Technological Sustainability or Sustainable Technology? A Multidimensional Vision of Sustainability in Manufacturing

Abstract

The topic of sustainability is becoming one of the strongest drivers of change in the marketplace by transforming into an element of competitiveness and an integral part of business strategy. Particularly in the manufacturing sector, a key role is played by technological innovations that allow companies to minimize the impact of their business on the environment and contribute to enhancing the value of the societies in which they operate. Technological process can be a lever to generate sustainable behaviors, confirming how innovation and sustainability constitute an increasingly close pair. However, it emerges that the nature of this relationship is explored by researchers and considered by practitioners almost exclusively in terms of the degree of sustainability of technological solutions. Lacking is an in-depth exploration of how a product or process, in addition to being environmentally and socio-economically sustainable, must or can also be technologically sustainable. This research therefore aims to build a theoretical foundation for technological sustainability seen as a possible fourth dimension of sustainable development.

Collaboration in Value Constellations for Sustainable Production: The Perspective of Small Technology Solution Providers

“…It describes practices throughout the manufacturing process that are not harmful to the environment" (p. 3). Social sustainability is the ability of a company to ensure that every individual is treated equitably, and economic sustainability ensures continuously generating profit, welfare, and wealth while respecting the environment [28]. Sustainability can also be considered in developing business models that are environmentally and socially sustainable [22,29].…”

“…Sustainable practices should extend to all phases of a product's life cycle and to all stakeholders in the production value chain to achieve sustainability goals [28]. To achieve these goals, the manufacturing companies may need to change production and consumption profiles, economic structure, production technologies, institutions, and organizational arrangements [60].…”

Innovation and Competitiveness in the European Union with and without Britain

“…The different perspectives of the approach have considerably extended the epistemological and conceptual area of the field. Competitiveness is a concept specific to the integrated and globalized world influenced by a multitude of determinants (Van de Ven et al, 1999) of which innovation is unanimously recognized as one of the key engines. But the way in which the innovative dimension contributes to forging a competitive environment raises many views and controversies.…”

Industry 4.0 and Smart Data as Enablers of the Circular Economy in Manufacturing: Product Re-Engineering with Circular Eco-Design

“…The integration of simulation modelling with LCA increases predictive capacity in terms of environmental sustainability and circular eco-design, drastically reducing the reaction time of the company and its operational efficiency. Environmental impact assessment can also be combined with economic [12], social [13], or technological [14] impact assessment for a more complete view of the degree of sustainability. Alternatively, LCA, LCC, and S-LCA can be integrated with each other in a holistic methodological approach called Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) [15].…”