Title: Product sustainability: organisational considerations

Authors: Martin Charter, Tom Clark

Addresses: The Centre for Sustainable Design, University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Falkner Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7DS, UK. ' Consultant, 3, Hyde Street, Mount Lawley, Perth, Western Australia 6050, Australia

Abstract: The paper discusses organisational aspects that need to be considered when developing sustainable products, services and product-services. Managing business sustainability, and within it sustainable solutions development, is a complex and evolving issue and there is no bible that effectively helps companies to do this. To progress towards sustainability, there will need to be a clear vision, commitment, objectives and strategy driven from the top. Organisational structures will need to be created that enable learning and change in a dynamic setting. Higher levels of net sustainable value will need to be delivered through more sustainable solutions based on robust management systems, and this will mean innovation (Charter and Clark, 2003).

Keywords: sustainable products; sustainable services; product-services; business sustainability management; eco-design; organisations; product sustainability; product design; innovation; organisational structure; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2008.020405

International Journal of Product Development, 2008 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.251 - 275

Published online: 21 Sep 2008 *

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