The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, has brought about significant technological advancements and has deeply impacted various aspects of society. What sets Industry 4.0 apart from previous revolutions is its conscious and comprehensive reflection by all stakeholders. This revolution is not only characterized by the spread of artificial intelligence but also by its objective and rational evaluation. One notable aspect of Industry 4.0 is its focus on environmental concerns, with the recognition of the environmental consequences of technological breakthroughs. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship development in Industry 4.0 and the role of environmental certification in achieving this goal.
The Need for Environmental Certification in Industry 4.0
The increasing concern for the environment and the demand for a high quality of life have intersected with the rapid growth of Industry 4.0. This has led to a recognition of the contradiction between economic growth and its high environmental costs. As a result, environmentally responsible economic practices have gained popularity among businesses and society as a whole. However, the lack of a well-formed view of the opportunities and prospects for sustainable entrepreneurship development in Industry 4.0 has hindered the optimization of environmental quality in its products. There is a significant demand for recommendations in the field of environmental quality management from entrepreneurs operating in Industry 4.0 who are committed to sustainable development.
The Role of Environmental Certification
Environmental certification of product quality has emerged as a potential solution to address the environmental concerns associated with Industry 4.0. While the existing literature often portrays Industry 4.0 and its products as environmentally unfriendly, it fails to provide a detailed and quantitative assessment of the environmental consequences. This lack of clarity has led to vague and subjective perceptions. The purpose of this article is to challenge this prejudice and highlight that Industry 4.0 and its products can and should be eco-friendly.
Environmental Quality Certification: Accelerating Development and Mitigating Environmental Damage
Research has shown that environmental quality certification not only accelerates the development of Industry 4.0 but also has a significant impact on the environment. For instance, it has been found that an increase in medium and high-tech manufacturing value added, ICT goods exports, and medium and high-tech exports is positively correlated with environmental quality certification. Moreover, environmental quality certification has the potential to mitigate environmental damage caused by Industry 4.0. It can contribute to decarbonization efforts and the conservation of biodiversity and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Creating Environmental Scenarios for Sustainable Development
By comparing different scenarios, it is evident that sustainable entrepreneurship development in Industry 4.0 is more favorable than the industrial development scenario. The industrial scenario results in high environmental costs, including a significant reduction in carbon pricing scores and the protection of terrestrial and freshwater sites important to biodiversity. On the other hand, the sustainable development scenario not only enhances the results of Industry 4.0 but also improves the state of the environment, leading to an increase in carbon pricing scores and the protection of terrestrial and freshwater sites.
"Green 4.0": A New Dimension of Product Quality
To achieve sustainable development in Industry 4.0, a new dimension of product quality called "Green 4.0" is proposed. This dimension emphasizes not only the technical properties of products but also their environmental properties. Throughout the entire life cycle of products in Industry 4.0, from raw material procurement to disposal, "Green 4.0" promotes environmentally responsible practices such as the use of secondary raw materials, environmentally friendly production, and recycling.
A New Approach to Total Quality Management (TQM)
To achieve the quality of "Green 4.0," a new approach to TQM in Industry 4.0 is necessary. This approach goes beyond the current focus on technical properties and incorporates environmental considerations. It involves planning for environmentally responsible production, introducing environmental innovations, controlling environmental quality, and taking actions to improve the environmental properties of products. This new approach aligns with the principles of sustainable development and ensures a holistic consideration of environmental, social, and economic criteria in decision-making processes.
Conclusion
Achieving sustainable development in Industry 4.0 requires a shift towards environmentally responsible practices and the integration of environmental considerations into total quality management. Environmental certification of product quality plays a crucial role in accelerating the development of Industry 4.0 and mitigating its environmental impact. By adopting the concept of "Green 4.0" and implementing a new approach to TQM, entrepreneurs in Industry 4.0 can contribute to sustainable development and address the pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Reference
Akhmedova G.O.; Mirolimov M.M.; Vanin V.V.; Sinyavsky N.G. (2023). ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CERTIFICATION AS A VECTOR OF SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN INDUSTRY 4.0. Proceedings on Engineering Sciences, 5(S2), 173-190, DOI: 10.24874/PES.SI.02.001.