1,721,051 research outputs found
A mini-review of biomethane valorization: Managerial and policy implications for a circular resource
No full textThe green transition requires renewable energy resources, especially the role of biomass is very crucial as it promotes resource circularity if sustainable substrates are used. This mini-review focuses on green gas derived from biomass called biomethane, which appears to be strategic in the face of soaring energy costs. Hence, combined Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats-Analytic Hierarchy Process analysis is used to compare and evaluate the critical factors. The results provide not only methodological insights through the application of the local-global priority method, but also managerial insights that see biomethane as a winning element for the green transition, fighting climate change and reducing dependence on external energy sources. Subsidies have played a key role in pursuing economic sustainability; however, their use should be reduced over time and measured to the actual contribution related to environmental and social improvement. The results of this work highlight that biomethane development is important to tackle climate change and to be self-sufficient from an energy perspective. This development plan, based on circularity of resources, includes subsidies for small-scale plants, substrates from neighbouring territories, citizen involvement in decision-making processes, valorization of suitable waste from an environmental perspective and stability of political choices
How lean thinking affects product service systems development process
Full text linkPSS development involves together, through the servitization phenomenon, both manufacturing and service workers carrying great potential to pursue industrial competitiveness, customer satisfaction and sustainable improvement. The belief is that the development level of PSS design is slowly evolving through a path strongly driven by the evolution of the technology and the progressive involvement of the industry in its application. However companies still need best practices able to improve the PSS development processes performances in a more systematic way. Lean techniques already managed to provide these procedures in a product context allowing the improvement of both product manufacturing and product development processes. The evolution of Lean to an intangible dimension also guided companies’ convergence strategy from mass production to mass customization
in an efficient and effective way. For this reasons the paper aims to investigate the literature about Lean Thinking evolvement from manufacturing to design phases, as well as from product to service. On this basis, the definition of which are Lean Thinking aspects which could positively affect also PSSs Development will enable the authors to understand which are the more suitable tools to develop Lean PSS and how to provide companies best practices able to improve the PSS development processes performances in a more systematic way. This opens the way to new opportunities and challenges through many further research and industrial projects
A maturity model enhancing data-driven circular manufacturing
Full text linkCircular Manufacturing (CM) adoption is highly reinforced by data exploitation, gathered, used and shared thanks to specific technologies. Manufacturers still need to be supported in using data to make more informed decisions in CM; to do that, they first need to be conscious of their current state. To achieve this goal, this study aims to develop a maturity model (MM) to evaluate manufacturers exploiting and valuing data in CM to support their decision-making processes. The MM, based on five levels and four analysis dimensions, operates the assessment through a questionnaire composed of normative answers. The model was conceived by relying on the scientific literature. It was verified and improved through focus groups and interviews and validated through a pilot application in two different manufacturing companies. Finally, the MM was applied in two other manufacturing companies to assess the empirical evidence of the obtainable benefits
The PSS design GuRu methodology: Guidelines and rules generation to enhance PSS detailed design
No full textManufacturers are often compelled to navigate the transition towards servitisation. In relation to this phenomenon, the present work focuses on design problems related to physical product enhancement when the addition of a service component is needed. A methodology generating the most suitable technical directions and design ideas to be followed during the integrated product-service system (PSS) design is provided. These design directions are deployed per the design for product service supportability approach on two different levels: Guidelines (non-company and PSS specific) and rules (derived through design for X (DfX) approaches) specific to a company and a particular solution. An application case in an Italian company operating in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration market is conducted
What affect manufacturers approaching servitization: A case study in HVAC industry
No full textProduct Service System (PSS) development involves both manufacturing and service workers, carrying them great potential to pursue industrial competitiveness, customer satisfaction and sustainable improvement. The belief is that the development level of PSS design is slowly evolving through a path strongly driven by the evolution of the technology and the progressive involvement of the industry in its application. However, on one side some companies still need to understand the relevance of the development process related to their service offer, on the other best practices able to improve the PSS development processes performances more systematically are needed. The paper proposes a case study, first providing a mapping of the service offer of Company A, an Italian company in the humidifiers industry. Then, it investigates, through a content analysis, what could affect companies both positively or negatively to switch their approach from a product-centric to a service integrated one. This transition would enable them in the future to develop more advanced PSSs, opening new market opportunities and being more capable of satisfying customer needs
Mapping the relations between the circular economy rebound effects dimensions: A systematic literature review
Full text linkCircular economy (CE) strategies are largely adopted in the manufacturing sector. Nevertheless, the benefits of circular strategies could be reduced by the occurrence of the rebound effect (RE), defined as resource overuse due to improved efficiency in a system. Understanding the causes, mechanisms, and characteristics of CE's REs is therefore crucial for the effective implementation of CE strategies in the manufacturing sector. The main gap concerns the limited understanding of the occurrence of RE within CE in manufacturing. To this concern, five domains (i.e., business models, drivers, product lifecycle management (PLM), circular manufacturing ecosystem, and socio-economic aspects) have been initially identified in the twofold CE-RE domain. Starting from these, the paper aims to investigate and map the relations among these dimensions and unveil the related type of RE for each of them. To address this objective, a conceptual map, grounded on a systematic literature review (SLR), has been obtained to explore the five dimensions. The conceptual map showed the relations between the five dimensions and the possible occurrence of RE types (i.e., direct, indirect, economy-wide, and transformational). It turned out that the five dimensions are closely related. For example, socio-economic aspects were influenced by the adoption of circular business models and have a role in PLM strategies. Instead, from a RE perspective, socio-economic aspects dimension, linked to business model and PLM ones, could generate direct and indirect RE. The driver dimensions related to circular manufacturing and business models could cause economy-wide and transformational RE. The map of the relations obtained offers an initial framework to be exploited to prevent and mitigate possible CE's REs occurring in manufacturing
Exploring the role of finance in driving circular economy and sustainable business practices
No full textThe existing economic system is mainly founded on a linear approach to gaining capital, including mining natural resources, manufacturing, consumption, and disposal. Despite the increasing attention given to the Circular Economy (CE), currently, scholarly analysis is absent into the function of finance and the prospective utility of financial developments in expediting the adoption of CE principles. Through a systematic literature review (SLR), this research aims to present a comprehensive understanding of the nexus between finance and the CE, emphasising how financial innovations can accelerate the transition towards CE. Considering 150 articles, it was found that financial innovation is a powerful driver for the transition towards a CE. Indeed, financial innovation enables organisations to integrate CE principles and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) elements into their strategic decision-making. This research unveils the need for more research and innovation in the financial sector to develop advanced financial instruments and mechanisms that can support CE acceleration. The acceleration of the global transition towards a sustainable, resource-efficient, and resilient economic model that benefits enterprises and society can be facilitated by promoting financial innovations. The analysis is grounded on the idea of CE as based on the tenets of designing out waste and pollution, keeping materials and resources in use, and regenerating natural systems. It turns out that CE is affected by a variety of factors with a final result of positive impact on the environment and society: green bonds, green loans, and finance; pay-for-performance and results-based financing mechanisms; specialised financing solution/CE-focused funds and investment strategies; and fintech in driving the CE. Finally, this study further provides new insights into the role of fintech, AI, and ML in advancing circular finance and scrutinising the hurdles and barriers to implementing circular finance practices
Circular supply chains theoretical gaps and practical barriers: A model to support approaching firms in the era of industry 4.0
Full text linkUnlike linear supply chains, Circular Supply Chains (CSCs) require return flows able to capture additional value and involving different stakeholders. The successful interaction of Circular Economy and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) towards a circular, efficient, and competitive transition of current supply chains is unveiled by both current state of theory and practice. Notwithstanding literature's multiple attempts to flank supply chains in this complex shift, the several theoretical frameworks proposed by academics are still not fully capable of bridging linear supply chains to their transitions towards circularity due to a lack of systemic, company-specific, and practical approaches. In addition, practical impediments, risks and treats hindering CSCs development are still under-investigated and, therefore, further research is required in this domain. To address these gaps, this paper aims to develop and propose a model able to support companies in approaching the transition towards CSCs, also embedding guidelines and recommendations in the different steps of this path. The model has been conceptualized based on five I4.0-driven CSCs categories recently proposed through a systematization of the knowledge extant in literature (I4.0 enabling technologies, performance tools and indicators, challenges and barriers, business models and strategies, best practices) and on a gap analysis performed in literature to unveil theoretical gaps and practical barriers in the CSC domain. Finally, the model has been refined and validated by ten selected academic experts through an online asynchronous survey, leading to the detection of seven recurrent practical barriers (lack of tax policies and incentives, weak environmental laws and regulations, limited financial resources and support, high investments and implementation costs, lack of coordination and collaboration among the SC members, lack of technological resources and infrastructures, lack of compatibility and integration of technical platforms) as the most critical in the CSC transition. The model, structured in four main phases (conceptualization, design, implementation and measurement) and grounded on the five categories derived from the literature, addresses each of the steps of the CSC transition according to circular strategies and optimal digital technologies. Managerial implications emerge from the systematization and categorization of methods, approaches and warnings operated in the model proposed. The model turns to be capable of enhancing the realization of the entire CSC process in a digital context, acting against the CSC theoretical gaps and practical barriers detected in the gap analysis conducted in this research
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