Evaluating barriers to sustainable boiler operation in the apparel manufacturing industry: implications for mitigating operational hazards in the emerging economies

Siraj, Md. Tanvir, Debnath, Binoy, Kumar, Anil, Bari, A. B. M. Mainul, Samadhiya, Ashutosh and Payel, Spandan Basak (2023) Evaluating barriers to sustainable boiler operation in the apparel manufacturing industry: implications for mitigating operational hazards in the emerging economies. PLOS ONE, 18 (4). pp. 1-23. ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract / Description

The efficiency with which conventional boilers perform, in terms of sustainability, is affected by a variety of factors. Unsustainable boiler operating practices are still surprisingly frequent in developing countries, resulting in environmental liabilities and catastrophic accidents. It is a serious problem in developing countries like Bangladesh, where boilers are utilized extensively in the apparel manufacturing sector. However, no research has yet examined the challenges or barriers associated with sustainable boiler operation in the apparel manufacturing sector. This study, thereby, utilizes an integrated MCDM approach, combining the fuzzy theory and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method, to identify, prioritize, and explore the relations among the barriers to sustainable boiler operation in the apparel manufacturing industry, from an emerging economy perspective. The barriers were initially identified from the literature and a visual survey of 127 factories. After expert validation, thirteen barriers were finally selected to be analyzed utilizing the fuzzy DEMATEL method. The study findings revealed that ’Absence of water treatment facilities’, ’Fossil fuel burning and GHG emissions’, and ’Excessive consumption of groundwater’ are the three most prominent barriers to sustainable boiler operation. The cause-effect relations among the barriers suggest that ’Inadequate compliance with safety and hazard regulations’ is the most influential and ’Fossil fuel burning and GHG emissions’ is the most influenced barrier. This study is expected to guide the managers and policymakers of the apparel manufacturing sector in successfully overcoming the barriers to sustainable boiler operation, thus mitigating the operational hazards and achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The authors would like to thank the experts who took their valuable time to provide feedback for this study. The authors are also grateful to the RMG Sustainability Council, Bangladesh, for their assistance during the data collection phase of this research.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	apparel manufacturing industry; sustainable boiler operation; fuzzy DEMATEL method; sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Subjects:	600 Technology > 650 Management & auxiliary services
Department:	Guildhall School of Business and Law
SWORD Depositor:	Pub Router
Depositing User:	Pub Router
Date Deposited:	18 Apr 2023 15:27
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2023 13:55
URI:	https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/8469

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