Identifying the Enablers, Drivers, And Barriers of Circular Industry 4.0 Towards Sustainable Operations in an SME: A Case Study of a Sheet Metal Manufacturing Company in Northern Malaysia
List of Authors
Nabsiah Abdul Wahid, Pa Vikneswaran Palaninathan, Rosly Othman
Keyword
Industry 4.0, Circular Economy, Sheet Metal Manufacturing, Sustainable Operations, Circular Industry
Abstract
This paper aims to identify the enablers, drivers, and barriers of circular industry 4.0 towards sustainable operations in a sheet metal manufacturing (SMM) company referred to as “Company IX” in northern Malaysia. An exploratory case study was utilised. The qualitative approach looks closely at Company IX's sustainable operations (SOPS) practices to explain the enablers, drivers, and barriers to their efforts to achieve SOPS. Apart from better grasping the literature, this case study combines data collection techniques such as observations, document reviews, and semi-structured interviews. The findings show that SMM, have more robust, close-knit internal capabilities and faster decision-making than multi-national corporations (MNCs), leading to a higher propensity to adopt I4.0 and CE. I4.0 technologies, and cross-functional leadership support are among the identified enablers, while market demand and customer pressure have surfaced as key drivers for SOPS. It was also found that among the barriers of circular industry 4.0 for SOPS in Company IX was a lack of technical expertise and resistance to change within the organization.