A Comprehensive Evaluation of Sustainable Manufacturing Programs Using Analytic Network Process (Anp)

Evaluation o f programs initiated by manufacturing firms that are geared toward sustainability is worthy o f attention in research due to the current global demands o f addressing not just economic growth bu t environmental and social burdens. This paper a ttempts to provide a comprehensive evaluation framework using the hierarchical structure o f sustainable manufacturing (SM) indicators set developed by the US National Institute o f Standards and Technology (US NIST) and a multi-criteria decisionmaking (MCDM) approach, the analytic network process (ANP). ANP is deemed appropriate, aside from the multi-criteria nature o f the problem, because o f the presence o f subjective components that are interrelating in complex relationships. A real case study is carried out in a semiconductor manufacturing firm in the Philippines in the evaluation o f its programs toward sustainability. The results show that the creation and implementation o f cleaner production technologies are considered the most relevant programs. Developing energy-efficient products and adopting lean six sigma programs are considered second o n the list. This paper proposes that sustainability is achieved by formulating strategies that enhance customer and community well-being v ia addressing environmental concerns especially o n toxic substance, greenhouse gas (GHG) and air emissions. The contribution o f this paper consists in providing an evaluation framework which is comprehensive enough to capture real-life complex decision-making processes. Limitations and possibilities fo r future research are also presented in this paper.