ENG93000 Assignment 1: Sustainability of Engineering Operations

This report provides a comprehensive review of literature concerning the sustainability of engineering operations, focusing on the roles and responsibilities of engineering managers. The research begins with an executive summary and table of contents, followed by an introduction that emphasizes the importance of sustainability in business and the critical role of leaders in maintaining operational efficacy. The literature review section analyzes various journal articles, websites, government publications, industry reports, and grey literature to identify factors impacting sustainability. The articles discuss strategic competencies, business transitions, CSR strategies, sustainability education, and industry practices. The answer to the assignment question synthesizes the findings to provide insights into the actions engineering managers must take to achieve effective sustainable engineering management practices. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and their implications for the field. The report incorporates references to support the analysis, aiming to provide a clear understanding of the subject matter.

Running head: SUSTAINABLITY OF ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
SUSTAINABLITY OF ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1SUSTAINABLITY OF ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
Executive Summary
The research will be undertaking a review of different literatures and online websites in order to
identify the different factors that affects the sustainability of engineering operations. The
evaluation of the literature will be helping to identify the different barriers that might be faced by
the engineering organizations and the manner in which the managers might frame policies and
strategies in order to mitigate the same. On the other hand, the research also enumerates a
reflection on the duties of the engineering managers based on the analysis of the literature
articles. It will be helping to identify the different roles that might be played by the managers in
order to enhance the efficiency of the engineering organizations.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
2. Literature review..........................................................................................................................3
2.1 Journal Article 1....................................................................................................................3
2.2 Journal Article 2....................................................................................................................4
2.3 Web site.................................................................................................................................6
2.4 Government publication........................................................................................................7
2.5 Industry report.......................................................................................................................7
2.6 Grey literature........................................................................................................................8
3. Answer to assignment question...................................................................................................9
4. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................13

3SUSTAINABLITY OF ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
1. Introduction
Sustainability in business organizations helps in maintaining the efficacy of the business
operations as per the objectives of the business. Leaders play a major role in maintaining the
efficacy of the operation that are undertaken by the businesses. The different activities that are
undertaken by the leaders in the engineering industry is based on the needs of the organization
and the people who are associated with the progress of the business. The key changes that are
undertaken by the organizations are based on the assessment of the market. Development of
different strategies will be helping the leaders in maintaining the sustainability of the operations
that are undertaken by businesses.
The discussion will be focusing on reviewing different articles and available literature
based on the sustainability functions of managers while operating in different engineering
industry. The evaluation of the articles in the discussion will be helping to identify the different
sustainable operations that might be undertaken by the managers.
2. Literature review
2.1 Journal Article 1
Mulder, K.F., 2017. Strategic competences for concrete action towards sustainability: An
oxymoron? Engineering education for a sustainable future. Renewable and Sustainable
Energy Reviews, 68, pp.1106-1111.
The different strategic competencies that are faced by the engineering managers affect the
operations of the business. Mulder (2017) stated that the different changes in the educational
practices will be helping to induce sustainable future. The different changes that are undertaken
by the organizations are based on the identification of the urgency that are faced by the

4SUSTAINABLITY OF ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
organization while operating in diverse international markets. The complex nature of the
engineering projects affects the sustainability factors of the same. However, the induction of
efficient engineering management practices will be helping to maximize the operations through a
thorough understanding of the practices. Mulder (2017) stated in the research that the induction
of different changes in the engineering procedures through continuous learning will be helping
the engineers in enhancing the efficiency of the operations. Moreover, Mulder (2017) also noted
in the research that the different changes in the management practices will be supported through
a clear and concise understanding of the market context and the organizational needs. The
continuous learning procedure will be thereby helping the leaders in maintaining the operations
as per the sustainability objectives of organizations. Sustainability is based on the identification
of the different steps that might be undertaken by the managers in order to enhance the
engineering processes. The research paper by Mulder (2017) focused on identifying the different
renewable sources of energy that helps in the managers in understanding the sustainable reforms
that might be undertaken by the same for enhancing the business processes. The continuous
learning aspect helps in maintaining the smooth functioning of the different engineering systems,
which supports the sustainability of the venture.
2.2 Journal Article 2
Loorbach, D. and Wijsman, K., 2013. Business transition management: exploring a new
role for business in sustainability transitions. Journal of cleaner production, 45, pp.20-28.
The transition of the business operations as per the assessment of the market structure and
the competition that is faced by the organization helps in supporting the sustenance of the
businesses. Loorbach and Wijsman (2013) stated in the research that the business sustainability
depends on the primary factors of understanding the different changes that might be considered

5SUSTAINABLITY OF ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
as per the market assessments. Therefore, the engineering managers might undertake proper
planning in order to enhance the operations of the business while operating in diverse
international markets. On the other hand, the research also focused on the different aspects of
production that might be considered by the organizations. The different changes in the
organizations are based on the approach that is undertaken by the managers. It also depends on
the manner in which the processes are designed in order to facilitate economic, environmental
and organizational sustenance through smooth functioning of the workforce. Loorbach and
Wijsman (2013) stated in the article that transitions that are undertaken by the organizations
helps in upholding the sustenance of the same. Therefore, the different processes that are
designed by the organizational managers assists the same in ensuring the sustainability of the
processes.
The key elements of change in the organizational operations are dependent on the
assessment of the market situation and position of the business. Loorbach and Wijsman (2013)
also noted that the sustainability of the organizations depend on the enhanced productivity of the
same. The different changes that are undertaken by the organizations are based on the assessment
of the capabilities and competencies that are faced by the same while designing their operations.
The report enumerates the different operations that are undertaken by organizations in order to
gain a competitive advantage while functioning in diverse markets. The competitive advantage
of the organization helps the same in sustaining in the competitive market situations. Therefore,
the design of the processes assists the managers in upholding the sustainable objective of the
business.

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2.3 Web site
Landcareaustralia.org.au (2017). CSR and sustainability in Australian business – what really
matters?. [online] landcareaustralia.org.au. Available at:
https://landcareaustralia.org.au/news/csr-sustainability-australian-business-really-matters/
[Accessed 8 Dec. 2018].
The article provides a brief overview of the different CSR strategies that might be
undertaken by the organizational managers in order to uphold the sustenance of the business
enterprises. The report aims at identifying the different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
that might be considered by the businesses in order to maintain the efficacy of the operations that
are undertaken by the same in the diverse economies. The article also demonstrated some of the
strategies that might be undertaken by the organization in order to enhance the CSR activities
that are undertaken by the same. Some of the strategies refer to strengthening the relationship of
the organization with the stakeholders. It is estimated in the resear4ch that strong relationship
with the stakeholders is a major priority of around 83% of Australian businesses. On the
contrary, the research also enumerates the different changes that might be undertaken by the
organizations in order to support the local communities and the needs of the environment along
with the rising economic sustainability needs of the same. The article also focuses on identifying
the duties of the organization relating to framing of new policies and maintenance of
transparency in the operations of the same. It will be helping the organization in enhancing the
productivity of the same while operating in diverse international markets.

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2.4 Government publication
Sydney.edu (2018). Master-of-engineering-sustainability-and-environmental-engineering.
[online] sydney.edu.au. Available at: https://sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/pc/master-of-
engineering-sustainability-and-environmental-engineering.html [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018].
The article aims at unravelling the different sustainability education programs that are
offered by the Engineering Boards in Australia in order to identify the different aspects of the
knowledge that is transmitted to the newer generations. Sustainability of operations in the
businesses contributes to the brand image and profitability of the same while operating in diverse
international markets. Therefore, the induction of new concepts will be helping the engineering
boards in maximizing the efficiency of the engineering managers. Continuous learning attribute
helps the engineering managers in identifying the different technological advancements that
might be undertaken by the same in order to enhance the operations of the businesses. Moreover,
continuous learning attributes also helps the managers in designing the organizational activities
in a more proactive manner, which will be helping to enhance the sustainability factors of the
business. The identification of the different technological innovations in the market will be
helping the engineering managers in upholding the sustenance of the operations that are
undertaken by the same.
2.5 Industry report
Engineersaustralia.org.au (2018). [online] Engineersaustralia.org.au. Available at:
https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/2018-11/Sustainability-Policy.pdf
[Accessed 8 Dec. 2018].
The report enumerates the activities that are undertaken by Engineers Australia and the
manner in which the operations are supported through their long term objectives of

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sustainability. The research builds on the understanding of the different steps that might be
undertaken by the engineers in order to uphold the sustainability factors of the businesses. The
research also enumerates the transformative changes that might be considered by the engineers in
order to uphold the efficacy of the operations that are undertaken by the managers. The changes
in the fields of business practices, resource allocation and decision making helps in supporting
the sustainable approach of enterprises. The key changes in the organizational operations are
based on the smooth functioning of the business units as per the objectives of the same. The
fundamental components of engineering practices are being stated as a part of the research in
order to identify the policies that might be utilized by the engineering managers. The policies and
strategies that are framed by the managers contribute to the smooth functioning of the business
systems as per the needs of the sustenance.
2.6 Grey literature
Schaltegger, S., Lüdeke-Freund, F. and Hansen, E.G., 2012. Business cases for
sustainability: the role of business model innovation for corporate
sustainability. International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 6(2),
pp.95-119.
The research enumerates the different aspects of business level innovation practices and
thereby discusses the manner in which the innovative practices of businesses helps the same in
gaining a competitive edge while operating in diverse international markets. The key elements of
change that are undertaken by the enterprises are based on the assessment of the business
environment. Schaltegger, Lüdeke-Freund and Hansen (2012) stated in the research that
innovation in the business processes helps the enterprise in ensuring the enhancement of
productivity with minimal cost investments. On the other hand, the corporate sustainability of

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organizations is dependent on the different factors relating to economic, social and
environmental aspects. The identification of the different processes that might be undertaken by
the engineering managers is dependent on the factors of sustenance as per the objectives of the
business. The approach of sustainability that is being undertaken by the managers helps in
understanding the relative processes that are designed by the same while operating in diverse
international markets. Schaltegger, Lüdeke-Freund and Hansen (2012) stated in the research
that the different designs that are created by the managers depends on the identification of the
sustainable objectives of the business. The different changes in the organizational process
designs help the businesses in achieving their sustainable objectives. .
3. Answer to assignment question
The literature review that was undertaken in the previous part of the research has helped
in enumerating the different roles of the managers in enhancing the sustainability factors of the
engineering organizations. The key changes that might be undertaken by the engineering
managers are dependent on the identification of the needs of the organization through assessment
of the market situation and the position of the same. On the other hand, the identification of the
different innovative practices that re undertaken by the competitors has helped the organizations
in maintaining the efficacy of the operations as per the market needs. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
stated that the identification of the needs of the organization helps the managers in devising
different processes in order to adhere to the sustainable needs of the same. Moreover,
Landcareaustralia.org.au (2017) stated that the empathetic role of the managers helps the same in
identifying the needs of the stakeholders which helps the same in strengthening the bonds in
order to enhance the productivity of the business.

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The study of the literatures also helped in identifying the role of the engineering
managers in undertaking continuous studies of the different innovations that are considered by
the competitors. The diverse range of innovation techniques that might be induced by the
managers helped the organizations in maintaining their sustenance in the highly competitive
market situations. The different functions that are undertaken by the engineering managers helps
the same in maintaining the efficacy of the operations as per the priorities. On the other hand, the
empathetic nature of the engineering managers helps the businesses in understanding the needs
of the stakeholders through thorough communicational practices. The engineering managers
must undertake suitable communicational practices with the different stakeholders in order to
identify the issues that are faced by the same while operating on complex engineering projects.
Mulder (2017) stated in the research that the identification of the objective of the organization
and the design of the processes helps in upholding the sustainability factors of the business.
The sustainability of the business organizations are dependent on the identification of the
different concerns that are faced by the same while operating in diverse international markets.
The engineering managers must have a clear knowledge of the different processes that are
implemented in the business models in order to enhance the operations of the same. On the other
hand, Mulder (2017) stated that people management in engineering organizations helps the
managers in maintaining the smooth operations of the same as per the sustainable objective of
the enterprise. Therefore, the engineering leaders might undertake steps to hold frequent sessions
with the workforce in order to identify the issues and thereby develop relevant systems in order
to enhance the productivity. The different changes that are undertaken by the engineering
organizations are based on the efficiency of the leader in understanding the chief priorities. The
changes that might be undertaken by the engineering managers are based on the identification of

11SUSTAINABLITY OF ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
the technological innovations that are made by the organizations. Schaltegger, Lüdeke-Freund
and Hansen (2012) stated that vision of the managers play a major role in perceiving the
effectiveness of the processes and the manner in which the smooth functioning of the
organizational operations might be undertaken. In this connection, the engineering managers
might take steps to develop different processes through a suitable understanding of the
effectiveness of the processes. On the other hand, the suitable communication skills of the
managers help the same in undertaking suitable communication with the stakeholders. It will be
helping the engineering managers in facilitating a collaborative functioning approach as per the
needs of sustenance of the business units.
Smooth functioning of the supply chain and logistics department helps the engineering
enterprises to facilitate sustenance of the same in the global markets. Therefore, the engineering
managers might take steps to develop efficient networks in order to support the sustenance needs
of the business. On the other hand, the efficient functioning of the workforce is based on the
effective allocation of resources in the different units. It will be helping the organization in
maintaining the efficiency of the operations as per the objectives of the same while operating in
diverse international markets. Mulder (2017) stated that the resource allocation and estimation of
time and costs that might be incurred during the engineering projects helps the managers in
optimizing the performance as per the objectives of the business. As per the case, the engineering
managers might take steps to bring forth changes in the approach in order to support the
sustainability needs of businesses.
4. Conclusion
Therefore, from the above literature review it can be concluded that the different steps
that arte undertaken by the engineering managers helps the same in maintaining the efficacy of