An expert system based decision-making framework for benchmarking industry in sustainable manufacturing

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and enhance sustainable manufacturing practices across various industries, focusing on environmental, economic and social dimensions, to promote a comprehensive understanding and implementation of sustainability, thereby improving overall industry performance and fostering long-term ecological and economic health.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses multi-criteria decision-making-multivariate analysis technique to examine sustainable manufacturing practices (SMPs) in the Indian manufacturing sector. It identifies 11 SMP criteria through literature review and expert recommendations. Data are collected through questionnaires, expert committees and interviews. The study focuses on four key industries: automobile, steel, textile and plastic. Techniques like principal component analysis (PCA), technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) are used to rank and assess performance.

Findings

The Indian automobile industry has shown the most effective SMPs compared to steel, textile and plastic sectors. The automobile sector is the benchmark for sustainable measures, emphasizing the importance of green practices for environmental, social and economic performance. Recommendations extend beyond the automobile sector to cement, electronics and construction.

Practical implications

The research emphasizes the importance of SMPs across various industries, focusing on economic, environmental and social considerations. It advocates for a holistic approach that enhances resource efficiency and minimizes ecological footprint.

Originality/value

The study uses ranking methods like PCA-integrated TOPSIS and COPRAS to evaluate performance in different industries, focusing on the benchmarked automobile sector. The research offers valuable insights and advocates for the widespread adoption of sustainable policies beyond the studied sectors.

Citation

Mandal, M.C., Mondal, N. and Ray, A. (2024), "An expert system based decision-making framework for benchmarking industry in sustainable manufacturing", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-06-2024-0533