Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing: The development and validation of a measurement model

The concept of Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing (ERM) is relatively new and it is not surprising to note the lack of theory-based, empirically validated constructs and measures. Such constructs and measures are critical to the development and growth of rigorous research in this area. This paper develops and assesses such constructs and measures. Drawn from an exhaustive review of both the quality and ERM-related fields, this study uses the constructs and measures drawn from the Total Quality Management area to develop ERM-related constructs and measures. These are then evaluated using data from a survey of 526 plant managers in the US automotive industry. The resulting models, constructs, and measures are then studied using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results show the presence of an ERM framework and the presence of the underlying latent and manifest variables. The findings provide an important foundation to others interested in doing future research in this area.