Application of technology management strategies and methods to identify and assess cleaner production options : cases in the South African automotive industry

Environmental degradation is a burgeoning problem owing to the continual expansion of industrial production, and high-levels of energy and material consumption associated with economic growth. Cleaner Production (CP) is a preventive environmental approach, aimed at increasing resource efficiency and reducing the generation of pollution and waste at source. CP is being implemented globally and in SA, but it is not just an environmental initiative; it also supports other productivity-oriented programmes and strategies. The research study summarised in this paper assessed CP improvement options using two different Technology Management (TM) methods. The objective was to develop a better understanding of CP from a TM perspective. Data was collected through direct participation in case studies within the SA automotive industry. The case studies identified CP focus areas and improvement techniques. Results from the TM assessment were used to suggest strategies to benefit managers of companies and other stakeholders. OPSOMMING Die degenerasie van die omgewing is ’n groeiende probleem weens die toenemende industriele produksie en hoe vlakke van energie- en materiaalgebruik geassosieer met ekonomiese groei. Skoner Produksie (SP) is ’n voorkomende omgewingsaanslag gemik op verhoging van hulpbroneffektiwiteit en die vermindering van besoedeling en afval by die oorsprong. SP word wereldwyd geimplementeer, ook in Suid-Afrika, maar nie slegs as ’n omgewingsinisiatief nie; dit ondersteun ook ander produktiwiteitsprogramme en -strategiee. Die navorsing het SP verbeteringsmoontlikhede evalueer mbv twee verskillende metodes van Tegnologiebestuur (TB). Die rede vir die studie was om SP beter te verstaan van ’n TB-perspektief. Data is ingesamel via direkte betrokkenheid in gevallestudies in die SA motorvervaardigingsindustrie. Die studies het SP fokusareas en verbeteringstegnieke uitgewys. Die resultate van die TB-evaluering is gebruik om strategiee voor te stel vir bestuurders van maatskappye en ander betrokke partye.