Responsible production in Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector: An empirical assessment of environmental, operational, and social drivers

The study analyzes the implementation of responsible production practices in Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector, an area of growing importance for sustainable development in emerging economies. The aim is to examine how environmental, operational, and social factors influence production processes and community contributions. Data were collected through an online survey conducted between May and August 2024, using a voluntary response sampling method. To enhance the representativeness of the findings, the sectoral distribution of the responding enterprises was analyzed post-collection. The survey captured top, middle, and line management responses to comprehensively assess sustainability practices. Structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to evaluate the relationships between ecological operational efficiency, environmental protection, resource efficiency, waste management, social factors, product manufacturing, and community contribution. The findings reveal that environmental protection, efficient resource use, and effective waste management significantly strengthen manufacturing performance and enhance companies’ contributions to community development. In contrast, improvements in ecological operational efficiency and workplace social initiatives do not directly impact production outcomes. The study concludes that integrating sustainable environmental and resource management practices into production processes is crucial for enhancing both manufacturing performance and broader societal outcomes. The findings offer practical implications for industrial managers, policymakers, and stakeholders aiming to promote sustainability transitions in manufacturing sectors. AcknowledgmentThis study was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP19576593).