The Environmental Impact of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: Examples from Hungary
The Environmental Impact of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: Examples from Hungary
Author(s): Andrea SzalavetzSubject(s): Economy
Published by: Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze - Fakulta podnikohospodářská
Keywords: industry 4.0; greening, manufacturing subsidiaries; process upgrading; Hungary
Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the beneficial impact of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) on firms’ environmental performance. Drawing on interviews conducted with 16 Hungarian manufacturing subsidiaries on their experience with AMT, we find three functional areas, where industry 4.0 solutions can not only enhance operational excellence and cost-efficiency, but they can also improve eco-efficiency, but they can also improve eco-efficiency, namely in the field of quality management (through smart production control, data analytics and predictive modelling solutions); process optimization (through capacity planning and production scheduling solutions); and product and process engineering (through advanced virtual technologies). We also find that AMT adoption facilitated subsidiary upgrading along various dimensions. The main managerial implication is that subsidiaries need to be proactive, and emphasize also the benefits stemming from energy and resource efficiency improvement when lobbying for investment in AMT.
Journal: Central European Business Review
- Issue Year: 6/2017
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 18-29
- Page Count: 12
- Language: English