Design and sustainability for innovation in Family Firms. A case study from the Italian furniture sector.

The increasingly competitive environment requires a continuous innovation for both survival and competitiveness of firms, including FFs. This study aims at investigating to what extent environmental practices and eco-design methods can be included into innovation, in order to develop new products that satisfy consumers’ expectations in terms of both aesthetic and functionality and environmental saving. The case of an Italian FF operating in the furniture industry has been deeply analysed. By focusing on a recent innovation project, the study provides empirical evidence that environmental sustainability can be actually considered as an innovative force generating new products and processes

Furniture companies and circular economy: an exploratory study.

In today’s society growing attention is paid to global environmental risks and related consequences, such as the increasing amount of CO2 emissions, global warming, deforestation, acid rains, depletion of resources, which are threatening humanity’s survival (Meadows et al., 2004; Jackson, 2009; Rockström et al., 2009). In this context, the concept of Circular Economy (CE) has gradually raised and received growing importance on both firms and Governments’ agendas (Brennan et al., 2015). The aim of this study is to explore to what extent furniture companies are aware about the CE practices, how they are implemented within them and which factors can motivate, support or hinder their adoption. At an operational level, quality management practises are also investigated in this study, since they can be particularly helpful for managers in implementing environmentally sustainable practises, which, in turn, are critical within a circular business context (Rusinko, 2005)

Circular Economy and Quality Management within the Furniture Sector: an exploratory study.

This study aims at exploring whether and how furniture companies know about Circular Economy (CE), what they concretely do for implementing CE practices and what factors motivate, support or hinder their adoption. The role of product and process certifications has been also investigated, since they can be particularly helpful for implementing an environmentally sustainable approach, which, in turn, is critical within a circular business context. The research method is based on a qualitative multiple case-study carried out on four Italian companies operating in the furniture industry. A moderate degree of awareness and knowledge of CE principles emerged from the analysis. However, furniture companies are still little involved in CE practices, especially regarding reuse and recycle activities, which are particularly important within this perspective. Similarly, a scarce use of process and product certifications emerged from the study. Therefore, a potential gap arises between the positive attitude towards CE practices and their actual implementation, which suggests implications for both companies and public institutions