Data-Driven Analysis of Environmental Sustainability Practices in Modern Engineering Applications

Authors

  • Dr. Farhan Al-Mutairi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69980/tjj2n890

Keywords:

Environmental sustainability, modern engineering applications, data-driven analysis

Abstract

The current focus on energy consumption, carbon emissions, material consumption, waste production, and resource efficiency has made environmental sustainability a key concern in engineering applications today. The present study reviews the environmental sustainability practices by adopting an information-based approach and analyzing the impact of selected engineering practices on the overall engineering sustainability practices. The study utilizes a structured quantitative dataset with 220 observations from various engineering application domains such as civil/construction, manufacturing, energy systems, transportation, environmental engineering, mechanical systems and electrical systems. The sustainability practices discussed are: energy-efficient design, renewable energy measures, sustainable materials, waste management, water management, environmental monitoring, and green technology. To analyze the relationship between sustainability practices and environmental performance, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and comparative sector-wise analysis were used. The results show that each of the selected sustainability practices has positive and significant relationships with overall sustainability performance. The regression model accounts for 91% of the variation in sustainability performance, meaning that the model has high predictive value. The highest-ranked contributions were from energy-efficient design and waste management practices, followed by sustainable materials use and renewable energy adoption. The analysis by the sectors revealed that transportation engineering and environmental engineering had improved sustainability performance compared to other sectors. Based on the above study, the conclusion can be drawn that data-driven sustainability assessment can be used to support engineering decisions with evidence, enhance environmental performance, and foster sustainable engineering practices.

References

1. Abdul-Hamid, A.-Q., Ali, M. H., Osman, L. H., & Tseng, M.-L. (2021). The drivers of industry 4.0 in a circular economy: The palm oil industry in Malaysia. Journal of Cleaner Production, 324, 129216.

2. Ahmad, S., Wong, K. Y., Tseng, M. L., & Wong, W. P. (2018). Sustainable product design and development: A review of tools, applications and research prospects. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 132, 49–61.

3. Bag, S., Gupta, S., Kumar, A., & Sivarajah, U. (2021). An integrated artificial intelligence framework for knowledge creation and B2B marketing rational decision making for improving firm performance. Industrial Marketing Management, 92, 178–189.

4. Bag, S., Pretorius, J. H. C., Gupta, S., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2021). Role of institutional pressures and resources in the adoption of big data analytics powered artificial intelligence, sustainable manufacturing practices and circular economy capabilities. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 163, 120420.

5. Bai, C., Dallasega, P., Orzes, G., & Sarkis, J. (2020). Industry 4.0 technologies assessment: A sustainability perspective. International Journal of Production Economics, 229, 107776.

6. Belhadi, A., Kamble, S. S., Zkik, K., Cherrafi, A., & Touriki, F. E. (2020). The integrated effect of Big Data Analytics, Lean Six Sigma and Green Manufacturing on the environmental performance of manufacturing companies: The case of North Africa. Journal of Cleaner Production, 252, 119903.

7. Ben-Daya, M., Hassini, E., & Bahroun, Z. (2019). Internet of things and supply chain management: A literature review. International Journal of Production Research, 57(15–16), 4719–4742. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1402140

8. Bressanelli, G., Adrodegari, F., Perona, M., & Saccani, N. (2018). Exploring how usage-focused business models enable circular economy through digital technologies. Sustainability, 10(3), 639.

9. Chauhan, C., Sharma, A., & Singh, A. (2021). A SAP-LAP linkages framework for integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 28(5), 1638–1664.

10. de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L., Jabbour, C. J. C., Foropon, C., & Godinho Filho, M. (2018). When titans meet–Can industry 4.0 revolutionise the environmentally-sustainable manufacturing wave? The role of critical success factors. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 132, 18–25.

11. Dev, N. K., Shankar, R., & Qaiser, F. H. (2020). Industry 4.0 and circular economy: Operational excellence for sustainable reverse supply chain performance. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 153, 104583.

12. Di Vaio, A., Palladino, R., Hassan, R., & Escobar, O. (2020). Artificial intelligence and business models in the sustainable development goals perspective: A systematic literature review. Journal of Business Research, 121, 283–314.

13. Feroz, A. K., Zo, H., & Chiravuri, A. (2021). Digital transformation and environmental sustainability: A review and research agenda. Sustainability, 13(3), 1530.

14. Frank, A. G., Dalenogare, L. S., & Ayala, N. F. (2019). Industry 4.0 technologies: Implementation patterns in manufacturing companies. International Journal of Production Economics, 210, 15–26.

15. Ghadge, A., Er Kara, M., Moradlou, H., & Goswami, M. (2020). The impact of Industry 4.0 implementation on supply chains. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 31(4), 669–686.

16. Ghobakhloo, M. (2020). Industry 4.0, digitization, and opportunities for sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 252, 119869.

17. Ghobakhloo, M., Fathi, M., Iranmanesh, M., Maroufkhani, P., & Morales, M. E. (2021). Industry 4.0 ten years on: A bibliometric and systematic review of concepts, sustainability value drivers, and success determinants. Journal of Cleaner Production, 302, 127052.

18. Gupta, S., Chen, H., Hazen, B. T., Kaur, S., & Gonzalez, E. D. S. (2019). Circular economy and big data analytics: A stakeholder perspective. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 144, 466–474.

19. IEA, P. (2022). World energy outlook 2022. Paris, France: International Energy Agency (IEA), 17. https://uploads.iasscore.in/pdf/CAA_WEEK-2_NOVEMBER--2022.pdf

20. Kamble, S. S., Gunasekaran, A., & Gawankar, S. A. (2018). Sustainable Industry 4.0 framework: A systematic literature review identifying the current trends and future perspectives. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 117, 408–425.

21. Kamble, S. S., Gunasekaran, A., & Sharma, R. (2020). Modeling the blockchain enabled traceability in agriculture supply chain. International Journal of Information Management, 52, 101967.

22. Khan, I. S., Ahmad, M. O., & Majava, J. (2021). Industry 4.0 and sustainable development: A systematic mapping of triple bottom line, Circular Economy and Sustainable Business Models perspectives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 297, 126655.

23. Kirchherr, J., Piscicelli, L., Bour, R., Kostense-Smit, E., Muller, J., Huibrechtse-Truijens, A., & Hekkert, M. (2018). Barriers to the circular economy: Evidence from the European Union (EU). Ecological Economics, 150, 264–272.

24. Kristoffersen, E., Blomsma, F., Mikalef, P., & Li, J. (2020). The smart circular economy: A digital-enabled circular strategies framework for manufacturing companies. Journal of Business Research, 120, 241–261.

25. Limmeechokchai, B., Winyuchakrit, P., Pita, P., & Misila, P. (2023). Climate Change 2022: Climate Change 2022 Mitigation of Climate Change: Buildings. International Journal of Building, Urban, Interior and Landscape Technology, 21(2), 61–69.

26. Pales, A. F., & Bennett, S. (2020). Energy technology perspectives 2020. International Energy Agency, 1–400.

Downloads

Published

2026-05-27