Tracy Bhamra

Bio: Tracy Bhamra is an academic researcher from Loughborough University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sustainable design & Ecodesign. The author has an hindex of 26, co-authored 100 publications receiving 2322 citations. Previous affiliations of Tracy Bhamra include Cranfield University.

Design for Sustainability: A Practical Approach

Abstract: Design for Sustainability is a practical approach to design which focuses on the challenges and issues faced by those designing consumer products in the 21st Century. It is written from a design perspective and aimed at both professional and student industrial and product designers, and those involved in managing design.The book begins by summarising the historical and current issues of the environmental debate in the context of sustainable product development, highlighting the benefits gained from considering the impact on the environment and issues of sustainability when designing. The authors answer the questions: What is sustainable product development and why is it important? What are the main drivers of sustainable product development? They explain how design can help to control human impact on the environment by not only minimising pollution, waste, energy use and use of scarce resources, but also by thinking outside the box to create systems and services that can reduce the number of products manufactured. The aim is to put sustainable development within a commercial context and introduce a new focus for design.Design for Sustainability outlines and assesses the methods, tools and techniques available to designers, both for design innovation and design improvement. A wide range of case studies are presented across a number of product sectors including electrical goods, IT and furniture. Initially they demonstrate product improvement and redesign, examples include those that reduce waste, pollution and energy consumption, designing for recycling and reuse of parts. Further examples are then provided exemplifying the more radical approach of system and service design.The final section takes the reader through a whole sustainable design project from start to finish, from brief to manufacture. References and sources of information are also included.

Design for Sustainable Behaviour: Using Products to Change Consumer Behaviour

Abstract: Sustainable design takes into account environmental, economic and social impacts enacted throughout the product lifecycle. Design for Sustainable Behaviour (DfSB) is an emerging activity under the banner of sustainable design which aims to reduce products' environmental and social impact by moderating how users interact with them.This paper presents the results of research investigating the application of Design for Sustainable Behaviour in two product case studies, one examining social impacts of mobile phones and the other environmental impacts of household refrigerators. It analyses selected behaviour models from social-psychological theories and highlights the barriers to sustainable consumption. A model is developed to illustrate the factors stimulating changes in behaviour, and design intervention strategies are highlighted and their application within Design for Sustainable Behaviour discussed.The two case studies are used to illustrate how Design for Sustainable Behaviour could be applied ...

Integrating environmental decisions into the product development process. II. The later stages

Abstract: This paper reports on the results of a three year UK government funded research project entitled Design for the Environment Decision Support (DEEDS). As part of this project, a survey of the electronic and electrical industry was carried out in order to understand the way in which industry in the UK, Central Europe and the USA are carrying out ecodesign. The survey also investigated the successes and failures companies had experienced and the lessons they had learnt along the way. From this survey, the authors identified a number of success factors that enabled companies to successfully integrate environmental decisions into their product development process, which is very unusual in that ecodesign is significantly different for the pre- and post-specification stages of the design process. This paper explains the findings related to the first phase, being the very early stages of the product development process prior to the specification being finalised.

Supply chain influences on new product development in fashion clothing

Abstract: Purpose – This study sets out to focus on the textiles and fashion clothing supply chain with the objective of identifying factors that constrain company activities and inhibit competitiveness.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology for this research involves multiple case studies involving UK companies. Supply chain management theory and ecological concepts have been used to interpret the data and to identify significant blocks affecting dynamic performance of the participating companies.Findings – The research has identified seven significant blocks to responsiveness that were apparent in the observed supply chains: timing of fabric trade shows, lack of control of availability of fabric, forecasting, late stage product changes, geographical proximity to market, decision making decoupled from fashion trends, stock‐outs and slow selling products.Practical implications – The paper draws conclusions about the strategic directions of fashion supply chains and suggests the need to develop strong persona...

State-of-the-art in product-service systems

Abstract: A Product-Service System (PSS) is an integrated combination of products and services. This Western concept embraces a service-led competitive strategy, environmental sustainability, and the basis to differentiate from competitors who simply offer lower priced products. This paper aims to report the state-of-the-art of PSS research by presenting a clinical review of literature currently available on this topic. The literature is classified and the major outcomes of each study are addressed and analysed. On this basis, this paper defines the PSS concept, reports on its origin and features, gives examples of applications along with potential benefits and barriers to adoption, summarizes available tools and methodologies, and identifies future research challenges.