Search

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is a technological development in the manufacturing industry that has revolutionized Total Quality Management (TQM) practices. There has been scant empirical research on the multidimensional perspective of TQM. Thus, this study aims to empirically examine the effect of the multidimensional view of TQM (soft and hard) on I4.0 readiness in small and medium-sized (SMEs) manufacturing firms. Based on the sociotechnical systems (STS) theory, a framework has been developed and validated empirically through an online survey of 209 Malaysian SMEs manufacturing firms. Unlike the existing TQM studies that used structural equation modeling (SEM), a two-stage analysis was performed in this study. First, the SEM approach was used to determine which variable significantly affects I4.0 readiness. Second, the artificial neural network (ANN) technique was adopted to rank the relative influence of significant predictors obtained from SEM. The results show that the soft and hard TQM practices have supported the I4.0 readiness. Moreover, the results highlight that hard TQM practices have mediating role between soft TQM practices and I4.0 readiness. The ANN results affirmed that customer focus is considered an important TQM factor for I4.0 managerial readiness, advanced manufacturing technology for operational readiness and top management commitment for technology readiness. In a nutshell, the SEM-ANN approach uniquely contributes to the TQM and I4.0 literature. Finally, the findings can help managers to prioritize firms' soft and hard quality practices that promote I4.0 implementation, especially in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contributes to the development of a green servitization framework to achieve manufacturing firms' sustainable performance using ISO 14001 as a driving factor in their operational management system. Manufacturing firms are becoming concerned due to the associated problem of physical flow of materials and energy through the ecosystem, which can hinder resource sustainability for future generations as a result of the enormous waste and emission of carbon produced by their operations. This is possible due to a lack of implementation of ISO 14001 in the production process, leading to a waste of resources and negative environmental effects on people and the planet, which requires an urgent green solution. Therefore, the present study investigated the adoption and implementation of ISO 14001 as a catalyst of a green initiative towards achieving sustainable performance. After a review of studies in operational and environmental management, a quantitative methodology was adopted in three research design phases that included identifying dimensions for survey measurement instruments, survey validation, a pilot study, as well as data analysis to investigate the mediating effect of ISO 14001 on the relationship between green servitization and sustainable performance. The results show a significant and positive mediation effect of ISO 14001 on the interaction between green servitization and sustainable performance. In conclusion, these findings will enhance the operation and performance of the environmental management system required for the manufacturing firm and improve the practice of green service toward sustainable performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) has been established to alter our world by addressing the challenges faced by humanity in order to promote wellbeing, economic prosperity, and the protection of the environment. The SDGs provide a holistic and multi-dimensional approach to development compared to conventional development plans that focus on a limited range of dimensions. As a result, linkages between the SDGs may result in differing outcomes. This research is the first to investigate the direct relationship of environmental and social SDGs with firms' financial performance and the moderating role of green innovation. Data from 67 companies from five continents (Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, North America, and Africa) and their top five blue-chip firms were collected through content analysis. Generalized least squares (GLS) were used to test for direct relationships. The results showed a positive correlation between environmental SDGs and the negative significance of social SDGs on firms' financial performance. However, mixed findings regarding the moderation variable green innovation over SDGs and firms' financial performance were found. The new findings extend the SDG literature and provide empirical evidence to practitioners and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current global economy demands synergy between ecological responsiveness and proactive business models. To analyze these dynamics, the objective of this study is to simultaneously investigate the effects of green innovation practices concerning the sustainable development goals (SDG) and financial performance of firms. This study also advocates for the injection of green innovation reporting into sustainable reporting for greater disclosure. Data from sixty-seven companies from five continents and the top five blue chip firms for each country are collected through content analysis, with the generalized least squares (GLS) approach used to test a causal relationship hypothesis. The results indicate mixed findings, with green product innovation showing positive relationships with returns on equity (ROE) and returns on investments (ROI). At the same time, green process innovation shows negative relationships with returns on assets (ROA) but shows a positive impact on returns on investments (ROI) and firm SDGs. In contrast, green service innovation shows an insignificant relationship with financial performance and SDGs. On the other hand, non-operational green innovation variables and green marketing positively affect returns on assets and investment, showing significant negative impacts on returns on equity. However, green organizational innovation shows an insignificant relationship with firm financial performance and SDGs. In addition, this study also shows that the Australia/New Zealand region is the leader in green innovation reporting, followed by Europe, Asia, Africa, and lastly, North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport sector is the leading source of growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. To consider environmental degradation aspects due to transport, electric vehicles (EVs) have the prospect to lead road transport to electric mobility from conventional petroleum vehicles. Despite various eco-friendly benefits, the EV market penetration ratio is very low, especially in developing countries. The primary reason for low penetration is consumer limited motivation and knowledge about the EVs features. This paper uses a unified theory of acceptance and technology (UTAUT) model to assess consumer motivation and environmental knowledge towards EVs. This research used convenience random sampling to collect data and analyzed the results using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method on the example of 199 respondents from Malaysia. The study results revealed that factors identified in the motivational context significantly influence consumer intentions to purchase EVs. Perceived environmental knowledge and technophilia have been included in UTAUT from a motivational perspective. Furthermore, a significant relationship between effort expectancy, social influence, technophilia, perceived environmental knowledge, and purchase intention towards electric vehicles has been observed, without performance expectancy. The study findings serve to inform policymakers and automakers to formulate effective marketing strategies to enhance consumer motivation, knowledge, and value creation for EVs in a sustainable era. Ultimately, the policies will help to encourage consumers to buy eco-friendly vehicles that will help reduce transport carbon emissions and attain sustainable development goals (SDGs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-innovation has gained considerable attention in the academic and corporate world due to its potential in mitigating a firm's sustainability issues. Most previous studies focused on the reactive approaches of eco-innovation using primary data. This study mitigates the existing research gap by highlighting proactive eco-innovation and using a secondary panel dataset. The prime objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between proactive eco-innovation and firms' financial performance. Hence, the study will introduce the proactive eco-innovation index with the help of secondary panel data. In addition to that, the paper will also explore how proactive eco-innovation relates to circular economy. The theory of Resource-Based View (RBV) was used to explain the relationship among the variables. This study was conducted on 31 Malaysian public listed energy companies from 2015 to 2019. A proactive eco-innovation index was inferred by adapting three dimensions of eco-innovation (product, process, and technology) which is applicable for the energy sector. By applying random-effects GLS regression equation modeling, it was found that proactive eco-innovation (product eco-innovation, process eco-innovation, and technology eco-innovation) has a direct effect on firm financial performance. Furthermore, product and process eco-innovation is directly related to a circular economy through a sustainable product development process. The findings suggest that policymakers in the firm should proactively adopt eco-innovative practices. It will positively affect the circular economy as it will be cost-effective and help to reduce potential industrial pollution in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-innovation has gained considerable attention in academia as well as in industry due to its potential in mitigating environmental challenges and its positive correlation with firm performance. However, there are limited studies which have investigated the moderating relation of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2015 between eco-innovation and firm sustainability in their contribution to societal development. This research is supported by a resource-based theory which explores the core-competencies of firms and challenges the resources creating the competitive advantage of the firm without compromising on the social responsibility aspect of the firm. This study proposes a fishbone eco-innovation business model, which includes production (product, process, and technology) and non-production (organization and marketing) business activities mapped with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for societal development. This fishbone eco-innovation business model signals to the stakeholders about the organization's innovation in their green implementation, which goes beyond mere compliance. The contribution of the fishbone eco-innovation business model to societal development will create a unique competitive edge and green goodwill amongst the external stakeholders, which will attract sustainably responsible investors for investment. This article draws propositions and develops a conceptual model for future empirical research on eco-innovation and societal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing concerns surrounding the precarious state of the biosphere have triggered organizations to develop and implement innovations that curb environmental degradation (eco-innovation). However, eco-innovation is a risky proposition for organizations and their stakeholders, due to uncertainty of outcome. Despite the high investment risk of eco-innovation, the literature that assesses eco-innovation outcomes from an organizational performance perspective is scant. Thus, this paper uses a systematic approach to review eco-innovation and performance literature. The eco-innovation and performance literature reviewed in this paper is sourced from the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) scientific databases. Results from this systematic review suggest that the capital market stakeholder group—an essential stakeholder group—has received little attention in the eco-innovation and performance literature. This is alarming, as this stakeholder group is expected to act in the best interests of the organization—as well as the other stakeholders—especially during strategy formulation and implementation. This paper also finds that the resource-based view and stakeholder theory are frequently utilized in explaining eco-innovation. However, the natural resource-based view is least utilized, despite growing environmental pressures. A multi-theoretical perspective can help to overcome the limitations of one theory, as well as help to unearth additional organizational factors which could potentially catalyze the eco-innovation and performance relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the past decades have created concerns about the environment. To stymie global warming and the deterioration of the natural environment, global CO2 emissions need to reach approximately 1.3 tons per capita by 2050. However, in Malaysia, CO2 output per capita—driven by fossil fuel consumption and energy production—is expected to reach approximately 12.1 tons by the year 2020. GHG mitigation strategies are needed to address these challenges. Cleaner production, through eco-innovation, has the potential to arrest CO2 emissions and buttress sustainable development. However, the cleaner production process has been hampered by lack of complete data to support decision making. Therefore, using the resource-based view, a preliminary study consisting of energy and utility firms is undertaken to understand the impact of big data analytics towards eco-innovation. Linear regression through SPSS Version 24 reveals that big data analytics could become a strong predictor of eco-innovation. This paper concludes that information and data are key inputs, and big data technology provides firms the opportunity to obtain information, which could influence its production process—and possibly help arrest increasing CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]