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A Research Roadmap for Sustainable Design Methods and Tools

Author

Listed:
  • Jeremy Faludi

    (Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, TU Delft, 2629 HS Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Steven Hoffenson

    (School of Systems & Enterprises, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA)

  • Sze Yin Kwok

    (Department of Strategic Sustainable Development, Blekinge Institute of Technology, SE-371 79 Karlskrona, Sweden)

  • Michael Saidani

    (Industrial Engineering, Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, F-91192 Paris, France)

  • Sophie I. Hallstedt

    (Department of Strategic Sustainable Development, Blekinge Institute of Technology, SE-371 79 Karlskrona, Sweden)

  • Cassandra Telenko

    (Ford Motor Company, Detroit, MI 30170, USA)

  • Victor Martinez

    (Wilson School of Design, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC V3W 2M8, Canada)

Abstract

Sustainable design methods and tools abound, but their implementation in practice remains marginal. This article brings together results from previous literature reviews and analyses of sustainable design methods and tools, as well as input from design researchers and professional practitioners to identify the needs and gaps in the area. It results in a shared vision of how sustainable design methods and tools can be more tightly integrated into mainstream product design and development, as well as the current state of practice and research in relation to four central questions: What are the needs and values of industry regarding sustainable design? What improvements in sustainable design methods and tools would most drive industry forward? How should researchers move forward with developing more useful sustainable design methods and tools? How can sustainable design be more effectively integrated into industry? A roadmap for the international sustainable design research community is proposed with descriptions of short-, medium-, and long-term tasks for addressing each question. The purpose is to support collective progress and discussions on method and tool development and adoption, and to enable more tangible success in mainstreaming sustainable design practices in industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy Faludi & Steven Hoffenson & Sze Yin Kwok & Michael Saidani & Sophie I. Hallstedt & Cassandra Telenko & Victor Martinez, 2020. "A Research Roadmap for Sustainable Design Methods and Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-28, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:19:p:8174-:d:423509
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eppinger, Steven D. & Browning, Tyson R., 2012. "Design Structure Matrix Methods and Applications," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262017520, December.
    2. Cohen, Mark A. & Vandenbergh, Michael P., 2012. "The potential role of carbon labeling in a green economy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(S1), pages 53-63.
    3. Banjo Roxas & Alan Coetzer, 2012. "Institutional Environment, Managerial Attitudes and Environmental Sustainability Orientation of Small Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(4), pages 461-476, December.
    4. Mariale Moreno & Carolina De los Rios & Zoe Rowe & Fiona Charnley, 2016. "A Conceptual Framework for Circular Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-15, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Saidani & François Cluzel & Yann Leroy & Daniela Pigosso & Mariia Kravchenko & Harrison Kim, 2022. "Nexus Between Life Cycle Assessment, Circularity and Sustainability Indicators—Part II: Experimentations," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(4), pages 1399-1424, December.
    2. Zhining Zhao & Hassan Alli & Masoud Ahmadipour & Rosalam Che me, 2024. "Sustainable agility of product development process based on a rough cloud technique: A case study on China’s small and medium enterprises," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(8), pages 1-27, August.
    3. Benedetta Rotondo & Conny Bakker & Ruud Balkenende & Venanzio Arquilla, 2025. "Integrating Circular Economy Principles in the New Product Development Process: A Systematic Literature Review and Classification of Available Circular Design Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-25, May.
    4. Patricia Lagun Mesquita & Merlina Missimer, 2021. "Social Sustainability Work in Product Development Organizations: An Empirical Study of Three Sweden-Based Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    5. Tielman, Myrthe L. & Suárez-Figueroa, Mari Carmen & Jönsson, Arne & Neerincx, Mark A. & Cavalcante Siebert, Luciano, 2024. "Explainable AI for all - A roadmap for inclusive XAI for people with cognitive disabilities," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

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