Developing in engineering students a critical analysis about sustainability in productive systems

Abstract

Purpose The Mechanical Engineering course at the University of Campinas is composed of different disciplines in the areas of materials, mechanical design, manufacturing (production and manufacturing), computational systems, thermal and fluids. In the manufacturing area, in particular, there is a discipline entitled Productive Systems whose main objective is to offer to the student a global vision about operations management. In the field of operations management, sustainability is gaining more and more importance; thus, it is important to develop in the students a critical sense about social and environmental aspects. Thus, this paper aims to present the main initiatives developed in the discipline to promote sustainability in engineering students. Design/methodology/approach Since 2015, the professors responsible for the Productive Systems discipline, assisted by post-graduate students and professors from other universities, have begun to redesign the discipline, including debates, lectures, projects and other initiatives to provide a critical view concerning the traditional concepts taught. The discipline has been performed three times with this new conception. The methodology to structure this research was literature review, documental analyses of the discipline records and meetings with professors that participated in the initiatives. An Action Research approach was performed by two professors and a graduate student. The authors of this paper also compared the results with those obtained by initiatives performed at Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden). Findings This study allowed to reinforce some results from initiatives performed at Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden); however, some differences were identified. For example, similar to the initiatives mentioned, the professors of University of Campinas had problems with didactic books, as they loosely integrate the basic operations management concepts with sustainable development fundamentals. On the other hand, debates related to social sustainability were considered positive from the point of view of the professors and students, differing from initiatives performed at Chalmers University of Technology. Research limitations/implications Results come from one field study (University of Campinas) when professors of the Mechanical Engineering course try to integrate operations management concepts and sustainable development. Different results may be observed by other higher education institutions. Practical implications The authors of this paper believe that the diffusion of these initiatives can stimulate other professors and researchers in the field to broaden the academic debate about the insertion of sustainability into engineering courses. Originality/value There are few papers presenting didactic experiences and empirical results about the integration of operations management concepts and sustainable development. Results of this paper reinforce some good practices and they also present other ones, in a way that extend the debate about educational engineering.

Analysis of the perception of engineering students regarding sustainability

“…As a consequence of it, analyzing the results of this study, it is clear that students from the sample must be better prepared better in relation to social aspects of sustainability, especially the concerns regarding employees and local communities. This is particularly important when it is considered the role of engineers in the development and improvement of production systems (Rampasso et al, 2018b). Another issue relevant to be addressed is the fact that maybe the environmental sustainability has not been emphasized enough in engineering courses.…”

“…Due to the importance that engineering has for society in all its aspects (ref), the teaching of this career has been gaining prominence in academic research and discussion forums for educators. Many aspects are discussed, highlighting the sustainability which can greatly contribute to the training of better prepared professionals (Rampasso et al, 2018b). In this context, the present literature review seeks to present the results of some researches that contributes to the debate on the subject.…”

“…Participation in Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are used to enable academic activities in this sense. Rampasso et al (2018b), through action research, analyzed the development of critical thinking regarding sustainability in students of mechanical engineering at University of Campinas. The research was conducted in a discipline called "Productive Systems" and focused on the economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainability.…”

Embedding Sustainability in Complex Projects: A Pedagogic Practice Simulation Approach

“…For project management the definition of sustainability and their understanding of aspects of sustainability are important. Rampasso et al (2019) found that according to the learners' perception, the reason for the eliminations of Concern With Employees (CWE); Support for Local Communities (SLC); is related to their perceptions.…”

Critical analysis of engineering education focused on sustainability in supply chain management: an overview of Brazilian higher education institutions

“…However, there are few examples in the literature about sustainability insertion in engineering courses. Focusing on Brazilian reality, the action research reported by Rampasso, Anholon, Silva, Cooper Ordóñez, et al (2019) should be highlighted. In this study, sustainability aspects related to operations management are presented to mechanical engineering students of a Brazilian university.…”