A Multi-Stakeholder Abridged Environmentally Conscious Design Approach

Environmental concerns play an increasingly important role in product design. As these concerns have mounted, so have academic and industrial research efforts into ways to reduce the environmental impact of products through approaches such as Environmentally Conscious Design (ECD). Existing research has not yet sought to understand the role of stakeholders in ECD. New ECD approaches and techniques will have to be able to adapt and interface effectively with various stakeholders in the design and development process and throughout the life cycle of a product to ensure that both single and multiple life cycle issues are considered. They will need to be able to assist in selecting a suitable life cycle strategy, analyzing designs and suggesting possible improvement methods. An exploratory multi-method research approach was chosen which involved the use of numerous qualitative and quantitative methods including surveys (questionnaires and informal interviews), industrial case studies and a focus group. The research explored the role of stakeholders in ECD, and developed a new methodology for integration of a novel stakeholder body of knowledge through an abridged life cycle approach. It showed how ECD relies on the close co-operation and input of many different stakeholders both within and external to a company. The body of knowledge, a set of criteria representative of stakeholder views and opinions, had been gathered from a range of stakeholders over the life cycle of a number of electromechanical products and their packaging. The body of knowledge is of global benefit with the data and weightings having the potential to be modified for different products. For More contact the author.

Where to find

Can obtain a copy from the British Library (UK)or from the author Dr Frank O' Connor (frankjackdin@usa.net)