Examining Sustainable Design through Experimentation: The Effects of Information Precision, Training, and Experience

Abstract

This study examines how cost information precision, environmental training, and designer experience jointly impact sustainable design decisions in the context of new product development (NPD). Using a between-subjects factorial experiment with undergraduate accounting students as proxies for product designers, participants were tasked with designing an eco-friendly dollhouse using LEGO blocks for a hypothetical company. The results reveal that while cost information precision, environmental training, and experience alone do not significantly influence sustainable design, their interactions do. Specifically, the interaction between cost information and environmental training significantly affected design outcomes, with environmentally trained participants showing a stronger sensitivity to precise cost information when making sustainable choices. Furthermore, a significant three-way interaction suggests that a combination of environmental training, designer experience, and precise cost data significantly enhances sustainable design decisions. These findings underscore the importance of an integrated approach to sustainable NPD, suggesting that firms can foster sustainable design by combining cost management practices with targeted environmental training programs and support for designers at various experience levels. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.