Glenn Johansson

Success factors for integration of ecodesign in product development: A review of state of the art

On the basis of a literature review, 20 factors essential for successful integration of ecodesign in product development are presented in this paper. The success factors are structured according to six areas of concern: management, customer relationships, supplier relationships, development process, competence and motivation. By relating the factors to a number of product development elements that are generally claimed to be important for product development success, it is indicated that the integration of ecodesign to a great extent are related to the same elements. A few factors seem to be specific for the integration of ecodesign. These factors are related to competence and motivation. As many of the ecodesign integration success factors relate to those elements that are acknowledged to affect product development success, this implies that a company that manages product development well increases the likelihood of being successful when integrating ecodesign into product development.

Introducing environmental concern in manufacturing strategies: Implications for the decision criteria

Purpose of the paper Concern for environmental issues has entered the agenda in many companies within the manufacturing industry. The purpose of this paper is to analyse implications for the decision criteria when environmental issues are introduced into manufacturing strategy. Furthermore, the purpose is to present a framework illustrating how concern for environmental issues affect the manufacturing strategy formulation process. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a review of literature on environmentally conscious manufacturing and literature on manufacturing strategy. These two fields of research are merged in the analysis. Findings The analysis shows that concern for environmental issues may lead to a number of potential implications for the decision criteria. These implications may, in turn, affect the manufacturing strategy formulation process. A framework is presented that illustrates the interrelationships between the drivers for environmental concern, effects for the competitive priorities, implications for the decision criteria and how it may affect the manufacturing strategy formulation process. Research limitations/implications Inclusion of environmental issues potentially complicates the manufacturing strategy formulation process. This implies a need for further studies on the challenges companies face in the strategy formulation process. Practical implication The implications for the decision criteria and the framework presented in this paper may support companies to prepare for inclusion of environmental concern in the manufacturing strategy formulation process. Original/value of paper Manufacturing strategy has not traditionally included concern for environmental issues. This paper adopts a novel approach in which research findings on environmental concern are integrated with literature on manufacturing strategy.

Interfaces between technology development, product development and production: critical factors and a conceptual model

Interfaces between technology development, product development, and production must be managed in order to avoid misfits between technology and product concepts and ensure the fit of the product design and the production process. In this paper, critical challenges related to these interfaces are studied based on in-depth case studies of ten product development projects at five manufacturing firms, two workshops and a questionnaire. Our findings indicate that factors related to synchronisation and transfer management are most critical. A tentative model is formulated as an instrument to reduce risk and uncertainty related to the interfaces.

Managing the design/environment interface : studies of integration mechanisms

Despite the various barriers that seem to hamper integration between product designers and environmental specialists, few studies have addressed how different mechanisms may reduce these barriers. This paper focuses on such mechanisms, specifically addressing product development within the electronics industry. On the basis of empirical case studies, different mechanisms are addressed regarding their potential to support integration between product designers and environmental specialists. Consistent with the literature on conventional product development, the findings indicate that both organizational mechanisms and technological mechanisms seem valid for facilitating such integration.

Managing internal technology transfer in complex product development

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to illustrate how the characteristics of complex product systems pose specific managerial challenges onto the transfer of new technology from technology development to product development.Design/methodology/approach – The research relies on comparative case studies involving three cases of internal technology transfer processes in the development of electrical equipment and telecommunication systems.Findings – The research findings suggest that managerial decisions on internal technology transfer should be guided by a contingency framework rather than general procedures and tools.Research limitations/implications – Since the research is restricted to a limited number of case studies, additional studies are required to validate the findings.Practical implications – The study results indicate that in cases of complex product development, there is a need for a more integrated view on technology and product development, than what is commonly described in the literature...

Incorporating environmental concern in product development: A study of project characteristics

Purpose – The paper aims at providing empirically‐based insights into product development when environmental performance requirements are addressed. The purpose is to investigate characteristics of product development projects when environmental performance requirements are considered.Design/methodology/approach – The research was carried out as in‐depth case studies of two commercial product development projects. Data was primarily collected via open‐ended semi‐structured interviews. Other sources of data include written project material, such as minutes from meetings, project and product specifications, company‐internal education material, etc. A few project meetings were also attended.Findings – The paper indicates that the characteristics of product development projects differ when environmental performance requirements are considered. On the basis of the identified differences a two‐dimensional model is suggested. It contains the dimensions “level of ecodesign experience” and “environmental complexit...

Assessing interface challenges in product development projects

OVERVIEW: Product development projects are exposed to a number of challenges, and the significance of different challenges differs among projects. To prepare for these challenges, project managers may benefit from assessing them at an early stage of the project. This paper presents a method that can be used to assess product development challenges in terms of technological and market uncertainty, product and production complexity, and geographical and organizational dispersion. Project managers can use the results from such assessments to justify preventive action, negotiate resources and specifications, and devise processes that fit the specific characteristics of individual development projects.

Product innovation for sustainability: on product properties for efficient disassembly

Due to increasing societal awareness, nowadays companies need to consider environmental issues in their business activities. A requirement that has entered the agenda is the design of products to support efficient end‐of‐life management. However, though previous research has addressed various disassembly aspects there is a need for more understanding on which product properties are essential for efficient disassembly processes. Better understanding is also required regarding when, during the product development process, these properties are established. On the basis of empirical studies of disassembly of electrical and electronic equipment and vehicles, this paper suggests a number of product properties that are essential for efficiency of the disassembly process. Furthermore, the paper analyses when these properties are set in the product development process. Four product properties, denoted disassembly properties, have been identified: ease of identification; accessibility; ease of separation; and ease of handling. The analysis shows that these properties are affected during all product development phases. Especially in the early phases it is crucial to consider the disassembly properties in order to avoid unnecessary and costly design changes that may occur in the later development phases if the design solutions are pulled in the wrong direction.

Environmental and economic implications of a shift to halogen‐free printed wiring boards

Purpose – To present the outcome from one case study in the EU project grEEEn (Cost Management System for greening Electrical and Electronic Equipment). The study addressed the material shift in printed wiring boards (PWBs), from the traditional FR4 material containing halogenated flame retardants to halogen‐free FR4 materials.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents by way of introduction the grEEEn method. From the product, process and scenario modelling the results from the analysis of cost, environmental profile and legal compliance are presented and discussed.Findings – It was found that the shift to the halogen‐free material leads to a slight increase in environmental burden. However, the shift to a halogen‐free material could mean that toxic substances are eliminated or reduced resulting in an overall improvement of the environmental performance. The shift causes an increase in cost ranging between nearly zero and 10 ∈ per PWB panel.Originality/value – The paper presents results from the fi...

An analysis of product properties affecting performance of end‐of‐life systems for electrical and electronics equipment

Purpose - On the basis of empirical studies this paper aims at identifying and analysing product properties that affect performance of end-of-life systems for electrical and electronic equipment (E ...