Title: Influence and relation of sustainability drivers in footwear manufacturing firms using structural equation modelling

Authors: K. Jayakrishna; S. Aravind Raj

Addresses: Department of Manufacturing Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Contemporary manufacturing firms are now in the transition from conventional manufacturing practices into sustainability practices. These firms often find it difficult in dealing with the drivers of sustainability and understanding their effects. The objective of this research work is to bridge this gap and to find out the influence of social, economic and environmental drivers on SM. Along with this, the effects on modest competencies like cost reduction, improving production rate were estimated using structural equation modelling (SEM). The study was conducted in a footwear manufacturing firm, where environmental and social impact plays a key role towards imbibing sustainability using a systematic approach based on the enablers and drivers of sustainability. A theoretical model was developed and validated using covariance based structural modelling approach in AMOS. The results obtained showed positive influence of sustainable drivers over the competitive proficiencies of a footwear manufacturing company.

Keywords: sustainable manufacturing; sustainable practices; structural equation modelling; SEM; validation and estimation; competitive proficiencies.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2022.121310

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2022 Vol.15 No.1, pp.32 - 52

Accepted: 01 Feb 2021
Published online: 04 Mar 2022 *