method by formulating the expected links between the assessment results. The management practices of the participating suppliers were shown to be closely connected to their performance in managing their resources and emissions. The companies’ initiatives in implementing energy efficiency measures were found to be generally related to their performance in carbon emissions management. The suppliers were also asked to undertake a self-assessment by using a short questionnaire. The large gap between the comprehensive assessment and these in-house self-assessments revealed the suppliers’ misconceptions about their capabilities.

Keywords: sustainable manufacturing; environmental sustainability; capability assessment; assessment tool; sensitivity analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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