Ecodesign practices of electronic
Date
2011-06-24
Authors
Wiggett, Beaven Samuel James
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Firms are increasingly being pressured into considering the natural environment
in their day to day business activities, with consideration for the environment
being recognised as a competitive issue. Firms are therefore adopting
ecodesign practices in order to design products with lower environmental
impact and from which benefit may be derived.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which a sample of
South African electronic design firms have adopted ecodesign practices, the
motivating and hindering factors relevant in the decision to implement such
practices and the benefits which have accrued to the firms as a result.
A survey questionnaire was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data
from 30 respondent firms that are actively involved in designing electronic
product in South Africa. The questionnaire was designed such that it was
relevant to firms that always, sometimes or never consider the environment in
the design of product.
The key findings of the research indicate that the sampled South African
electronic firms are only frequently implementing a subset of successful
ecodesign practices as a result of shared design criteria. For the sampled firms,
regulations are most important as a motivating factor in adopting ecodesign
practices. Cost concerns, conflicts with product requirements and low levels of
environmental awareness have hindered its adoption. The sampled firms have
benefited most by gaining strategic advantage and by having external
stakeholders benefit however, only a few have benefited from cost advantages.
Export of electronic product from South Africa has increased and within the
global market, consideration for the environment is becoming increasingly
important. Infrequent application of successful ecodesign practices amongst the
sampled firms suggests scope for improvement. Both internal and external firm
stakeholders will benefit from ensuring environmental consideration finds more
frequent application in product design
Description
MBA - WBS
Keywords
Ecological designs, Electronic equipment