Short answer
Designers should actively move away from strategies that shorten product lifecycles and instead focus on creating durable, repairable, and sustainable products.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Pressacademia (2020)
- Method
- Keyword analysis using VOS Viewer
- Sample
- 70 articles
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Analysis of academic literature reveals that planned obsolescence is most frequently discussed in conjunction with concepts of sustainability, sustainable development, and economics, highlighting its significant environmental and consumer impact. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Pressacademia. Using Keyword analysis using vos viewer with 70 articles, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should actively move away from strategies that shorten product lifecycles and instead focus on creating durable, repairable, and sustainable products.
Planned obsolescence is intrinsically linked to sustainability and waste management concerns.
Analysis of academic literature reveals that planned obsolescence is most frequently discussed in conjunction with concepts of sustainability, sustainable development, and economics, highlighting its significant environmental and consumer impact.
Pressacademia · 2020
Key Findings
- 0128 items were found to be related to planned obsolescence.
- 02Keywords clustered around durability, sustainability, waste, and product perishability.
- 03Sustainability, sustainable development, and economics had the highest total link strength with planned obsolescence.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should actively move away from strategies that shorten product lifecycles and instead focus on creating durable, repairable, and sustainable products.
How to apply
When developing new products, conduct a keyword analysis of related academic literature to understand the prevailing concerns and associations, such as sustainability and waste, to inform design decisions.
Project actions
- 01When researching a design problem, consider using keyword analysis tools to understand the broader context and related concepts.
- 02Explore how terms like 'sustainability' and 'waste' are discussed in relation to your design challenge.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes a recognized tool (VOS Viewer) for systematic keyword analysis.
- +Draws from a substantial academic database (Scopus).
Limitations
The keyword analysis is limited to the articles available in the Scopus database and the specific timeframe of the research.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the findings depends on the comprehensiveness of the Scopus database and the chosen keywords. Validity is supported by the systematic approach of VOS Viewer in identifying keyword relationships.
Think critically
How might the identified clusters (durability, sustainability, waste, product perishability) influence the design process for a new electronic device?
Design Principles
"Design for longevity and repairability to counter the negative impacts of planned obsolescence."
Understanding the discourse around planned obsolescence is crucial for designers aiming to create products with longer lifecycles. It informs strategies for material selection, modular design, and repairability, directly impacting brand perception and market longevity.
What This Means for Your Design
This study looked at lots of articles about planned obsolescence (making things break on purpose) and found that the most common words used with it are about being sustainable, not wasting things, and how long products last.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the importance of designing for durability and sustainability in your design project, referencing the strong link between planned obsolescence and negative environmental outcomes.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates a strong association between planned obsolescence and concerns regarding sustainability and waste management. A keyword analysis of relevant literature revealed that terms such as 'sustainability,' 'sustainable development,' and 'economics' are frequently linked to planned obsolescence, underscoring its negative environmental and consumer implications and highlighting the importance of designing for longevity.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about planned obsolescence is intrinsically linked to sustainability and waste management concerns?
- Designers should actively move away from strategies that shorten product lifecycles and instead focus on creating durable, repairable, and sustainable products. Evidence: Pressacademia (2020).
- Why does "Planned obsolescence is intrinsically linked to sustainability and waste management concerns." matter for design?
- Understanding the discourse around planned obsolescence is crucial for designers aiming to create products with longer lifecycles. It informs strategies for material selection, modular design, and repairability, directly impacting brand perception and market longevity.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should actively move away from strategies that shorten product lifecycles and instead focus on creating durable, repairable, and sustainable products.
- What were the main findings?
- 28 items were found to be related to planned obsolescence.. Keywords clustered around durability, sustainability, waste, and product perishability.. Sustainability, sustainable development, and economics had the highest total link strength with planned obsolescence.
- What research method was used?
- Keyword analysis using VOS Viewer with 70 articles.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Pressacademia.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing new products, conduct a keyword analysis of related academic literature to understand the prevailing concerns and associations, such as sustainability and waste, to inform design decisions.
- What are the limitations?
- The analysis is based on existing literature and may not capture all emerging trends or niche applications of planned obsolescence.