Transitions in sustainable product design research
by Casper Boks, Timothy C. McAloone
International Journal of Product Development (IJPD), Vol. 9, No. 4, 2009

Abstract: By the early 1990s, sustainable product innovation (also known as ecodesign or design for environment) had gained sufficient critical mass in academic research to be identified as a distinct research area. In the past 15 years, stimulated by a growing environmental concern and awareness in the media, it has expanded considerably from a group of opportunistic eco-pathfinders trying to optimise products' recyclability into an acknowledged scientific research area regarding technology transfer and commercialisation. This paper proposes that this maturing process took place through a number of transitions; this is illustrated by discussing the characteristic aspects of each transition, which together provide a historic account of how academic research into sustainable product innovation has matured. In conclusion, several possible future transitions or extensions of the research area are discussed.

Online publication date: Sun, 26-Jul-2009

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