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Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2021) | Viewed by 44401

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Simon P. Philbin

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Guest Editor

School of Engineering, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK
Interests: project management; engineering management; built environment; sustainability; renewable energy technologies; digital transformation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the somewhat precarious nature of our lives, including the way we work and our lifestyles. Efforts clearly need to be directed towards remedying this situation. However, the challenge of realizing sustainability across the triple bottom line of social, environmental, and economic development has not diminished. If anything, it is now more pressing than ever that we work towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, the challenges are significant. The burning of hydrocarbons continues, leading to climate change and the resulting consequences. There remain various issues associated with the adoption of renewable forms of energy. The level of urbanization is continuing to increase, as is the resulting pressure on infrastructure and transportation. The list goes on. Many of these challenges represent complex problems that require multifaceted solutions drawing on multidisciplinary approaches.

Engineering management involves the management of people and projects related to technological or engineering systems—this includes project management, engineering economy, and technology management, as well as the management and leadership of teams. Systems engineering involves the design, integration, and management of complex systems over the full life cycle—this includes requirements capture, integrated system design, as well as modelling and simulation. In addition to the theoretical underpinnings of both disciplines, they also provide a range of tools and techniques that can be employed to address technological and organizational complexity. The disciplines of engineering management and systems engineering are therefore ideally suited to help tackle both the challenges and opportunities associated with realizing a sustainable future for all.

This Special Issue of Sustainability welcomes empirical research that draws on the theory and practical application of engineering management and/or systems engineering in order to drive sustainability. The submission of articles based on multidisciplinary research studies is also encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Simon Philbin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Sustainable engineering
Sustainable Development Goals
Infrastructure projects
Renewable energy technologies
Transportation systems
Engineering management
Systems engineering
Project management
Financial analysis and management
System analysis and system dynamic modelling
Modelling and simulation
Technology development and innovation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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7 pages, 229 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering

by Simon P. Philbin

Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6687; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13126687 - 12 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3166

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the somewhat precarious nature of our lives, including the way we work and our lifestyles [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

21 pages, 9518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Circular Economy for the Data Centre Industry: Using Design Methods to Address the Challenge of Whole System Sustainability in a Unique Industrial Sector

by Deborah Andrews, Elizabeth J. Newton, Naeem Adibi, Julie Chenadec and Katrin Bienge

Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6319; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13116319 - 02 Jun 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5982

Abstract

The data centre industry (DCI) has grown from zero in the 1980s, to enabling 60% of the global population to be connected in 2021 via 7.2 million data centres. The DCI is based on a linear economy and there is an urgent need to transform to a Circular Economy to establish a secure supply chain and ensure an economically stable and uninterrupted service, which is particularly difficult in an industry that is comprised of ten insular subsectors. This paper describes the CEDaCI project which was established to address the challenge in this unique sector; this ground-breaking project employs a whole systems approach, Design Thinking and the Double Diamond methods, which rely on people/stakeholder engagement throughout. The paper reviews and assesses the impact of these methods and project to date, using quantitative and qualitative research, via an online sectoral survey and interviews with nine data centre and IT industry experts. The results show that the project is creating positive impact and initiating change across the sector and that the innovative output (designs, business models, and a digital tool) will ensure that sectoral transformation continues; the project methods and structure will also serve as an exemplar for other sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering)

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22 pages, 4941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning Based Vehicle to Grid Strategy for Improving the Energy Performance of Public Buildings

by Connor Scott, Mominul Ahsan and Alhussein Albarbar

Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 4003; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13074003 - 03 Apr 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3797

Abstract

Carbon neutral buildings are dependent on effective energy management systems and harvesting energy from unpredictable renewable sources. One strategy is to utilise the capacity from electric vehicles, while renewables are not available according to demand. Vehicle to grid (V2G) technology can only be expanded if there is funding and realisation that it works, so investment must be in place first, with charging stations and with the electric vehicles to begin with. The installer of the charging stations will achieve the financial benefit or have an incentive and vice versa for the owners of the electric vehicles. The paper presents an effective V2G strategy that was developed and implemented for an operational university campus. A machine learning algorithm has also been derived to predict energy consumption and energy costs for the investigated building. The accuracy of the developed algorithm in predicting energy consumption was found to be between 94% and 96%, with an average of less than 5% error in costs predictions. The achieved results show that energy consumption savings are in the range of 35%, with the potentials to achieve about 65% if the strategy was applied at all times. This has demonstrated the effectiveness of the machine learning algorithm in carbon print reductions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering)

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24 pages, 2996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Discussing the Use of Complexity Theory in Engineering Management: Implications for Sustainability

by Gianpaolo Abatecola and Alberto Surace

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10629; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su122410629 - 19 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3015

Abstract

What is the state-of-the-art literature regarding the adoption of the complexity theory (CT) in engineering management (EM)? What implications can be derived for future research and practices concerning sustainability issues? In this conceptual article, we critically discuss the current status of complexity research in EM. In this regard, we use IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, because it is currently considered the leading journal in EM, and is as a reliable, heuristic proxy. From this journal, we analyze 38 representative publications on the topic published since 2000, and extrapolated through a rigorous keyword-based article search. In particular, we show that: (1) the adoption of CT has been associated with a wide range of key themes in EM, such as new product development, supply chain, and project management. (2) The adoption of CT has been witnessed in an increasing amount of publications, with a focus on conceptual modeling based on fuzzy logics, stochastic, or agent-based modeling prevailing. (3) Many key features of CT seem to be quite clearly observable in our dataset, with modeling and optimizing decision making, under uncertainty, as the dominant theme. However, only a limited number of studies appear to formally adhere to CT, to explain the different EM issues investigated. Thus, we derive various implications for EM research (concerning the research in and practice on sustainability issues). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering)

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22 pages, 1651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector

by Arnesh Telukdarie, Megashnee Munsamy and Popopo Mohlala

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9331; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12229331 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 18254

Abstract

The globe has been subjected to an unprecedented health challenge in the form of COVID-19, indiscriminately impacting the global economy, global supply chains, and nations. The resolution of this unprecedented challenge does not seem to be in the short-term horizon but rather something the globe has to live with. Initial data provides for some insights on responses, precautions, and sustainability protocols and processes. The Food and Beverages Manufacturing sector in South Africa (SA) and globally is an expeditious respondent to the COVID-19 challenge. Food is essential for human existence, but the food value chain is subjected to significant COVID-19 risks. The Food and Beverage Sector Education and Training Authority is responsible for skills development in the Food and Beverages (FoodBev) Manufacturing Sector in South Africa and seeks to quantify Foodbev sustainability. This research paper reviews global literature, performs a high-level knowledge classification, with the aim of expedited awareness, knowledge sharing, and most importantly, quantification of an expedited response, within the FoodBev Manufacturing sector in SA. The research is contextualized via a SA sector-based instrument deployment and data analysis. The paper provides insights into COVID-19 impact, adaptations, and responses in the SA Food and Beverages Manufacturing sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering)

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16 pages, 1506 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Application of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process in Sustainable Project Selection

by Rakan Alyamani and Suzanna Long

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8314; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12208314 - 09 Oct 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3777

Abstract

The project selection process is a crucial step in sustainable development. Effective sustainable development depends on the ability to select the appropriate sustainable project to implement to ensure that the desired goals are met. Some of the most common characteristics or criteria used in evaluating sustainable projects include novelty, uncertainty, skill and experience, technology information transfer, and project cost. Prioritizing these criteria based on relative importance helps project managers and decision makers identify elements that require additional attention, better allocate resources, as well as improve the selection process when evaluating different sustainable project alternatives. The aim of this research is to use the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) methodology in which fuzzy numbers are utilized to realistically represent human judgment to rank the different project criteria based on relative importance and impact on sustainable projects. The results from the FAHP show that the most important criterion to consider in sustainable project selection is project cost, followed by novelty and uncertainty as the second and third most important criteria, respectively. The two least important criteria out of the total of five examined in this research were the skill and experience and technology information transfer, respectively. These results will help project managers and decision makers identify selection criteria with higher weights of importance. Given that the selection criteria chosen for this research are not limited to the evaluation of a specific type of sustainable projects or a specific location, they can be used to evaluate different types of sustainable projects in different environments and locations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering)

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29 pages, 4293 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Delivering UN Sustainable Development Goals’ Impact on Infrastructure Projects: An Empirical Study of Senior Executives in the UK Construction Sector

by Paul Mansell, Simon P. Philbin and Efrosyni Konstantinou

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 7998; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12197998 - 27 Sep 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5362

Abstract

Achievement of the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is of paramount importance for both business and society. Across the construction sector, despite evidence that suggests 88% of those surveyed want to measure the SDG impact at both the business and project levels, there continues to be major challenge in achieving this objective. This paper shares the results of a qualitative research study of 40 interviews with executives from the United Kingdom (UK) construction industry. It was supported by a text-based content analysis to strengthen the findings. The results indicate that SDG measurement practices are embraced in principle but are problematic in practice and that rarely does action match rhetoric. While the research was completed in the UK, the findings have broader applicability to other countries since most construction firms have extensive global business footprints. Researchers can use the findings to extend the current understanding of measuring outcomes and impact at project level, and, for practitioners, the study provides insights into the contextual preconditions necessary to achieve the intended outcomes of adopting a mechanism for the measurement of SDGs. The international relevance of this research is inherently linked to the global nature of the SDGs and therefore the results could be used outside of UK. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Driving Sustainability through Engineering Management and Systems Engineering)

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