Understanding eco-efficiency through environmental performance benchmarking - a qualitative approach

A lack of consensus on the definition of eco-efficiency and consecutively the way to calculate eco-efficiency in production activities has provided space for various quantifying efforts in the literature. Based on cases of environmental performance benchmarking the authors describe an approach to capture eco-efficiency as a systemic quality with transferable properties across manufacturers. A review of the benchmarking literature is performed on environmental performance measurement and management practices with special focus on case study comparisons between industrial processes and production activities. The authors identify cases studies that demonstrate environmental performance variations in production’s environmental output and, following a resource-based view of the production system, design a framework that qualitatively addresses eco-efficiency in terms of capabilities and practices currently implemented in manufacturing. Initial research data from the framework use, suggest that there is a need for companies to understand their strengths and weaknesses and develop their practices for eco-efficiency further. Examples of self-assessment on the suggested framework are provided from two companies. Manufacturers are interested in identifying gaps in efficiency and developing new capabilities. The proposed framework is designed to facilitate horizontal dissemination of practices that are found to improve eco-efficiency.

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