A Model of Thai Steel Industry Management Towards Becoming A Sustainable Green Industry

Abstract

The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to study the factors affecting the adoption of green industry principles for sustainability and 2) to study the guidelines of practice to lead Thai streel industry to become a sustainable green industry. The study applied a mixed-method research, in which a qualitative research employed interviews with the 5 leading executives of steel industry from 5 organizations, while a quantitative research collected data from 10 employees of 5 organizations. From the study, it is found as follows: 1) The 1st dimension on the financial aspect that has an effect on the management of the Thai steel industry towards becoming a green industry is found to be at a highly agreeable level. From the interviews, it shows that the leading executives agree that the change of steel industry to green industry requires investment in machinery, including the change of machinery requires an analysis of whether the product is worth the investment or not; 2) The 2nd dimension on the process of internal management is found to be at a highly agreeable level. From the interviews, to drive the organization to be successful in becoming a green organization, the factors lie in the formulation of clear policies with continuous monitoring; 3) The 3rd dimension on the aspect of customers and society is found to be at a highly agreeable level. From the interviews, “society” has an impact and plays an important part in driving the organization to adapt and develop into a sustainable green industry. If the organization does not receive acceptance, doing business will become difficult. In addition, being a green organization will have a positive effect on society and communities around the organization; and 4) The 4th dimension on the aspect of learning and growing. From the interviews, it is found that at present, the trends of market focus on the direction of production, the use of environmentally friendly products, the organizational change, and the process of green production will help to build confidence and trust, including creating values for customers.