An integrated DEMATEL-MMDE-ISM approach for analyzing environmental sustainability indicators in MSMEs

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) face numerous environmental challenges encompassing resource and energy conservation; waste generation and disposal; water and air pollution; and so on. As a result, it becomes critical to implement policies, strategies, and technologies that can help in reducing the adverse impacts of manufacturing activities on the environment. In this context, the current study identified 15 critical environmental sustainability indicators to assess the impact of manufacturing activities on the environment by taking a case study of lock manufacturing MSMEs. To understand the interdependence among the selected indicators, the study further utilizes an integrated DEMATEL-MMDE-ISM approach to analyze the inputs of industry professionals. The results of the study highlighted that green product design, which facilitates the product to be disassembled, reused, or recycled and are free from hazardous materials, plays a significant role in enhancing the environmental sustainability of the concerned industry. Green product design significantly affects 12 other indicators out of 15 under consideration; thus, incorporating green practices in the design and development of a product leads to significant improvement in environmental sustainability. The study is expected to aid decision-makers (industry practitioners and academic researchers) to identify strategic areas in order to achieve higher environmental sustainability in manufacturing organizations.