Designing a Sustainable World Class Manufacturing Model in the Automotive Industry in Iran

Abstract

This study is functional in terms of purpose and descriptive-exploratory in terms of doing research. The method of data collection is library and field studies using a questionnaire tool. Those with relevant postgraduate qualifications and at least ten years of working experience, especially management experience in the automotive industry with a sufficiently motivated executive background to participate were chosen. In the quantitative section, the experts include nine executives and senior experts in the automotive industry who were selected through snowballing. The most important dimensions and criteria of a sustainable world class manufacturing model are identified by a theoretical literature review and interviews with the experts, and they were then screened and localized with expert opinions and fuzzy Delphi techniques. After collecting data through a paired comparisons questionnaire, the data were analyzed by using a fuzzy-dimensional network analysis process hybrid technique. The findings of fuzzy DEMATEL indicated that the dimensions of "environmental", "economic" and "social" sustainability help in achieving sustainable world class manufacturing.