Our research contributes to society

Our research is necessary to enable a faster transformation to sustainable development in society. Through our cross-disciplinary research projects in close collaboration with industry, we find ways for how complex sustainability challenges can be addressed by product development companies – systemically, systematically, and strategically. The early product innovation process plays a strategic key role, since the sustainability performance to a large extent is determined by decisions in those phases. Each year we educate new engineers and sustainability leaders and train practitioners to spread and increase SPD competency and skills across the globe.

Our research is useful in industry

It is important that our research is useful, has wide applicability, and is accessible – in that way its impact can be maximized. Our way of working is therefore characterized by close collaboration with industry. An example of our partners is GKN Aerospace Engine Systems, who through participation in several of our research projects has gained increased capabilities to integrate sustainability in the early product development phases. Proposed methodology as well as co-developed tools and methods from our research are now an integral part of the daily working environment. Pratt & Whitney, a leading company for design, manufacturing, and maintenance of aircraft engines, awarded GKN Aerospace Sweden their annual  Sustainability Award 2017 among 400 applicants.

Our research contributes to UN Agenda 2030 and the SDGs

Our research contributes to the whole set of SDGs, since they are integrated and interconnected. However, our research contributes specifically to meeting SDG 9, ”Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure”, and SDG 12, ”Responsible Consumption and Production”. This is through our effort in enhancing industrial maturity for sustainable innovation (9.4), that can leverage economic growth and an inclusive sustainable industrialization (9.2) as we support companies in increasing their capabilities for understanding and realizing the business case of sustainability. The application of methodological support from our research shows that SPD contributes to competitiveness and long-term profitability. A holistic sustainability perspective addresses ecological, social and economic dimensions systemically and ensures an effective use of natural resources (12.2), reduced impact from chemicals (12.4), and circular material flows and minimal waste (12.5). Our research thereby also contributes to the 10YFP goals (12.1), such as encouraging sustainable production and increased collaboration between different actors.

Our team (The SPD team)

We are a relatively young, multidisciplinary team of researchers at different stages in our academic careers. Together we stand behind several eminent scientific publications and our research is ranked high in reviews of scientific quality and impact, such as ”top 1 % most cited in the world within its category”, according to an independent external review by Damvad Analytics. Our commitment and capacity are also reflected by the many externally funded research project we have run and are currently running, e.g., SPIRIT, STOSIP and DSIP, and in our large network of partner companies. Our research has several times been listed on IVA’s 100-list, where the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences lists “current research with potential to create value”.

In our action research, we develop, apply, test and evaluate methodological support and tools for transformation and implementation of SPD – together with our research partners. Some examples of areas we are focusing on are the crafting of effective sustainability criteria and metrics, implementation of SPD through requirement- and risk management processes, and social sustainability in product development. The different focus areas together support companies in transforming and integrating a holistic sustainability perspective on strategic, tactical, and operational levels.