Journal articles by Josef-Peter Schöggl
Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2020
Circular economy (CE) has gained momentum in the political, economic and scientific fields. The g... more Circular economy (CE) has gained momentum in the political, economic and scientific fields. The growing popularity of the concept is accompanied by some definitional ambiguities and conceptual uncertainties. In particular, the relationship and contribution of CE to sustainable development (SD) and thus to a more sustainable society is currently under discussion. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this discussion by providing new insights into the evolution and state of CE research over the past two decades, in general, and its sustainability connotation, in particular. For doing so, a mixed-methods approach was adopted that combines a longitudinal bibliographic network analysis, multiple correspondence analysis and k-means clustering, correlated topic modeling, historiographic citation analysis and a semantic content analysis. The results indicate that the CE literature body can be divided into management and technically-oriented studies that have either a beginning-of-life or an end-of-life focus. Recycling is the most referred to R-strategy, followed by remanufacturing, repair and reuse, which, however, occur one order of magnitude less frequently. CE research and SD were found to exhibit a subset relationship, as only a limited number of environmental aspects is directly addressed. Social aspects form a periphery. The qualitative analysis further portraits the conceptual evolution of the CE-SD relationship between 2000 and 2019 by following the citation network of the 30 most influential CE papers. The results contribute to positioning CE research within the general Sustainable Development debate and to identifying potential, sustainability-related shortcomings and blind spots.
Journal of Mechanical Design, 2020
In this study, an end-of-life (EOL) model is included in the life cycle energy optimization (LCEO... more In this study, an end-of-life (EOL) model is included in the life cycle energy optimization (LCEO) methodology to account for the energy burdens and credits stemming from a vehi-cle's EOL processing phase and balance them against the vehicle's functional requirements and production and use-phase energies. The substitution with a correction factor allocation method is used to model the contribution of recycling to the EOL phase's energy. The methodology is illustrated through the optimization of the design of a simplified vehicle subsystem. For the latter, multiple recycling scenarios with varying levels of assumed recycling induced material property degradation were built, and their impact on the vehicle subsys-tem's optimal solutions was compared to that of scenarios based on landfilling and incineration with energy recovery. The results show that the vehicle subsystem's optimal designs are significantly dependent on the EOL scenario considered. In particular, the optimal designs associated with the recycling scenarios are on average substantially heavier, and less life cycle energy demanding, than their landfilling or incineration with energy recovery related counterparts, thus demonstrating how the inclusion of EOL modeling in the LCEO methodology can significantly alter material use patterns, thereby effecting the very mechanisms enabling the embodiment of the resulting life cycle energy optimal designs.
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020
Although plenty of research has been carried out to develop a multitude of sustainability assessm... more Although plenty of research has been carried out to develop a multitude of sustainability assessment methods, few guidelines and criteria have been established to help practitioners and researchers find the most appropriate method for a specific case. Studies have shown the importance of integrating sustainability assessments when conducting research and development activities, but have not provided direct links to available sustainability assessment methods. To address the so-called "eco-design paradox", this paper describes a systematic classification system for the available sustainability assessment methods. To support the early integration of sustainability assessments in research and development , we inductively derived the concept of sustainability assessment levels from the well-known concept of technology readiness level. In total, 33 sustainability assessment methods were considered. We performed an expert-based correspondence analysis based on the availability of information to perform these methods and the demand for specific information at respective technology readiness level. Thereafter, a cluster analysis was performed, creating four distinct clusters which were finally interpreted as sustainability assessment levels. The provided concept supports interdisciplinary research projects in that it provides an overview of and guideline for possible sustainability assessment methods that match the respective technology readiness level. This enables researchers to integrate sustainability assessment into respective research and development projects and further modify and develop the theoretically synthetized concept based on empirical case studies.
Circular economy (CE) has gained momentum in the political, economic and scientific fields. The g... more Circular economy (CE) has gained momentum in the political, economic and scientific fields. The growing popularity of the concept is accompanied by some definitional ambiguities and conceptual uncertainties. In particular , the relationship and contribution of CE to sustainable development (SD) and thus to a more sustainable society is currently under discussion. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this discussion by providing new insights into the evolution and state of CE research over the past two decades, in general, and its sustainability connotation, in particular. For doing so, a mixed-methods approach was adopted that combines a longitudinal bibliographic network analysis, multiple correspondence analysis and k-means clustering, correlated topic modeling, historiographic citation analysis and a semantic content analysis. The results indicate that the CE literature body can be divided into management and technically-oriented studies that have either a beginning-of-life or an end-of-life focus. Recycling is the most referred to R-strategy, followed by re-manufacturing, repair and reuse, which, however, occur one order of magnitude less frequently. CE research and SD were found to exhibit a subset relationship, as only a limited number of environmental aspects is directly addressed. Social aspects form a periphery. The qualitative analysis further portraits the conceptual evolution of the CE-SD relationship between 2000 and 2019 by following the citation network of the 30 most influential CE papers. The results contribute to positioning CE research within the general Sustainable Development debate and to identifying potential, sustainability-related shortcomings and blind spots.
Circular economy (CE) has gained momentum in the political, economic and scientific fields. The g... more Circular economy (CE) has gained momentum in the political, economic and scientific fields. The growing popularity of the concept is accompanied by some definitional ambiguities and conceptual uncertainties. In particular , the relationship and contribution of CE to sustainable development (SD) and thus to a more sustainable society is currently under discussion. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this discussion by providing new insights into the evolution and state of CE research over the past two decades, in general, and its sustainability connotation, in particular. For doing so, a mixed-methods approach was adopted that combines a longitudinal bibliographic network analysis, multiple correspondence analysis and k-means clustering, correlated topic modeling, historiographic citation analysis and a semantic content analysis. The results indicate that the CE literature body can be divided into management and technically-oriented studies that have either a beginning-of-life or an end-of-life focus. Recycling is the most referred to R-strategy, followed by re-manufacturing, repair and reuse, which, however, occur one order of magnitude less frequently. CE research and SD were found to exhibit a subset relationship, as only a limited number of environmental aspects is directly addressed. Social aspects form a periphery. The qualitative analysis further portraits the conceptual evolution of the CE-SD relationship between 2000 and 2019 by following the citation network of the 30 most influential CE papers. The results contribute to positioning CE research within the general Sustainable Development debate and to identifying potential, sustainability-related shortcomings and blind spots.
Improving sustainability performance in early phases of product design: A checklist for sustainable product development tested in the automotive industry
Due to factors such as increasingly stringent regulations and growing public awareness, companies... more Due to factors such as increasingly stringent regulations and growing public awareness, companies are trying to reduce exposure to economic, environmental and socio-political risks in their supply chains. This paper addresses the problem of assessing such sustainability issues supply chain-wide. First, to clarify the status quo regarding current approaches, it reviews the literature and then groups the various approaches. Second, the paper provides a conceptual framework for supply chain sustainability assessment. Finally, an overview of available methods is provided, and three approaches to assessing and aggregating sustainability indicators are proposed. These approaches allow for the aggregation of the sustainability performance of individual companies into a supply chain-wide sustainability performance by means of quantitative and qualitative indicators. The results are based on a literature review of sustainability assessment in supply chains as well as on focus group workshops with experts from the European automotive and electronics industry. This paper contributes to the theory and practice of sustainability assessment in supply chains by providing a literature analysis, seven key industrial requirements, a conceptual framework and aggregation approaches. The framework and the methods integrate a comprehensive sustainability perspective emphasizing the understudied social dimension. They lay the groundwork for defining specific indicators and for an integration into a software solution for supply chain sustainability data exchange. This enables corporate decision makers to assess and trace the supply chain sustainability performance of products and organizations.
Selected sustainability aspects for supply chain data exchange: Towards a supply chain-wide sustainability assessment
The emerging bio-based economy is initiating a shift from fossil-based resources towards renewabl... more The emerging bio-based economy is initiating a shift from fossil-based resources towards renewable resources. The use of biopolymers is seen as being a key component in sustainable product development. Research on biopolymers for bioplastics production mainly focuses on product development, environmental performance and cost-related aspects, and neglects the issue of bioplastic market diffusion. This paper aims at identifying the factors influencing the market diffusion of bioplastic by considering the four biopolymers: polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), lignin and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). Scenario techniques employing effects analysis and cross impact analysis are applied in the assessment. The effects analysis shows that the price of PLA and PHA is influenced by the process costs, whereas the prices of CNSL and lignin based novel bio-based plastic materials, are influenced by further technological innovations. The sales volume of all four biopolymers largely depends on the price as well as on marketing activities. The cross impact analysis identifies a range of possible outcomes. While a further price reduction and an increasing sales volume can be assumed likely in the case of PHA and lignin, the scenarios for PLA and CNSL are rather uncertain. The results provide insight into the possible impact of further price and sales volume developments in the bio-based plastic market.
The emerging bio-based economy is initiating a shift from fossil-based resources towards renewabl... more The emerging bio-based economy is initiating a shift from fossil-based resources towards renewable resources. The use of biopolymers is seen as being a key component in sustainable product development. Research on biopolymers for bioplastics production mainly focuses on product development, environmental performance and cost-related aspects, and neglects the issue of bioplastic market diffusion. This paper aims at identifying the factors influencing the market diffusion of bioplastic by considering the four biopolymers: polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), lignin and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). Scenario techniques employing effects analysis and cross impact analysis are applied in the assessment. The effects analysis shows that the price of PLA and PHA is influenced by the process costs, whereas the prices of CNSL and lignin based novel bio-based plastic materials, are influenced by further technological innovations. The sales volume of all four biopolymers largely depends on the price as well as on marketing activities. The cross impact analysis identifies a range of possible outcomes. While a further price reduction and an increasing sales volume can be assumed likely in the case of PHA and lignin, the scenarios for PLA and CNSL are rather uncertain. The results provide insight into the possible impact of further price and sales volume developments in the bio-based plastic market.
In automotive and electronics supply chains, sustainability assessment is gaining increasing impo... more In automotive and electronics supply chains, sustainability assessment is gaining increasing importance. More stringent regulations and growing customer pressure are driving the change towards more environmentally, socially and economically responsible supply chains. Since this implies a rising use of resources for data collection, monitoring, exchange and assessment, the objective of this paper is to facilitate supply chain sustainability assessment. The present paper first provides a tailored set of 69 supply chain sustainability indicators for the European automotive and electronics industries. These were derived on the basis of a systematic literature review, together with 13 semi-structured interviews and five focus group workshops, all of which involved sustainability and industry experts. Second, the paper provides a case example of software-based supply chain sustainability data exchange. The extent to which sustainability information is currently exchanged in the two industries is also analyzed. The set of indicators is scientifically relevant since it considers all three dimensions of sustainability and is intended to allow for supply chain-wide sustainability assessment in two specific industries. It is also of high practical relevance since it was developed with and validated by industry experts, and also since it considers industrial and technical requirements for supply chain sustainability assessment in order to increase the efficiency of the work processes.
In automotive and electronics supply chains, sustainability assessment is gaining increasing impo... more In automotive and electronics supply chains, sustainability assessment is gaining increasing importance. More stringent regulations and growing customer pressure are driving the change towards more environmentally, socially and economically responsible supply chains. Since this implies a rising use of resources for data collection, monitoring, exchange and assessment, the objective of this paper is to facilitate supply chain sustainability assessment. The present paper first provides a tailored set of 69 supply chain sustainability indicators for the European automotive and electronics industries. These were derived on the basis of a systematic literature review, together with 13 semi-structured interviews and five focus group workshops, all of which involved sustainability and industry experts. Second, the paper provides a case example of software-based supply chain sustainability data exchange. The extent to which sustainability information is currently exchanged in the two industries is also analyzed. The set of indicators is scientifically relevant since it considers all three dimensions of sustainability and is intended to allow for supply chain-wide sustainability assessment in two specific industries. It is also of high practical relevance since it was developed with and validated by industry experts, and also since it considers industrial and technical requirements for supply chain sustainability assessment in order to increase the efficiency of the work processes.
Tappi Journal
Research) cooperative research project on biorefinery issues is funded by three universities (BOK... more Research) cooperative research project on biorefinery issues is funded by three universities (BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna; University of Graz; and Graz University of Technology) and four pulp and paper mills in Austria. The project will run for 4 years, until April 2017, and has a total budget of EUR6 million. The focus is on establishing know-how about structural chemistry of cellulose fibers and lignin for more efficient use of these two major raw materials streams. The industrial partners acknowledge that fundamental research is a prerequisite to advanced applications and use of cellulose and lignin. Several subprojects include product innovations for use of lignin, fibers, and fines inside and outside the pulp and paper sector. Ecological and economical perspectives are addressed, in addition to technical developments. About 65 staff members are actively involved in Flippr°, including 12 doctoral students; women comprise about 30% of staff.
Conference Proceedings & Book sections by Josef-Peter Schöggl
A Checklist for Sustainable Product Development: Improving sustainability performance in early phases of product design
Sustainable product design and recycling optimization of innovative lightweight technologies
Over the last decade, the topic of sustainable development has gained importance in the European ... more Over the last decade, the topic of sustainable development has gained importance in the European automotive industry. Because of the significant impacts cars have on our environment and society over their life cycle, sustainability related legislations have become increasingly stringent in the recent past. Therefore, the consideration of sustainability topics throughout a cars entire life cycle has not only become a task for establishing a “green” image but also for maintaining competitiveness in a changing business environment. As authors such as Byggeth et al. (2007) or Mascle & Zhao (2008) state, these considerations should start already in the early product development phase since in this phase not only up to 80 % of a products costs but also the majority of its environmental and social impacts are determined. Due to the increasingly high recycling rates, substance regulations and substance bans in the automotive industry, among other sustainability issues, it is particularly im...
Each time a data set is produced, calculated, aggregated and / or entered in a system there is th... more Each time a data set is produced, calculated, aggregated and / or entered in a system there is the possibility that data could be erroneous. Reasons for this are very diverse and can reach from simple typing errors to different data survey methods or even intentionally wrong statements. Especially when data is exchanged along supply chains – meaning over several organisational interfaces – the data could for example be further on changed, re-processed or aggregated various times and for various purposes. Consequently, a simple error could be the cause for a complete data framework to be wrong. Erroneous sustainability data does not constitute a problem in itself, but the interpretations based on the data could lead to wrong decisions and could pose companies at risk for instance by making wrong compliance statements based on the erroneous data. To avoid negative consequences and in order to build decisions on a stable and valid basis it is therefore necessary to check and validate t...
Manual for Identification of environmental and sustainable Raw Data
SustainHub aims at increasing sustainability in the supply chain by providing a comprehensive sus... more SustainHub aims at increasing sustainability in the supply chain by providing a comprehensive sustainability data management for the electronics and automotive sectors. Today, the production of cars and electronic devices is scattered all over the globe. A lot of information accompanies the components, parts and substances as they move along the supply chain. However, sustainability information on ecological and social aspects is hardly collected and provided along the way. Nevertheless, as the power of international production increases, society asks for responsibility. The electronics and automotive industries currently find themselves in the midst of this discussion: Which are the most important ecological and social aspects that need to be taken care of along the whole supply chain? For instance, it is well known that human rights violations occur in various stages of the diverse production sites of mobile phones. Still, OEMs – Original Equipment Manufacturer – are struggling wi...
SustainHub - a software solution for sustainable supply chain management in the electronics industry
Book chapters by Josef-Peter Schöggl
This chapter presents research results on the topic of supply chain sustainability assessment. It... more This chapter presents research results on the topic of supply chain sustainability assessment. It is based on interactions with multiple stakeholders from the automotive and electronics industry to determine on which sustainability aspects data exchange could take place all along the supply chain. A focus is then set on company representatives in these sectors to define which indicators make sense to assess these sustainability aspects and what the company requirements are to implement a supply chain-wide assessment. Findings suggest a set of 36 sustainability aspects to exchange sustainability data along the supply chain with 69 corresponding qualitative and quantitative indicators. A framework and methods to calculate the sustainability performance of supply chains are also provided and assessed according to seven industry requirements. The standardized approach enables practitioners to save time in sustainability data exchange and improve the assessment and traceability of their products, individual companies and supply chains. This work provides to our knowledge the most complete tool for a supply chain-wide sustainability assessment on the environmental, social and governance dimensions of sustainability.
Papers by Josef-Peter Schöggl
Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft, Mar 11, 2024
Zusammenfassung Mobilität und Kreislaufwirtschaft hängen enger zusammen als nur über das Recyclin... more Zusammenfassung Mobilität und Kreislaufwirtschaft hängen enger zusammen als nur über das Recycling von Fahrzeugen. Anhand der (Mobilität mit) Fahrrädern untersuchen wir diesen Zusammenhang und setzen ihn in Kontext mit den Sustainable Development Goals. Dafür verwenden wir den Rahmen eines erweiterten Kreislaufwirtschaftsmodells. Als Fallbeispiel für die Erhebung und Analyse dient die Stadt Graz, anhand derer wir in einer umfassenden Sekundäranalyse Ansatzpunkte für Kreislaufwirtschaft mit Fahrrädern erheben. Diese setzen wir in Vergleich zu den drei fahrradfreundlichsten Städten der Welt gemäß Bicycle Cities Index von 2022. Dabei zeigt sich, dass Fahrräder eine wichtige Stellung nicht nur in der Mobilitätspolitik, sondern auch in einer erweiterten Kreislaufwirtschaft einnehmen und auf allen Stufen der Kreislaufwirtschaft gut verankert werden können. Neben Sharingmodellen spielen die Intensivierung und Verbesserung der Nutzung ebenso eine wichtige Rolle wie die Weitergabe bzw. Wiederverwendung gebrauchter Fahrräder und die Reparatur defekter Fahrräder. Ist eine Instandsetzung nicht mehr möglich, so können Fahrräder mit neuen Komponenten versehen werden oder umgekehrt noch gebrauchstaugliche Komponenten von ansonsten kaputten
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Journal articles by Josef-Peter Schöggl
Conference Proceedings & Book sections by Josef-Peter Schöggl
Book chapters by Josef-Peter Schöggl
Papers by Josef-Peter Schöggl