Title: Framing the role of design in transformation of consumption practices: beyond the designer-product-user triad

Authors: Ida Nilstad Pettersen; Casper Boks; Arnold Tukker

Addresses: Department of Product Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Kolbjørn Hejes vei 2b, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway ' Department of Product Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Kolbjørn Hejes vei 2b, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway ' Department of Product Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Kolbjørn Hejes vei 2b, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Van Mourik Broekmanweg 6, 2628 XE, Delft, Netherlands

Abstract: Lifestyle changes can contribute to climate change mitigation. Social and technical changes are however intimately related, and consumption entangled with technology. Design researchers have proposed several strategies for facilitating more sustainable consumption patterns through design. However, many actors and structures influence both technology development and how consumption patterns evolve. Understanding the preconditions for design-led contribution requires looking beyond the designer-product-user triad. To frame further investigation into the role of design in transformation of consumption, theoretical concepts from the social sciences are introduced. Laundering is taken as an example to examine the dynamics at play and how to theoretically cope with them.

Keywords: design for sustainability; DfS; sustainable innovation; actor-network theory; ANT; practice theory; sociotechnical systems; sustainable consumption; system innovation theory; multi-level perspective; MLP; consumption patterns; design role; consumption transformation; laundering; laundry; environmental impact.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2013.055580

International Journal of Technology Management, 2013 Vol.63 No.1/2, pp.70 - 103

Published online: 30 Apr 2014 *

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