Interpretive Structural Model of Sustainable Productivity Drivers Based Upon Environmental Knowledge and Awareness

The aim of this study is to design a sustainable productivity model based on environmental knowledge and awareness in small and medium-sized industries using an interpretive structural modeling approach. The research approach was mixed with an exploratory design that consisted of two qualitative and quantitative parts. The participants included 15 academic experts and managers of small and medium-sized industries of Kerman province that were selected through purposeful sampling and snowball sampling methods. The qualitative part was carried out with the aim of identifying the factors related to sustainable productivity by searching in the theoretical bases and analyzing the content of interviews with members of the panel, and the quantitative part was done through the formation of a Structural Self-Interaction Matrix (SSIM). After analyzing data and drawing the model, 16 variables were identified in the nine levels as the drivers of sustainable productivity in small and medium-sized industries. Meanwhile, two factors including green management and green innovation have the highest influence and guidance, and managers must consider these factors as the foundation stone of sustainable productivity in small and medium-sized industries.