Elif Küçüksayraç, Renee Wever and Han Brezet
This paper aims to investigate the intermediary role of universities in spreading design for sustainability into industry.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the intermediary role of universities in spreading design for sustainability into industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Three case studies were undertaken on Delft University of Technology, Design for Sustainability Program from The Netherlands; a center on sustainable consumption and production; and Prof. Göksel Demirer from Middle East Technical University, Environmental Engineering Department from Turkey.
Findings
The process and evolution of the intermediary roles of the cases are explained. Three types of structures, through which universities undertake intermediary role, are investigated via the cases studies, a program, a center and an individual scientist.
Originality/value
This study is a first attempt to investigate the intermediary role of universities in the design for sustainability field.
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Ana Laura R. Santos, Linda S.G.L. Wauben, Richard Goossens and Han Brezet
The purpose of this paper is to collect information about barriers and enablers experienced by international experts when transferring medical equipment to countries affected by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to collect information about barriers and enablers experienced by international experts when transferring medical equipment to countries affected by humanitarian emergencies and to discuss the suitability of the principles of “openness”, “interconnections” and “non-linearity” of systems to understand the nature of the barriers and enablers as described by the international experts.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, six semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from humanitarian organizations. The interviews were based on a simplified model of the transfer of medical equipment adapted from supply chain literature. The model ensured that all the process steps undertaken by humanitarian organizations were considered. Afterwards, the interviews were transcribed and structurally analysed to derive barriers and enablers. Finally, the results were described in light of three theoretical principles of systems thinking.
Findings
In total, 14 types of barriers and 12 types of enablers were uncovered that illustrate the complexity of transferring medical equipment in humanitarian emergencies. The paper concludes with a proposal for future research to investigate if, and how, an approach guided by systems thinking could help to create a designated space for the formulation of original, synergetic solutions that address the identified barriers.
Originality/value
This study is the first to explore the specific logistic challenges implicit in the transfer of medical equipment in humanitarian emergencies with a lifecycle perspective. Furthermore, the concept of systems thinking is rather novel in the field of transfer of medical technology.
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Parijat Upadhyay and Anup Kumar
Investors are looking for the organizations which have robust strategy and planning method meeting the current and future guidelines and policies on environmental regulations to…
Abstract
Purpose
Investors are looking for the organizations which have robust strategy and planning method meeting the current and future guidelines and policies on environmental regulations to improve sustainability. Thus, most of the business units have been striving to incorporate sustainability into process and product or service design in such a way that carbon footprint should be minimized. Sustainable product and service design remain a challenge for industrial organizations because of the involvement of multifaceted factors in the design endeavor. The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology to include sustainability functions at the design phase of the product or process.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have modified the house of quality concept, and grey relational analysis-house of sustainability process is proposed in this paper, which includes consideration of all sustainability dimensions including environmental at the design phase of the product or process development. The process has been explained with an example of retail service design.
Findings
The proposed approach incorporates the specific business environment and the type of product to be designed with all three levels of sustainability by design. By capturing all sustainability dimensions in the design stage itself, various issues may be taken care of at the initial stage of operations, which are likely to affect sustainability in all activities of the supply chain and the organization as a whole. Thus the proactive sustainable designing considerably eases and improves the sustainability reporting and meeting the legislative guidelines prescribed by the governmental agencies of the country.
Originality/value
A novel methodology has been proposed to include sustainability functions at the design phase, which is strategically useful for sustainable operations and to develop a sustainable product or process.
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Anup Kumar, Santosh Shrivastav, Amit Adlakha and Niraj K. Vishwakarma
The authors develop a methodology to select appropriate sustainable supply chain indicators (SSCIs) to measure Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the global supply chain.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors develop a methodology to select appropriate sustainable supply chain indicators (SSCIs) to measure Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the global supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
SSCIs are identified by reviewing the extant literature and topic modeling. Further, they are evaluated based on existing SDGs and ranked using the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. Notably, the evaluation of indicators is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process within a fuzzy environment. The methodology has been explained using a case study from the automobile industry.
Findings
The case study identifies appropriate SSCIs and differentiates them among peer suppliers for gaining a competitive advantage. The results reveal that top-ranked sustainability indicators include the management of natural resources, energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and social investment.
Practical implications
The study outcome will enable suppliers, specialists and decision makers to understand the criteria that improve supply chain sustainability in the automobile industry. The analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the competitive package of indicators for gaining strategic advantage. This proactive sustainability indicator selection promotes and enhances sustainability reporting while fulfilling regulatory requirements and increasing collaboration potential with trustworthy downstream partners. This study sets the stage for further research in SSCIs’ competitive strategy in the automobile industry along with its supply chains.
Originality/value
This study is unique as it provides a framework for determining relevant SSCIs, which can be distinguished from peer suppliers, while also matching economic, environmental and social metrics to achieve a competitive advantage.
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Van Thi Hong Do and Long Thanh Do
Given the seriousness of environmental issues, academic research has proposed social norms as an effective policy tool to encourage a wide range of pro-environmental behaviors…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the seriousness of environmental issues, academic research has proposed social norms as an effective policy tool to encourage a wide range of pro-environmental behaviors, including green consumption. However, tangible evidence of the effectiveness of the social norm approach for green consumption behaviors is unreconciled, raising controversy about such a strategy. Considering that social norm interventions are only effective when targeted at the right consumers, this study aims to focus on exploring the role of individual difference factors, namely, social power value-, social face value- and independence orientations, in clarifying the effects of social norms on green consumption behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses hierarchical ordinary least squares regression to test the hypotheses with survey data from 269 consumers in Southeast Asia.
Findings
The study reveals that perceived social norms positively predict green consumption behaviors, providing additional evidence for the effectiveness of the social norms. It also finds that the perceived social norms have a stronger impact on the green consumption behaviors of consumers who value social power and social face. However, the effect becomes weaker for consumers with a strong tendency toward independence.
Originality/value
This study highlights the importance of individual difference factors in explaining the effectiveness of social norms. The current findings also offer insightful implications for designing more effective social influence approaches for constructing green consumption culture.
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In the last two decades, the fashion value chain traveled to developing parts of the world. To these nations, it paved a path for socio-economic development initially but lately…
Abstract
Purpose
In the last two decades, the fashion value chain traveled to developing parts of the world. To these nations, it paved a path for socio-economic development initially but lately, the aftermath has costed more. This article visualizes the gains and losses of fast fashion to these countries.
Design/methodology/approach
An in-depth systematic literature review was performed to analyze the secondary data from academic journals and reports from international organizations. The authors have compiled their empirical journeys in academia, research and industry from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) based on Schon's (1983, 1990) theory of reflective practice. Further on, the article is structured using the value chain analysis (VCA) method which visualizes the aftermath of mass-producing fashion for the developed countries.
Findings
In this research it was found that LMICs have made substantial economic progress in the past two decades, however at a high social and environmental cost. It is the right time to find a balance between economic development and harm caused to the citizens of these nations.
Originality/value
At the moment the existing academic literature talks about unsustainable practices in the fashion sector around the world. This research precisely targets the LMICs where the aftermath is supposed to be much more severe. Further, it provides solutions and urges these nations to bring a substantial change throughout the value chain for a robust future.
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Hung Vu Nguyen, Long Thanh Do and Mai Thi Thu Le
Media information is often considered critical to foster pro-environmental consumption behaviours (PECB). However, empirical evidence was inconsistent about the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
Media information is often considered critical to foster pro-environmental consumption behaviours (PECB). However, empirical evidence was inconsistent about the impact of environmental information exposure on the behaviours. Thus, the study aims to clarify that impact by investigating three different types of environmental information. Moreover, the study posited that consumers who hold different environment-related values may be receptive to and influenced differently by these types of information.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data were collected from 259 Gen-Y consumers in urban areas. The data were analysed for measure reliabilities and validities before hypotheses were tested using ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions.
Findings
The results revealed that the environmental problem-, action- and effectiveness-related information exposure affects pro-environmental personal norms (PNs) which then influence the behaviours. More importantly, the influences of action-related information and effectiveness-related information on PNs were moderated differently by egoistic values held by consumers.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of information-value congruence in designing effective media campaigns.
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Jenny Nilsson Vestola and Maria Ek Styvén
This study aims to gain insights into the drivers and inhibitors of proenvironmental behaviors (PEB) among Gen Z tourists through the lens of the goal-framing theory (GFT) and the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to gain insights into the drivers and inhibitors of proenvironmental behaviors (PEB) among Gen Z tourists through the lens of the goal-framing theory (GFT) and the motivation–opportunity–ability (MOA) framework. It also aims to propose interventions for promoting proenvironmental tourist behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was adopted, building on 20 in-depth interviews with Swedish teenagers. The thematic data analysis was guided by a conceptual model integrating MOA and GFT.
Findings
The findings indicate that teenagers primarily lack motivation for eco-friendly travel. Their ability is hindered by limited knowledge, while low involvement in travel decisions and unsupportive destination norms restrict their opportunities. Overcoming these challenges requires interventions that boost engagement in PEB through informational and structural strategies, making eco-friendly options more affordable, efficient, enjoyable and desirable.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to combine MOA and GFT, providing an in-depth exploration of the drivers and inhibitors of proenvironmental travel among Gen Z tourists.
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Ingo Oswald Karpen, Bo Edvardsson, Bård Tronvoll, Elina Jaakkola and Jodie Conduit
Service managers increasingly strive to achieve sustainability through strategies centered on circularity. With a focus on saving, extending and (re)generating resources and their…
Abstract
Purpose
Service managers increasingly strive to achieve sustainability through strategies centered on circularity. With a focus on saving, extending and (re)generating resources and their enclosing service systems, circularity can contribute to environmental, social and financial gains. Yet, the notion of circularity is surprisingly understudied in service research. This article seeks to provide an initial conceptual understanding of circular service management, introducing illustrative strategies and research priorities for circular service management. This paper provides a roadmap for scholars, practitioners and policymakers to develop a deeper understanding of the opportunities from adopting circular services.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors explore the concept of circular service management by drawing upon existing literature on sustainability, circularity and service research. Strategies of circular service management and research priorities emerge on the basis of industry best practice examples and research on sustainability challenges and opportunities.
Findings
Service researchers have largely ignored the concept and role of circularity for service businesses. Extant research on the topic nearly exclusively features in non-service journals and/or does not seek to advance service theory through circularity. This article argues that circular service management enables the implementation of service thinking in the pursuit of sustainability and outlines four types of circular service management strategies.
Originality/value
The authors introduce the concept of circular service management and highlight the role of service research for designing and managing circular systems and operations. This article also offers a research agenda connecting managerial challenges and opportunities with key service research priorities for circular service management. This provides a roadmap for scholars, practitioners and policymakers to develop a deeper understanding of pursuing circular services, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Marco Antonio Paula Pinheiro, Bruno Michel Roman Pais Seles, Paula De Camargo Fiorini, Daniel Jugend, Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Hermes Moretti Ribeiro da Silva and Hengky Latan
The purpose of this paper is to identify and systematize journal articles that relate to new product development (NPD) within a circular economy (CE) and to present an integrative…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and systematize journal articles that relate to new product development (NPD) within a circular economy (CE) and to present an integrative framework.
Design/methodology/approach
It was conducted a qualitative research based on a systematic review of the literature.
Findings
As results, it is presented the identification of the main practices and actions of CE applied to NPD, as well as the drivers, barriers and the stakeholders involved in the integration between CE and NPD.
Originality/value
The main contributions of this research are: mapping the state-of-the-art on the topic and systematizing the existing knowledge; providing useful insights for product development professionals considering adopting CE practices and tools in their NPD processes; and presenting a unique, integrative framework to guide organizations’ actions.