Material selection for eco-innovation: SPICE model

Achieving a sustainable society requires design practitioners to eco-innovate through material selection. Material selection resources are evolving, including physical material libraries, databases, software and tools that connect materials with designers. However, the material-properties focus of these resources risks over-rationalising material selection within the context of technical material properties. Material selection needs consideration of a broader material system, reflecting sectoral behaviour, stakeholders, legislation, access to knowledge and networks. In light of this, the aim of this research is to deepen understanding of ecodesign by investigating the role of key stakeholders during material selection for the development of eco-innovative products. The research method is an in-depth case study at a sustainability-focused furniture design business. Four embedded case studies of New Product Developments (NPD) are drawn from within the main case. The case study methods include interviews, site visits and observation activities spanning three years. The case studies uncover the role of stakeholders in eco-innovative material selection during New Product Development of office furniture. The paper presents eco-innovations based on standard portfolio materials and new material adoptions. Ecodesign strategies employed include (1) Design for Disassembly (2) Dematerialisation (3) Material Streamlining and (4) Part Reduction. The results uncover how the efficacy of ecodesign decision-making is strongly dependent on stakeholder knowledge, characterised by heuristics with conflicting trade-offs along product life cycles. From this the paper presents SPICE, a new conceptual model and material portfolio classification. By linking stakeholders, material selection, ecodesign and trade-offs, the SPICE model aids strategic design management and material selection for eco-innovation.

[1]  Jessica Lagerstedt,et al.  EcoDesign and The Ten Golden Rules: generic advice for merging environmental aspects into product development , 2006 .

[2]  Ana M. R. Senos,et al.  Digital tools for material selection in product design , 2010 .

[3]  Frank O'Connor,et al.  A multi-stakeholder abridged environmentally conscious design approach , 2001 .

[4]  P. Hekkert,et al.  Meanings of materials through sensorial properties and manufacturing processes , 2009 .

[5]  Henrikke Baumann,et al.  Mapping the green product development field: engineering, policy and business perspectives , 2002 .

[6]  Neri Oxman,et al.  Material Based Design Computation , 2007, CAADRIA proceedings.

[7]  Sissel A. Waage,et al.  Re-considering product design: a practical “road-map” for integration of sustainability issues , 2007 .

[8]  Milad Avazbeigi,et al.  A material selection methodology and expert system for sustainable product design , 2011 .

[9]  Michael F. Ashby,et al.  The art of materials selection , 2003 .

[10]  Pia Lindahl,et al.  Strategic sustainability considerations in materials management , 2014 .

[11]  Elvin Karana,et al.  Fiberness, reflectiveness and roughness in the characterization of natural and high quality materials , 2014 .

[12]  Michael F. Ashby,et al.  Materials and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection in Product Design , 2002 .

[13]  Elisabeth Hochschorner,et al.  Handling trade-offs in Ecodesign tools for sustainable product development and procurement , 2006 .

[14]  Elvin Karana,et al.  Characterization of ‘natural’ and ‘high-quality’ materials to improve perception of bio-plastics , 2012 .

[15]  Miriam Borchardt,et al.  Adopting ecodesign practices: Case study of a midsized automotive supplier , 2009 .

[16]  I. E. H. van Kesteren.  Product designers’ information needs in materials selection , 2008 .

[17]  Casper Boks,et al.  The soft side of ecodesign , 2006 .

[18]  Arlindo Silva,et al.  Comprehensive approach for informed life cycle-based materials selection , 2013 .

[19]  C. Karlsson.  Researching Operations Management , 2010 .

[20]  Han Brezet,et al.  Ecodesign : a promising approach to sustainable production and consumption , 1997 .

[21]  Elvin Karana,et al.  Material considerations in product design: A survey on crucial material aspects used by product designers , 2007 .

[22]  Elvin Karana,et al.  Creating awareness on natural fibre composites in design , 2012 .

[23]  Tracy Bhamra,et al.  Design for sustainability , 2007 .

[24]  J. Huisman,et al.  Rethinking eco-design priorities; the case of the Econova television , 2012, 2012 Electronics Goes Green 2012+.

[25]  S. M. Sapuan,et al.  Material screening and choosing methods: A review , 2010 .

[26]  Carlo Vezzoli,et al.  Design for Environmental Sustainability , 2008 .

[27]  Casper Boks,et al.  Environmental information from stakeholders supporting product development , 2012 .

[28]  Kathleen M. Eisenhardt,et al.  Theory Building From Cases: Opportunities And Challenges , 2007 .

[29]  Améziane Aoussat,et al.  Designing identity of a new material: a new product design approach , 2009 .

[30]  Deishin Lee,et al.  Cradle-to-Cradle Design at Herman Miller: Moving Toward Environmental Sustainability , 2008 .

[31]  James F. C. Windmill,et al.  Integrating design for remanufacture into the design process: the operational factors , 2013 .

[32]  Owain Pedgley.  Influence of Stakeholders on Industrial Design Materials and Manufacturing Selection , 2009 .

[33]  Frank J. O’ Connor.  A multi-stakeholder abridged environmentally conscious design approach: Thesis for the degree of doctor of philosophy , 2001 .

[34]  Javier Delgado-Ceballos,et al.  The Effect of Internal Barriers on the Connection Between Stakeholder Integration and Proactive Environmental Strategies , 2012 .

[35]  Claudia De Giorgi,et al.  From ecodesign products guidelines to materials guidelines for a sustainable product. Qualitative and quantitative multicriteria environmental profile of a material , 2012 .

[36]  R. Yin.  Case Study Research: Design and Methods , 1984 .

[37]  Mário Raposo,et al.  Stakeholder theory: issues to resolve , 2011 .

[38]  Wilson Kindlein,et al.  The recycling cycle of materials as a design project tool , 2011 .

[39]  Anne-Marie Tillman,et al.  Analysing influencing factors of corporate environmental information collection, management and communication , 2009 .

[40]  Jacqueline Cramer,et al.  Barriers and stimuli for ecodesign in SMEs , 2002 .

[41]  Irene Henriques,et al.  Stakeholder influences on sustainability practices in the Canadian forest products industry , 2005 .

[42]  Paul Micklethwaite,et al.  Specifying recycled: understanding UK architects’ and designers’ practices and experience , 2004 .

[43]  Ibuchim Cyril Ogunkah,et al.  Investigating Factors Affecting Material Selection: The Impacts on Green Vernacular Building Materials in the Design-Decision Making Process , 2012 .

[44]  Joseph Sarkis,et al.  Stakeholder pressure and the adoption of environmental practices: The mediating effect of training , 2010 .