Linking environmental LCM and knowledge management: The case of a multinational corporation

Paper in proceeding, 2014

Detailed empirical studies on environmental life cycle management (LCM) in practice are scarce. As such, a study of LCM in practice at a multinational corporation was conducted. The study demonstrated difficulties of integrating LCM into the organization. Three ways of going about this challenge in was identified in the studied company, by; (1) including sustainability aspects in existing tools and processes, (2) using networks and social interaction as a way of creating commitment, or (3) finding ways to connect top management intentions with operational level activities. Managing life cycles implies that practitioners have to consider and manage a lot of knowledge, therefore implicit assumptions LCM practitioners have of knowledge management leads to differences of how LCM integration is handled. The empirical study demonstrated that solutions for LCM integration were sought in mainly an objectified knowledge perspective, focusing on explicit knowledge and tools. Yet, we identify a potential of utilizing insights also from a situated perspective on knowing.