Digital technologies and circular economy as drivers for sustainability in the Thai metals industry : a qualitative study

Name: Vichathorn Piyathanavong

keyword: Industry 4.0

; Digital technologies

; Sustainability

; Circular economy

; Sustainable supply chain

; Triple bottom line

; Business disruptions

Abstract: Sustainability enhancement has received increased awareness in the Thai manufacturing sector. This sector needs to address the negative impact of external environmental factors such as pandemic disruptions. Thai manufacturing companies must adapt and improve their operations, considering sustainability impacts and business disruptions, to sustain their businesses. Implementing digital technologies and Circular Economy (CE) practices has a strong potential to help manufacturing companies improve their sustainability performance and better respond to business disruptions. This dissertation comprises two qualitative analyses within the context of the Thai metals industry. The first analysis focuses on the perspective of project management as the facilitator for the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies and CE practices, aiding Sustainable Supply Chain (SSC) development. The second analysis examines the improvement of Triple Bottom Line (TBL) sustainability at the firm level. The implementation impact on TBL sustainability, emphasizing the TBL synergies and trade-offs, is also studied. A semi-structured interview approach is utilized to collect the primary data for both analyses. The outcomes of the first analysis provide insights into the benefits of project management and how Industry 4.0 technologies, CE practices, and SSC help address business disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first analysis also indicates that the pandemic disruptions motivate manufacturing companies to implement and utilize digital technologies for impact mitigation. The findings of the second analysis highlight the improvements in organizational structure and KPIs, contributing to TBL performance enhancement. The second analysis also shows that economic and environmental performance can be measured and analyzed in a more concrete manner, while there is still a need for an improved understanding of evaluating social impact. On the practical aspects, this study provides inputs that help companies plan for the implementation of digital technologies and CE practices to effectively address their disruption challenges, engage in developing SSC, and promote sustainability performance. This study can help raise companies’ awareness of long-term benefits achieved by using CE practices and digital technologies.

Thammasat University. Thammasat University Library

Address: BANGKOK

Email: preserv@tu.ac.th

Name: Sun Olapiriyakul

Role: advisor

Name: Huynh, Van-Nam

Role: co-advisor

Created: 2025

Modified: 2025-11-25

Issued: 2025-11-25

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

DOI: 10.14457/TU.the.2024.546

eng

DegreeName: Doctor of Philosophy

Level: Doctoral Degree

Descipline: Engineering and Technology

Grantor: Thammasat University

©copyrights Thammasat University

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