Title: The impact of industrial clusters in greening manufacturing industry practices in small and medium scale enterprises: the case of the Old Ardbennie Industrial Cluster in Harare, Zimbabwe

Authors: Charles Mbohwa, Peter Rwakatiwana, Stanley Fore

Addresses: Department of Quality and Operations Management, University of Johannesburg, APB Campus, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa. ' Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. ' Department of Quality and Operations Management, University of Johannesburg, APB Campus, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract: Industrial clustering can be used to improve green manufacturing practices by reducing negative environmental impacts and facilitating participation in corporate social responsibility activities. This paper assesses the performance of the Old Ardbennie Industrial Cluster in Harare, Zimbabwe. Opportunities for better environmental performance were determined through questionnaires, interviews and observations. Results show that though effluent management by cluster members was poor, savings in water usage were realised. Potential for trading in waste were identified and reductions in solid waste and in energy consumption were observed. A positive co-relationship between participation in cluster activities and achievement of green manufacturing was identified.

Keywords: environmental clustering; environmental impact; environment; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; green manufacturing; waste trade; Harare; Zimbabwe; effluent management; water usage; energy consumption; solid waste; industrial clusters; emerging markets; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2010.029746

International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2010 Vol.2 No.1, pp.91 - 108

Published online: 01 Dec 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article