Short answer
Evaluate whether your design project should focus on refining existing products/processes for sustainability or on developing entirely new, sustainable systems.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Network for Business Sustainability (2013)
- Method
- Systematic Review
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Firms can pursue sustainability goals through either gradual improvements in existing operations or through fundamental, disruptive changes to their systems. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in Network for Business Sustainability. Using Systematic review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Evaluate whether your design project should focus on refining existing products/processes for sustainability or on developing entirely new, sustainable systems.
Sustainable Innovation: Incremental Optimization vs. Radical Transformation
Firms can pursue sustainability goals through either gradual improvements in existing operations or through fundamental, disruptive changes to their systems.
Network for Business Sustainability · 2013
Key Findings
- 01Firms can innovate towards sustainability through incremental, 'Operational Optimization' activities.
- 02Firms can also pursue sustainability through more radical, 'Systems Building' transformations.
- 03An 'Organizational Transformation' context serves as a transitional phase between these two approaches.
Application
Design takeaway
Evaluate whether your design project should focus on refining existing products/processes for sustainability or on developing entirely new, sustainable systems.
How to apply
When initiating a design project, clearly define whether the objective is to optimize current systems for sustainability or to build new, sustainable systems from the ground up.
Project actions
- 01Clearly state whether your design project aims to optimize existing systems or create new ones for sustainability.
- 02Consider the long-term implications of your design choices in relation to both operational efficiency and systemic change.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a clear categorization of sustainable innovation strategies.
- +Based on a systematic review, offering a broad overview of the field.
Limitations
This research is a review of existing literature and does not present new empirical data. The categorization might oversimplify complex real-world innovation processes.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the review depends on the thoroughness of the literature search and the consistency of the categorization criteria. Validity is supported by the systematic approach to synthesizing existing knowledge.
Think critically
How might the choice between 'Operational Optimization' and 'Systems Building' influence the types of user research and testing methods employed in a design project?
Design Principles
"Sustainable innovation can be achieved through both evolutionary (optimization) and revolutionary (transformation) pathways."
Understanding these distinct approaches to sustainable innovation allows design teams to strategically align their efforts with broader organizational goals. Whether focusing on optimizing current processes or envisioning entirely new systems, the chosen path significantly impacts the scope and nature of design interventions.
What This Means for Your Design
Companies can become more sustainable by either making small improvements to what they already do or by completely changing how they do things.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify your project's focus on either incremental improvements or systemic transformation for sustainability.
- 2.Cite this as evidence for the different strategic pathways available for sustainable innovation.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights two primary avenues for sustainable innovation: 'Operational Optimization,' which involves incremental improvements to existing processes, and 'Systems Building,' which entails more radical, transformative changes. Understanding which of these pathways a design project aligns with is crucial for effective strategy and impact.
Source
Network for Business Sustainability
Innovating for sustainability: a systematic review of the body of knowledge
journal · 2013
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about sustainable innovation: incremental optimization vs. radical transformation?
- Evaluate whether your design project should focus on refining existing products/processes for sustainability or on developing entirely new, sustainable systems. Evidence: Network for Business Sustainability (2013).
- Why does "Sustainable Innovation: Incremental Optimization vs. Radical Transformation" matter for design?
- Understanding these distinct approaches to sustainable innovation allows design teams to strategically align their efforts with broader organizational goals. Whether focusing on optimizing current processes or envisioning entirely new systems, the chosen path significantly impacts the scope and nature of design interventions.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Evaluate whether your design project should focus on refining existing products/processes for sustainability or on developing entirely new, sustainable systems.
- What were the main findings?
- Firms can innovate towards sustainability through incremental, 'Operational Optimization' activities.. Firms can also pursue sustainability through more radical, 'Systems Building' transformations.. An 'Organizational Transformation' context serves as a transitional phase between these two approaches.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Review.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2013 journal from Network for Business Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a design project, clearly define whether the objective is to optimize current systems for sustainability or to build new, sustainable systems from the ground up.
- What are the limitations?
- The review focuses on firm-level activities and may not fully capture individual designer contributions or consumer-driven innovation.