An integrative review exploring the development of sustainable product design in the technological context of Industry 4.0

Abstract

Recent developments in the field of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and its enabling technologies have led to a renewed interest in sustainable product design (SPD). So far, however, little research has adequately addressed these issues. Inspired by I4.0 and sustainability initiatives, this study aims to present a new perspective on the development of SPD through an integrative review. The purpose is to provide frameworks as a stepping stone toward the development of SPD in the technology-driven context of I4.0. Based on the four characteristics of intelligentization, digitalization, servitization, and networkization of I4.0, four pillows of the development framework were introduced. These include artificial intelligence-aided design (AI-aided design, AIAD), cyber-physical design (CPD), product-service design (PSD), and cross-platform collaborative design (CPCD). The proposed frameworks have a meaningful impact and positive implications for SPD associated with the corresponding I4.0 technologies. They can offer holistic solutions for SPD, leading to a more agile, responsive, resource-efficient, and sustainability-visible design process and design outcome. The study also discusses limitations and future research implications.