Strategic Decisions Guided by Tools and Methods based on Sustainability Questions
Year: 2009
Editor: Chakrabarti, A.
Author: Hallstedt,Sophie
Section: Design for Environment, Safety, Manufacture and Cost
Page(s): 113-120
Abstract
Product development is a particularly critical intervention point for the transformation of society towards sustainability. Current socio-ecological impacts over product life-cycles are evidence that current practices are insuf cient. Several research projects have been carried out to explore, develop and improve methods and tools for Sustainable Product Development.Ageneral conclusion from this research is that the support needed for making sustainability-related decisions are not systematically integrated in companies today. However, this research also indicates that it is possible to create generic methods and tools that aid the integration of sustainability aspects in companies strategic decision-making and product development. These methods and tools can be used to guide the prioritization of investments and technical optimization on the increasingly sustainability-driven market, thus providing a foundation for competitive sustainable product development
Keywords: Sustainable Product Development, Strategic Sustainable Development, Backcasting