Impact of technology-driven efficient manufacturing on environmental sustainability performance in UK and central Europe (Advert Reference: RDF21/BL/MOS/SHOKRI2)

Project Rationale and Description

At present, waste reduction, technology and sustainability are important concerns for manufacturers and in general for the society. Smart manufacturing represents a fundamental paradigm shift towards efficiency and agility with a high-tech strategic agenda (Chiarini, 2020). The impact of waste reduction and technology on sustainability has recently been studied in the manufacturing setting (Varela et al, 2019). However, theoretical research linking technology-driven efficient manufacturing with environmentally friendly practices is scarce.

While at first sight, any technology improving manufacturing efficiency of new products may hurt processes like recycling or remanufacturing, these circular activities may just as well benefit from smart technologies, and there may even be complementarity gains.

Therefore, our aims is to identify and test the mediating role of technology to promote more effective integration of efficient manufacturing with environmental sustainability practices on an organisational and operational level (Muller et al, 2018; and Varela et al, 2019). The key questions to be answered by this research are:

1. How can technological principles of smart manufacturing influence an establishment of waste reduction and re-use principles in manufacturing settings to promote sustainability?
2. How can smart and efficient manufacturing practices with significant human-machine interaction influence operational effectiveness of sustainability practices?

Whilst the first question focuses on the higher level of organisational readiness for the moderating impact of technology on efficient and green integrated manufacturing, the second question focuses on the practical role of technology on the effective application of waste reduction practices to promote green manufacturing.

The project will start with a multi-disciplinary review of existing literature including but not limited to Lean Management, Total Quality Management (TQM), Closed-loop Supply Chains and Industry 4.0 (Chirarini, 2020; Muller et al, 2018; and Varela et al, 2019). For example, the adoption of green manufacturing (Shokri and Li, 2020; Li et al, 2018; Kleber et al, 2020; and Shokri, 2019), Innovation and green manufacturing integration (Reimann et al, 2019), challenges of efficiency and its integration with technology (Shokri, 2017), cultural assessment of TQM practices (Shokri et al, 2016) and sustainability development (Shokri et al, 2014) have been evident in our recent publications.

From this literature review a conceptual framework of the causal relationship between smart technologies and green practices will be developed. Based on this framework a theoretical model including testable hypotheses will be derived. Using this model, an empirical quantitative and qualitative study will be performed among UK and Austrian manufacturers by means of a survey questionnaire. This will be followed by more in-depth feasibility analysis through interviewing managers and practitioners. Our results will contribute towards Socio-technical system theory (Sony and Naik, 2020), industrial revolution theory (Zonnenshain and Kennett, 2020) and Lean management theory (Womack et al, 1991; and Handel, 2014).

Eligibility and How to Apply:

Please note eligibility requirement:

• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/ 

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF21/BL/MOS/SHOKRI2) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 29 January 2021

Start Date: 1 October 2021

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Alireza Shokri ([Email Address Removed])