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Technological Sustainability or Sustainable Technology? A Multidimensional Vision of Sustainability in Manufacturing

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Vacchi

    (Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Cristina Siligardi

    (Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Fabio Demaria

    (Department of Economics “Marco Biagi”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy)

  • Erika Iveth Cedillo-González

    (Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Rocío González-Sánchez

    (Department of Business Administration (ADO), Applied Economics II and Fundaments of Economic Analysis, Rey-Juan-Carlos University, 28032 Madrid, Spain)

  • Davide Settembre-Blundo

    (Department of Business Administration (ADO), Applied Economics II and Fundaments of Economic Analysis, Rey-Juan-Carlos University, 28032 Madrid, Spain
    Gruppo Ceramiche Gresmalt, Via Mosca 4, 41049 Sassuolo, Italy)

Abstract

The topic of sustainability is becoming one of the strongest drivers of change in the marketplace by transforming into an element of competitiveness and an integral part of business strategy. Particularly in the manufacturing sector, a key role is played by technological innovations that allow companies to minimize the impact of their business on the environment and contribute to enhancing the value of the societies in which they operate. Technological process can be a lever to generate sustainable behaviors, confirming how innovation and sustainability constitute an increasingly close pair. However, it emerges that the nature of this relationship is explored by researchers and considered by practitioners almost exclusively in terms of the degree of sustainability of technological solutions. Lacking is an in-depth exploration of how a product or process, in addition to being environmentally and socio-economically sustainable, must or can also be technologically sustainable. This research therefore aims to build a theoretical foundation for technological sustainability seen as a possible fourth dimension of sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Vacchi & Cristina Siligardi & Fabio Demaria & Erika Iveth Cedillo-González & Rocío González-Sánchez & Davide Settembre-Blundo, 2021. "Technological Sustainability or Sustainable Technology? A Multidimensional Vision of Sustainability in Manufacturing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:17:p:9942-:d:629043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Idiano D’Adamo & Massimo Gastaldi, 2022. "Sustainable Development Goals: A Regional Overview Based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Assunta Di Vaio & Rohail Hassan & Gabriella D’Amore & Riccardo Tiscini, 2024. "Responsible innovation and ethical corporate behavior in the Asian fashion industry: A systematic literature review and avenues ahead," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 1129-1173, September.
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    5. Idiano D'Adamo & Massimo Gastaldi & Ilhan Ozturk, 2023. "The sustainable development of mobility in the green transition: Renewable energy, local industrial chain, and battery recycling," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 840-852, April.
    6. Taimin Li & Afzal Izzaz Zahari & Soliha Sanusi, 2023. "The Sustainability of Technological Innovation in China: From the Perspective of Network Relationships," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-26, February.
    7. Marco Vacchi & Cristina Siligardi & Erika Iveth Cedillo-González & Anna Maria Ferrari & Davide Settembre-Blundo, 2021. "Industry 4.0 and Smart Data as Enablers of the Circular Economy in Manufacturing: Product Re-Engineering with Circular Eco-Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Idiano D’Adamo & Assunta Di Vaio & Alessandro Formiconi & Antonio Soldano, 2022. "European IoT Use in Homes: Opportunity or Threat to Households?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, November.
    9. Idiano D’Adamo & Massimo Gastaldi & Piergiuseppe Morone & Paolo Rosa & Claudio Sassanelli & Davide Settembre-Blundo & Yichen Shen, 2021. "Bioeconomy of Sustainability: Drivers, Opportunities and Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.
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    12. Stefano Cianciotta & Idiano D’Adamo, 2021. "The Evolution of Sustainability: The Automotive Supply Chain Opportunity in Southern Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-5, September.

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