Tracy Bhamra

Integrating environmental decisions into the product development process. II. The later stages

This paper reports on the results of a three year UK government funded research project entitled Design for the Environment Decision Support (DEEDS). As part of this project, a survey of the electronic and electrical industry was carried out in order to understand the way in which industry in the UK, Central Europe and the USA are carrying out ecodesign. The survey also investigated the successes and failures companies had experienced and the lessons they had learnt along the way. From this survey, the authors identified a number of success factors that enabled companies to successfully integrate environmental decisions into their product development process, which is very unusual in that ecodesign is significantly different for the pre- and post-specification stages of the design process. This paper explains the findings related to the first phase, being the very early stages of the product development process prior to the specification being finalised.

Ecodesign: The search for new strategies in product development

Abstract Many industries are now facing pressure from different directions to improve their environmental performance. Although some improvements can be achieved through the ‘clean-up’ of manufacturing processes, more proactive companies recognize that to make significant improvements they must consider the design of their products. This paper considers the subject of ecodesign, an emerging field for both research and practice, which aims to help organizations improve their environmental performance. It outlines the range of literature available in the field and describes some of the models currently in use. Ecodesign practice has not yet been widely explored and this is discussed, drawing on four short case studies to highlight the different approaches taken.

Supply chain influences on new product development in fashion clothing

Purpose – This study sets out to focus on the textiles and fashion clothing supply chain with the objective of identifying factors that constrain company activities and inhibit competitiveness.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology for this research involves multiple case studies involving UK companies. Supply chain management theory and ecological concepts have been used to interpret the data and to identify significant blocks affecting dynamic performance of the participating companies.Findings – The research has identified seven significant blocks to responsiveness that were apparent in the observed supply chains: timing of fabric trade shows, lack of control of availability of fabric, forecasting, late stage product changes, geographical proximity to market, decision making decoupled from fashion trends, stock‐outs and slow selling products.Practical implications – The paper draws conclusions about the strategic directions of fashion supply chains and suggests the need to develop strong persona...

Applying the lens of sensory ethnography to sustainable HCI

Sociological appropriations of practice theory as applied to sustainable design have successfully problematized overly simplistic and individualistic models of consumer choice and behavior change. By taking everyday practices as the principal units of analysis, they move towards acknowledging the socially and materially structured nature of human activity. However, to inform sustainable HCI we also need to understand how practices are part of wider experiential environments and flows of practical activity. In this article, we develop an approach rooted in phenomenological anthropology and sensory ethnography. This approach builds on theories of place, perception and movement and enables us to situate practices, and understand practical activity, as emplaced within complex and shifting ecologies of things. Drawing on an interdisciplinary study of domestic energy consumption and digital media use, we discuss ethnographic and design practice examples. We demonstrate how this theoretical and methodological framework can be aligned with the 3rd paradigm of HCI.

“For the times they are a-changin”: the impact of shifting energy-use practices in time and space

The introduction of extensive wind power in pursuit of 2050 carbon reduction targets presents a major challenge to electricity networks because when the wind blows (supply) does not necessarily match when people want to use electricity (demand). As electricity storage remains very expensive, flexible demand will have an important role in balancing the grid. While there is scope for smart solutions such as automation and pricing, people will need to become more flexible in the longer term. Accordingly, the aim of this research was to look at time-shifting energy use. Using practice theory helped move the study beyond a merely technical, individualised or structural approach. This interdisciplinary research used 24-hour in-house observations, interviews, metered energy data and three energy time-shifting challenges. The results challenge current approaches to demand response and suggest that disruption is a normal part of everyday life around which practices are able to rearrange themselves and that it is, therefore, possible to consider changing energy-use practices. While it is necessary to consider the relationships between practices and the fact that they are temporally and spatially anchored, it is possible to locate agency within them and therefore to suggest strategies for changing them. Unlocking this flexibility remains the challenge but a range of innovative options for doing this is suggested.

Putting consumers first in design for sustainable behaviour: a case study of reducing environmental impacts of cold appliance use

To slow down the increasing environmental degradation, design for sustainable behaviour (DfSB) has emerged in sustainable design aiming to promote behavioural change through design innovations to reduce environmental and social impacts from the demand side or consumer side. This paper presents a practice-based journey to investigate the process and results of the application of social-psychological theories into sustainable design. Focusing on the behaviour-related impacts of products and services during the use stage, a Design Behaviour Intervention Model (DBIM) is developed through the analysis and synthesis of the social-psychological theories and behaviour-changing strategies. The DBIM indicates that an in-depth study of consumer behaviour is the preliminary step in DfSB, which determines the application of design strategies and potentially the effectiveness of design interventions. A case study is presented to demonstrate the application of the model. The results show that consumer behaviour insights offer rich resources to assist designers in sustainable design innovation. Product-based design suggestions and a proposed solution highlight that the application of DBIM coupled with consumer involvement throughout the design process could produce desirable and sustainable patterns of household fridge use. Finally, the structured consideration of behavioural change and their possible application in DfSB are discussed.

Services marketing: taking up the sustainable development challenge

There is a window of opportunity within the area of design for sustainability for services marketing academics and practitioners to offer their knowledge and experience to manufacturing companies and academics. Over the last decade there has been a growing interest in services within the field of sustainable development. Services are viewed as a dematerialized alternative to existing products, with reduced environmental impact (i.e. less material and less energy use to fulfil a certain need). The services considered by academics in the field of sustainable development are those related to products or those substituting products. These services are often called “eco‐efficient services”. Academics focusing on the development of eco‐efficient services can use elements of theory and experience available within the services marketing discipline. Services marketing academics and practitioners can help in developing blueprints and processes to facilitate manufacturing companies to shift towards a more service‐intensive way of doing business. This paper calls for cross‐disciplinary collaboration.

Alternative function fulfilment: incorporating environmental considerations into increased design space

Abstract The focal point of this paper is the relatively unknown concept of alternative function fulfilment (AFF), which is a design strategy that can be used to generate new ways of fulfilling a certain function and is referred to in the context of ecodesign. It can be considered an attractive environmental innovation strategy, provided that the increased design space is used to create more sustainable products and services. This paper explores the AFF concept and discusses the implications of adopting this concept. It thus focuses on how design and business processes may need to change to allow the radical shift towards AFF, in order to facilitate the envisaged significant environmental improvements.

Environmentally conscious design: matching industry requirements with academic research

Abstract This paper examines academic research in the area of environmentally conscious design and the extent to which this supports industrial practices in the same area. Results are presented from a survey of 20 industrialists and academics conducted in the UK. A number of research areas are highlighted where industry requirements are not being met. Also shown are the areas where academics wish to begin researching, but have not yet managed to gain suitable industrial commitment.

Competence understanding and use in SMEs: a UK manufacturing perspective

The paper seeks to address the neglected area of competency research that is the understanding and application of core competency concepts within small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). There is little doubt that SME manufacturing organisations can possess core competencies, however it appears from the literature that this issue has not yet been adequately addressed nor is there a clarification with regards to the nature of these competencies. This paper presents the results of an exploratory research study conducted with UK SMEs. The organisations involved were diverse and included a medical products manufacturer, automotive supplier, large metal fabrication and electromechanical capital equipment integrator. This research provides an insight into how competency concepts are perceived and understood amongst SME manufacturing firms and also whether these organisations use competence concepts. The research findings are important for both practitioners and academics, indicating an apparent lack of connectedness between research into competence and its ‘real world’ understanding and practical use within manufacturing SMEs.