GELENA modules

The modules of the GELENA project are interrelated and partly build upon each other. Although we work on these modules in parallel, progress differs between them as indicated by the size of the colored bar.

Module 1: Theoretical Concepts

The module "Theoretical Concepts" is the place to relate the theoretical elements from the other modules and the qualification projects of the team members to each other and to put them into a wider context. While in modules 2 to 6 theory is usually applied to empirical and practical questions, this module focuses on the interrelation of these theoretical elements. This in turn may give new impulses for the empirical work.

This is done, e.g. by team discussions focusing on topics central to the project (sustainability, learning, participation), or by addressing overarching theoretical questions in smaller working groups. Another issue is the topical preparation of conferences and workshops organized py the GELENA project team.

Contact: Thomas Beschorner

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Module 2: Organisational Learning

Within the module "Organisational Learning" we examine the organisational conditions for active and sustainability oriented corporate policies. We focus here on the intraorganisational conditions for a company's commitment to sustainability, which results in organisational change, organisational learning, and the capability to generate sustainable (product) innovations.

On the empirical side, our investigation is based on a number of case studies of companies that have implemented sustainability-oriented innovations. We are mostly interested in the experiences of employees from various parts of the organisation including management, sustainability departments and development units.

Contact: Bernd Siebenhüner

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Module 3: Institutionalisation of Sustainability

Within this module we investigate processes of institutionalisation and learning in the fields of needs housing & construction, mobility, and information & communication. By analysing the (actors') structures as well as the political and legal framework conditions in these three fields of needs we aim at a description and explanation of the conditions that promote or restrain corporate action towards sustainability.

For these case studies, we conducted interviews with experts of companies and manufacturers' associations, consumers' organisations, NGO's, science, the media and politics. The empirical results are analysed using approaches from the theory of institutions, in particular the sociological neo-institutionalism, and from the theory of learning.

Contact: Thomas Beschorner

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Module 4: Methods of Participatory Product Development

The aim of this module is to analyse existing particpatory processes to develop a method for participatory product development. By involving product users as well as companies, and employing suitable methods for participation as well as a tool for life cycle analysis (see module 5) we want to design a method to develop products which are more climate friendly.

This is mostly done by analysing participatory methods from the literature and evaluating their transferability to GELENA. Furthermore, we build upon results from modules 2 and 3.

Contact: Esther Hoffmann, Bernd Siebenhüner

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Module 5: Integrated Modelling Approaches

This module covers the development of a computer model that allows the participants of the product development process (module 6) to evaluate their propositions with respect to greenhouse gas emissions. Referring to experiences of the participatory integrated assessment we concentrate on intuitive usability and a proper visualisation of results. The use of this model in the participatory product development process is supplemented by expert talks to climate change and its causes.

Contact: Volker Barth

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Module 6: Participatory Product Development

In the module "Participatory Product Development" we apply the participatory product development method developed in module 4 in practice. This will be done in cooperation with HAWK Bikes E&M GmbH, Berlin, and will focus on pedelecs (bicycles with supporting electic motor). The aim of the process is to either develop a new product or to improve upon an existing one, jointly with consumers and scientists. Climate protection issues are also supposed to play an important role during the product development process.

Contact: Esther Hoffmann

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Module 7: Public Relations and Knowledge Transfer

Aim of this module is the transparency of our scientific work as well as to provide insights into the background and goals of the project. Target audience are practitioners and the scientific community, to whom the scientific results of the GELENA project as a whole and of individual team members shall be announced. Transparent communication in combination with being close to practice is one means to stimulate mutual learning of science, consumers and companies.

Contact: Karin Vogelpohl

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