Research Article

Implications of an interpretive understanding of LCA practice

  1. Emma Rex,
  2. Henrikke Baumann*

Article first published online: 22 OCT 2008

DOI: 10.1002/bse.633

Issue

Business Strategy and the Environment

Business Strategy and the Environment

Special Issue: Strategic Sustainability Management

Volume 17, Issue 7, pages 420–430, November 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Rex, E. and Baumann, H. (2008), Implications of an interpretive understanding of LCA practice. Bus. Strat. Env., 17: 420–430. doi: 10.1002/bse.633

Author Information

  1. Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden

*Associate Professor, Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 OCT 2008
  2. Article first published online: 22 OCT 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 19 SEP 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 28 AUG 2006
  5. Manuscript Received: 6 JUN 2005

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Keywords:

  • field study;
  • forest product industry;
  • interpretive explanations;
  • LCA practice;
  • organization theory;
  • Sweden

Abstract

Despite the desirability of a life cycle perspective and many attempts to facilitate life cycle assessment (LCA), industry has been relatively slow to adopt LCA. In this research, we thus set out to investigate the underpinnings of LCA practice in industry. A literature review shows that the present understanding is that ‘structural’ conditions such as location and sector determine the use of LCA in industry. However, a field study of two companies in the Swedish forest product industry (thus in the same sector and country) indicates that LCA practice is shaped more by individual preferences and chance events. Our results imply a more interpretive understanding of LCA practice than has been put forward by previous research. The two types of understanding are discussed and their implications for practitioners in industry, organizations promoting the use of LCA and further research are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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