Microfoundations for Sustainable Growth with Eco-Intelligent Product Service-Arrangements

Christa Liedtke, Johannes Buhl and Najine Ameli
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Christa Liedtke: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Research Group Sustainable Production and Consumption, Doeppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42013, Germany
Johannes Buhl: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Research Group Sustainable Production and Consumption, Doeppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42013, Germany
Najine Ameli: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Research Group Sustainable Production and Consumption, Doeppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42013, Germany

Sustainability, 2013, vol. 5, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: This paper argues that the contemporary growth paradigm needs to be reconsidered on a micro level of consumption and product service-systems. This becomes necessary since a dynamic link between macro strategies and micro implementation of sustainable growth is missing up to date. Therefore, mainstream sustainability strategies of efficiency and consistency are extended by sufficiency in order to integrate strategies for individual welfare within their social environment. Limits to and drivers for growth are revised and updated socially in terms of qualitative values, diminishing marginal utility or symbolic social distinction. We elaborate a definition of sustainable growth that fosters individual welfare by enhancing social enactment within the boundaries of environmental space. Shifting focus on social aspects in design fosters more sustainable production and consumption patterns while sustaining individual welfare. We derive latent indications for eco-intelligent product service-arrangements and evaluate to concepts by referring to introduced definitions and according indications. With doing so, we illustrate new pathways for the translation of sustainable growth and strategies into product service-systems.

Keywords: Material Footprint; sustainability strategies; social limits to growth; individual welfare; sustainable design; product service-systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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