Development of a Management Tool for Assessing Environmental Performance in SMEs’ Design and Production

Author(s):  
Tim Woolman ◽  
Alireza Veshagh
2021 ◽  
Vol 280 ◽  
pp. 02004
Author(s):  
Valentyna Lavrenenko ◽  
Hanna Yanhol ◽  
Bohdan Tishkov

The development of the ideology of sustainable development stimulated the emergence of companies’ Performance Management Systems with an emphasis on the environmental aspects of their activities. Benchmarking, as a modern management tool, is often used for competitive analysis and setting development goals. This study’s scientific problem is to assess the feasibility of applying benchmarking studies to assess the global industry’s environmental aspects. The purpose of the study is to identify the prerequisites for using benchmarking to improve environmental performance, as well as to identify best practices among world-leading companies. For benchmarking, a logical information model is proposed in the study. On its basis, eight world leaders were selected, trends in the industry’s development were analysed, and reference values of environmental indicators were established. For environmental performance assessment, it is proposed to use such indicators as greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, material efficiency, environmental management systems. Comparative benchmarking analysis of world leaders and 16 largest Ukrainian companies allowed determining the reserves for increasing environmental performance. The directions for increasing environmental performance are Investment in resource-saving technologies, production of higher value-added products, investments in energy-saving and new technologies, improvement of management systems, and certification. These ideas are complemented by recommendations for improving environmental performance, based on the Circular Economy Concept’s philosophy and Industry 4.0. The study’s practical significance is that Ukrainian companies can use their results to achieve higher environmental and economic outcomes.


Author(s):  
Alessandro Musacchio ◽  
Andrea Corona ◽  
Luca Cencioni ◽  
Angela Serra ◽  
Pietro Bartocci ◽  
...  

Abstract Nowadays environmental impact assessment of a new product is necessary to meet rising sustainability requirements also in the Oil & Gas and Power Generation markets, especially for industrial gas turbines. From the conceptual phase to the detailed design, engineer’s work is supported by a wide range of tools aimed to define and evaluate typical parameters such as performances, life and costs, etc. However, considering environmental impact aspects from the early stages of product development may not be easy if the involved engineers are not provided by a specific Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) knowledge. Scope of this paper is to introduce and explain the development of a methodology aimed to define and evaluate the Key Environmental Performance Factors (KEPF) during the whole design process. The proposed methodology enables easy and fast eco-design evaluations and supports sustainable design assessments. Preliminary analysis of the entire processes involved in gas turbine (GT) design and production as well as testing and commissioning phases were performed to evaluate which factors affect mostly the Carbon Footprint of each process, referred to their specific functional unit. Extrapolating the KEPF from Cradle-to-Gate LCA they can be combined with case-specific qualitative and quantitative information such as material selection, manufacturing processes, mass quantity, presence of coatings etc. to provide environmental assessments. A case study of LCA applied to a heavy-duty GT is presented to outline the relative weight of each KEPF.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Musacchio ◽  
Angela Serra ◽  
Andrea Corona ◽  
Luca Cencioni ◽  
Pietro Bartocci ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Testa ◽  
Fabio Iraldo ◽  
Tiberio Daddi

A very extensive academic debate is currently ongoing regarding the managerial decision to adopt an environmental management system compliant with ISO 14001 or Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), and the respective effectiveness of the two metastandards. According to the institutional theory, the adoption of metastandards is driven by the need for social legitimacy, thus generating isomorphism among firms. The few existing studies on the internalization of these standards requirements have considered only specific aspects of the management system, such as the use of operational procedures in daily practices or employee involvement. To fill this gap, we investigated the level of internalization of EMAS requirements, taking into account all the key elements of the Deming Cycle. Using data from 224 questionnaires from EMAS organizations, we tested whether EMAS adopters with a higher internalization of its requirements (a) have better environmental performance and (b) are more motivated to make environmental investments. Our results clearly show that opting for a metastandard does not necessarily lead to homogenous behaviors among adopters. However, the level of internalization of its requirements both in terms of the strategies and daily operational procedures is a key determinant in achieving a real improvement in performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 463
Author(s):  
Kylie Seccombe ◽  
Derrick O'Keeffe

This paper identifies key areas of concern regarding the use of deferral as a maintenance management tool. As the national regulator for offshore petroleum operations and greenhouse gas storage activities, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority is uniquely positioned to observe the various processes and tools applied by industry in the management of maintenance for offshore facilities, including impacts on safety and the environment, while acknowledging the need for business sustainability. This Extended Abstract provides a regulator’s perspective on the use of ‘maintenance deferral’ by industry as a tool for balancing competing priorities, while ensuring the risks to people and the environment are reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable. It highlights the pitfalls of maintenance deferral that may negatively influence safety and environmental performance over the life of a facility (from construction through to decommissioning) as well as on the business’ bottom line. Learnings identified from non-compliances, improvement recommendations and incidents to promote efficient and effective learning are shared to further enhance existing good practices across the industry.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-106
Author(s):  
Mishelle Doorasamy

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the perception of management on the benefits of adopting an environmental management accounting (EMA) system as a waste management tool in a paper and pulp manufacturing company. This paper highlights the benefits of an EMA system and the role and importance of EMA as a decision-making tool in encouraging the adoption of cleaner production (CP) techniques and technologies. This research was based on a case study of a paper and pulp manufacturing company in KwaZulu-Natal. This research was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Data collection instruments for the study included a Likert-type questionnaire and interviews with the environmental manager and cost accountant but the findings reported in this paper are based on the empirical evidence gathered from the questionnaire which identified that there was positive correlation between environmental performance and CP techniques and technologies. Environmental costs were hidden under general overheads and understated because the company was using a conventional costing system and not an EMA system; hence, environmental costs were not traced back to the products or processes responsible for those costs. It was evident from the qualitative data analysis that management regarded their environmental costs as too insignificant to justify implementation of an EMA system. The consequent reluctance of the company to adopt CP resulted in poor waste management and lower-quality environmental performance.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elfriede M. Ederer-Fick ◽  
Anita Giener ◽  
Helga Kittl-Satran ◽  
Brigitte Schachner

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