Evaluating Environmental Sustainability in Manufacturing: A Multi-Criteria Analysis of Chittagong's Industrial Sector

Bangladesh faces significant environmental challenges stemming from improper industrialization and unsustainable commercial practices. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various attributes and sub-attributes associated with manufacturing companies in Chittagong in addressing environmental sustainability. A multi-criteria decision-making approach, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), was employed to assess the natural environment through six primary attributes and 27 sub-attributes identified via a participatory process. The study determined the relative weights of these attributes and sub-attributes using a pair-wise comparison matrix. The findings revealed that Image/Relationship was the most influential attribute (35.92%), followed by Regulatory (27.6%) and Internal Voluntary (17.9%). Manufacturing organizations were found to prioritize image building, often investing significantly in environmental assessments to enhance their corporate reputation. Under the Regulatory attribute, organizations demonstrated considerable attention to monitoring, inspection, testing, and protective equipment. However, in the Internal Voluntary category, while employee health and satisfaction were highly valued, environmental audits received minimal focus. This study underscores the need for a unified framework to systematically assess and address the environmental impacts of manufacturing organizations. By establishing such a framework, organizations can better align their operations with sustainable practices. This research represents an ongoing effort to develop a standardized approach to natural environment assessment in industrial contexts.