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Design Method for Platform-Aggregated Life Cycle Ecosystem

Author

Listed:
  • Tomoyuki Tamura

    (School of Engineering, Hongo Campus, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8654, Tokyo, Japan)

  • Ryota Odagaki

    (School of Engineering, Hongo Campus, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8654, Tokyo, Japan)

  • Yusuke Kishita

    (School of Engineering, Hongo Campus, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8654, Tokyo, Japan)

  • Yasushi Umeda

    (School of Engineering, Hongo Campus, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku 113-8654, Tokyo, Japan)

  • Gaku Miyake

    (Panasonic Holdings Co., Ltd., 1006, Kadoma 571-8501, Osaka, Japan)

  • Genichiro Matsuda

    (Panasonic Holdings Co., Ltd., 1006, Kadoma 571-8501, Osaka, Japan)

  • Akio Tajima

    (Panasonic ET Solutions Co., Ltd., 2-1-61 Shiromi, Chuo-ku 540-0001, Osaka, Japan)

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) is increasingly important in ensuring sustainable development. Although interactions among stakeholders are essential to achieving the CE, existing methods associated with life cycle design do not fully consider the synergies between multiple product life cycles (PLCs). Therefore, this paper proposes a platform-aggregated life cycle ecosystem (PF-LCE). The PF-LCE consists of multiple PLCs along with a platform that enables the exchange of goods and data among different PLCs. We also propose a method for supporting the conceptual design of the PF-LCE. Our method includes a four-step process to help exploit the interactions and synergistic effects occurring across PLCs at the design stage. We then use a simulated case study of PLCs sharing goods and data in the shoe industry, considering scenarios ranging from business-as-usual to full integration of the platform with four service providers. The results demonstrate that the designed PF-LCE delivers an increase in profits to service providers alongside reduced costs for consumers. CO 2 emissions also decrease. Therefore, the design method that we propose has the potential to enhance current implementations of the CE in terms of business revenues, consumer satisfaction, and environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomoyuki Tamura & Ryota Odagaki & Yusuke Kishita & Yasushi Umeda & Gaku Miyake & Genichiro Matsuda & Akio Tajima, 2025. "Design Method for Platform-Aggregated Life Cycle Ecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-27, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5939-:d:1689336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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