Building theory of sustainable manufacturing using total interpretive structural modelling

The purpose of this paper is to generate theory using total interpretive structural modelling. In this paper, an extensive review of extant literature was undertaken to identify research gaps. To bridge the existing gaps, an approach has been undertaken to further alternative methods in theory building in the field of operations management. This paper presents our arguments supported by extant literature to adopt total interpretive structural modelling technique to generate theory. The total interpretive structural modelling and cross multiplication impact matrix output were synthesised to generate a sustainable manufacturing framework which is the integration of three independent theories. The sustainable manufacturing framework is the unique contribution of this paper, which suggests how human agency theory, institutional theory can contribute to ecological modernisation theory. In future the theory developed can be tested using multivariate analysis using data, gathered through structured questionnaire. Finally, the research limitations and further research directions were outlined which may help operations management community to extend the current theoretical framework to next level.