Buch, Englisch, 275 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 446 g
The Combined Use of Analytical Tools
Buch, Englisch, 275 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 446 g
Reihe: Eco-Efficiency in Industry and Science
ISBN: 978-94-010-3902-4
Verlag: Springer Netherlands
Chapter 2 deals with the demand side; a number of characteristics are identified including the object of analysis, different question types, consecutive decision steps, and the cultural context of the decision at hand. Chapter 3 gives an overview of the supply side, distinguishing between concepts, analytical tools, procedural tools, technical elements, and data. The focus of the book is on analytical tools. In Chapter 4 and in a 34-page annex, eleven analytical tools are systematically described, including LCA, MIPS, ERA, MFA, SFA, CERA, IOA, analytical tools for ecodesign, LCC, TCA, and CBA.
In Chapter 5, demand and supply are linked, starting from the question types and indicating which types of tools are particularly suited for which type of question. For instance, it is shown that LCA is particularly useful for operational questions, but less so for more strategic questions. Other aspects concern the distinction between a broad overview and a detailed analysis, and, interestingly, the cultural context of the decision. It appears that without agreement on the criteria to be used, quantitative analytical tools such as LCA, ERA, or CBA may not be very helpful as support for decision-making. Rather more robust quantitative, or even qualitative, tools may then be used instead.
Chapter 6 makes a number of concluding remarks. A plea is made for the combined use of tools, rather than the development of a super tool. Another important topic concerns the customisation of tools, which is seen as quite useful if combined with a periodic validation against a more detailed analysis.
In the text of the preceding chapters, 26 text boxes are included as practical illustrations of the principles described in the text. In the following chapters, three cases are presented, dealing with electronic goods, the car, and clothes washing. These cases show how, in practice, different tools are used in combination, as a support for a given decision situation.
The book is particularly suited for courses in higher education, both for universities and polytechnics, and for use by consultancy firms, by larger companies, and industrial branch organisations.
Zielgruppe
Research
Autoren/Hrsg.
Fachgebiete
Weitere Infos & Material
I: Demand and supply of environmental information.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Demands for environmental information.- 3. Supply of environmental information for decision support.- 4. Analytical tools.- 5. Linking supply and demand concerning environmental information.- 6. Concluding remarks.- Al Aims of the electronic consumer goods case study.- A2 Description of the subject: electronic consumer goods.- A3 Demand side.- A4 Supply side.- A5 Linking demand and supply.- A6 Recommendations.- References.- Bl Aims of the automobile case study.- B2 Description of the subject: the automobile sector.- B3 Demand side.- B4 Supply side.- B5 Linking demand and supply.- B6 Recommendations.- B7 Additional information.- References.- CI Aims of the domestic clothes washing case study.- C2 Description of the subject: provision of clean garments.- C3 Demand side.- C4 Supply side.- C5 Linking demand and supply.- C6 Recommendations.- References.- Dl Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).- D2 Material Input Per unit of Service (MIPS).- D3 Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA).- D4 Material Flow Accounting (MFA).- D5 Cumulative Energy Requirement Analysis (CERA).- D6 Environmental Input-Output Analysis (env. IOA).- D7 Analytical tools for eco-design (matrices and checklists).- D8 Life Cycle Costing (LCC).- D9 Total Cost Accounting (TCA).- D10 Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA).- Dll Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA).- D12 Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA).- El Introduction.- E2 Response.- E3 Characteristics of the overall response population.- E4 Preferences of the overall response population.- E5 Relationships between type of decision situation (question type) and preferences for certain tool characteristics.- E6 Relationship between occupational position and question type.- E7 Relationship between occupational position and preferences for certain tool characteristics.- E8 Some more findings.
