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B. de Koeijer et al.
processes, and criteria), and benchmark this. The result of this phase is a timeline of
the design process for a specific case, specifically targeting (potential) bottlenecks
relating to the previously defined research focus.
3. Synthesis
Combining the collected insights, and developing these into interventions which
specifically aim to reach the defined goals, related to the company’s current position
in the design landscape. Primary points of focus are the stakeholder interrelations
and decision-making processes.
4. Implementation
Transitioning from theory to practice, aiming (1) to progress towards the structured
implementation of sustainability- and circularity-related considerations in productpackaging development, and (2) to make these options explicit and clarify potential
risks and bottlenecks related to the actual practical implementation.
The result of these phases is a collection of tools and interventions by means of
which the company under consideration can accelerate the transition towards more
well-defined sustainable product-packaging combinations. Within this approach, we
explicitly focus on the interest of the company under consideration, in order to (co)define the main goals and aims. This research is not targeted to ‘how things must
be done’, but rather to assist in aligning desired and achieved sustainability; aligning
the strategic and the operational level of product-packaging sustainability.
4.3.2 Tools and Techniques
In phases 2 and 4, specific tools are applied to conduct the research:
Visualization Tool (Phase 2)
The visualization tool we apply is based on the tool as described by de Koeijer
et al. (2017a, b). This tool is developed to address the implicit interrelations between
actors, actions, decisions, and criteria, and non-linearity and iterations in development processes—which are often difficult to grasp by means of traditional (semistructured) interviews—and is based on a selection of cards. In three stages, the interview addresses a deeper level of stakeholder involvement: stage 1 addresses a stakeholder’s main project contributions for the case under consideration, stage 2 addresses
a synopsis of the project (“scenes”), stage 3 builds towards a network of interrelations,
by means of the interview questions, answers, and various cards. Figure 4.2 illustrates
the elements of the visualization tool in an example post-interview configuration.
In each case, we apply this visualization tool in interview sessions with individual
stakeholders. This results in isolated insights in each stakeholder’s perspectives on a
project, of which the synthesis is the sole responsibility of the researchers, in research
phase 3. The application of this visualization tool mainly results in advantages related
to the active involvement of an interviewee in the interviewing process, and the
B. de Koeijer et al.
processes, and criteria), and benchmark this. The result of this phase is a timeline of
the design process for a specific case, specifically targeting (potential) bottlenecks
relating to the previously defined research focus.
3. Synthesis
Combining the collected insights, and developing these into interventions which
specifically aim to reach the defined goals, related to the company’s current position
in the design landscape. Primary points of focus are the stakeholder interrelations
and decision-making processes.
4. Implementation
Transitioning from theory to practice, aiming (1) to progress towards the structured
implementation of sustainability- and circularity-related considerations in productpackaging development, and (2) to make these options explicit and clarify potential
risks and bottlenecks related to the actual practical implementation.
The result of these phases is a collection of tools and interventions by means of
which the company under consideration can accelerate the transition towards more
well-defined sustainable product-packaging combinations. Within this approach, we
explicitly focus on the interest of the company under consideration, in order to (co)define the main goals and aims. This research is not targeted to ‘how things must
be done’, but rather to assist in aligning desired and achieved sustainability; aligning
the strategic and the operational level of product-packaging sustainability.
4.3.2 Tools and Techniques
In phases 2 and 4, specific tools are applied to conduct the research:
Visualization Tool (Phase 2)
The visualization tool we apply is based on the tool as described by de Koeijer
et al. (2017a, b). This tool is developed to address the implicit interrelations between
actors, actions, decisions, and criteria, and non-linearity and iterations in development processes—which are often difficult to grasp by means of traditional (semistructured) interviews—and is based on a selection of cards. In three stages, the interview addresses a deeper level of stakeholder involvement: stage 1 addresses a stakeholder’s main project contributions for the case under consideration, stage 2 addresses
a synopsis of the project (“scenes”), stage 3 builds towards a network of interrelations,
by means of the interview questions, answers, and various cards. Figure 4.2 illustrates
the elements of the visualization tool in an example post-interview configuration.
In each case, we apply this visualization tool in interview sessions with individual
stakeholders. This results in isolated insights in each stakeholder’s perspectives on a
project, of which the synthesis is the sole responsibility of the researchers, in research
phase 3. The application of this visualization tool mainly results in advantages related
to the active involvement of an interviewee in the interviewing process, and the