Analysis of enablers on the successful implementation of green manufacturing for Irish SMEs

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify a comprehensive list of main enablers of successful implementation of green manufacturing (GM) practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on the inputs from Irish SMEs' experts, a validated conceptual hierarchy model of the identified enablers is developed to analyse and prioritise the most dominant ones.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a questionnaire survey responded by various professionals in Irish manufacturing SMEs. Experts' opinions were analysed using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) to distinguish the mutual influences amongst the nine identified enablers.FindingsThe findings revealed that from the Irish SMEs' perspective, strong green supply chain relations are the outcome of successfully implementing GM and not a driver of the other enablers. Furthermore, lower manufacturing costs are found to arise as a result of GM practices in SMEs.Practical implicationsIt is discussed that emulating the actions of larger companies will not necessarily yield the same results for SMEs. Innovation will become a cornerstone of remaining competitive in a sustainable environment, which is facilitated by closer green supply chain relations.Originality/valueThe reported findings in this article contribute to theory and practice of GM and SMEs research domains by systematically identified, classified and ranked enablers in a conceptual hierarchal model from the perspective of Irish SMEs. This research lays the foundations for further analysis of the GM practices enablers in a time when UN mandates and EU regulations are increasingly impacting SMEs all around Europe and especially Ireland.

Business model innovation and growth of manufacturing SMEs: a social exchange perspective

“…The definitions of SMEs vary among countries and predominantly dominated by the stage of economic development of a particular country (Deshmukh and Chavan, 2012). Therefore, following previous studies (Ghadimi et al , 2020; Mishra, 2016), we adopted the local definition of SMEs in China. According to the official classification in China, we defined a “manufacturing SME” as a firm with fewer than 1,000 employees and sales revenue of less than 400m RMB.…”

Implications of green HRM on the firm's green competitive advantage: the mediating role of enablers of green culture

“…Ghadimi et al (2020) presented a seminal work on the analysis of enablers of successful implementation of Green Manufacturing for Irish firms. The study systematically identified internal and external enablers of green manufacturing.…”

“…Moreover, the interactive effect of GHRM and green organizational culture is a topic of great relevance in today's scholarship (Jackson et al , 2011). A recent study by Ghadimi et al (2020) identified organizational culture as a key driver of green manufacturing. Nevertheless, GHRM scholars have not looked into the green culture from the point of view of its enablers.…”

“A conceptual four-stage maturity model of a firm's green manufacturing technology alternatives and performance measures”

“…Manufacturing has been playing a pivotal role in generating employment and improving national economies ever since the industrial revolution (Islam and Karim, 2011;Duflou et al, 2012;Shukla and Adil, 2021). This trend is likely to continue due to an increased demand of goods by the world's ever-growing population (Eastwood and Haapala, 2015;Ghadimi et al, 2020). Nonetheless, advancements in the manufacturing sector have had its adverse effects on our planet in the form of global warming, resource depletion and local waste disposal and related catastrophes (Sangwan, 2011;Famiyeh et al, 2018).…”

“…Tan et al (2008) portrayed GM as "an imperative manufacturing strategy for the twenty-first century, integrating all the issues of manufacturing with its ultimate goal of minimizing environmental impact and resource consumption." In other words, GM should incorporate green product design, green technology, green production and environmentally safe disposal, products (Belhadi et al, 2020;Afum et al, 2020;Ghadimi et al, 2020;Yildiz and Sezen, 2019). Today, there is clear evidence that a growing number of manufacturing firms are moving to GM (Singh et al, 2020).…”