Eco‐conception in the industrial firms: methodological proposition

Abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -The objective of this paper is to suggest a methodological approach of eco-conception by presenting the eco-conception stakes of a firm, its organisation modes with regard to this new approach and how one could insert the environmental data in the classical conception process. Design/methodology/approach -In this paper, an eco-conception methodology is developed. It is about an approach integrating the concepts: quality, safety and environment (QSE). The taking into account simultaneously of these concepts, in the frame of our approach, allows us to conceive clean and durable products. The failure modes effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) was used in a case study to validate our approach. Findings -This paper is a development of an approach with results obligation. Owing to our eco-conception approach of products, the respect of environment is taken into consideration at the stage of product design. From regulation point of view, we put into reflection the approach with results obligation, i.e. approach by objectives of QSE. Practical implications -A better definition of products implying functional specifications (products performance) strengthened by others of environmental type. As expected from this full definition of products, we cite the minimisation of products effects by unifying man at work (safety of person and goods), man as manager (quality, availability and reliability), as resident (safety in the vicinity of industrial sites) and as citizen (safeguarding environment). Originality/value -Taking into account the triptych QSE at the product design stage. Our suggestion necessitates the implication of all the actors. Therefore, efforts must be concentrated on the dynamic and progressive integration of these actors. Our work is a source of information and knowledge. It is a source of information, as it allows to supply necessary data for better definition and conception of products. It is, in the same time, a source of knowledge in the sense where it presents specific methods (FMECA), that allow to put into existence the interest or rather the necessity of merger of the three concepts QSE.

Redesign of a component based on ecodesign practices: environmental impact and cost reduction achievements

“…The main barriers are a lack of technical knowledge about ecodesign, a lack of ecodesign tools based on technology, knowhow in managing changes in design procedures, differences in perspective between proponents and executors, and organizational complexity (Theyel, 2000). Many companies began to use ecodesign tools without transforming the companies' operations for the sole purpose of improving environmental performance (Bahmaed et al, 2005).…”

An Analysis of the Perception and Use of Ecodesign Practices by Companies

“…According to Bahmed, Boukhalfa & Djebabra (2005), some of the most important factors for success of ecological conception projects (applying the ecodesign concepts) are group motivation and management, use of working teams and a standard mechanism for product design, initial launch of the action project and its communication, and the need to provide training and achieve technological development with the help of experts who are well informed about ecological conception. These authors also indicate various risk factors for failure of execution: lack of knowledge about environmental questions by the people involved in the project; existence of many uncertainties and lack of understanding about the impact of ecological conception in areas like regulatory compliance, cost reduction, competitive advantage and improved organizational image; lack of consensus about how to evaluate products in environmental terms; absence of standards; and belief that environmental objectives necessarily stand in opposition to economic objectives.…”

Ecodesign Practices in a Furniture Industrial Cluster of Southern Brazil: From Incipient Practices to Improvement

“…Eco-design considers both, environmental and economic aspects associated with the life cycle of products and processes (Baumann et al, 2002;van Hemel and Cramer, 2002;Hauschild et al, 2004;Bahmed et al, 2005;Borchardt et al, 2009;Deutz et al, 2013), without compromising other essential criteria such as performance, functionality, quality and costs (van Weenen, 1995;Johansson, 2002). Therefore, every time environmental aspects are taken into account in the development of a product and throughout its lifespan (Byggeth and Hochschorner, 2006;Karlsson and Luttropp, 2006;Pigosso et al, 2013), with the preservation or improvement of its performance (Holdway et al, 2002), eco-design is a recurrent supportive strategy.…”

“…Other gaps relate to lack of capacity building of workers; excessive complexity in product and process development (Lindahl, 2006;Pochat et al, 2007;Bovea and Pérez-Belis, 2012); lack of standardisation for the assessment of designed products (Bahmed et al, 2005); lack of integration between eco-design and product development; disassociation related to management and manufacturing strategies (Baumann et al, 2002;Johansson, 2006;Luttropp and Lagerstedt, 2006;Pochat et al, 2007); difficulties for defining and prioritising practices to be employed (Boks and Stevels, 2007); inappropriate language for the development of products that meet environmental requirements (Lofthouse, 2006); obstacles for cooperation, communication and access to information (Poulikidou et al, 2014;Bey et al, 2013).…”