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Recent research suggests that environmental benefits can be attained by changing the behavior of users and how they interact with products. The recognition that users play a fundamental role in generating more (or less) environmental impact during product usage has led to studies on design and how it can be used to influence user behavior. In this scenario, approaches and tools that explicitly focus on Design for Sustainable Behavior began to be developed. Conceptually, Design for Sustainable Behavior focuses on products and how these can be designed for users to behave more sustainably during their use. Different frameworks containing behavior changing strategies have been proposed in the literature. Based on the perception of twelve experts, this paper assesses these frameworks and identifies similarities and complementarities, aiming to unify vocabulary and methodologies to avoid unnecessary uncertainty and confusion. It also proposes a decision support diagram that relates the main contributions identified by the experts in the frameworks and adds questions to help designers define control. The diagram contains four phases: (i) user analysis; (ii) level of user or product control; (iii) strategy definition; and (iv) means to incorporate strategies to the product. Furthermore, considering the need to determine the usability of the proposed diagram, its use in practical cases within companies was assessed. In terms of future research, additional studies are suggested to confirm the relationships established between generic strategies (inform, guide, and ensure the change) and the specific strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the constant demand for environmentally sustainable innovations and considering the impact that multinational organizations' activities have to speed up or slow down the sustainable development process both locally and globally, this paper identifies and discusses the best environmentally sustainable innovation practices developed by multinationals operating in Brazil. To identify the best practices, we conducted a content analysis based on secondary data of a sustainability report prepared by Fundação Getúlio Vargas and published by a business magazine that annually appoints companies that stand out for their sustainable management practices. The results found in this study allow us to state that the sampled multinationals have been developing product, process, organizational and marketing innovation practices to balance business interests and environmentally sustainable growth. In short, the findings show that multinationals have developed a broad set of actions that cover most of the practices described in the literature. However, considering the practices observed, we note that those related to process innovation appeared more frequently, followed by activities related to organizational innovation, product innovation and marketing innovation. Such observations may be justified once that the shift from a reactive environmental behavior towards a proactive managerial posture involves evolutionary stages. Finally, this paper provides a synthesis of the product, process, organizational and marketing innovations developed by multinationals that may especially benefit researchers and practitioners in search of potential insights towards more sustainable processes, businesses and societies, as well as a framework that describes the transition of multinationals to an environmentally sustainable innovative behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing attention toward negative environmental impacts generated by the textile industry, companies face challenges in achieving sustainable and circular economy (CE) transition. The literature has so far lacked a systematic effort to analyze how textile companies can insert CE elements in their new product development process (NPD), especially regarding the proposition of methodologies that can better assist the companies in this regard. This study aims to identify good green innovation and CE practices in NPD adopted by textile companies and propose a methodology from Design Thinking (DT) to insert circular thinking in NPD. To that end, we conducted the research in two steps: (i) narrative bibliographic review and (ii) field research. The bibliographic review was conducted in the "Web of Science", "Scopus", and "Scielo" databases. The field research was executed with four textile companies. Our results show that companies tend to consider socio-environmental aspects at different stages of the development of new products. However, there is opportunities for improvement, especially through the use of ideas from DT. The proposed methodology is composed of two main cycles: the design cycle (DT stages) and the consumption cycle (subsequent stages). It encompasses the five main stages of the DT and the three macro phases of NPD of the textile industry. The ideas coming from the DT, especially creativity, focus on the user and stakeholder integration, assist in the development of innovative and circular solutions. The methodology presents how companies can work on reuse, recycling, and manufacturing issues, so that CE occurs. In the end, we evaluated, together with experts, the applicability of the proposed use of ideas of DT in practical cases. The research advances the discussions on NPD in the textile sector, especially on its potential to contribute to the transition to CE. It explores how DT assists in inserting circular thinking into the NPD and presents alternatives for companies to develop circular products and insert green innovations in their NPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a capitalist economy, the principles, values and behaviors of a great part of the population are centered on buying things, on having goods. Thus, in order to achieve sustainable development, emphasis should be given to the creation and the promotion of environmentally sustainable products. In view of that, the present study investigates consumers purchase decision process regarding environmentally sustainable products. This study sought identifying what the green product and process expected attributes are in automobile and furniture purchases, as well as what the expanded and reduced risks are in offers with these characteristics. To reach these objectives, a qualitative research was initially performed, and, subsequently, a quantitative research was carried out with the aim to confirm the mapped data. In summary, the results obtained indicate as important green attributes for automobiles items such as “economy”, “engine” and “new technologies”. Regarding furniture important green attributes, “design”, “origin label” and “origin of the raw material” were indicated as important. Furthermore, it could be verified that the purchase of green products may increase performance and time risks and mitigate financial and social risks. In short, this study allowed for advances in the theoretical comprehension regarding green products and decision-making processes with medium- and high-involvement levels. However, once external factors such as culture and ethnicity tend to influence buyers' decision-making processes, and considering the fact that this study was executed in Brazil, distinct results may be found in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packing constitutes the majority of solid wastes produced, especially in the case of food. Current research verifies by descriptive analysis the intention of purchasing food wrapped in sustainable packages, whether the sustainability issue is foregrounded on biodegradable packages, or on recycling or on the application of reverse logistics. Preliminary results show that trend is specially underscored in the case of young women with high education level. Purchase intention decreases in all groups when sustainable package features costs above market prices, with an average 10% tolerance in price rise. Firms' investment in sustainability causes positive impacts on consumers' purchase decision, especially on people under 50 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on behavioral motivation for green product consumption has greatly advanced in recent years, but many unknowns remain, particularly regarding consumers' willingness to pay premium prices for products with ecological appeal. In this context, this paper reports an experimental research that investigates the relationship between consumer perceived value for green products and price elasticity. The research was performed using an adaptation of the model proposed by Zeithaml (1988) and it was applied in the automotive and furniture sectors. It was found that perceived value of green products increases willingness to pay in the purchasing decision. It was also observed that demographical variables, such as gender, age and revenue positively impact perceived quality and the consequent purchase intention. Considering the population sampled, results indicate that the effect of ecological appeal is similar to a 10% price reduction. It means that, according to the declared preference, respondents were willing to pay, on average, a 10% premium for green products in the studied product categories. The main theoretical contribution of our paper lies in furthering the understanding of how key dimensions that constitute perceived value relate to each other and to demographic and personal influence variables, as well as its impact in willingness to pay premium prices for green products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies demonstrate the potential contribution of the Product-Service System (PSS) to the development of sustainable management practices and Circular Economy (CE). However, companies face challenges when implementing PSS, and few studies examine how the manufacturing industry can develop sustainable offerings by adopting product-oriented PSS, especially in the agricultural machinery industry. Thus, we investigated how this industry perceives environmental sustainability and product-oriented PSS, and we identified practices that can be implemented to qualify the life cycle management of their products. Based on that, we proposed a conceptual model for implementing product-oriented PSS in the agricultural machinery sector. An exploratory research was carried out in two steps: a systematic literature review complemented by multiple case studies. We list the possibilities of product-oriented PSS services that can be offered for traditional industries to guide their business towards sustainable practices. In parallel, we have identified good practices and benefits of adopting product-oriented PSS. Subsequently, we conducted a diagnosis on sustainability and product-oriented PSS in agricultural machinery companies. Although companies already offer some services to customers, our results show ample opportunities for improvement, especially to offer product-oriented PSS considering socio-environmental issues. In this sense, the conceptual model proposed allows industries to expand their understanding and adherence to product-oriented PSS. As contributions, we demonstrate how the agricultural machinery industry can develop sustainable practices and promote CE through product-oriented PSS implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The growing awareness regarding environmental sustainability has fully reached business reality. Consumers and companies alike are looking for alternatives to mitigate pressing environmental demands resulting from continuous population and economic growth. On the other hand, companies must deal with an increasingly competitive scenario where innovation is regarded as a survival need in most markets. It is thus clear that systematic academic research is paramount to guide companies to succeed in environmentally sustainable product innovation. In this context, this paper (i) consolidate extant research and aggregate findings of different studies on environmentally sustainable product innovation through an interpretative framework of published literature on the topic, and (ii) map critical success factors that drive the success of product innovation developed in this new logic of production and consumption. To achieve these objectives, a systematic literature review on environmentally sustainable product innovation was conducted. Results show that there are four main critical success factors for environmentally sustainable product innovation: market, law and regulation knowledge; interfunctional collaboration; innovation-oriented learning; and R&D investments. The factors identified in this research and corresponding variables were subjected to a brief empirical test by professionals. The test allowed a preliminary approval of the developed framework and identification of the most important variables within each factor. A research agenda based on the state-of-the-art on the topic is also proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There is a broad spectrum of proactivity in environmental management practices in companies and industries, ranging from purely reactive efforts to adhere to minimum regulatory standards to innovative projects to develop new pollution preventing technologies and risk mitigation strategies. In fact, the importance of a proactive environmental management is increasingly recognized by academics, practitioners and policy makers alike. However, proactivity is still not clearly captured by current environmental management models, which often do not include it as a core element and lack practical guidelines on how to operationalize it at firm-level. In order to systematize the fragmented understanding on proactive environmental management practices applied in companies and industries, including their operationalization and determinants, we conducted a comprehensive review of 116 academic papers. Our results are presented and discussed along three main perspectives: (i) evolutionary stage models; (ii) typology models; and (iii) proactive practices. By comparing these three perspectives, we found that only the evolutionary stage models can fully capture proactive environmental management approaches in an integrative way, while the other two perspectives assume proactivity is highly specific of an organizational sector or function. The results also allow us to clarify and distinguish proactivity-related terms and concepts that are often used interchangeably, such as cleaner production, pollution prevention and eco-efficiency. Finally, we developed a synthetizing framework of the current literature on firm-level environmental proactivity that integrates proactive practices (divided into three dimensions: organizational, operational, and communicational), drivers of proactivity and evolutionary maturity stages towards increased proactivity. This framework not only consolidates the current state-of-the-art in terms of proactive environmental management practices but it can also be thought of as a starting point for further research on the topic. • This paper systematize proactive environmental management practices. • Evolutionary stage models for environmental management are compared. • Typology models for environmental management are compared. • Proactive practices for environmental management are listed. • We listed organizational, operational, and communicational practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the growing concern with solid wastes problems and the pressing need for a holistic approach to their management, this study developed a literature review about the subject “Zero Waste”. To that end, a systematic literature review was executed, through which 102 published articles were analyzed with the aim to, initially, comprehend the concept of Zero Waste, and, then, map its benefits, challenges, and critical success factors. The results show that scholars have not reached a consensus regarding the concept of ZW. While some studies fully address this philosophy, other studies are based on just one or on some of its topics. The benefits were grouped and organized into four dimensions: benefits to the community, financial-economic benefits, benefits to the environment and benefits to the industry and stakeholders. As to the challenges, barriers were identified both in the macro environment (mainly political and cultural) and in the meso and micro environments (stakeholders, industries, and municipalities). The analysis of the articles enabled listing critical success factors, supported by a set of activities that must be carried out. Regarding future studies, it is worth noting that more empirical studies about ZW implementation are necessary, particularly with regard to educational practices designed to promote changes in user behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public policies assume strategic aspect when are as a reference and basis for the formulation for other policies or programs. In this context, aiming to reduce future uncertainties of a difficult neighborhood, located in a midsize city of Rio Grande do Sul, the present study uses the methodology of prospective scenarios, proposed by Grumbach (1997), to detect what opportunities can be maximized for that district. Field research, conducted with experts (participants of fieldwork), was analyzed through the Delphi methodology. This methodology allowed the proposition of scenarios that showed events that tend to cause impacts in the neighborhood for the next five years. Results stand out as the five scenarios with higher probability of occurrence are: increase in the number of drug users; stench caused by sewage; diminished opportunities for young people; increase family health program; and decreased physical space for clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]