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How Well Are Manufacturing Companies in Transylvania, Romania Adapting to the Low-Carbon Economy in Order to Become Sustainable?

Author

Listed:
  • Mihai Dragomir

    (Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Diana Alina Blagu

    (Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Sorin Popescu

    (Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Mircea Fulea

    (Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Călin Neamțu

    (Department of Design Engineering and Robotics, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400020 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

This paper addresses the degree of readiness of manufacturing companies in the well-defined area of Transylvania, Romania for tackling the challenges of the low-carbon economy (LCE) in view of the ambitious goals of the European Union. The presented survey aims to provide a better understanding about the management and reduction in the carbon footprint among production companies in Romania, as this sector is not usually included official strategies or studies. One hundred and three companies, selected based on voluntary sampling responses, were investigated using a 40-item questionnaire. The survey was applied to the manufacturing sector, including automotive, furniture production, and metal processing domains, which are locally representative and a good approximation of what small- and medium-sized firms look like across the EU, thus furnishing a good view of what takes place in other countries as well. The results obtained were analyzed using univariate descriptive statistics, multi-variate item analysis, and hypothesis testing to arrive at conclusions with a high degree of applicability. The purpose was to obtain an accurate overview about the actual situation and help companies find solutions in order to reduce the carbon footprint in the production field and achieve sustainable manufacturing. We arrive at the conclusion that manufacturing firms have a high degree of interest in decarbonization, but understand the efforts required to the same degree they understand the opportunities it brings. For example, 55% of respondents are interested in the benefits of LCE, while 90% of them observe at least one environmental standard, and ca. 70% implement at least common decarbonization measures, such as electricity savings or process optimization. While raising awareness and improving technological processes are accepted and embraced, other issues (i.e., involvement in RDI and CSR, change management, as well as financing investment efforts) should be addressed by proper policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Mihai Dragomir & Diana Alina Blagu & Sorin Popescu & Mircea Fulea & Călin Neamțu, 2022. "How Well Are Manufacturing Companies in Transylvania, Romania Adapting to the Low-Carbon Economy in Order to Become Sustainable?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2118-:d:748631
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peng Tong & Chao Zhao & Huaqing Wang, 2019. "Research on the Survival and Sustainable Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in China under the Background of Low-Carbon Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Daniel Balsalobre-Lorente & Nuno Carlos Leitão & Festus Victor Bekun, 2021. "Fresh Validation of the Low Carbon Development Hypothesis under the EKC Scheme in Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Jarosław Gryz & Barbara Kaczmarczyk, 2021. "Toward Low-Carbon European Union Society: Young Poles’ Perception of Climate Neutrality," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    4. Di Foggia, Giacomo, 2021. "Energy-Efficient Products and Competitiveness in the Manufacturing Sector," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 7(1).
    5. Benjamin K. Sovacool & Steve Griffiths, 2020. "Culture and low-carbon energy transitions," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(9), pages 685-693, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Diana Blagu & Denisa Szabo & Diana Dragomir & Călin Neamțu & Daniela Popescu, 2022. "Offering Carbon Smart Options through Product Development to Meet Customer Expectations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Minimol M. Chandrasekaran, 2022. "Does Corporate Social Responsibility Fuel Firm Performance? Evidence from the Asian Automotive Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-12, November.

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