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Purpose In the modern manufacturing environment, it is imperative to apply the manufacturing concepts of lean, agile, resilient and green, collectively known as LARG manufacturing, to achieve excellence in which lean manufacturing eliminates wastes; agile manufacturing makes processes fast, efficient and flexible; resilient paradigm deals with countering the uncertainty while green manufacturing improves environmental performance. The objective of this study is to develop an integration framework that synergizes LARG manufacturing with Industry 4.0. Design/methodology/approach Through a literature review, the authors have explored the possibility of collaboration between constituents of lean, agile, resilient and green manufacturing with the facets of Industry 4.0. Findings The authors have developed a comprehensive integration framework that has been divided into 11 phases and 31 steps in which the various Industry 4.0 facets have supplemented the lean, agile, resilient and green paradigms. Practical implications This investigation and adoption of technologically intensive automation shall provide clarity to practitioners regarding the synergy of LARG manufacturing & Industry 4.0, so that fast and efficient manufacturing processes can be achieved. Originality/value The framework provides detailed insight towards implementation of LARG practices in a manufacturing organization in coalescence with Industry 4.0 practices.

Climate change, the emission of greenhouse gases, and air pollution are some of the most important and challenging environmental issues. One of the main sources of such problems is the field of transportation, which leads to the emission of greenhouse gases. An efficient way to deal with such problems is carrying out sustainable transportation to reduce the amount of air pollution in an efficient way. The evaluation of sustainable vehicles can be considered a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method due to the existence of several criteria. In this paper, we aim to provide an approach based on MCDM methods and the spherical fuzzy set (SFS) concept to evaluate and prioritize sustainable vehicles for a transportation system in Tehran, Iran. Therefore, we have developed a new integrated approach based on the stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) and the measurement of alternatives and ranking according to the compromise solution (MARCOS) methods in SFS to assess the sustainable vehicles based on the criteria identified by experts. The evaluation results show that the main criterion of the environment has a high degree of importance compared to other criteria. Moreover, autonomous vehicles are the best and most sustainable vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, by comparing the ranking results with other decision-making methods, it was found that the proposed approach has high validity and efficiency.

Successful project completion is a challenging phenomenon for project managers. Various factors play an indispensable role in the success of a project. The objective of this study is to examine the role of project managers’ personalities in project success with the moderating role of external environmental factors i.e., political, economic, social. The study includes 145 project managers from 36 large-scale construction projects, from both the public and private sectors. The big five personality model was used to evaluate the personality traits of project managers and triple constraint criteria (cost, time, and quality) was used to gauge project success. Data has been collected through a well-structured questionnaire. The analysis of data indicated that personality traits like extraversion and openness are positive predictors of project success, whereas conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism did not have any direct relationship with project success. Importantly, the findings of this study concluded that external environmental factors—like political, economic, and social—moderately influence the link of specific project managers’ personality traits to project success. The role of external environmental factors as moderators has been discussed. The findings indicate the essential personality traits, as well as the role of external factors for achieving project success. The research contributions have relevance to both theory and practice and provide a deeper insight that is useful for individuals, organizations, researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.

Purpose Lean manufacturing is one of the leading paradigms for fast and proficient manufacturing but its proper implementation is a foremost task due to certain barriers affecting lean and can be handled when utilized with RFID technology. With this aspect in view, the purpose of this paper is to enlighten and present a thorough literature study that can show how RFID-based lean manufacturing is helpful for handling barriers affecting lean manufacturing in light of previous literature available. Design/methodology/approach In order to achieve this purpose a systematic literature review is conducted to justify the impacts of RFID technology for handling barriers. The aim of this systematic literature review is to initially find the barriers affecting lean implementation and then to explain the properties of RFID-based lean manufacturing which are highly feasible to handle detected barriers. Findings An interrelation is generated in this study which provides a clear indication that the properties of RFID carry significant effects to handle detected barriers in the operational, managerial and financial regime of manufacturing companies. The detected barriers that affect lean implementation are company’s cultures, top management commitment, poor employee administration, lack of finances, unbalanced inventory control, unstable customer handling and longer lead times. The properties of RFID-based lean manufacturing like operational visibility, inventory control, production control, minimized lead times and the real-time data information (to facilitate top management and employees on shop floor) are extremely helpful to control these barriers. Originality/value The originality of this study is the provision of clarity provided to both academicians and practitioners by citing and utilizing previous research studies which undoubtedly indicates positive impacts of RFID on lean implementation.

Climate change stabilization at 1.5 to 2 °C requires a shift in paradigm of industries to transition to low carbon industries. The way forward to decarbonize industries is green manufacturing, as the environmental facet of manufacturing has often been compromised for the sake of economic gains. In order to implicate green manufacturing, it is incumbent upon manufacturing facilities to introduce such measures which ensure that carbon footprint and environmentally detrimental emissions are minimized. In this context, Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) is an excellent tool to record, analyze and critically review the environmental impact of a process. In order to investigate the environmental hotspots, the authors have performed LCA of an auto-parts manufacturing industry in Pakistan by using a unique gate-to-gate approach. ReCiPe Midpoint impact assessment method was utilized to investigate the effects of manufacturing and transportation related emissions of the monthly produce on climate change, fossil depletion, ionizing radiation and human toxicity. Furthermore, the authors discuss three scenarios, which include current state, optimized future state and an energy mix involving hydropower and photovoltaic generation. The results helped in developing a comprehensive framework for green manufacturing which suggests that the prerequisite of a green manufacturing process is an optimized process flow, which significantly reduces the environmental emissions up to 24%. Moreover, the use of photovoltaic cells results in 54% reduction, thus indicating that conventional hydropower systems in developing countries should be mixed with solar power to reduce the environmental burden. A detailed green manufacturing framework based on LCA is proposed by the authors to enhance the functionality and to improvise the carbon burden of the manufacturing sector of Pakistan.

Research has often overlooked examination of circular consumption practices from the consumer’s perspective by primarily focusing on specific consumption activities, hindering researchers from obtaining comprehensive insights into consumers’ upstream and downstream roles. Addressing this gap would highlight their role as simultaneous product users and resource suppliers. The framework draws from the concepts of the circular economy, attitude–behavior–context theory, and practice theory to develop a model that explores circular consumption behavior based on 8R-strategies for addressing and reducing product demand and disposal. These strategies comprise refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, repurpose, and recycle. The proposed model was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling with data collected from 528 consumers. The results show that the antecedents positively impacted circular consumption behavior, with environmental concern and consumer social responsibility acting as partial mediators. Habits moderated the relationship between these variables, though they showed insignificant moderation between circular economy knowledge and circular consumption behavior. The findings underscore the importance of consumers’ role as both product users and resource suppliers in circular consumption practices.

This article presents numerical investigations of the solar-assisted hybrid desiccant evaporative cooling system integrated with standard air collectors for applications under the hot and humid climatic conditions of Kuwait city. The objective is to introduce the energy-efficient and carbon-free solar-assisted hybrid desiccant evaporative cooling system to alleviate the principal problems of electricity consumption and carbon emissions resulting from the use of the conventional vapor-compression cooling systems. In the normal building, during cooling load operation, the solar-assisted hybrid desiccant evaporative cooling system can cope with the cooling load particularly sensible by evaporative cooling and latent through desiccant dehumidification. The outcomes of this work indicate that solar-assisted hybrid desiccant evaporative cooling device integrated with air collectors is capable of providing average coefficient of performance of 0.85 and has the potential to provide cooling with energy saving when compared with conventional vapor-compression refrigeration systems. It was concluded that under the intense outdoor environmental conditions (ambient air at greater than 45°C and 60% relative humidity), the delivered supply air from the evaporative cooling was nearly at 27°C and 65% relative humidity. To solve this problem, the system was assisted with conventional cooling coil (evaporator of heat pump) to supply air at comfortable conditions in the conditioned space.

The fourth industrial revolution has been discussed generously in literature, as it centers around offering high value and customized products or services to the consumer by harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technologies. It comes as no surprise that it has brought about a paradigm shift in the manufacturing and services sector; however, it is imperative to analyze the variables which influence its adoption. Although there has been an increasing number of studies helping us to understand the adoption of Industry 4.0, there is no structured and process-oriented implementation roadmap that brings together contextual factors for the adoption, nor a step-by-step methodology regarding improvements. Therefore, the authors have conducted a review in which the barriers to Industry 4.0 adoption have been analyzed in a manufacturing context and their corresponding drivers have been discussed. The study reveals that top management commitment, clear strategy, and a skilled workforce play a significant role in the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. Afterwards, the authors have developed a conceptual framework for Industry 4.0 adoption by combining DMAIC with a Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework. The recommended framework is designed to facilitate sustainable digital transformation, helping organizations navigate through a structured ability-building process, upskill their workforce, and embrace technologies that align with sustainability objectives. From an academic perspective, the research makes key contributions to technology management literature by utilizing the TOE approach in a proper manner through DMAIC principles. For practitioners, the research work provides an easy four-step process that can assist them in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies in a proper manner.

Transportation sector is one of the major contributors to GHG emissions, and it is essential to investigate the role of electric vehicles in economic and environmental performance of developing countries. In this research work, the authors seek to investigate the usage pattern of three-wheeler vehicle by taking a Pakistan-based survey approach and analyzing the responses from various three-wheeler drivers across the country. The survey results indicate that the adoption of hybrid and electric three-wheelers in Pakistan would be welcomed by the users due to increased economic benefits, despite having a high initial capital cost. On an average basis, the regular three-wheeler is run for more than 5 days a week, 101–150 km daily across more than 10 h, and enables the owner to make around PKR 20,000–25,000 (~ US $119–US $149) after approximately PKR 15,000 (~ USD $89) is spent every month on fuel and maintenance. The adoption of hybrid or electric three-wheelers can easily improve the monthly earnings by 50%. In addition to this, the GHG emissions from the transportation sector will be considerably lowered around 3–6 tonnes of CO 2 emissions per year per three-wheeler. At an investment return period of 13–16 months, the electric three-wheeler is a highly lucrative opportunity.

Developing a Multi-Maximal Covering Location Model (MMCLM) for waste management in Gondokusuman Sub-district, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is urgently needed. The closure of the Piyungan landfill has resulted in the need for additional Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Waste Management Sites (3R-WMSs) to reduce waste that the landfill cannot accommodate. The primary objective of this model is to optimize the location and allocation of demand volume nodes, representing the resident population, to a specific set of 3R-WMS. These demand nodes are located at different distances from 3R-WMSs, including high and low coverage areas. The research in the Gondokusuman Sub-district employed MMCLM with facility capacity constraints and was developed using mixed integer linear programming methodology. The study identified five optimal locations for a 3R-WMS establishment that comprehensively cover all demand nodes (15301) and population clusters (45903) in the sub-district, including both high (5085) and low coverage areas (10216). This research represents a significant step forward in developing a sustainable environment by ensuring easy access to reducing, reusing, and recycling-based waste management facilities for residents.