Integrating the interpretive hierarchical model and existing production systems of the engineered bamboo industry in an industry 4.0 environment

India, despite of having the largest bamboo-bearing area of 14.9 million hectares, captures just 4.5% of the global bamboo market, when China with just 6.67 million hectares, holds about 50% share. While the World Bank and IMF are optimistic about India’s growth in bamboo export, Indian manufacturers are struggling to gain a market for their products. This paper is a novel attempt to study the factors affecting the productivity of the raw bamboo and engineered bamboo-based manufacturing units; and design a conceptual production system model of an engineered bamboo manufacturing unit by integrating the production systems of engineered bamboo in an Industry 4.0 environment. The paper applies Fuzzy TISM and Fuzzy MICMAC techniques to analyse the elements’ relationship and determine the driving and dependent factors. The model determines that connectivity and integration; and government regulations play a crucial role as the driving factor in the productivity and performance of the bamboo sector. It then applies a holistic approach to develop a bamboo cluster model by focusing on the key elements of the fourth industrial revolution, where different actors combine to invest in the common goal of branding bamboo as an environment-friendly and sustainable construction alternative. The model will be helpful for policymakers and production managers in focussing on key elements for strategy execution excellence and utilising digital, interconnected, and decentralised networks to increase productivity and create new opportunities for business operations.