o-rafferty_phd

Simon O’Rafferty, PhD Presentation, PDR December 09

an implementation framework for enabling ecodesign and life-cycle thinking in SMEs

context of researchstudykey observationsnext stages


contextthe challenges of climate change and the use of and access to natural resources are directly linked to how we produce and consume products and services

to combat climate change the EU has set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 % by 2020

projections show a doubling of total household consumption in terms of expenditure in the EU-25 by 2030 - leading to significant contributions to greenhouse gasses, pollution, material use, and natural resource depletion.


evolution of environmental policiescommand & control measures

end-of-pipe

point source pollution

management

mitigation

integrated product policies

products and services

product life cycles

policy tool boxes

combined instruments

sustainable consumption & production

global markets

behaviour change

consumption

values / lifestyles

system changes


aim of this research the aim of this study is to understand how national innovation systems and subsequent policy mechanisms can increase the implementation of ecodesign and life-cycle thinking in SMEs


objectives1. an examination of empirical evidence concerning the

ecodesign and life-cycle thinking implementation-gap in SMEs

2. an investigation of incentive (and blocking) mechanisms for eco-innovation within NIS

3. an investigation of existing NIS and approaches to integrated policies for eco-innovation

4. an evaluation of public sector interventions concerning ecodesign implementation in SMEs

5. an elaboration on possible solutions on a national and international level


methodology


hypotheses1. there is a robust rationale for ecodesign interventions in

SMEs and these interventions require a systems perspective because ecodesign is a non-linear and interactive process

2. different SMEs require different forms of ecodesign intervention because of a number of dynamic defining characteristics (e.g. absorptive capacity, innovation systems)


rationale for government interventionrationales for public intervention are generally found in market and regulatory failure arguments

e.g. information asymmetries, negative externalities, bounded rationality, principal agent problems etc.

Stern report mentions that “some economists have suggested that people use simple decision rules when faced with complexity, uncertainty or risk.”

negative externalities = GHG emissions, pollution, waste and other negative effects on the environment whose costs are not always reflected in market prices


previous ecodesign interventions

• grants and R&D finance• regulatory frameworks• tax & financial incentives• ‘brokering’ services• mobility of personnel • transfer and exploitation of research results• information diffusion • demonstrator projects• co-ordination and transparency

• inspiring case examples but low long-term retention or diffusion of ecodesign activities


theoretical frameworkmarket failure

neo-classical economics (Keynes)

linear models of innovation

addressing inputs & distribution rather than system

supporting firms in isolation

systems failure

evolutionary economics (Joseph Schumpeter)

innovation systems

knowledge & interactive learning

actors, infrastructure and culture

networks & completition

capacity building frameworks


linear models of innovationno difference between capabilities, knowledge and information


innovation systems“those elements and relations, which interact in the production, diffusion and use of new and economically useful knowledge” (Lundvall, 1992)

“... a set of institutions whose interactions determine the innovative performance ... of national firms.” (Nelson, 1993)

“it is a system of interconnected institutions to create, store and transfer the knowledge, skills and artefacts which define new technologies.”(Metcalfe, 1995)


analytical frameworkhow do you explore ecodesign intervention in the context of an innovation system?

capacity building framework that explore the internal and external context of ecodesign intervention


key observations (general)there is a need for • different forms of intervention – strategic competencies,

capacity building

• an innovation system perspective – knowledge, interaction, (clusters, brokerage, mobility schemes)

• policy instruments that address changes in behaviour for innovation, dealing with strategic, informational, or organisational needs

• greater policy coherence (supply and demand side) with “open borders”

• facilitate higher order innovation (e.g. organisational, managerial and system innovation)


key observations (general)there is a need to • balance a technology focus with other forms of

innovation

• provide inspirational platforms that allow for interactive learning

• improve formal and non-formal education systems

• set framework conditions that enable open innovation – and potentially disruptive innovation

• develop social capital


publicationsO'Rafferty, S. & O'Connor, F., 2009. Regional perspectives on capacity building for ecodesign – insights from Wales. In Facilitating Sustainable Innovation through Collaboration: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective. The Netherlands: Springer-Verlag New York, LLC.

O'Rafferty, S., O'Connor, F. & Curtis, H., 2009. The creativity gap? – bridging creativity, design and sustainable innovation. In Joint Actions on Climate Change. Aalborg, Denmark.

O'Rafferty, S., Curtis, H. & O'Connor, F., 2009. Capacity for sustainability: the changing contexts of design. In 11th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education. Brighton.

O’Rafferty, S. O’Connor, F. Cox, I. (2008) Supporting sustainable regional innovation and ecodesign in small to medium enterprises: a discussion on the issue with insights from Wales, Proceedings: Sustainable Consumption and Production: Framework for action, Brussels


next stagesrefine framework

build evaluation model (ex ante and ex post)

write up

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Technology

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