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Question 1

What is the overall aim of the study on sustainable product design?

Answer 1

To identify common preconditions and challenges for sustainability integration in product innovation.

Question 2

What is the perceived importance of capabilities for sustainability integration according to the study?

Answer 2

Decisive for future company success.

Question 3

What are the main areas of focus in decision making regarding sustainability?

Answer 3

• Material selection
• Energy efficiency

Question 4

What percentage of respondents reported using formal decision support tools?

Answer 4

Only half of the respondents.

Question 5

Identify three challenges faced by companies in sustainability integration.

Answer 5

• Short-term economic thinking
• Lack of sustainability criteria
• Vague management commitment

Question 6

According to the study, what is necessary for building capabilities for sustainability integration?

Answer 6

Understanding companies’ current state.

Question 7

True or False: The study found that sustainability integration is highly prioritized today.

Answer 7

False.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: Sustainable product development means integrating and implementing a strategic sustainability perspective into the _______ of the product innovation process.

Answer 8

early phases

Question 9

What method was used to conduct the study?

Answer 9

A web-questionnaire.

Question 10

What was the primary focus of the questionnaire distributed to employees?

Answer 10

To identify common preconditions and capabilities for sustainability integration in product development.

Question 11

Who were the respondents of the questionnaire?

Answer 11

Employees with roles in product development.

Question 12

What is a key finding regarding the driving forces behind sustainability decisions?

Answer 12

Competitiveness in the long run is perceived as a necessity for long-term survival.

Question 13

Which company reported image and reputation as the most dominant driving force for sustainability?

Answer 13

Company C.

Question 14

What gap was identified between perceived prioritization of sustainability on strategic and operational levels?

Answer 14

Strategic ambitions are not always followed up by practical action.

Question 15

What were the response rates from the companies surveyed?

Answer 15

• Company A: 73%
• Company B: 38%
• Company C: 46%
• Company D: 78%

Question 16

What are the three dimensions of sustainability that companies should consider?

Answer 16

• Environmental
• Social
• Economic

Question 17

What type of sampling method was used in the study?

Answer 17

Purposeful sampling.

Question 18

What is the purpose of the seven recommendations proposed in the study?

Answer 18

To support further integration and implementation of a full socio-ecological sustainability perspective into product development.

Question 19

What is the significance of early stages in the product development process?

Answer 19

Most of a product’s social and ecological impacts are determined by decisions taken during these early phases.

Question 20

According to the literature review, what is lacking in understanding companies’ integration of environmental sustainability into product development?

Answer 20

Little knowledge on why and how companies integrate it.

Question 21

What type of analysis was performed on the questionnaire results?

Answer 21

Within-case analysis followed by cross-case pattern searching.

Question 22

What was a key method used for data analysis in the study?

Answer 22

Conventional content analysis.

Question 23

What is the main driver behind sustainability work at companies?

Answer 23

Competitiveness reasons

Environmental concern and ethical reasons are mentioned but are not the main drivers.

Question 24

What evolutionary shift in driving forces has been observed in sustainability efforts?

Answer 24

• From ecological to economic
• From cost-oriented to value-oriented
• From within-organizational to beyond-organizational social boundaries

This shift has been noted in studies by Høgevold et al. (2014, 2015).

Question 25

What percentage of respondents are not aware of any formal decision support tools?

Answer 25

40% ## Footnote This percentage rises to about 50% for those who do not use any formal decision support tools.

Question 26

What are the most commonly known decision support tools?

Answer 26

* Life-cycle assessment (LCA) * Material restriction lists * Risk assessment * Environmental impact assessment ## Footnote Risk assessment, ISO 14001, and checklists for material restriction and HSE are the most used tools.

Question 27

True or False: LCA is commonly used in daily work at case companies.

Answer 27

False ## Footnote Despite being well-known, LCA is very rarely used in daily operations.

Question 28

What is a commonly perceived barrier to sustainability integration?

Answer 28

Short-term economic thinking ## Footnote Costs and the unclear relationship between sustainability and profitability are also significant barriers.

Question 29

What is one of the most urgent questions regarding sustainability in companies?

Answer 29

How to balance long-term and short-term profitability ## Footnote This involves addressing the costs and risks associated with sustainability in the short run.

Question 30

What is lacking in the current approach to sustainability criteria?

Answer 30

No attractive approach to identify and decide on the most sustainable solution ## Footnote There is also no formalized way to handle trade-offs in sustainability.

Question 31

What percentage of respondents suggested that better decision support tools are needed?

Answer 31

Between 40% and 60% ## Footnote Respondents emphasized the need for tools that provide comprehensive environmental impact overviews.

Question 32

What is a significant factor for successful sustainability integration according to respondents?

Answer 32

Higher top management commitment ## Footnote This includes well-communicated directives and goals for sustainability.

Question 33

What do many respondents perceive sustainability issues as?

Answer 33

An additional workload ## Footnote Many still see it as a separate goal rather than integrated into business.

Question 34

What is the effect of sustainability training on employees at Company D?

Answer 34

Higher importance placed on sustainability integration capability ## Footnote There is also increased knowledge and use of formal decision support tools.

Question 35

What are the seven key steps for companies to improve sustainability capabilities?

Answer 35

* Better decision support tools * Higher management commitment * Integration of sustainability into all activities * Training and education * Clear guidelines for sustainability prioritization * Development of sustainability criteria * Continuous improvement and assessment ## Footnote These steps can be worked on in parallel.

Question 36

What is a major conclusion from the study regarding sustainability integration?

Answer 36

Increased capability for sustainability integration is perceived as decisive for future success ## Footnote Environmental and social issues are not currently prioritized.

Question 37

What is often a focus area in sustainability efforts at companies?

Answer 37

Material selection and energy efficiency ## Footnote A full socio-ecological perspective is often missing.

Question 38

What is the relationship between sustainability training and employees’ attitudes?

Answer 38

Sustainability training has significant positive effects on attitudes and tool usage ## Footnote This aligns with findings by Bansal and Roth (2000).