Title: Key aspects of product attraction: a focus on eco-friendliness

Authors: Josiena Gotzsch

Addresses: Grenoble Ecole de Management, 12, rue Pierre Semard – BP 127, 38003 Grenoble Cedex 01, France

Abstract: For product managers and designers, being able to identify the multiple attributes making a product attractive is primordial. Environmental qualities are becoming an increasingly important part of product appeal. This paper aims to facilitate the identification of a product|s key attraction points, including eco-friendly characteristics. Derived from findings in the literature, a model is proposed that gives an overview of desirable product aspects. The model is principally based on qualitative research from the product design literature (Burdek, 1996; Mono, 1997; Steffen, 2000) and quantitative research, related to new product development by Cooper and Kleinschmidt (1995). Eco-design practices and recommendations have been used to integrate sustainability elements in this model. The last section of this paper describes a product development that is driven by environmental issues. The proposed model of product attraction is applied to this case.

Keywords: design for environment; DFE; ecodesign; new product development; NPD; product attachment; product innovation; product value; sustainability; sustainable design; eco-friendly design; product attributes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2008.016297

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2008 Vol.8 No.1, pp.37 - 52

Published online: 16 Dec 2007 *

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