Vector space theory of sustainability assessment of industrial processes

In this work, a sustainability analysis based on concepts of normed linear vector space is presented. The processes of production are vectors whose components are the manufacturing factors. The sustainability assessments are measured by the magnitude of the vectors, that is, by their norms. The properties of the space are simple, and the applications are straightforward. The formalism applies equally well whether the indicators are positive or negative, without the recourse of shifting variables. Whenever available, values of the sustainability threshold limits can be handled by the formalism.