Using social sustainability principles to analyse activities of the extraction lifecycle phase: Learnings from designing support for concept selection

Abstract

Analysing product concepts with respect to social sustainability is a contemporary challenge for which there is little support available for product developers. Our aim was to build on previous work to support product developers in a case company with this challenge. Previously a definition of social sustainability was developed from science on how the social system functions. We designed a first prototype of support for product developers to use this previously developed definition when analysing the extraction lifecycle activities associated with their product concepts. The prototype instructs users to model the location of the extraction activities and then use existing databases and indicators to analyse the social sustainability performance of each location. The databases and indicators were selected according to their relevance to scientific principles for social sustainability. We then performed initial evaluation of the support, through which we learnt that the approach may make it possible for product developers to analyse extraction activities, but the level of accuracy of analysis that is possible is not good enough for comparing the concepts in the case study decision. We discuss the implications of these challenges and suggest that it may be better to re-design our approach in order to provide learningful support for product developers or support for other decisionmaking in the company.

Corporate social sustainability in supply chains: a thematic analysis of the literature

“…Another leaders-versus-laggards study analyses every conflict minerals report submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission by over 1,300 corporations finds that widespread outsourcing may have reduced the corporate sector's capacity to account for its internal operations (Kim and Davis 2016). To help implement socially sustainable sourcing, Gould et al (2017) present a prototype model to help product developers help link their product concepts to social sustainability of the countries where materials for these products would have to be extracted. They propose using established social sustainability indicatorspertaining to impartiality, health, influence and competence -and country-based databases (Social Hotspots; Social Progress Index) to score each source country, and note limitations.…”

Sustainability Indicators for Biobased Product Manufacturing: A Systematic Review

“…In economic terms, this translates to a person or group of people who are given preference in a situation to create the best outcomes to the best of their ability (Blackford, 2006;Cook & Hegtvedt, 1983). Equity has indicators that delve into topics surrounding justice, diversity, job satisfaction, connectedness, worker participation, outreach programs, and standard of living, as well as monitoring and combating negative issues related to slavery and child labor in incorporating fair trade products and practices (Burli et al, 2016;Eseoglu et al, 2014;Fortună et al, 2012;Gould et al, 2017;Hallstedt, 2017;Stindt, 2017;Valdez-Vazquez et al, 2017;Vinodh & Girubha, 2012). Within the context of job opportunity, this category looks at livable wages for workers, their rights and diversity within the workplace, and programs for women and youth.…”

“…Rights of workers with respect to freedom of speech and freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the right to strike are protected. Rules against corruption and for impartiality are established and enforced (Burli et al, 2016;Canciglieri et al, 2014;Dale et al, 2013;Eseoglu et al, 2014;Fortună et al, 2012;Gould et al, 2017;Hallstedt, 2017;Helleno et al, 2017;Joung et al, 2013;Karvonen et al, 2017;Nourmohamadi Shalke et al, 2017;Rasmussen et al, 2017;Schöggl et al, 2017;Stindt, 2017;Thevathasan et al, 2014;Valdez-Vazquez et al, 2017;Vinodh & Girubha, 2012).…”

Inclusion of sustainability aspects in product development at manufacturing companies

“…Examples of social aspects of manufactured products are: well-being of (1) employees (covering health and safety, professional development and satisfaction with the company); (2) customers (covering health and safety impacts on customers from the manufacturing and use of the product, satisfaction and rights of customers); and (3) community (covering for example engagement in development programs for the community, human rights, equity and corruption) (Joung et al, 2012); no forced labor, no child labor, no corruption (Ekener, 2013;Gould et al, 2017), access to improved drinking water, freedom of association, gender equity and access to basic knowledge (Gould et al, 2017); product quality and durability, functional performance, product End-Of-Life management, product safety and health impact, and that the product complies with End-Of-Life regulations and certifications (Shuaib et al, 2014).…”

“…For example, child labor, forced labor and health and safety at suppliers workplaces are mainly handled by purchasers. Efforts are made to make the causal link between the design and social aspects, such as forced labor and child labor, clearer, see e.g., Gould et al (2017). The use of methods connecting design with such social aspects is however not yet mainstream.…”