Self-Assessment Method for Sustainability Implementation in Product Innovation

Abstract

Companies, striving towards an effective and systematic integration of a strategic sustainability perspective in product innovation, need to treat the implementation of necessary processes and tools, as well as their continuous improvement, as a project in itself. An efficient way to measure the current sustainability implementation level in the organization, as well as guidance for progression, is required. To meet this need, a novel self-assessment was developed, which provides companies with a tool to assess and visualize their current capabilities in relation to key elements for successful sustainability integration in the product innovation process. It includes a scale of different sustainability implementation levels to support building a roadmap for systematic implementation, and to measure progress over time. This research is based on results from previous descriptive work within the area of sustainable product development and learning from applying strategic and tactical assessment tools for eco-design and sustainability maturity. Besides the contribution to practice, this study also contributes to knowledge by specifying detailed aspects for each key element that must be considered to guide sustainability integration. Also, insights from applying different existing tools in real cases are provided. The newly-developed self-assessment method was applied and validated at two case companies. Independent and continuous use of it by the companies beyond this particular study indicate the practical value of the method.

Eco‐innovation motivations and ecodesign tool implementation in companies in the Nordic textile and information technology sectors

“…The five levels of sustainability compliance (adapted from Willard, 2012, as cited in Schulte and Isaksson Hallstedt, 2018) [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]…”

New Approach to the Technological Aspect of Corporate Sustainable Development

“…Application of instruments reducing pollution, alternative energy sources as well as other environmentally friendly instruments is related to the improvement of product technology. When investigating the implementation of product innovations in companies aimed at increasing the sustainability of their actions, some authors encountered the need to improve technology first of all (Schulte and Hallstedt 2018). The aforementioned authors argue that sustainability is enhanced through the use of innovative production methods, tools, processes, and even by changing the approach to the existing operations.…”

“…The aforementioned authors argue that sustainability is enhanced through the use of innovative production methods, tools, processes, and even by changing the approach to the existing operations. Reviewing the possible models of sustainable innovative operations in companies, they eventually arrive at the conclusion that the basis of sustainability is the choice of appropriate advanced technology allowing application of sustainable processes only (Schulte and Hallstedt 2018).…”

A New Approach to the Technological Aspect of Corporate Sustainable Development

“…Application of instruments reducing pollution, alternative energy sources as well as other environmentally friendlyinstruments is related to the improvement of product technology. When investigating the implementation of product innovations in companies aimed at increasing the sustainability of their actions, some authors encountered the need to improve technology first of all[25]. The aforementioned authors argue that sustainability is enhanced through the use of innovative production methods, tools, processes, and even by changing the approach to the existing operations.Reviewing the possible models of sustainable innovative operations in companies, they eventually arrive at the conclusion that the basis of sustainability is the choice of appropriate advanced technology allowing application of sustainable processes only[25].Preconditions for improving sustainable competitive performance in small-and medium-sized enterprises have been examined by Ma Degong et al[26].…”

“…When investigating the implementation of product innovations in companies aimed at increasing the sustainability of their actions, some authors encountered the need to improve technology first of all[25]. The aforementioned authors argue that sustainability is enhanced through the use of innovative production methods, tools, processes, and even by changing the approach to the existing operations.Reviewing the possible models of sustainable innovative operations in companies, they eventually arrive at the conclusion that the basis of sustainability is the choice of appropriate advanced technology allowing application of sustainable processes only[25].Preconditions for improving sustainable competitive performance in small-and medium-sized enterprises have been examined by Ma Degong et al[26]. Their research has inter alia confirmed that innovative technologies have the greatest impact on competitiveness enhancement processes.Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 4 February 2019 Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: mentioned authors explored the peculiarities of applying internationally recognised, advanced technologies in small-and medium-sized enterprises in emerging economies.…”