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Industrial Sufficiency: A Conceptual Methodological Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Schmidhäuser

    (Fraunhofer IPA, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Max Inhofer

    (Fraunhofer IPA, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Annika Buchholz

    (Fraunhofer IPA, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Franziska Mais

    (Fraunhofer IPA, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Robert Miehe

    (Fraunhofer IPA, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

Abstract

Implementing sustainability strategies is essential for the future viability of companies. While companies have been focusing intensively on the operationalization of efficiency and consistency for quite some time, sufficiency approaches are rare. As a result, there is a lack of fundamental understanding of the concept, its inherent potential, as well as a lack of basic implementation concepts for strategies, management systems, and product and process development. Based on a literature review using Scopus and Web of Science according to the PRISMA approach, this paper develops a definition for the concept of industrial sufficiency and presents three general industrial sufficiency strategies (frugality, longevity, and specificity) regarding three distinct business determinants (product, production, and business model). The investigation shows that not only can there be overlaps between the three general sustainability strategies (efficiency, consistency, and sufficiency) but that individual measures are also mutually dependent at different levels. In addition, significant conflicts of objectives for implementation in industrial practice are revealed.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Schmidhäuser & Max Inhofer & Annika Buchholz & Franziska Mais & Robert Miehe, 2024. "Industrial Sufficiency: A Conceptual Methodological Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:24:p:11121-:d:1546976
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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