Understanding influential factors on implementing social sustainability practices in Manufacturing Firms: An interpretive structural modelling (ISM) analysis

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to identify key factors that hinder successful implementation of social sustainability practices in manufacturing firm's perspective and explain their nature, significance and inter-relationship using interpretive structural modelling (ISM). We have used a distinctive modelling approach to examine the contextual relationship among the key barriers and to rank them concerning their importance. Interpretative structural modelling (ISM) approach used to develop a hierarchical structure for analysing the interactions among the key barriers. ISM model highlights that lack involvement of operational staff into planning and lack of supportive institutional policies are the key barriers.Our findings indicate that lack of understanding customer needs and lack of managerial capabilities are significant barriers to implementation and adaptation to new occupational health and safety practices (i.e. OHSAS 18001). Furthermore, the importance of critical barriers concerning social sustainability practices is 'lack of internal encouragement programs',' lack of involvement of operational staff in planning' and lack of supportive policies from institutions' that may force the industry to implement social sustainability practices.In doing so, it contributes to the understanding of health, occupational safety as a constitutive aspect of firm social sustainability. Our findings provide important insight to managers about factors affecting social sustainability during implementation.