Ethics in manufacturing: a decision-making perspective

The integration of ethical considerations in manufacturing systems has become increasingly an issue of concern for industries over the last decade. This paper proposes a comprehensive systematic framework for ethical decision-making in manufacturing systems, addressing the gap between theory and practical implementation. Following an extensive literature review and analysis by the CIRP Collaborative Working Group on Ethics in Manufacturing, a survey was conducted of CIRP members in February 2024. The study revealed that while practitioners demonstrate awareness of ethical considerations, there remains a significant disconnect between recognition and systematic implementation. The research identifies fragmented approaches across different areas such as environmental responsibilities, labour practices, and AI and automation; this highlights the need for a holistic and systematic framework for ethics in manufacturing. In response, this study proposes a dynamic ethical decision-making framework that develops along three main phases: problem definition, problem resolution, and evaluation. The framework is designed to provide consistent ethical support across all manufacturing areas while addressing cultural disparities that often lead to differences in ethical considerations across regions. While preliminary validation against existing literature shows promising results, ongoing case studies are being conducted to further verify the framework’s applicability across various manufacturing sectors. This research contributes to the field by offering a systematic approach that is both comprehensive and adaptable to evolving manufacturing challenges.