Integrated innovation and sustainability analysis for new technologies: An approach for collaborative R&D projects

Abstract

In order to effectively shape the impact of an innovation on sustainability, the early phases of the innovation process are crucial. This is especially true for complex collaborative R&D projects with multiple partners. We have found that there is an increasing need for simple methods that enable partners in such R&D projects to guide them towards sustainability-oriented innovations (SOI). In response, we have developed a methodology called Integrated Innovation and Sustainability Analysis (IISA). It is based on the early involvement of stakeholders, along with a sustainability assessment of the planned innovation to provide feedback loops into technology development. The overall goal of the method is to improve the potential impact on sustainability in the three dimensions: economic, environmental, and social. The IISA method and its application in two collaborative R&D projects with several research and industry partners that serve as practical examples, is presented and discussed in this paper.