Managing the design/environment interface: studies of integration mechanisms

Despite the various barriers that seem to hamper integration between product designers and environmental specialists, few studies have addressed how different mechanisms may reduce these barriers. This paper focuses on such mechanisms, specifically addressing product development within the electronics industry. On the basis of empirical case studies, different mechanisms are addressed regarding their potential to support integration between product designers and environmental specialists. Consistent with the literature on conventional product development, the findings indicate that both organizational mechanisms and technological mechanisms seem valid for facilitating such integration.