A multi-actor tool for creating and evaluating eco-innovations

Purpose and goal

The aim was to establish an agenda for interdisciplinary research for three areas (green innovation, quality sciences and life cycle assessment) and to work for the development of environmentally friendly products and processes. A research agenda has been published. Furthermore, a collaboration between researchers in the three areas has taken shape. A framework of principles and methods for supporting green innovations has been developed. The framework has been presented to industry, who found the results and ideas very useful and agreed to continue working in the field.

Results and expected effects

The pre-study provides a set of principles and practices to assist in developing and assessing eco-innovations. Our proposed framework is based on interactions with diverse stakeholders that are affected by eco-innovation and who can provide key inputs to the design process. It focuses on continuous improvements to products based on strengthened interactions with stakeholders that promote life cycle thinking. We hope to refine the framework with companies who participated in the pre-study work, to support their integration of sustainability in product development.

Approach and implementation

We reviewed literatures on eco-innovation, quality management and life cycle assessment to identify research gaps and potential synergies. From the gaps we identified in the literature we derived opportunities for cross-fertilisation and developed a framework based on all areas. With an industry workshop, we received feedback from practitioners that was used to further refine the proposed framework to adapt it to companies´ needs. We also presented the framework at two conferences in the fields of operations management and life cycle management to invite input from researchers.