Evaluating Environment-Conscious Manufacturing Barriers with Interpretive Structural Modeling

Environmentally-conscious manufacturing (ECM) and its practices have a variety of definitions and dimensions. ECM ranges from small, focused, and operational programs to broader, organization-wide strategic programs that have long-term implications for an organization. In this chapter, the authors apply the mechanics of interpretive structural modeling (ISM) to further understand the possible organizational ECM barriers and the interrelationships among these barriers. ISM is intended to identify the interrelationships between the barriers and their levels. These barriers are categorized into autonomous, dependent, linkage, and independent barriers on the basis of their driving power and dependence. ISM methodology suggests the use of expert opinions based on various management techniques such as brainstorming, nominal grouping technique, and affinity diagramming in developing the contextual relationship among the variables. Simulation and system dynamics modeling may also be used to help identify how barriers to ECM in organizations will influence the various organizational and performance results.