Sustainability in innovation and product development: A holistic study on the importance of the influencing human factor.

Abstract: It is well known that innovation is the key to success for companies. There is a consensus in science and politics that new products must be sustainable. In the long term, sustainable innovations will determine the success or failure of a company. In recent years, numerous methods and procedures have been developed in science and by leading companies. Nevertheless, it is necessary to investigate whether the current process models and tools are successful or need to be adapted. On the way to answers, you inevitably come across the human factor. In this paper, we present the first results of a study on the topic of "sustainable innovations" in product development, which focused on the human factor. A three-dimensional study was set up on this basis to do justice to the need for a holistic, systemic approach: The first dimension is the survey of managers who act as role models and carry the topic of sustainability to the employees. The second dimension is the employees who have to implement sustainability, for instance experts in the R&D environment, such as innovation managers or design engineers. The industry focus was placed on manufacturing companies from the mechanical engineering and automotive sectors, as well as manufacturers of consumer goods, because this is where the sustainability aspect is most relevant. For a holistic approach, a consumer survey was conducted as a third dimension to explore the significant part of the market. In an online survey, consumers were asked about their purchasing behavior with regard to sustainable products and their premises, among other things. The aim of the study was to ensure transparency and identify any conflicting goals that currently stand in the way of sustainable products. This paper focuses on the dimensions one and three. One finding of the study (part one) is that the human factor is decisive for the implementation of sustainability aspects in product development. The consumer survey reveals the attitudes and values of individuals and they mainly indicate a clear awareness of the issue of sustainability.

Keywords: Innovation, Human Factor, Sustainability, Study, Product Development, Holistic Study

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004715

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