Title: The role of human factors in the adoption of sustainable design criteria in business: evidence from Belgian and Dutch case studies

Authors: Elli Verhulst; Casper Boks

Addresses: Department of Design Sciences, Artesis University College Antwerp, Ambtmanstraat 1, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Product Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Kolbjørn Hejes vei 2b, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. ' Department of Product Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Kolbjørn Hejes vei 2b, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

Abstract: A growing number of companies are faced with the challenge of implementing sustainable design. Although theory and methods are available, practice shows that the implementation process of sustainable design is not straightforward. In this paper, different cases are described based on an empirical study of Flemish and Dutch firms that are implementing sustainable design. The emphasis is put on the exploration of two human factors and their relation to the implementation process: resistance against sustainability and internal communication on sustainable design. Concerning the implementation process, the results indicate that factors of resistance appear to vary in nature and content throughout the implementation process and within different departments. Lastly, three communication types are suggested that ask for consideration to involve, support and inform employees in order to progress into the direction of sustainable products. The results of the exploratory study led to the formulation of four propositions.

Keywords: product development; sustainable design; sustainability criteria; implementation processes; human factors; Belgium; Netherlands; Holland; design criteria; Flanders; employee resistance; internal communication; employee involvement; employee support; informed employees; innovation; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2012.046943

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2012 Vol.6 No.2, pp.146 - 163

Received: 30 Jul 2011
Accepted: 05 Jan 2012
Published online: 31 Oct 2014 *

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