A framework to integrate product design and supply chain decisions to minimize CO2 emission

Abstract

In this research, we develop a decision framework combining product design and supply chain decisions to minimize the CO2 emission during a product life cycle. Four decision stages are identified: component identification, design generation, supply chain optimization, and design evaluation. Models and tools required in each stage are developed, including a feature-function table to identify components, generic algorithms to search a good design, a dynamic programming based algorithm to optimize supply chain performance, and life cycle assessment models and databases to evaluate the design. A real case of computer chair is used to illustrate the design framework and its effectiveness.