How does IATF 16949 add value to ISO 9001? An empirical study

This article analyses the added value of IATF 16949–a standard for qualitymanagement in the automotive sector–with respect to ISO 9001, the most popularstandard for quality management worldwide. An exploratory qualitative study wascarried out based on a multiple case study. Eight companies operating at differentlevels of the Spanish automotive sector supply chain were analysed and 27 interviewswere conducted–17 with managers of these companies and 10 with auditors andconsultants. Multiple internal and external sources of documentation were alsoanalysed. Thefindings show that IATF 16949 adds value to a moreflexible ISO9001 infive main areas: market, customer service in the supply chain, operationalperformance, staff, and technology. Overall, IATF 16949 is seen as a‘license tooperate’for automotive sector suppliers, for whom ISO 9001 seems to have lost itssignalling value. This study sheds light on the raison d’être of sectoral standards forQMSs such as IATF 16949 and contributes to the literature on the neo-institutionalapproach to QMSs and explains some of the main weaknesses of ISO 9001.This article is a result of the Research Group funded by the Basque Autonomous Government (Gruposde Investigación del Sistema Universitario Vasco; GIC 15/176

Contribution to Energy Management of the Main Standards for Environmental Management Systems: The Case of ISO 14001 and EMAS

The adoption of Energy Management Systems (EnMSs) based on international standards has gained momentum since the ISO 50001 standard was launched in 2011. Before that, the potential to improve the energy management with Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) based on ISO 14001 and EMAS was identified in the literature. However, no in-depth analysis reported in the literature has explored this claim. The need for research is now even more evident with the development of new versions of the standards for environmental management―ISO 14001:2015 and EMAS III. Since many companies that already have a certified EMSs might be uncertain whether to adopt an ISO 50001 based EnMSs, the present work aims to shed light on the contribution of ISO 14001:2015 and EMAS III to energy management. Furthermore, the work summarizes the results of an empirical exploratory study carried out in eight Spanish organizations, four with an EMS implemented and certified based on ISO 14001:2015 and four more with an EMS registered to EMAS III. The findings show that both ISO14001 and EMAS certified organizations carry out energy management practices, even though they have no formal EnMSs implemented. Implications for managers and policy makers are discussed, together with avenues for further research.This article is a result of a Research Group funded by the Basque Autonomous Government (Grupos de Investigacion del Sistema Universitario Vasco; IT1073-16)

Exploring the influence of industry 4.0 technologies on the circular economy

In the last decade, both Industry 4.0 technologies and the circular economy have expanded exponentially and they have received epistemological attention. However, there is a lack of studies about the influence that each of these technologies has on the main areas of action covered by the circular economy. This study responds to this gap by investigating the influence of the major technologies: Additive Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Vision, Big Data and Advanced Analytics, Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, Robotics, and Virtual and Augmented Reality on the main areas of action covered by the circular economy. Namely, reduction of inputs consumption, reuse, recovery, recycling and reduction of waste and emissions. An initial study, based on a survey of 120 project managers, and a multiple case study of 27 projects, through 31 personal interviews and review of internal and external documentation have been conducted in order to investigate the real influence of each technology on the circular economy. Overall, the results confirm the existence of a wide range of influences that Industry 4.0 technologies offer to companies for improved circularity. These improvements are mainly related to reduce material and energy consumption, and waste and emissions generation. However, there are important differences between the potential impacts of each technology. In particular, there is most evidence of the positive impact of additive manufacturing and robotics. Likewise, the results obtained suggest the need to continue exploring the new impacts generated by the continuous development and integration of technologies.This study was funded by the Basque Autonomous Government (Research Group GIC 15/176) and the project METASTANDARDS, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI). We also acknowledge the technical and human support provided by Circular Economy UniversityCompany Classroom (Faculty of Engineering Gipuzkoa, UPV/EHU, Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa)

The Contribution of Lean Management—Industry 4.0 Technologies to Improving Energy Efficiency

The current socio-economic and environmental context obliges companies to increase their energy efficiency to be competitive, and the development of Industry 4.0 technologies should contribute to improve it. This article analyses the influence of Industry 4.0 technologies on energy efficiency and the mediation of quality management of production process variables. After a descriptive analysis, a correlation and regression analysis is presented using information from 72 projects for the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in industrial companies. At a global level, it is confirmed that the four technology groups (Artificial Vision and Artificial Intelligence, Additive Manufacturing and Robotics, Big Data and Advanced Analytics, and Internet of Things) contribute to improving energy efficiency by an average of 15–25% in the processes where they are integrated. In addition, the regression model determines that improved decision-making capabilities strongly mediate the achievement of higher energy efficiency.The researchers are part of the IT1691-22 research team of the Basque university system. This research work has had the support of the projects ZIRKBOTICS and SOFIA, both R&D&I Projects of the Euskampus Foundation Programme: “Resilience COVID-19”

How Do Technologies Based on Cyber–Physical Systems Affect the Environmental Performance of Products? A Comparative Study of Manufacturers’ and Customers’ Perspectives

In the academic literature, there are studies that link the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies with an improvement in product-related circular economy indicators. However, there are scarce studies carried out in business contexts that analyse the degree, the stage of the life cycle and the value given to these improvements by customers and Industry 4.0 technology manufacturers. To contribute to clarifying these fields, a multiple-case study of nineteen technology manufacturers has been conducted, with input from the experience of venture clients as users and active participants in a shared project. Both manufacturers and their customers agree that Industry 4.0 technologies have a positive impact on circular economy. Benefits depend on the type of technology and its application and are mainly concentrated in the manufacturing phase. Additive manufacturing appears to be the technology with the greatest potential to influence circular economy, but customers also highlight the influence of augmented/virtual reality. Most manufacturers and customers emphasise the biggest influence is on reducing material consumption. This serves to improve the critical variables of market positioning by reducing product costs. However, acquisition cost, as well as quality and safety specifications, are of greater importance to manufacturers and customers, which may limit the environmental benefits obtained

Adopción de estándares de gestión energética e integración con estándares de gestión medioambiental

Se trata de una Tesis Doctoral realizada en la modalidad de Tesis Doctoral por artículos, con el objetivo de analizar, en una perspectiva comparada con relación a los Sistemas de Gestión Medioambiental, qué son y qué objetivos tienen los Sistemas de Gestión Energética basados en el estándar ISO 50001, cuáles son las motivaciones que llevan a las organizaciones empresariales a implantar y certificar estos sistemas, y cuáles son los principales beneficios que dichas organizaciones empresariales obtienen de la adopción de los Sistemas de Gestión Energética basados en el estándar ISO 50001. Se entiende que se trata de un tema de relevancia e interés para los distintos agentes involucrados en la adopción del paradigma de la gestión medioambiental y de la empresas sostenible y socialmente responsable.It is a Doctoral Thesis carried out as an article-style dissertation with the aim of undertaking research aimed clearly at contributing its grain of sand to the specific line of research in which it is framed. The articles that make up this Doctoral Thesis fall within the ambit of work which, as reflected in this paper, is aimed at analyzing, in a comparative perspective in relation to the Environmental Management Systems , what are the goals of Energy Management Systems based on the ISO 50001 standard, the motivations that lead to business organizations to implement and certify these systems and what are the main benefits of these organizations with the adoption of Energy Management Systems based based on ISO 50001 standard are. We understand that the theme is of relevance and interest for the different players involved in adopting the paradigm of quality management, and was carried out with this aim in mind

Assessing the influence of industry 4.0 technologies on occupational health and safety

The aim of this article is to know the impact that the different Industry 4.0 technologies have on occupational health and safety risks, with special attention to the new emerging risks generated. To achieve this objective, an analysis of the literature was carried out. It allowed us to design a survey that was answered by 130 managers and/or technicians of pioneering companies in the development of Industry 4.0 technologies. Next, 32 of these projects were selected and a multiple case study was conducted through 37 in-depth interviews. Moreover, other source of information were analysed (project reports, technical reports, websites..).The findings highlight that the analysed technologies (Additive Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Vision, Big Data and/or Advanced Analytics, Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, Robotics and Virtual and Augmented Reality) help to reduce occupational health and safety risks (physical and mechanical). However, its impact depends on the type of technology and the method of application. Influences in new emerging risks (mainly psychosocial and mechanical) have been detected in all technologies except in Internet of Things. In addition, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, machine vision, the internet of things, robotics and virtual and augmented reality help to reduce ergonomic risks and artificial intelligence, big data and cybersecurity psychosocial risks. The results obtained have implications for policy makers, managers, consultants and those in charge of managing occupational health and safety risks in industrial companies

How Do Technologies Based on Cyber–Physical Systems Affect the Environmental Performance of Products? A Comparative Study of Manufacturers’ and Customers’ Perspectives

In the academic literature, there are studies that link the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies with an improvement in product-related circular economy indicators. However, there are scarce studies carried out in business contexts that analyse the degree, the stage of the life cycle and the value given to these improvements by customers and Industry 4.0 technology manufacturers. To contribute to clarifying these fields, a multiple-case study of nineteen technology manufacturers has been conducted, with input from the experience of venture clients as users and active participants in a shared project. Both manufacturers and their customers agree that Industry 4.0 technologies have a positive impact on circular economy. Benefits depend on the type of technology and its application and are mainly concentrated in the manufacturing phase. Additive manufacturing appears to be the technology with the greatest potential to influence circular economy, but customers also highlight the influence of augmented/virtual reality. Most manufacturers and customers emphasise the biggest influence is on reducing material consumption. This serves to improve the critical variables of market positioning by reducing product costs. However, acquisition cost, as well as quality and safety specifications, are of greater importance to manufacturers and customers, which may limit the environmental benefits obtained