Bożena Gajdzik - Böcker

This book discusses three key aspects of business operations: sustainability, human factors, and smart manufacturing, which make up modern business. The authors share their experiences in the transformation of enterprises to Industry 4.0/5.0 and the sustainability of steel production, as well as the reorganization of human factors using the example of the steel sector. The steel industry is covered both from a global perspective (key producers in the global steel market), as well as from a local and sectoral perspective (the companies that make up the sector of metal and metal product producers, using Poland as an example).This insightful book discusses how the steel industry can develop intelligent solutions to enhance sustainable performance and the challenges they must overcome, including policy and regulation. Case studies evaluate how steel companies are investing in new technologies that meet environmental requirements but also human resource development to enhance digital skills and competencies of the workforce.The book will find an audience across disciplines but be of particular value to scholars of industrial, operations, and technology management.

This book discusses three key aspects of business operations: sustainability, human factors, and smart manufacturing, which make up modern business. The authors share their experiences in the transformation of enterprises to Industry 4.0/5.0 and the sustainability of steel production, as well as the reorganization of human factors using the example of the steel sector. The steel industry is covered both from a global perspective (key producers in the global steel market), as well as from a local and sectoral perspective (the companies that make up the sector of metal and metal product producers, using Poland as an example).This insightful book discusses how the steel industry can develop intelligent solutions to enhance sustainable performance and the challenges they must overcome, including policy and regulation. Case studies evaluate how steel companies are investing in new technologies that meet environmental requirements but also human resource development to enhance digital skills and competencies of the workforce.The book will find an audience across disciplines but be of particular value to scholars of industrial, operations, and technology management.

The book primarily focuses on the process of industrial transformation in the era of digitalization. It meticulously discusses the processes, technologies, and business models that delineate modern industrial landscapes. A business maturity model is a tool used in organizations to assess how advanced their processes, systems, and procedures are. This model is utilized to identify areas that might require improvements, and then to measure progress in these improvements. The goal is to achieve "maturity", meaning the organization has well-defined, measurable, and repeatable processes. The first chapter traces the evolution of the manufacturing sector, emphasizing the shift toward digitalization and automation, while considering historical context and future trends. The second chapter examines business maturity models, reviewing current approaches and arguing for a broader perspective that includes environmental and social considerations. Chapter three introduces a research model for assessing the maturity of Polish manufacturing companies, detailing the methodology and research instruments used. The fourth chapter presents case studies from Polish industries (automotive, steel, and food), providing practical insights into the application of maturity models in real-world scenarios.

This groundbreaking book introduces the Quality Life Cycle Assessment (QLCA) model – a novel approach that integrates product quality assessment and life cycle assessment (LCA) in sustainable manufacturing.By incorporating environmental criteria alongside quality considerations during the virtual prototyping phase, the QLCA model revolutionizes decision-making for sustainable product development. This book bridges the gap between product improvement and LCA application, addressing the critical need for sustainability in modern manufacturing. Leveraging digital technologies such as Big Data, Data Analytics, and Digital Twin, this book demonstrates how to construct virtual product models with comprehensive LCA integration. The QLCA model, particularly suited for smart factories, supports innovation and informed decision-making in sustainable product development.Aimed at students, research and development managers, and engineers, this volume offers practical guidance on balancing customer satisfaction with environmental impact throughout a product's life cycle. By elucidating the application of LCA in product life cycle assessment and its combination with quality considerations during prototyping, this book provides invaluable insights for practitioners navigating the complexities of sustainable manufacturing in the digital age.

This engaging book examines the European Union’s transition to renewable energy, covering its historical development along with the implications for climate policy, industry and society. The authors outline the ways in which the EU plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, with a specific focus on the European Green Deal and the Renewable Energy Directive.Bożena Gajdzik, Radosław Wolniak and Rafał Nagaj explore various climate policies, renewable energy technologies and decarbonization pathways, highlighting their associated economic and social benefits. They also address key clean energy barriers including insufficient public support, the risk of green inflation, technological delays and administrative challenges such as protracted regulatory approvals and permitting processes. Through data-driven analysis and scenario modeling, they demonstrate the cost-competitiveness of renewable energy. This book highlights how Europe’s shift to clean energy is both essential and achievable, positioning the EU as a front-running organization in sustainable industrial development and environmental governance worldwide.Decarbonizing European Industries is a necessary read for scholars and students of environmental science, energy policy and sustainability studies. Its insights on industrial change, decarbonization pathways and EU legislation will also appeal to economists, policy analysts, decision-makers and government officials.

This book presents the impact of digital transformation and other megatrends on the steel industry, focusing on the digitization of processes, and the automation and robotization of operations in steel companies.