Life Cycle Design: A Manual for Small and Medium Sized Companies - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3540627936 ISBN 13: 9783540627937

Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K, 1997

Synopsis

Small and medium-sized enterprises can serve as promising cradles for challenging ideas and pioneering initiatives. That is exactly what is required in order to make progress towards sustainable levels and patterns of production and consumption. Of all the continents of the world, Europe is most likely to lead the way towards a more sustainable relation with the environment. Having been the cradle of the industrialized world as we know it today, Europe again will lead the way in the journey of discovery to sustainable industrial practice, that is, if suitable conditions exist, and engaged and motivated entrepeneurs take the challenge and the role of the pioneer. Essential to these conditions is a set of values regarding the availability and properties of resources, the functioning of products and the impact upon the environment, now and well into the future, in Europe as well as globally. Furthermore, imagination, infor­ mation and encouragement will be essential. This manual provides ideas, tools, examples and guidance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that wish to develop products with the environment and the future in mind. It addresses product development and design with consideration for the whole life cycle of the product. This cycle is a process ranging from the identification and formulation of a need at the early stage of product development to the disposal of the product, after repeated usage, at the end of its life. A particular focus has been given to principles and criteria in the design of complex products.

About this title

Synopsis

This manual provides inspiration and novel approaches for the environmental improvement of already existing products as well as for the development of totally new products. It provides information and guidance at various levels of engagement and for different stages of the product development process. Especially small and medium-sized companies can use this book to get new ideas, to find relevant background information or to follow guidelines regarding the product development process.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3540627936
• ISBN 13: 9783540627937
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 191
• Editor: Behrendt Siegfried, Jasch Christine, Peneda Maria C., Weenen Hans Van