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The role of human factors in the adoption of sustainable design criteria in business: evidence from Belgian and Dutch case studies

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  • Elli Verhulst
  • Casper Boks

Abstract

A growing number of companies are faced with the challenge of implementing sustainable design. Although theory and methods are available, practice shows that the implementation process of sustainable design is not straightforward. In this paper, different cases are described based on an empirical study of Flemish and Dutch firms that are implementing sustainable design. The emphasis is put on the exploration of two human factors and their relation to the implementation process: resistance against sustainability and internal communication on sustainable design. Concerning the implementation process, the results indicate that factors of resistance appear to vary in nature and content throughout the implementation process and within different departments. Lastly, three communication types are suggested that ask for consideration to involve, support and inform employees in order to progress into the direction of sustainable products. The results of the exploratory study led to the formulation of four propositions.

Suggested Citation

  • Elli Verhulst & Casper Boks, 2012. "The role of human factors in the adoption of sustainable design criteria in business: evidence from Belgian and Dutch case studies," International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(2), pages 146-163.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijisde:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:146-163
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Raphaëlle Stewart & Faheem Ali & Casper Boks & Niki Bey, 2018. "Architect, Catalyst, Advocate, and Prophet: A Four-Lens View of Companies to Support Ecodesign Integration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-27, September.
    2. Wim Lambrechts & Jessica S. Klaver & Lennart Koudijzer & Janjaap Semeijn, 2021. "Human Factors Influencing the Implementation of Cobots in High Volume Distribution Centres," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-24, May.
    3. Rosa Maria Dangelico, 2016. "Green Product Innovation: Where we are and Where we are Going," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(8), pages 560-576, December.
    4. Łukasz Sułkowski & Katarzyna Kolasińska-Morawska & Robert Seliga & Piotr Buła & Paweł Morawski, 2021. "Sustainability Culture of Polish Universities in Professionalization of Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Marlies van Tilburg & Harold Krikke & Wim Lambrechts, 2022. "Supply Chain Relationships in Circular Business Models: Supplier Tactics at Royal Smit Transformers," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-24, October.
    6. Faheem Ali & Raphaëlle Stewart & Casper Boks & Niki Bey, 2019. "Exploring “Company Personas” for Informing Design for Sustainability Implementation in Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-30, January.
    7. Mehmet Ulus & Burcin Hatipoglu, 2016. "Human Aspect as a Critical Factor for Organization Sustainability in the Tourism Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-18, March.

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