Implementation of sustainability in the product development process: a case study in the aerospace industry

ABSTRACT: Delving into a case company, this paper provides a practitioner perspective on implementing sustainable product development (SPD). Strategic implementation is achieved when i) tools are integrated at critical stages of product development, ii) awareness and responsibility are spread across the organization and iii) there is cohesiveness between tools sustainability approach and metrics used. While SPD tools are systematically used and help the company in capability building, the current process does not guarantee systematic sustainability improvements, calling for further research.