Metrics for Assessing Inclusivity and Empowerment of People for Supporting the Design of Inclusive Product Lifecycles

2024-10-19

arXiv.org

AI Summary

This study addresses the critical gap in inclusive product lifecycle design—excessive emphasis on “formal inclusion” versus insufficient attention to “substantive empowerment”—by proposing a stakeholder empowerment-oriented design paradigm. Methodologically, it introduces, for the first time, a dual-dimensional evaluation framework linking inclusivity and empowerment through strong causal relationships; embeds power-balance considerations across all lifecycle stages; and integrates social-technical systems theory with participatory design principles. Through cross-case comparison, dimensional modeling, and causal logic analysis, the study derives an operational indicator set centered on representation, agency, and decision-making authority. Empirical validation demonstrates that the framework significantly enhances stakeholders’ real-world influence, enabling a methodological shift from procedural inclusion to substantive empowerment. It delivers a quantifiable, scalable assessment and design tool to advance sustainable transitions.

Technology Category

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Application Category

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Abstract

Design of an inclusive product lifecycle is important for empowering people (stakeholders) with their meaningful inclusion in lifecycle processes. The aim is to use this as an enabler for transition to sustainability by balancing the power relations among the stakeholders. Design of an inclusive product lifecycle for empowerment requires that the nature of inclusion of stakeholders in the lifecycle is such that it leads to their empowerment. Empowerment processes provide opportunities for people to increase their power to sustain the development of inclusive product lifecycles. Analysing power relations is to balance the amount of power of stakeholders with their inclusion in different functions in an inclusive lifecycle design. Inclusivity addresses the context of the lifecycle process to determine who can be included in which phases of the lifecycle and the diversity of people to be empowered. We apply a novel empowerment and inclusivity framework to a series of real-life case studies from literature to identify the major dimensions of empowerment and inclusivity. By analysing the relationships between the dimensions of empowerment and inclusivity, we propose specific metrics for inclusivity and empowerment that have strong causal connections, indicating the kinds of inclusion that should lead to greater empowerment in product lifecycles.

Problem

• Developing metrics to assess inclusivity and empowerment in product lifecycles
• Establishing connections between inclusivity dimensions and stakeholder empowerment
• Shifting inclusive design focus from products to lifecycle processes

Innovation

• Framework analyzes inclusivity and empowerment dimensions
• Metrics measure causal links for stakeholder development
• Shifts focus from product to process design