Training on Sustainable Use of Water in the Processing Industry / Usposabljanje o trajnostni rabi vode v predelovalni industriji

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present research results on the influence of factors of sustainable water use training (management support of training, co-worker support of training, incentives for using skills acquired during training) and the influence of this training on technical efficiency and employee efficiency. The article is based on an empirical study of 328 medium and large companies in the Slovene processing industry. The findings show that the training factors have a statistically significant and positive effect on sustainable water use training and that training has a positive effect on technical efficiency. They also offer new theoretical knowledge as well as practical guidelines for anyone working in the sustainable development management of natural resources.

Validating a Scale for Innovation in Sustainable Water Management in the Manufacturing Sector: A Slovenian Study

“…Scholars have identified various innovative strides in this area, including the generation of new ideas and practical suggestions to reduce potable water consumption during product manufacturing, as highlighted by Sachidananda, Webb, and Rahimifard (2016). There has been progress in modifying production processes to incorporate alternative water sources, a transformation discussed by Partzsch (2009), Moretti (2015), and Moretti and Markič (2016). Additionally, innovative wastewater treatment approaches (including technological, cooling, and stormwater) have been developed to mitigate environmental impacts, as researched by Lazarova et al (2013) and Moretti and Markič (2016).…”

“…There has been progress in modifying production processes to incorporate alternative water sources, a transformation discussed by Partzsch (2009), Moretti (2015), and Moretti and Markič (2016). Additionally, innovative wastewater treatment approaches (including technological, cooling, and stormwater) have been developed to mitigate environmental impacts, as researched by Lazarova et al (2013) and Moretti and Markič (2016). Innovations also extend to adapting production processes for water reuse, as Menenes, Stratton, and Flores (2017) examined.…”

“…Innovations also extend to adapting production processes for water reuse, as Menenes, Stratton, and Flores (2017) examined. Furthermore, advancements in information and communication technology (ICT) have been directed at reducing drinking water usage and enhancing water quality and consumption monitoring, as well as the removal of salts and other impurities for water reclamation, as evidenced by the studies of Søgaard (2014), Coca-Prados and Gutiérrez-Cervelló (2011), Moretti andMarkič (2016), andGude (2016). In light of environmental conservation pressures, green innovations are essential for companies to gain a competitive edge, including in the manufacturing sector where industrial water is used.…”

“…Based on the research findings, organizations in the manufacturing sector are leveraging continuous innovation (the ongoing generation of ideas for product and process improvements) as a potent tool for creating competitive advantages (Hargadon, 2015;Moretti & Markič, 2016;Van Erp et al, 2023). Sustainable innovations in products and processes and organizational system innovations resulting from such efforts also play a significant role in fulfilling environmental and societal responsibilities (Calik, 2023).…”

“…The social relevance of this topic underscores the primary research problem. Although the innovation performance of organizations in the manufacturing sector, including water use, is influenced by the continuous innovation of various organizational factors related to the structure of the organization and the constant creation of products and technological processes, existing research has tended to address these in a fragmented manner and measured them individually (e.g., studies by Bortolotti, Boscarib & Daneseb, 2015;Dubey et al, 2017;Fayyaz et al, 2020;Aschenbrücker & Kretschmer, 2022;Moretti, 2015;Moretti & Markič, 2016;Sachidananda, Webb & Rahimifard, 2016;Gude, 2016;Menenes, Stratton & Flores, 2017;Harildstad, 2014). These studies often overlooked the concurrent influences of information obtained from the field (e.g., studies by Gallardo-Vázquez & Sánchez-Hernández, 2014) and reporting on socially responsible environmental stewardship (e.g., studies by Orlitzky & Swanson, 2012).…”