Search Results (7,528)

The transition towards the circular economy and improved environmental management is a major challenge for manufacturing SMEs under growing pressures for resource efficiency, waste reduction and industrial sustainability. Although circular economy, environmental management, digitalization and artificial intelligence are widely discussed, they are often treated separately and rarely integrated into maturity-assessment frameworks. This article proposes CEEMMI—Circular Economy and Environmental Management Maturity Index—a digital- and AI-oriented diagnostic framework with a multi-criteria structure for manufacturing SMEs. CEEMMI integrates eight dimensions covering circular strategy, eco-design, resource efficiency, life cycle management, circular supply chains, digitalization and AI, organizational capabilities and sustainable performance. In its current version, the model is operationalized as an equal-weighted additive index for preliminary self-assessment, pending future content-validity testing and expert-derived weighting. The framework supports five-level maturity classification, profile-based interpretation, compensability safeguards and illustrative sensitivity analysis, offering a reproducible basis for diagnosis, decision support and future empirical validation. Full article

Background: Local vaccine manufacturing is being pursued across Africa to improve pandemic preparedness and reduce reliance on imports. In Nigeria, where COVID-19 vaccines were largely imported, willingness to accept locally produced vaccines is important for sustainable domestic production. The objective of this study was to estimate willingness to accept a locally manufactured COVID-19 vaccine among adults in Lagos, Nigeria, and to identify demographic predictors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adults in Lagos State from 7 September to 16 September 2024, using a questionnaire administered in four open-air markets. The primary outcome was willingness to accept a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in Nigeria (yes/no). We summarized respondent characteristics, tested bivariate associations using chi-square tests, and estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) using multivariable logistic regression. Model calibration and discrimination were assessed using Hosmer–Lemeshow testing and the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results: Of 388 consenting respondents, 335 provided complete data (86.3%). Respondents were predominantly female (60.6%); the largest age groups were 25–34 (30.2%) and 35–44 (28.4%) years. Overall, 75.8% reported willingness to accept a Nigerian-made COVID-19 vaccine. Willingness differed by age group (p = 0.0028; trend p = 0.0002) and religion (p = 0.0403). In adjusted models, respondents aged 45–54 years (aOR 6.54; 95% CI: 1.73–24.79) and 55–64 years (aOR 4.97; 95% CI: 1.05–23.55) had higher odds of acceptance than those aged 18–24 years. Christian affiliation was associated with lower odds than Muslim affiliation (aOR 0.41; 95% CI: 0.20–0.83). Discrimination was acceptable (AUC 0.75; 95% CI: 0.69–0.80). Conclusions: Most respondents were willing to accept a Nigerian-made COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting demand-side readiness. Confidence-building strategies tailored to younger adults and implemented with faith-based and community institutions may support uptake of locally produced vaccines. Full article

This study examines the structural drivers of carbon emission changes across 30 Chinese sectors from 2002 to 2023, employing a nested input–output structural decomposition analysis model grounded in both producer and consumer principles. We further construct a carbon inequality-adjusted network decoupling index to eliminate the systematic carbon transfer bias inherent to the conventional Tapio decoupling indicator. The core empirical findings are as follows: declining carbon intensity has served as the primary driver of emission reductions over the past two decades; however, its effect has been persistently offset by economic expansion. Upstream sectors, such as electricity generation, transfer substantial emissions downstream through sectoral chains, leading to a systematic overestimation of their decoupling performance, whereas the emission reductions in downstream manufacturing sectors are underestimated owing to embodied carbon imports. Inter-industry carbon inequality underwent a structural transformation following the launch of supply-side structural reforms in 2015, which substantially narrowed the arbitrage space for cross-sector carbon shifting. Cluster analysis further reveals that most industries continue to face considerable emission growth pressure. This study offers novel analytical perspectives and empirical evidence for designing carbon allowance allocation and differentiated emission reduction pathways that reconcile economic growth with environmental sustainability. This study offers a new analytical perspective and empirical evidence. It focuses on differentiated emission pathways and allowance allocations. The goal is to balance growth and sustainability. The findings also highlight a key point. Carbon markets must correct for sectoral chain carbon transfers. This study focuses on carbon emissions from 30 broadly defined sectors covering agriculture, mining, manufacturing, energy production and supply, construction, transportation, and commercial services. The accounting scope does not include direct fuel combustion emissions from residential consumption. Full article

This paper examines the reliability of a product in terms of its lifetime, based on the investigation of certain factors within the framework of maintaining the principles of the circular economy and the sustainable design of the experiment. The study aims to investigate the critical factors that could affect the product’s lifespan and long-term efficiency. Initially, a statistical analysis of interactions was achieved through an interaction diagram using the Minitab software and for trials scheduled using the Plackett–Burman planner. Subsequently, the most significant interactions were selected and further analysis was conducted using the screening model, a combination of Pareto chart and the Lenth method to filter out weaker performing controlling factors and their associated two-way interactions. This was followed by a life-data regression analysis, and the results identified statistically strong factors and interactions based on various commonly used reliability distributions. Such findings are important in improving the life extent of a product, which in the specific case was a manufactured industrial-level thermostat, while reducing the risk for early product failure. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the variability and multiplicity in prediction accuracy of the screened effects when considering different reliability distributions in research which employs statistical reliability tools. Such tools are regularly encountered in product design and improvement efforts, aiming to successfully prevent early failures while ameliorating the environmental footprint in production. Full article

Glass additive manufacturing (AM) is a developing technology, particularly in comparison to metals and polymers, both of which have had their processes and applications extensively studied. Its potential lies in fabricating complex, even micrometric, geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve via traditional molding, as well as in producing components with unique optical properties. The diversity of AM techniques, alongside the challenges associated with the high melting point, rheological control, and fragility of glass, necessitates a comprehensive analysis of current developments. Accordingly, this review presents a systematic review, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol, of recent literature regarding AM technologies that fabricate glass via particle fusion to form solid components. This review explicitly excludes techniques utilizing glass fibers as reinforcement, as that constitutes a separate field of inquiry. The results demonstrate sustained growth within the field, with a predominance of technologies based on photopolymerization and ink extrusion, both of which offer high resolution and microstructural control. Ultimately, this review establishes the current state of the art, identifying critical challenges and emerging lines of research to guide future development. It is intended to serve as a foundational reference for researchers and professionals seeking to initiate or expand their work in glass AM. Full article

Against the backdrop of global low-carbon transformation, carbon finance plays an increasingly pivotal role in advancing green innovation (GI) and industrial upgrading. Drawing on data from manufacturing enterprises listed on China’s A-share market between 2009 and 2023, this study innovatively constructs an enterprise-level carbon finance (CF) index. The research indicates that: (1) CF has been found to significantly promote corporate green innovation, exhibiting a positive effect on both the quantity (Gqua) and quality (Gqli). Theoretical derivations indicate that, during the initial entry of firms into the carbon market, CF can directly incentivize firms to increase their optimal proportion of green innovation. In the market adaptation phase, CF strengthens green research and development investment by alleviating firms’ financing constraints, and this effect is amplified as the CF application increases. (2) The mediating test indicates that CF enhances both the quantity and quality of green innovation by alleviating the problem of digital knowledge-based faultlines in executives and information asymmetry. (3) The moderation analysis shows that both financing constraints and market concentration negatively moderate the relationship between CF and green innovation. (4) The heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive effects of CF are more pronounced among highly polluting and high-technology firms. These findings provide valuable theoretical and policy insights for promoting the green transformation of the manufacturing sector. Full article

The Industry 5.0 paradigm reframes sustainable operations management around human-centric, resilient and responsible production, yet the conditions under which digital and AI-enabled manufacturing translate into genuine worker well-being—particularly for women—remain under-investigated. This study analyses the determinants of women’s well-being at work in the Moroccan automotive industry, a sector that has become the country’s largest industrial exporter and a strategic laboratory for Industry 4.0-to-5.0 transitions. A systematic review was first conducted in Scopus (2015–2025) following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, yielding 54 eligible studies, of which 18 explicitly addressed automotive or Industry 4.0–5.0 contexts. Building on Job Demands–Resources theory and the human-centric tenets of Industry 5.0, a conceptual model articulated five antecedents—perceived supervisor support, job autonomy, work–life balance, technology-inclusive AI environment, and organisational justice—and a moderator, Industry 5.0 maturity. The model was tested via PLS-SEM (SmartPLS 4) on survey data from 412 women working in supplier and OEM plants across Tangier, Kénitra and Casablanca. Measurement quality was satisfactory (Cronbach’s α: 0.92–0.94; CR: 0.94–0.96; AVE: 0.81–0.85; HTMT < 0.63). All five antecedents significantly predicted well-being (β = 0.09–0.29; p ≤ 0.01), explaining 62% of its variance (Q² = 0.571). Industry 5.0 maturity amplified the effect of a technology-inclusive AI environment on well-being (β interaction = 0.120; p < 0.001). The findings support a contingent, human-centric view of smart manufacturing and provide actionable levers for sustainable, gender-inclusive operations management. Full article

The advanced manufacturing of metal micro-holes is of great significance in various fields of industrial production, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, and healthcare. New technologies are constantly emerging, including various multi-energy field manufacturing technologies, and the knowledge system is complex and intricate. The present article summarizes recent advancements in metal micro-hole manufacturing technologies, drawing parallels with existing laser processing and electrochemical processing technologies. The present systematic review has been conducted with the objective of providing a comprehensive overview of the latest methodologies. The present review paper is of particular significance in that it encompasses not only the fundamental principles and innovative process methods, but also the most recent research progress and current problems. Furthermore, a synopsis of the developmental trajectory of advanced sustainable manufacturing technology for micro-holes was furnished. Full article

Green technological innovation (GTI) has emerged as a critical driver for achieving strategic objectives of projects, particularly in the context of sustainable new product development (NPD). Although prior studies have suggested that innovation can enhance project outcomes, limited attention has been given to clarifying the contribution of GTI to NPD performance. The lack of conclusive evidence regarding the effectiveness of GTI may partly explain its relatively limited adoption in practice. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of GTI implementation on NPD performance and further explores the moderating influence of project characteristics on this relationship. The empirical findings reveal that multiple dimensions of GTI implementation—including green resource allocation, green manufacturing, green organizational practices, and green planning—significantly improve both product performance and market performance. Furthermore, the findings indicate that project characteristics, such as team size, R&D type, information availability, and material availability, significantly moderate the relationship between overall GTI implementation and NPD performance, suggesting that the effectiveness of GTI depends on specific project characteristics. Full article

In this study, a double-sheet detection system for automated metal stamping is developed and modeled. This study aims to address the issue of die damage caused by overlapping workpieces (double sheeting), a significant contributor to production line stoppages. The proposed solution involves a control system utilizing a programmable logic controller (PLC), combined with inductive proximity sensors installed on the die, for real-time processing of workpiece status. The system is designed to immediately halt machine operation upon detecting any abnormalities. The experimental results demonstrate that the developed system successfully reduced double-sheet incidents from one occurrence to zero and eliminated production downtime (reducing it from 4 days to zero), resulting in a total of 32,972.26 USD saved in potential damage costs per incident. Furthermore, the system reduced the production cycle time from 11 s to 9.5 s per piece, increasing the production capacity by 1240 pieces per day. The economic assessment indicates that an initial equipment investment of only 483.2 USD yielded a return on investment (ROI) of 6723.73%, a payback period of 5.35 days, a net present value (NPV) of 89,333 USD, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of approximately 6830%. These figures demonstrate a very high level of economic feasibility. Therefore, this system is a cost-effective, reliable, and practical approach to enhance productivity and sustainably support the Smart Factory concept in the metal stamping industry, aligning with the automotive parts manufacturing industry. Full article

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) plays an increasingly important role in sustainable production owing to its material efficiency, design freedom, and compatibility with circular economy (CE) strategies. Yet the high cost and environmental burden of producing virgin metallic powders remain major barriers to large-scale adoption. This review synthesizes current and emerging approaches for recycling metallic powder feedstocks within AM, organizing them into four pathways: reusing, reconditioning, repurposing, and resourcing. Reusing preserves powders within the AM loop through controlled handling and qualification strategies, whereas reconditioning applies mechanical, thermal or chemical treatments to restore powder properties. Repurposing redirects powder to alternative value-added routes, including wire feedstock, metal–polymer composites, extrusion materials, and elemental or oxide recovery. Resourcing generates new powder from end-of-life powder, printing scrap, and waste through mechanical size reduction, atomization-based processes, or solid-state conversion routes. Across these pathways, the review highlights technological advances, process limitations, and cross-cutting challenges related to oxidation, morphology deterioration, contamination, and scalability, and identifies underexplored methodologies with potential for AM-specific recycling. By integrating insights across the field, this work outlines the expanding landscape of metallic powder circularity and demonstrates how diversified recycling strategies can reduce environmental impact, lower material costs, and support a more sustainable AM ecosystem. Full article

Amid the profound restructuring of global value chains, supply chain risk has mainly been linked to visible shocks such as pandemics, wars, and geopolitical conflict. Much less is known, however, about whether exchange rate volatility can become a source of operational instability within firms. We examine this question using Chinese A-share listed firms from 2007 to 2021. We construct an industry-level exchange rate volatility measure by combining ADB input–output tables with bilateral real exchange rate volatility, and measure firms’ perceived and disclosed supply chain disruption risk from the MD&A sections of annual reports using a word-embedding approach. We find that higher industry-level exchange rate volatility is associated with a significant increase in firms’ perceived and disclosed supply chain disruption risk. The mechanism evidence indicates that this effect operates through both supply-side operating frictions and demand-side pressure: higher industry-level exchange rate volatility reduces inventory turnover and weakens overseas revenue realization. The effect is weaker in industries with longer backward production length but stronger among firms facing tighter financing constraints. It is also stronger among firms located in more open regions, firms with overseas-experienced executives, and firms with greater export intensity, but weaker among manufacturing firms. These findings extend research on the real effects of exchange rate volatility by showing how industry-level exchange rate uncertainty can materialize as firm-level perceived and disclosed supply chain disruption risk and undermine the operational continuity and long-term economic sustainability of internationally connected supply chains. Full article

Symbolic digital transformation, whereby firms overstate digital initiatives through digital narratives without substantive upgrading, may undermine the developmental value of industrial digitalization. This study examines whether China’s Smart Manufacturing Pilot Policy (SMPP) curbs such behavior. Using panel data on Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms from 2011 to 2024, we treat the staggered implementation of the SMPP as a quasi-natural experiment and estimate policy effects within a double machine learning framework. The baseline results show that the SMPP significantly reduces firms’ symbolic digital transformation (SDT), and this finding remains robust to alternative specifications and endogeneity tests. Dynamic effect analysis indicates that the policy generates a persistent restraining effect, although its marginal effect gradually declines as governance becomes more normalized over time. Mechanism analysis shows that the policy mainly works by easing financing constraints and reducing information asymmetry, while increased media attention creates a countervailing reputational incentive that may encourage SDT. Threshold analysis further reveals that the policy effect is stronger among firms with higher managerial myopia and is most pronounced when corporate opacity is moderate, but becomes insignificant once opacity exceeds a critical level. Overall, the SMPP promotes a shift from symbolic to substantive digital transformation and may provide indirect implications for sustainable manufacturing development. Full article

This study quantified environmental impacts of circularity strategies in the manufacturing industry, focusing on maintenance-driven product lifetime extension (PLE) using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The analyzed case builds on earlier work, which showed that the product’s lifetime was shorter than the industry average lifetime and that the use phase was the dominant contributor to overall environmental impacts, identifying it as a key area for improvement. A computational code was developed to model maintenance-driven lifetime extension scenarios and to calculate selected total and normalized environmental impacts for the studied industrial process equipment. The model assumes maintenance-related impacts are smaller than the impacts avoided through reduced new production. Results show that while total impacts increase with longer use, normalized impacts per unit of production and per year of service life decrease by 58%, improving resource efficiency. Maintenance-driven PLE supports circular economy (CE) strategies by slowing material flows and extending product use. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating maintenance into circularity frameworks and life cycle-based decision-making. Full article

Cable scrap is a high-grade secondary copper resource, but transparent plant-scale evidence on the operational energy and emissions performance of mechanical separation lines remains limited. This descriptive industrial case report presents a non-replicated comparison of complete operating records for the former and newly implemented cable-recycling lines at MERCURY HM in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, for June 2022 and June 2024, respectively. Because each configuration is represented by one aggregate month, the comparison is descriptive and cannot support causal attribution or inferential statistical testing. The assessment applies a gate-to-gate boundary and quantifies location-based Scope 2 CO₂ emissions from purchased electricity only; Scope 1 emissions, upstream and downstream Scope 3 emissions, equipment manufacture, transport, facility utilities, maintenance, and downstream metallurgical refining are outside the boundary. For consistent benchmarking, both months were recalculated using the same KOBiZE end-user electricity factor of 685 kg CO₂/MWh. The functional units were one tonne of processed cable and one tonne of recovered copper. In the observed months, processed mass was 168 Mg for the former line and 288 Mg for the new line, while monthly electricity consumption was 30,000 and 23,000 kWh, respectively. Specific electricity consumption was 55.3% lower per tonne of cable and 55.8% lower per tonne of recovered copper in the June 2024 dataset; the corresponding electricity-related emission intensities were 122.3 versus 54.7 kg CO₂/Mg of cable and 312.0 versus 138.0 kg CO₂/Mg of recovered copper. Observed throughput was 0.6 versus 1.2 Mg/h, nominal capacity was 0.7 versus 2.25 Mg/h, and four samples of the high-purity copper product from the new line contained 99.48 ± 0.20% Cu. A scenario analysis for a cable copper content of 39–42% produced emission intensities of 297–320 kg CO₂/Mg Cu for the former line and 131–142 kg CO₂/Mg Cu for the new line. The results provide a transparent plant-specific sustainability-relevant benchmark, not a causal estimate of technology performance. Replicated monthly or batch-level data are required to test whether the observed differences persist after controlling for feedstock, ambient, operational, and workforce-related confounders. Full article