Perceptions of Midwestern Manufacturing of Sustainable Practices During Disruptive Times

Abstract

The United States manufacturing industry has had challenges affecting the sector for decades. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges that impacted the manufacturing industry. Across the globe, government leaders have led conversations about the challenges facing manufacturing and have implemented strategies to solve and manage these challenges in the future. Research has shown that smaller manufacturing companies have been left out of these conversations. Manufacturers in the upper Midwest of the United States have had no voice in these discussions. This study aims to gain insight into the challenges faced by the U.S. manufacturing industry in post-COVID-19 pandemic manufacturing from the perspective of manufacturing industry leaders in the Midwest and how they plan to meet them. In addition, this study sought to understand how manufacturers will prepare for future disruptions. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight manufacturing leaders working in the upper Midwest of the United States. Participants were asked a series of open-ended questions to gain an understanding of their perceptions of the challenges and solutions facing the manufacturing industry. The findings used interpretational analysis to identify patterns of perception and themes that help understand the objective of this study.