Short answer
When designing for circularity, select performance indicators that are both measurable and align with your organization's operational capabilities and strategic goals.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering (2019)
- Method
- Systematic Literature Review and Delphi Methodology
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
A structured evaluation of 19 circular economy indicators from a managerial viewpoint helps organizations choose metrics that best support their transition to sustainable practices. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering. Using Systematic literature review and delphi methodology, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for circularity, select performance indicators that are both measurable and align with your organization's operational capabilities and strategic goals.
Managerial selection of 19 circular economy indicators aids sustainable decision-making
A structured evaluation of 19 circular economy indicators from a managerial viewpoint helps organizations choose metrics that best support their transition to sustainable practices.
Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Nineteen distinct circular economy indicators were identified from existing literature.
- 02The Delphi methodology provided a framework for evaluating the suitability of these indicators based on analytical and operational criteria.
- 03Managerial perspective is crucial for selecting indicators that are both informative and practically implementable within an organization.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing for circularity, select performance indicators that are both measurable and align with your organization's operational capabilities and strategic goals.
How to apply
When initiating a design project focused on circular economy principles, conduct a preliminary assessment of available indicators and select a manageable set that can be effectively tracked throughout the product lifecycle.
Project actions
- 01When choosing metrics for your design project, think about what you want to achieve with circularity.
- 02Consider how you will actually collect data for your chosen metrics.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive identification of a wide range of CE indicators.
- +Structured evaluation methodology (Delphi) involving expert input.
Limitations
The availability of data for certain circular economy indicators might be a practical challenge for smaller design projects.
Reliability & validity
The Delphi method, by aggregating expert opinions, aims to enhance the reliability and validity of the indicator assessments. However, the subjective nature of expert judgment and potential for groupthink can influence outcomes.
Think critically
To what extent do the proposed indicators capture the full scope of circular economy principles, and are there potential biases in a purely managerial perspective?
Design Principles
"Measure what matters: Select circular economy metrics that are relevant, reliable, and actionable for your specific design and business context."
Implementing circular economy principles requires robust performance measurement. By understanding the analytical and operational feasibility of various indicators, design teams and businesses can select tools that effectively track progress and inform strategic decisions towards sustainability.
What This Means for Your Design
This study looked at different ways companies can measure if they are doing a good job with the 'circular economy' (like reusing materials instead of throwing them away). They found 19 ways to measure this and used expert opinions to figure out which ones are best for managers to use when making decisions.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the identified indicators as a framework for selecting metrics to evaluate the circularity of your design solution.
- 2.Discuss the challenges and benefits of implementing specific circular economy metrics in your design process.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the importance of selecting appropriate circular economy indicators for effective sustainable development. By analyzing 19 micro-level indicators through a managerial lens, the study provides a framework for choosing metrics that are both analytically robust and operationally feasible, thereby supporting informed decision-making in transitioning towards a circular economy.
Source
Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering
Circular economy in companies: an analysis of selected indicators from a managerial perspective
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about managerial selection of 19 circular economy indicators aids sustainable decision-making?
- When designing for circularity, select performance indicators that are both measurable and align with your organization's operational capabilities and strategic goals. Evidence: Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering (2019).
- Why does "Managerial selection of 19 circular economy indicators aids sustainable decision-making" matter for design?
- Implementing circular economy principles requires robust performance measurement. By understanding the analytical and operational feasibility of various indicators, design teams and businesses can select tools that effectively track progress and inform strategic decisions towards sustainability.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing for circularity, select performance indicators that are both measurable and align with your organization's operational capabilities and strategic goals.
- What were the main findings?
- Nineteen distinct circular economy indicators were identified from existing literature.. The Delphi methodology provided a framework for evaluating the suitability of these indicators based on analytical and operational criteria.. Managerial perspective is crucial for selecting indicators that are both informative and practically implementable within an organization.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review and Delphi Methodology.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2019 journal from Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a design project focused on circular economy principles, conduct a preliminary assessment of available indicators and select a manageable set that can be effectively tracked throughout the product lifecycle.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on micro-level indicators and a managerial perspective, which may not encompass all aspects of circular economy implementation or stakeholder viewpoints.