Assessment of Sustainable Manufacturing Enablers in Indian SMES

Abstract

SMEs in India work under severe cost constraints in comparison to high scale manufacturing units. The ever changing product demand pattern, increased value addition sought by customers, expected low product life cycle and increasing environmental and government guidelines, demands that manufacturing by SMEs needs to be planned on sustainable basis as to keep them live and competitive in long term. In view of above, in this study we have considered twelve vital enablers for SMEs. The enablers are identified by thorough review of literature. Then expert’s opinion is taken to characterize them into four representative dimensions after that these are ranked by analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Through this study author expect that these identified vital enablers will help the management of SMEs in India to plan their manufacturing on sustainable basis as to face the competition and maintain their viability and growth.