Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine to what extent that a selection of economic, social and environmental factors is taken into corporate consideration (importance and priority) the longitudinal aspects of sustainable business practices.

Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on an inductive approach taking into account the longitudinal aspects and an in-depth case study of a Scandinavian manufacturer recognized for its initiatives and achievements of sustainable business practices.

Findings: The key informants indicated that economic factors are always important when it comes to sustainable business practices, social factors are to some extent important, and the environmental factors are generally important.

Research limitations/implications: The planning, implementation and follow-up of sustainable business practices and related efforts require a consideration of economic, social and environmental factors.

Practical implications: The framework of a triple bottom line (TBL) dominant logic for business sustainability applied may guide the corporate assessment to plan, implement and follow-up the importance and priority of the longitudinal aspects of sustainable business practices.

Originality/value: A TBL dominant logic for sustainable business practices adequately frames corporate efforts regarding importance and priority making a relevant contribution addressing the longitudinal aspects to complement existing theory and previous studies. 

Purpose – The paper aims at providing empirically-based insights into product development when environmental performance requirements are addressed. The purpose is to investigate characteristics of product development projects when environmental performance requirements are considered.

Design/methodology/approach – The research was carried out as in-depth case studies of two commercial product development projects. Data was primarily collected via open-ended semi-structured interviews. Other sources of data include written project material, such as minutes from meetings, project and product specifications, company-internal education material, etc. A few project meetings were also attended.

Findings – The paper indicates that the characteristics of product development projects differ when environmental performance requirements are considered. On the basis of the identified differences a two-dimensional model is suggested. It contains the dimensions “level of ecodesign experience” and “environmental complexity”. The model outlines a tentative contingency framework that can be used for positioning different organisations concerning their level of experience in ecodesign and the challenges they face concerning complexity in the interrelationships between the products and the environment.

Practical implications – The findings presented in the paper provide some insights into the characteristics of projects carried out in organisations in which the “level of ecodesign experience” and “environmental complexity” differ. Aspects related to the two dimensions represented in the model are discussed in the paper. This should support companies to be better prepared for managing the challenges associated with the incorporation of environmental performance requirements into product development projects.

Originality/value – Although different issues have been addressed in earlier ecodesign research, one problem is that ecodesign research often addresses the environmental impacts exclusively, whereas other aspects of product development are omitted or only briefly discussed. Taking the starting point in a number of elements that have been outlined in the literature as representing vital areas of concern in product development, this paper contributes to the understanding of how development organisations consider environmental performance requirements in the product development projects.

Purpose – On the basis of empirical studies, the purpose of this paper is to identify and analyse product properties that affect performance of end-of-life systems for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).

Design/methodology/approach – The research was carried out as case studies of end-of-life management of EEE. Case A focused on disassembly of computer screens and TV-sets, whereas Case B addressed logistics systems for recycling of various types of EEE. Data collection methods include interviews, on-site visits and observations, video recording, and studies of documents.

Findings – In total, nine product properties that affect performance of end-of-life systems for EEE are identified. The properties relate to three different product levels: the product assortment, the product structure, and the component levels. A model is presented which indicates that choices made and decisions taken in the product development process affect the end-of-life system performance. Application of modular product architectures and component standardisation are suggested as relevant design strategies during product development.

Practical implications – The implications for managers are that the findings presented in this paper provide strengthened arguments that modular product architectures and component standardisation are favourable approaches to apply in product development. Complementary to the benefits for manufacturing and logistics also end-of-life system performance will improve when these approaches are applied.

Originality/value – Previous research has indicated some product properties that are supposed to influence performance of end-of-life systems. These properties originate primarily from conceptual discussions rather than empirical studies. This paper adds to current understanding by presenting empirically-based insights regarding which specific product properties affect performance.