An exploration of industrial design education in sustainable manufacturing : the case of South Africa, China and Norway

Abstract

This research study explores how and where Product design can develop as part of a responsive curriculum and reveals the actors that play a role in the social practice of sustainable Product design, post-education. The investigation focuses on how the key areas of sustainability are currently explored in curriculum and learning and teaching practices at three universities situated in South Africa, China and Norway. This exploration gave insights into the current practices but also highlighted the gaps identified. The conclusions offered an argument for a stronger relationship between Product design teaching and the emphasis on all the variables that will influence sustainable manufacturing. The study intended to elucidate current university practices in offering Product design students sound knowledge and skills so that they will be able to change public and industry perceptions after their studies. The research was motivated as a result of participation in the DesignBRICS project. This project explored various aspects pertaining to sustainability, and sustainable manufacturing was the focus of this research study. The research aimed to identify how sustainable manufacturing is referenced and encouraged in Product design higher education curricula at the participating universities from South Africa, China and Norway. A constructivist paradigm underpinned this qualitative study, and the epistemological stance was interpretivist. As a project participant of DesignBRICS, the author contributed interpretive concepts from an auto-ethnographical position. In addition, the author's reflections, questionnaire responses from research participants, and literature data were used to inform the research. The findings identified how sustainability and sustainable manufacturing is currently interpreted and practised at the three universities. The key findings suggest that sustainability and sustainable manufacturing will be best presented and taught through the concept of holistic practice, placing the focus on the development of the key elements of sustainability, namely societal, economic and environmental pillars as all-embracing.