A Longitudinal Evaluation of Environmental Sustainability Performance in Automotive Manufacturing

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to address gaps in the literature and provide strategic insights for practitioners by evaluating environmental sustainability performance in automotive manufacturing using a longitudinal company-level approach. Method: In this study, DNMEREC and DNCRADIS − derivatives of the MEREC and CRADIS methods enhanced through bidirectional normalization − were used within a hybrid framework. This approach enabled objective and sensitive performance evaluation by minimizing subjective judgment, reducing uncertainty in decision-making, and increasing the reliability of the results. Findings: The study shows that among the environmental indicators analyzed, waste generation, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions have the greatest impact on environmental performance. Changes in these indicators over time suggest a positive trajectory toward environmental sustainability. A notable improvement in performance levels has been recorded since 2019, with the highest level achieved in 2023. These findings indicate that the company has been consistently working to reduce its environmental impact. Conclusions: The present study makes a meaningful contribution to identifying the most critical areas for improving environmental sustainability. It offers a concrete, data-driven roadmap to help businesses effectively allocate their limited resources. Moreover, integrating the DNMEREC and DNCRADIS methodologies provides a robust methodological framework for assessing environmental performance at the enterprise level, enabling more objective and nuanced decision-making.

Keywords

• Automotive industry
• Sustainable automotive manufacturing
• Environmental sustainability performance
• DNMEREC method
• DNCRADIS method

Otomotiv Üretiminde Çevresel Sürdürülebilirlik Performansının Boylamsal Bir Değerlendirmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, otomotiv üretiminde çevresel sürdürülebilirlik performansını işletme düzeyinde boylamsal bir yaklaşımla değerlendirerek hem literatürdeki sınırlılıkları aşmayı hem de uygulayıcılara yönelik stratejik içgörüler sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Yöntem: Çalışmada, MEREC ve CRADIS yöntemlerinin çift yönlü normalizasyonla geliştirilmiş türevleri olan DNMEREC ve DNCRADIS hibrit bir yapıda kullanılmıştır. Bu sayede performans değerlendirmesi, öznel yargılardan arındırılmış, belirsizliklerin azaltıldığı ve sonuçların güvenilirliğinin artırıldığı nesnel ve duyarlı bir çerçeve içinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmada incelenen çevresel göstergeler arasında atık miktarı, enerji tüketimi ve sera gazı emisyonunun çevresel performans üzerinde en belirleyici etkiye sahip olduğu görülmüştür. Bu göstergelerde yıllar içinde kaydedilen değişimler, çevresel sürdürülebilirlik açısından olumlu bir dönüşüme işaret etmektedir. Performans düzeyleri ise 2019 yılından itibaren genel olarak iyileşme göstermiş; en yüksek performans 2023 yılında elde edilmiştir. Bulgular, işletmenin çevresel etkilerini azaltma yönünde istikrarlı bir çaba içinde olduğuna işaret etmektedir. Sonuçlar: Çalışma, çevresel sürdürülebilirlik açısından en kritik gelişim alanlarının açık biçimde tanımlanmasına katkı sağlamaktadır. İşletmelerin sınırlı kaynaklarını hangi alanlara yönlendirmeleri gerektiğine dair somut ve veri temelli bir yol haritası sunmaktadır. Ayrıca DNMEREC ve DNCRADIS yöntemlerinin birlikte kullanımı, karar önceliklerinin nesnel ve duyarlı biçimde belirlenmesini sağlayarak işletme düzeyindeki çevresel performansın ölçümünde güçlü bir yöntemsel çerçeve sunmuştur.

Keywords

• Otomotiv endüstrisi
• Sürdürülebilir otomotiv üretimi
• Çevresel sürdürülebilirlik performansı
• DNMEREC Yöntemi
• DNCRADIS Yöntemi

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