Interpretive structural modeling for technology-related barriers to energy efficiency improvement in Indonesia steel industry

Abstract

This paper investigates the existence of the barriers in Indonesia steel industry, namely: existing technologies were still considered efficient, new technologies not available, new technology not adequate or inappropriate at the site, the energy efficient technology not compatible with other elements of the plant, the uncertainty about future technology standards, lack of technical skills, technology installation period was too long, and poor information quality regarding access to new energy efficient technology. Five practitioners from the national steel industry were retrieved to identify and analyze critical elements and the causal interrelationships among the technology-related barriers. Finally, using the approach of interpretive structural modelling, the barriers were clustered in accordance with their driving power and dependence power. Lack of reliable information access about new technologies is the only barriers at the bottom level of the hierarchy, implying higher driving power. It is also observed that the availability of new technologies, existing technology still efficient, and the uncertainty about future technology standardization have a weak dependent on the other constructs but strongly driver. The four remaining constructs are identified as dependent obstacles. It means that these barriers are the automatic followers of other impediments. The result of this model will assist managers to understand the relative importance and the interdependencies among the barriers. It can guide them to resolve these barriers.