The Adoption of Sustainable Manufacturing Practices in the Caribbean

The Caribbean region is awakening to the reality that environmental sustainability is fast becoming a major business performance dimension that is shaping the competitive landscape for manufacturers. This research attempts to gain a picture of the current level of emphasis on environmental sustainability among manufacturers in five Caribbean countries. This paper reports on the level of awareness of the concept of sustainable manufacturing, the sustainability practices Caribbean manufacturers are currently engaged in, and the barriers preventing the adoption of sustainability practices. The findings from our survey show that the majority of Caribbean manufacturers have little knowledge of the concept of sustainable manufacturing and the adoption of sustainability practices is low. In light of these findings, the paper discusses potential roles for Caribbean governments, manufacturing associations, and educational institutions in addressing the need for greater emphasis on sustainable manufacturing in the region. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.