Creating Sustainable Value Through Product Management
摘要
This chapter examines how sustainable value can be created through product management in the context of evolving environmental and social expectations. It defines sustainable products as those that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits throughout their life cycle, and explores practical strategies for designing such products. The chapter discusses various categories of sustainable products, including problem-solving, life-simplifying, multifunctional, circular, self-sufficient, harmless, cost- and resource-saving, durable, eco-friendly, and fair products. It highlights the importance of sustainable innovation—ranging from incremental to radical—and introduces the concept of biomimicry as a source of inspiration. The chapter also details the use of life cycle assessment and the cradle-to-cradle design framework as tools for evaluating and improving sustainability impacts across all stages of a product’s life. Finally, it explores the role of sustainability labels and certifications in informing consumers and differentiating responsible products in the marketplace, emphasizing the need for transparency and credibility in sustainability communications.