Smart manufacturing is a common word for the modern production framework. It combines collaboration and artificial intelligence technology, which is applicable in businesses, especially manufacturing business in order to improve output efficiency, meet specific requirements, and lower manufacturing costs (Meng et al., 2018). The most distinguishing characteristics of smart manufacturing when compared to traditional production are considerably greater adaptability, digitisation, data access, strong acceptance, and sustainability (Abubakr et al., 2020). The Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and smart instruments are the main forces behind smart production. With its wide uses, such as semiconductor production, task modification, and output efficiency, smart manufacturing has a significant effect on many distinct manufacturing segments (Machado et al., 2020). The two major issues in modern industries, smart manufacturing and sustainable production, are interconnected in many ways. Increased waste generation and pollution are prominent instances associated with smart manufacturing as well as sustainable production. While on the other hand, Kusiak (2019) postulated that sustainability is one of the main goals of smart production, which is crucial considering the current state of the environment and the consumption of natural materials. For example, one of the fundamental concepts of smart manufacturing is to increase power efficiency. Improving power efficiency has two advantages: greater utility conservation and less reliance on environmental elements. Energy economics is thus an alternative to ensure sustainability.

Sustainability in production depends on a number of variables. Energy use is the first and most important element (Kusiak, 2018). The energy required to operate the manufacturing process and the carbon emissions that result from it are the main causes of energy consumption. Environmental damage results from the carbon emission. The second subject is the circular economy and recycling, which refers to an intentional attempt to ensure that industrial outputs can be repurposed rather than contaminating landfills in the seas (Abubakr et al., 2020). This can refer to both reusing the product and the production equipment. There are uncertainties that a manufacturing company’s consideration of sustainability could have an unaffordable detrimental effect on its operations (Aggarwal et al., 2022).

There is an abundance of scholarly literature relevant to Smart Manufacturing, Sustainability, and Sustainable Production. Nonetheless, there are not many researches undertaken that combine smart production with sustainable manufacturing (Aggarwal et al., 2022). Furthermore, the available literature does not sufficiently address how these two fields intersect. Therefore, this study intend to summarise the current progress and increase awareness of the essential study gap in order to support smart factories with sustainability and address the aforementioned obstacles in the future. Multiple researches such as the study of Kang et al. (2016); Li et al. (2017a); Li et al. (2017b); contemplated that within the manufacturing sector of Germany, there is an in-depth research pertaining to overall scale of smart production, particularly in the area of energy usage as well as the important tools associated with smart manufacturing. Additionally examined are the state of smart production uses for energy instruments and the present state of sustainable energy alternatives. This study aims to highlight existing literature gap along with potential strategies for advancing energy efficiency in smart manufacturing facilities within the Germany.

1.2 Aim and objectives

The aim of this research is to analyse the influence of smart factory or manufacturing in promoting sustainable practices within the manufacturing sector of Germany. In light of above aim, following objectives are developed:

To identify the relevant smart technologies that can enhance sustainability in the manufacturing industry.

To assess the challenges relevant to adoption of smart factory or smart manufacturing.

To analyse the influence of smart manufacturing procedures in creating sustainable practices in the manufacturing sector of Germany.

To provide recommendations for utilisation of smart technologies in the manufacturing sector in order to enhance sustainable practices in the industry.

1.3 Research questions/hypotheses

Considering the above research aim and objectives, this study seeks to find answer to the research question below:

What is the influence of Smart Manufacturing in promoting sustainable practices within the manufacturing industry of Germany?

2. Preliminary literature review

2.1 Conceptualising Smart Manufacturing and Sustainability

The term smart manufacturing relates to every production techniques, from the production line to the consumer, as well as all intermediate stages, or materials and solutions related to the supply chain for the production process (Sharma, Jabbour and Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, 2021). Production in the modern era has connections with all aspects of daily activity and is a source of goods and resources required for people’s security wellness, and well-being. It is crucial to examine manufacturing procedures from a sustainability perspective because they produce goods that are crucial to enhancing both the standard of individual existence and the worldwide economy (Kusiak, 2018). The method, goals, application stages, and evaluation strategies, already laid out in available literature, must be defined and made clear in order to completely comprehend the idea of smart manufacturing (Meng et al., 2018 Suchek et al., 2021).

The successful execution of the concept of manufacturing strategy is crucial for achieving sustainability objectives because the production move is a component of the good’s supply chain, which uses greater energy and commodities (Abubakr et al., 2020; Tham, Lim and Vieceli, 2022). Additionally, when considering sustainability from every viewpoint, smart production may serve as an essential approach for nurturing improved financial success and achieving compliance with societal and ecological goals and rules. By connecting company structures and operations, technology used for smart manufacturing, particularly sensors and associated internet of things (IOT) elements may disintegrate divisions (Abubakr et al., 2020). Production workflow systems, business resource planning networks, and storage networks can all communicate with one another through manufacturers (Meng et al., 2018). A conventional manufacturing facility will follow a timetable even if it results in overproduction, which frequently results in waste. In the same way, excess basic materials become garbage if they are not utilised before they expire. Better resource planning is made possible by smart industrial methods, preventing overproduction and underuse. This results in increased sustainability and cost effectiveness (Sharma, Jabbour and Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, 2021).

2.2 Usefulness of Smart Manufacturing in German Manufacturing Sector

Improved data access became possible by smart production practices throughout the complete supply chain connection. Real-time data explains what the producer requires and when, making it simpler for vendors to modify orders and improving efficiency (Machado et al., 2020). They only provide what is required, neither more nor less, decreasing waste and any delay brought on by misplaced components. Since additional manufacturing opportunities will be open due to technological advances, embracing smart manufacturing is an approach to draw in the more youthful tech-savvy population (Kusiak, 2019; Colombo et al., 2021). Manufacturing workers in Germany can identify new possibilities and boost output by using smart manufacturing analytics and platforms; thereby, supporting smart production begins with the management of a company (Kang et al., 2016). The first stage is to make tool investments with a focus towards integrating smart production applications. These expenditures will ultimately boost the procedure, generate cost savings, and enhance sales (Aggarwal et al., 2022; Schleicher, Cash and Freeman, 2019).

Most manufacturers in Germany can lower their environmental impact by cutting waste, but sectors that rely on significant amounts of power expect to benefit the most from energy efficiency since they will not only decrease energy loss but also lower costs for goods (Li et al., 2017a). To stay up and stay significant businesses of all levels need to push towards smart manufacturing tasks (Sharma, Jabbour and Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, 2021). A number of advantages come with smart production in German manufacturing sector, such as higher output, better effectiveness, and long-term cost advantages (Li et al., 2017b). To extent the prior argument, Kusiak (2018) asserted that productivity is constantly improved in smart production facilities, as the information will promote any issues, such as a machine that is causing output to lag, and the artificial intelligence processes will try to fix them. These incredibly flexible solutions give companies more operational freedom. German smart factories can take advantage of a wide range of advantages provided by smart factories, such as increased operational effectiveness, output, product effectiveness, inventory control, asset usage, speed of delivery, flexibility, and worker security (Abubakr et al., 2020). Additionally, information-driven conclusions and decisions are made possible by smart manufacturing, supporting business sustainability targets.

3. Tentative methodological approach

3.1 Research design and purpose

3.2 Target population and sampling procedure

3.3 Indication of data collection sources and instruments

3.4 Indication of data analysis methods/instruments/tests

3.5 Reliability and validity

3.6 Scope and limitations

4. Ethical concerns

5. Project time scale and resources

References

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Aggarwal, A., Gupta, S., Jamwal, A., Agrawal, R., Sharma, M. and Dangayach, G.S., 2022. Adoption of smart and sustainable manufacturing practices: An exploratory study of Indian manufacturing companies. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 236(5), pp.586-602.

Colombo, B., Gaiardelli, P., Dotti, S. and Boffelli, A., 2021. Business models in circular economy: A systematic literature review. In Advances in Production Management Systems. Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable and Resilient Production Systems: IFIP WG 5.7 International Conference, APMS 2021, Nantes, France, September 5–9, 2021, Proceedings, Part III (pp. 386-393). Springer International Publishing.

Kang, H.S., Lee, J.Y., Choi, S., Kim, H., Park, J.H., Son, J.Y., Kim, B.H. and Noh, S.D., 2016. Smart manufacturing: Past research, present findings, and future directions. International journal of precision engineering and manufacturing-green technology, 3, pp.111-128.

Kusiak, A., 2018. Smart manufacturing. International Journal of Production Research, 56(1-2), pp.508-517.

Kusiak, A., 2019. Fundamentals of smart manufacturing: A multi-thread perspective. Annual Reviews in Control, 47, pp.214-220.

Li, B.H., Hou, B.C., Yu, W.T., Lu, X.B. and Yang, C.W., 2017b. Applications of artificial intelligence in intelligent manufacturing: a review. Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering, 18, pp.86-96.

Li, Q., Jiang, H., Tang, Q., Chen, Y., Li, J. and Zhou, J., 2017a. Smart manufacturing standardization: reference model and standards framework. In On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems: OTM 2016 Workshops: Confederated International Workshops: EI2N, FBM, ICSP, Meta4eS, and OTMA 2016, Rhodes, Greece, October 24–28, 2016, Revised Selected Papers (pp. 16-25). Springer International Publishing.

Machado, C.G., Winroth, M.P. and Ribeiro da Silva, E.H.D., 2020. Sustainable manufacturing in Industry 4.0: an emerging research agenda. International Journal of Production Research, 58(5), pp.1462-1484.

Meng, Y., Yang, Y., Chung, H., Lee, P.H. and Shao, C., 2018. Enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency in smart factories: A review. Sustainability, 10(12), p.4779.

Schleicher, M., Cash, S.B. and Freeman, L.M., 2019. Determinants of pet food purchasing decisions. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 60(6), p.644.

Sharma, R., Jabbour, C.J.C. and Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, A.B., 2021. Sustainable manufacturing and industry 4.0: what we know and what we don’t. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 34(1), pp.230-266.

Suchek, N., Fernandes, C.I., Kraus, S., Filser, M. and Sjögrén, H., 2021. Innovation and the circular economy: A systematic literature review. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(8), pp.3686-3702.

Tham, W.K., Lim, W.M. and Vieceli, J., 2022. Foundations of consumption and production in the sharing economy. Electronic Commerce Research, pp.1-24.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Research problem and rationale